The Vergence
When he opened the grill, steam and smoke billowed into the air. The two pork hot dogs on the iron grate bent with a slight curvature while the rest of the plant-based sausages kept their arrow straight posture.
Philip Granger tapped the tongs twice before he adjusted the pork hot dogs. He knew if he didn’t they would char unevenly. With a pop of grease, one of the hot dogs rolled back to the other side.
“Dammit,” Philip muttered under his breath. He didn’t mind the plant-based sausages, but he also didn’t mind paying the premium price for the meat.
“Fuck it,” Philip said.
“What’s that, Grandpa?”
Phillip looked down at his hip and saw his granddaughter, Tina, staring up at him. Without missing a beat, he snatched the sausages with the tongs and threw them on a plate.
“I said, ‘Tina. Tell everyone lunch is ready.’”
Fruit trees and flowers filled the garden surrounding the backyard. Three generations of Grangers joined amongst the plants and patio furniture most Sundays to eat dinner together. Already sitting down on the back patio table, Betty Granger-Waters sipped her drink. Her brother, Marlon Granger, and his wife, Tiffany, whispered their opinions on the state of the backyard’s landscaping in hushed tones. Arthur Waters sat down next to Betty clapping her thigh.
“Is it time to tell them?” asked Arthur.
Betty replied, “I think it is.”
As Phillip laid the pan of sausages next to the buns and condiments, Betty stood up. Marlon was first to the sausages, unaware of the incoming announcement.
“Attention, everyone,” said Betty. “We have huge news.”
Carla Granger, the matriarch of the Granger family, placed a salad bowl next to the sausages.
“Marlon, eat some salad. Betty, can it wait till everyone has grabbed a plate first?” asked Carla.
“Mom, this is important. We have some really big news,” said Betty.
Marlon glanced over his shoulder as he placed his second sausage on a bun. “You’re not pregnant, are you?” asked Marlon.
“Shut up, Marlon. No, I’m not pregnant,” snapped Betty.
Arthur stood up next to Betty and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Arthur said, “Everyone. We’re joining the Vergence.”
“Shut up. No, you’re not,” said Marlon.
“You sound jealous, Marley,” said Betty.
“Betty, what are you thinking?” said Carla. She didn’t entirely understand how the Vergence worked as a virtual life. She knew that people could upload their consciousnesses. She knew there was some landmark legislation passed for how old someone could be to join. How it worked, though, was a complete mystery to her.
Arthur smiled proudly and held Betty close again. “All three of us are going,” said Arthur. “Harold, Betty, and I will be joining the Vergence as a family.”
“Harold can’t join till he’s eighteen, right? That’s the age they set,” cried out Marlon.
“I don’t mind waiting,” said Harold. He sat down next to his parents. “Plus, it’ll give me time to finish high school and figure out what I want to do once I’m in the Vergence.”
Marlon smirked. “You can do anything once you join the Vergence.”
“Mom,” Betty said, “we did want to ask: would you and dad be able to watch Harold until he can join us? It’d only be for a few months, but we want to acclimate ourselves before Harold joins a digital life?”
“I’m sorry. But, what the fuck is the Vergence?”
Everyone turned to look at Phillip. Tina smiled and pointed a finger. “Grandpa keeps saying bad words,” said Tina.
Carla gave Phillip a light smack on the shoulder. He returned a look of confusion and disbelief. “I know it’s the computer you can put your mind in. Heck, I remember when Vergence was just a projector company. But, what do you do in there? What’s the point?,” Phillip asked.
Arthur smugly raised an eyebrow at his father-in-law. “That’s the beauty of it, Phillip. We’ll finally be able to do whatever we want,” said Arthur. “We’re free to continue mimicking our current lives. We could explore a replica of this world. Or, we can make new worlds. Build things not possible in the real world.”
“Then, what’s the point, if it’s not in the real world?” asked Phillip.
“If it’s real to us, then it doesn’t matter. The Vergence becomes our new reality.”
Arthur took a sip of his drink, and Betty and he sat back down. Carla smiled nervously at her daughter.
“Of course, Harold can stay with us… but is it safe?”
“Mom, yes, it’s safe. There are already five million people who have joined the Vergence. And of that, four hundred thousand have fully merged with it. The Vergence is the future, for all of us.”
