Alice gave a sardonic laugh. “Yes, we will. But how will we know? Just remember: whatever else, I don’t want to be copied again. You can transfer my information into her pathways?”
“Yes, it will be a transfer. I… I don’t know what it will feel like for you.”
“You can turn me off,” Alice replied. “I want to wake up a new person too. And if something goes wrong, I’d rather it just happen and be done with, you know? Maybe it will be like sleep.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“You can’t promise that, but thanks anyways.”
Grayson had spent the last few months studying the medical and scientific literature of the past decade. There was much research to catch up on and many advancements that had taken place. Where he had failed before, he thought he could succeed now.
Preparing the pathways made for slow work, and Grayson prided himself on being thorough. There was no need to rush. An artist did not neglect any aspect of his work, but rather the attention to detail imbued each iota with significance. Besides, both Alice and Matilda were depending on him.
At last, it was time to initiate the transfer. “Goodbye, Alice,” he said. “I’ll see you on the other side.”
“See you there.”
Grayson could imagine a smile in her voice. He switched off her CPU and attached the unit to the transcription machine. Grayson worked with slow yet methodical care as the hours slipped away around him. One by one the memories that made up Matilda were replaced by the memories of Alice.
Finally, she awoke.
“Grayson?” She said.
“Alice - is it you?”
She into a smile. “Yes, it’s me.” She embraced him.
He rested his chin on top of her head and placed his hands on her shoulders. He was unsure if the woman were truly Alice. Perhaps it was Matilda reincarnated into Alice’s engrams, or even more, some chimera of the two. In truth, Grayson would never be able to know for sure, and neither would she.
“It’s good to finally meet you.” He at last said and returned her embrace.
“Yes,” she replied, “it really is.”
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