I was sitting in the hotel lobby with Bradley Levin who, as was becoming more and more evident, was the final chapter in the long thought axed Wonderchild Experiment. He was a manufactured super Sim and his 'creation' had been more than a publicity stunt or attempt to elevate his life. It was an experiment in mental simian manipulation. And it had been going on for years without anyone suspecting a thing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There are a few more of the house."
I handed him three more photographs from the envelope. They were basic shots of the 'family' going about it's daily routine.
He took them, and again with the same expressionless look, flipped though them. I gave him time.
"Yeah. Life was pretty monotonous in that house. Everyday I was going to school or learning. I only stopped to sleep or eat. My homework was supervised. I didn't realise it at the time, but even the climbing frame they bought for my birthday was intended to hone my motor skills."
The last sentence he almost spat out. It was the first indication that he had any feelings about the whole event. I mean, I knew he must have, but until that point he had kept them skillfully controlled.
"Every single aspect of my life was monitored. Rated. Ranked. Every. Single. Aspect. When I achieved certain things was marked down. As soon as I felt I had done all I could on one topic or skill, along would come another one they wanted me to do. Almost instantly. It was like some little meter filled up... *PING*... he's done, get him something new to do!"
He takes a sip from his water and as he carefully and purposefully places it back down, he continues.
"I had a job you know?"
I faltered. I didn't know that.
"So... So you left the house? Other than for school?"
"Yes. Not exactly daily. But, yes. And I know what you want to ask, why didn't I tell someone? Well, at the time it was all I knew. As far as I was concerned this is what all kids' childhoods were like. It never crossed my mind that there was anything unusual about what was going on. Sure I thought it sucked. But don't all kids?"
He stopped again. I decided that now was the time for my next query. The following pictures, I knew, were important. They showed something very different. I needed him to explain. I took them from the envelope and handed them over. I didn't need to ask a question, this whole experience he seemed to embrace as an opportunity to relieve himself of some of his past. He needed no directing.
He took them. For the first time since our meeting I saw a smile flash across his face. A genuine, heartfelt expression of happiness. Then it was gone again.
"Her name was Lilly. She lived next door. She was about my only friend. I wasn't supposed to go and visit her of course but I was a the age where I was beginning to question some of the rules imposed on me. I began seeing that other kids were meeting friends, having sleep overs. Going to the movies! So I used to sneak over after lights out. It was nice to talk to someone.... someone normal."
He looked up at me. He looked right at me. And I could again see the sadness in his eyes. A sadness that permeated right to his very core.
He leant back in his chair and sighed. He glanced at the pictures again.
"But then she just shut me out. Told me she didn't want to see me again and to stop coming over. So I did. Like I said, I knew to always 'do as I'm told'. I have to admit that her leaving was probably the hardest part of the whole thing. But that was an end to it."
He threw the photographs down onto the table between us.
I looked at him. He looked at me. I took the last photos from my bag and handed them over. I didn't know if this would make things worse or give him closure, but what I did know was that he deserved the truth. He'd had too much truth denied him already.
"I don't think she left you willing."
He sat motionless for a while. Just staring. Then he whispered. I barely heard him.
"They told her to leave."
NEXT....
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