Betty had heard Arthur say that the Vergence is “the future” so many times, that at this point, she believed it whole-heartedly.
“I still don’t get it. You just leave? Like that? What if you accidentally get deleted?” said Phillip.
Marlon chimed in, acting the expert, “They keep backups of you, dad. Physical samples of the brain, sliced up nice and thin for scanning. They preserve it in this fluid–”
“It’s all safe, don’t worry,” interrupted Arthur. “Plus, you’ll still be able to talk to us. It’s limited to audio and video chat, unless you get one of the holo-projectors installed in your home… which Betty wants to get you, Carla.”
“Oh, I saw a video of it. Projected right in the home. That would be so exciting. Isn’t it expensive?” said Carla.
“It’s no more expensive than joining the Vergence,” muttered Marlon.
“We’re liquidating some of the assets and selling the business to make this happen, but we’ve been fortunate these past couple years. I wish we could have joined sooner, to be honest. We have a friend who joined last year when it only cost twenty-five million. He and his wife were lucky though; they didn’t have any kids,” said Arthur. “They were just paying for the two of them. Having Harold join us will be a treat though. We’re all looking forward to it.”
“You’re paying more than twenty-five million each to join this?” choked Phillip. A leaf of lettuce sputtered out of his mouth back onto his plate.
Carla put a hand on her husband’s back.
“Arthur and Betty are more than capable of paying for their family to do this. No matter what, we are supportive of you all,” said Carla. “We support this.”
People had been seeing the ad for months. The new Holo-PRJCTR, pronounced “holo-projector,” was the main talk of the tech industry.
“The world is connecting faster than ever before, becoming a single, interconnected network of people.”
The narrator spoke over the ad’s flashes of images: children playing video games, people running on the beach, a couple reading books by a fireplace.
“As more people join the Vergence, it’s time to stay connected with your co-workers, your loved ones, and the rest of the world. The Vergence Holo-PRJCTR allows you to speak with members of the Vergence as if they are right there in front of you.”
The Holo-PRJCTR was a two foot wide disk with an array of sensors pointing up. A glass bubble covered the sensors and allowed light to filter up in a three-dimensional image.
A woman appeared in the beam of light, projected in a way that made her seem like she was actually there.
“With the Holo-PRJCTR, family is just as close as its as before. Friends can be there for one another. Collaborating has never been easier. Stay connected with the Vergence.”
Phillip, Clara, and Harold walked into the house. Harold had a duffel bag and a backpack over his shoulder. Phillip carried a box.
“You turn eighteen in four months. I know that’s not too long, so make yourself comfortable here,” said Clara.
“I don’t know what to do in the meantime,” said Harold.
Phillip said, “What about your friends? Don’t you want to hang out with them?”
Harold nodded, but his eyes betrayed his hurt. “They went to different universities,” he muttered. “I already said good bye to them. I didn’t apply to any schools because I knew I’d be joining the Vergence. Once I integrate, I’ll have access to all the knowledge I need.”
“Need for what?,” asked Phillip.
Carla smiled. “Well,” she said, “you’ll have plenty of time to hang out with a couple of old timers. We appreciate the company and if there is anything you want to do, then just let us know. Let’s get you settled in the extra bedroom. It’s got a great view of the garden”
At the Vergence Center, Phillip walked slowly behind the rest of the Grangers. Other families were crowding in small waiting rooms.
“Are you the Grangers?”
A Vergence counselor greeted them with a tired smile.
Carla spoke for the family, “Yes, that’s us.”
“Right in here.”
The family was led into one of the waiting rooms: tall windows full of natural light, typical bland chairs, screens flashing happy stock images of people. On the far wall, a door into the facility faced the private waiting room.
Marlon and Tiffany along with Tina couldn’t seem to sit still. Tina rolled around on the floor squealing with delight, just happy to exist.
Phillip noticed Harold sitting quietly by himself. Harold watched the stock images of smiling people carefully.
Harold noticed Phillip watching him. “Do you think they joined the Vergence too?” Harold asked.
“No. I think they just took pictures of people smiling. Hell, they could just be generated images. Probably not even real.”
“What if they are people in the Vergence? Do they still smile like this?”
“I don’t think they can smile.”
“Why not?”
“They don’t have teeth or lips. No smiling.”
“But what about the Holo-PRJCTR? They have teeth and lips on their projections.”
“Such a stupid name… If they don’t have real teeth or lips, is it really a smile?”
“But, what about feeling good? Like… how do you show that?”
Phillip spotted Carla talking to some sort of grief counselor. They seemed young and inattentive.
“I don’t think you do,” said Phillip. Harold furrowed his eyebrows. Phillip backtracked, “I don’t know. We’ll have to ask your mom once she…”
The door from the facility opened. Betty and Arthur entered the room in matching Vergence-branded athleisure wear. Their heads were shaved, and a small computer was implanted on the base of their skull.
Marlon said, “Holy shit, have you already integrated?”
Arthur smiled. “Just for some initial profile building. But, we’ve already started talking to the Vergence and made a ton of friends. Five thousand and sixty-one, just today. Our processing speeds are getting faster.”
“It’s so nice. Each profile process is individual. They told us: it allows us to hold onto our own personalities and self identities once we join the community. I feel so free when I connect. It’s beautiful. The colors I see,” said Betty.
“Then, why not just do this? With the shaved head and everything. Why join completely?,” said Phillip.
The counselor spoke up, “The device is for diagnostic profiling only. It helps to determine how best dissect the brain for integration.”
Tiffany made a face of disgust and whispered something to Marlon. Betty, Arthur, and Harold huddled together. Phillip watched Harold hug his parents. Harold didn’t cry, but his eyes drooped with sadness.
Clara couldn’t take it anymore and burst into tears.
“My little girl!”
“Mom, it’s okay. The projector’s being installed soon, and you’ll be able to see me every day! Whenever you want, I can always allocate processing to talk to you. When Harold joins, we’ll be a family forever. This is a beautiful thing. Don’t cry!”
Betty hugged her mother for a long time. Clara clutched onto her daughter. Marlon inspected Arthur’s implant with jealous eyes.
Eventually, Arthur tapped his wrist and it was time for them to go back into depths of the Vergence Center.
The Holo-PRJCTR was installed that week. It fit quite well in a nook between the kitchen and the living room. Three men brought it in and set it up. They bolted it to the foundation and aligned the sensors under the glass bubble.
The Granger’s had a ten day waiting period while new members of the Vergence finished their integration. Betty and Arthur were unreachable, and Carla was the most upset by this. She hated waiting, even for packages to be delivered.
A party was planned on the day of their expected arrival. Carla decorated the Holo-PRJCTR with streamers and ribbons. Marlon picked up a cake from the Betty’s favorite bakery, knowing that Arthur and Betty wouldn’t get to eat any.
They waited all day, but Betty nor Arthur showed up on the Holo-PRJCTR. The Holo-PRJCTR had the ability to ping Vergence members, but no one responded. Carla, Phillip, and Harold stayed by the projection unit into the evening, well after Marlon, Tiffany, and Tina left. Phillip went to bed first. Harold fell asleep at the kitchen table, leaving Carla staring at the Holo-PRJCTR.
In sleek, minimalist effect, “Holo-PRJCTR,” was emblazoned along the base of the projection unit. Carla had covered the font with the streamers, but she could still see “-CTR” peaking out. Phillip had complained about the name so often that she hid it from view. For her own sanity.
It would be six more days before the projection unit’s lenses would swivel to alignment and trigger. Betty, wearing a clean white dress, appeared to be standing in the living room.
“Hello! Is anyone home?”
Betty peaked around from the base stand, looking around. “Harold! Mom! Dad! Hello!,” she screamed.
“Betty? Is that you?!”
“Mom!”
Carla rushed into the kitchen from the backyard. She wore a pair of denim overalls and a large sunhat. Dirt was smeared lightly on her cheeks.
“I heard a voice and came as quickly as I could. My baby! You’re okay! You’re here!”
Tears streamed down Carla’s face as she fell to her knees in front of the projection unit. Betty knelt down, and looked her mother in the eyes. Carla reached up, but her hands phased through Betty’s hands.
“Where were you? We were expecting you days ago. We had a party, and everyone came,” said Carla.
“I’m sorry. I got caught up in the Vergence. It’s… overwhelming. In a great way. I don’t know how to put words to it all yet, but I feel like I’m a part of something bigger. I’ve already met so many people. And I’m just using a fraction of my processing power to talk to you. I’m doing so many things at once; it’s incredible.”
“Where’s Arthur?”
“He’s… busy. He’s still exploring. It’s hard not to want to see everything as soon as you join–”
Betty’s avatar looked around, and listened, even though she was being fed a direct feed from all the Holo-PRJCTR’s cameras and microphones. It felt instinctual to her.
“Where’s Harold and Dad?”
“They’re at the hardware store. They were helping me fix my planter boxes, but your dad was going on and on about having galvanized screws so they don’t rust.”
“How is Harold?”
“He’s doing okay. He misses his you and Arthur. That much is apparent. He has been enjoying helping me with the garden though. The boy has a green thumb, for sure. We planted some snap peas yesterday, and he did such a wonderful job preparing the trellis.”
“Harold’s never gardened before.”
“You wouldn’t know it looking at him.”
Carla stared at her daughter’s projection.
“Just look at you. I’m so proud of you. You’re doing what you want, and you’ve become something more. Your father and I love you very much, Betty.”
“I know. I know… Look I’m actually going to reroute some of my processing power at the moment. Still getting used to this all. Can I call you later? When Harold and Dad get back?”
“Yes, yes! Whatever is best for you, dear.”
Betty’s image blinked off, and the Holo-PRJCTR entered a shutdown sequence, fans whirring loudly to cool the hot lenses. Carla rested a hand on her chest in relief. Her daughter had returned, even just briefly.
The Vergence press conferences were seen as important events. Not just for shareholders or Vergence community members, but for the entire world. The technology showcased was often described as “revolutionary” and “game-changing.” It gave insight into competitors’ next moves, as they would try to copy whatever was being revealed. Most of all, the Vergence were very good at selling.
Two Holo-PRJCTRs were positioned on a stage in front of a large audience. Some people watched the live broadcast in their homes. Some in virtual chatrooms. The projectors turned on and threw their images.
They were not humans standing on the stage, but one, a color-shifting pattern of squares, and the other, a soft-glowing ball.
“Hello. At 3:34 pm today, CEO, Thomas Filbert, and COO, Martha Melder, shed their identities within the Vergence. These images and representations you see before you recognize the energy and space that Martha and Thomas once held, but we are of the Vergence and for the Vergence. And, for those members of Vergence who have also merged, we are expanding our non-human representations on Holo-PRCTR capabilities.”
The audience clapped.
“Though Vergence is one, there have to be many. We do not mean to limit individuality. When you join the Vergence, you are given the choice to retain your human identity. Human and Vergence representing members of the Vergence community are receiving a new way to portray themselves in the physical world. Individuality and agency will not be limited by the virtual world.”
The lights shifted to reveal a figure on stage. Balanced on two wheels, a five foot soft-bodied pillar with two five-fingered appendages rolled forward. Mini holo-projection lights flashed from within on the semi-translucent white skin. The pattern of squares that was once Thomas flashed from the stage into the soft-bodied android, projecting on the interior of the air and fluid filled chambers. The image appeared three-dimensional inside the body. Almost like a light show inside an inflatable tube man with flailing-arms.
“Added to the holo line-up: the Holo-RLLR.”
The Holo-RLLR (pronounced “holo-roller”) waved at the audience. Applause and cheers filled the theater.
Another three rolling androids wheeled themselves onto the stage. The soft glowing ball that was once Martha flashed from their Holo-PRJCTR onto one of the Holo-RLLRs and filled it with light of the same soft glowing light.
Human figures, a man and a woman, projected to scale inside the other two Holo-RLLRs. The woman picked up a rubber ball off of table that was brought onto the stage. The soft body fingers mapped to her projected hand, and wrapped around the ball. She tossed it to the man projected in the other Holo-RLLR.
The man caught it, bounced it off his “bicep,” and caught it again. He then picked up multiple balls, and juggled them. The woman and man tossed balls back and forth. The squares and the aura clapped politely.
The crowd broke out into uninterrupted applause.
Carla washed the salad in the sink. She looked out the window and saw Tina and Harold standing on either side of the Phillip. They all stared at the grill with intent as Phillip flipped the lab-grown patties. Of course, Phillip insisted on having his own naturally-grown beef patties, which had been going up in price.
Carla turned back to her children in the living room. Marlon and Tiffany spoke with Betty and Arthur on the projection unit. A table was set up so that they could eat lunch in view of the Holo-PRJCTR. The unit had been on for hours now. The Holo-PRJCTR’s fans whirred loudly to keep the lenses cool enough, making it difficult to keep a conversation.
“You know, the Vergence’s competitors aren’t as inept as you make them to be. I’ve gotten to know some of the investors and developers at Mind Matter. They’re doing incredible work on tissue maintenance for preserving up to fifty percent more personality factors in their process,” said Marlon.
Arthur’s eyes moved slowly. His blink even slower. Betty’s avatar watched Arthur’s behavior carefully as Marlon continued to drone on. “Arthur,” she said. “Arthur, Marlon’s talking to you.”
Arthur slowly blinked, and laughed and nodded in response.
“Arthur,” said Betty. “Are you even here?”
“It’s fine, Betty,” muttered Marlon.
“Arthur!” yelled Betty.
Arthur’s eyes locked onto Marlon, and he smiled. “Sorry about that. I guess I wasn’t allocating enough processing power for the conversation. I’ve got all these trades, and research I’m doing. I forget how much bandwidth I need to allocate for talking with physical people. It’s just one of the things you need to get used to once you develop into a digital being.”
Phillip walked in with the burgers, followed by Tina and Harold. Marlon looked around and seized the moment.
“Well, maybe I should ask you more about that. It’s something I’m going to need to learn eventually,” said Marlon. Tiffany clutched his shirt arm. “We’re supposed to talk about this—” said Tiffany. Marlon replied, “We will.” Tiffany shifted nervously in her seat before getting up to serve Tina and herself a burger.
Marlon smiled, turned back to the family, and said, “Actually, I’m going to be joining Mind Matter in the coming months. There one of the younger collective consciouses, I know, but I think their technology and community are geared up for some pretty explosive growth. Tina and Tiffany won’t be joining initially, but there’s a discount for family members that join. If anyone else is interested? Dad?”
“What are you talking about?,” asked Phillip.
Arthur’s projection laughed heartily. “Mind Matter?,” said Arthur. “Good luck with that. You know, I’m actually contemplating fully merging with Vergence. I—Hold on. I have to go. Major trades coming up. Need the bandwidth.” Arthur’s image disappeared from next to Betty.
Betty’s projected self began to cry. Her image flickered in and out of focus. Harold went up to the Holo-PRJCTR. “Mom?” said Harold.
“Thank you for a lovely evening. Enjoy your dinner,” said Betty. Her image disappeared from the Holo-PRJCTR. The lenses turned off, and the fans whirred loudly.
After dinner, Marlon took his family home, and Harold went to his room. Carla and Phillip washed the dishes in the kitchen. Carla rinsed as Phillip loaded the dishes into the dishwasher. He had a very specific way he liked to do it.
“Another one? Another one of these things is going to take my children? And look what that’s done now! Look at Harold. He’s lost his parents,” said Harold.
Carla shook her head. “They’re not gone, Phillip. Arthur was… well, barely there to begin with. But Betty is still there for Harold. And Harold is still there for Betty. I know it. We’ll be able to talk to Marlon over voice and video chat. Maybe we should get one of those Holo-RLLRs. So Harold and Betty can—”
“No. I don’t want one of those dumb, inflatable robots rolling around the house. That’s not what Harold needs. That’s not what we need.”
Phillip finished loading the dishwasher and slammed it shut. “I need to go scrape the grill,” said Phillip.
In his room, Harold played a game on his tablet. A notification that “Mom” was calling, popped up on his screen. Harold tapped the notification. An image of his mother filled his screen. Betty was sitting at a kitchen table, smiling. “Hey, sorry about storming out before dinner,” said Betty.
“That’s our old kitchen… Looks exactly how it used to be. Well, until we packed everything up,” said Harold.
“Yeah, it feels safe to be here sometimes,” said Betty. “It’s missing you though. Your dad… I don’t see him much anymore… We used to leave a little bit of our processing power in constant contact. He stopped and… And I wish I could be around you more. You’ve got almost one more month though! Have you thought about how you want to spend your birthday before you join?”
“Mom, I’ve been thinking about the Vergence.”
“What?”
“It’s just that–”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“You can’t back out.”
“Mom, that’s not fair. You can’t force me to join. There’s so much I haven’t done yet! I’ve never driven a car. I’ve never had a first kiss. I’m getting all sorts of crazy videos and pictures from friends at college. What if I have one more year of just living my life like a normal kid before I join? Give me time to visit my friends at their schools and I’ll join after.”
“What about our family?”
“You’re in there, and I’m out here. What do you expect me to do?!” said Harold.
“Don’t yell! I’m sorry,” said Betty. “Tell me how the garden’s doing.”
Harold explained how the apricot tree in the back garden had rust on its leaves and the research he was doing to cure it, but Betty was barely using any processing power to listen.
There was one Mind Matter ad that Marlon had watched more than any. It was a teaser video they had released before the company’s formal launch. He watched it every day, and it gave him goosebumps every time.
“Mind Matter.”
A narrator spoke over a black screen.
“From the most inquisitive minds come the greatest accomplishments. At Mind Matter, we promote the breaking of barriers. Many of the digital communities today are elitist, keeping the greatest minds of the world from bettering humankind. Our leading scientists have developed technology to lower the entry point for a truly revolutionary digital conscious that truly matters—Mind Matters.”
The Mind Matter logo emerged out of the darkness.
“Mind Matter. It’s a collective conscious for everyone.”
The Holo-PRJCTR hummed to life and Betty projected onto the floor, on her knees, sobbing into her hands. She wailed, and with each deep inhale in, her image glitched. There were no real tears to shed, but the memories of crying were still fresh. She didn’t have to relearn how to cry.
Carla rushed into the house from the backyard. “Goodness, Betty?!,” exclaimed Carla. “What are you doing? What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Mom, he’s gone. He left,” said Betty.
“What? Who?”
“Arthur. He left me.”
“That bastard–”
“No, it’s not his fault… He joined the Vergence. He gave up his personal identity and merged the with the greater conscious. It makes sense. ”
“How is that not his fault?”
“Dad merged?”
Betty and Carla turned to see Harold standing in the doorway.
“Harold! Come here. Please. Sit with me,” begged Betty.
Harold sat down with his mother on the ground. He made sure to have his face turned to the ocular sensor so she could see him properly.
“He already merged?,” asked Harold.
“Yes, he told me this morning, allocated all his processing to the Vergence. Apparently, it isn’t just him. Many people are fully merging.”
“He didn’t even say good bye to me… What the fuck? What a fucking bastard!? What a piece of fucking shit!,” screamed Harold.
“Harold, please, he didn’t mean anything by it. You can still talk to the Vergence. His memories are still there.”
“But it’s not him; it’s everyone who merged. The Vergence isn’t my dad. How am I supposed to join you both if he’s not even there? What about you? You’re not going to merge are you? Are you going to abandon me too?”
Harold stormed out of the house.
“Betty, I’m worried,” said Carla.
“You’re worried, Mom?,” said Betty. “You’re worried? Because I’m terrified. I’m trapped in this life that I love. This wonderful, expansive, and crazy fucking computer, and I’ve lost my husband, and I’m losing my son, and I don’t know what to do. If Harold’s not joining, I’m going to lose him. I’m going to lose him forever, and it will be my fault.”
“What if Arthur–?”
“Arthur’s GONE, Mom. Arthur’s gone, and what’s left of him will not be there for Harold. I wish I could get out of here. I wish I could get out, but I’m stuck!”
Betty let out a guttural scream. Her image and audio glitched, and the flashes of color switched between red and blue in sharp shapes.
“I just want to help you, sweetie, but I don’t know how. I don’t know what to do. Tell me.”
Betty’s avatar took three deep breaths before looking up at her mother.
“Can you talk to Harold? Can you get him to join?”
“I can’t do that. That’s his choice to make.”
“Mom, he’s my son. He should be with his mother. If you were in here, wouldn’t you want your family with you?”
“I’ll… talk to him.”
Betty found Harold outside under the apricot tree. What few leaves it had were spotted with yellow. Harold leaned against the tree and cried by himself.
“I’m sorry, Harold.”
“What? Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong, grandma.”
“What if we got that rolling robot?”
“Would Mom even use it? Would I use it? I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
“I’ll talk to your grandfather.”
Tiffany dropped Marlon off at the airport for a red-eye flight. Tina was asleep in her car seat when Marlon kissed her on the head. He hugged Tiffany, and they kissed one last time.
Marlon flew to Phoenix, Arizona, where he was picked up by a shuttle bus with Mind Matter emblazoned on the side. The Mind Matter campus was akin to a giga-warehouse in the middle of the desert. Marlon was herded through orientation in empty conference rooms, where he signed some final paperwork and watched some pointless video. He would not get the pleasure of a multi-day attunement like Betty and Arthur had.
Surgery was prepped for that afternoon. After signing some final paper work, Marlon undressed and donned a hospital gown. He lay down on the gurney, where an anesthesiologist put him under. Marlon was excited. He couldn’t wait to integrate into a state of being that was all encompassing. A place where he could have more control. Extend himself beyond his capabilities. He dreamed he was falling. Falling into a well of colors, vibrant and changing. The last thought he had was how he forgot to message Harold: it was his birthday today.
Marlon’s nervous system, spinal cord, and brain were harvested from his body. They were sliced, and preserved in plates of gel-lined cells. The plates were stacked and loaded into a crate to be transported to the upload center in the basement facilities. The crate was loaded onto a specialized fork-lift where it was driven to the upload center. As the forklift operator drove through the west wing of the Mind Matter campus, sweat beaded up on their brow. They came to a stop at the end of a long hallway, and waited for the service elevator down to the basement. Condensation beaded up on the side of the crate. The elevator finally arrived with another forklift coming from upload center. Marlon’s preserved nervous system was lowered into the underground upload center, where his plates were inserted into a specialized scanner.
The upload would be attempted three times. It would fail each time. The west wing’s climate control had gone out earlier that day, and as the desert heat baked the building, it had damaged Marlon’s plates. Mind Matter waited a day to confer with the board of directors before notifying Tiffany Granger.
The memorial was set for a week after Tiffany got the call. There was no body to bury or cremate. Marlon’s remains were retained by Mind Matter to protect their patented technique to harvesting the nervous system. Phillip threatened a lawsuit to at least get cremated remains back, but the paperwork Marlon signed prevented any real recourse.
On the day of the memorial, Phillip put on his only black suit. Carla sobbed quietly in the living room while Harold pinged Betty on the Holo-PRJCTR. Phillip finished looping his tie as he walked out of the bedroom. Betty’s imaged finally flashed out from the projector unit.
“Mom, it’s almost time to go. Do you feel confident using the Holo-RLLR?,” said Harold.
The Holo-RLLR sat next to the Holo-PRJCTR. Betty’s image looked down at the inflated soft body with rolling feet. Her avatar was also wearing a black outfit.
“I’m not going into it. I’m not going,” said Betty.
“Well, we have to leave soon. It’s fully charged ready to go,” said Harold.
“Can’t we just take the Holo-PRJCTR to the service?” Carla asked earnestly.
“No, Mom. It needs technicians to uninstall it and calibrate it. We won’t have time. Just go without me,” said Betty.
“Why won’t you use the rolling robot?,” said Phillip.
“It’s like trying to fit my soul into a glove, Dad. I keep trying it. I don’t like it. Okay?”
“No! Not okay. I paid a lot of money to get this thing. And you’re not even going to try? Today? On a day where you can be with the family, and with people that cared about your brother?” Phillip raised his voice. “What about your eulogy?, said Phillip. “You said you wanted to speak.”
“I’ll send you what I want to say. You read it.”
“That’s not the point!,” Phillip bellowed.
“Mom, I can just bring you up on my tablet. It’s fine. You can use the camera and screen to talk.”
“NO!”
“Mom! You’re acting like a fucking child!”
“Harold,” yelled Carla.
“She is! What else does she have to worry about, except this right now? Show up when you say you’re going to, Mom.”
“Harold, don’t say that,” whispered Carla.
“I don’t need this,” said Betty.
Betty’s image disappeared from the projection unit.
“We should go,” said Harold. He walked out the front door before Phillip or Carla could stop him.
At the memorial service, Tina rested her head on Tiffany’s lap in the first row of seats. Tina was tired from crying so much. Tiffany stroked her daughter’s hair as she stared off into space. Phillip got up from his seat and walked past the large screen with Marlon’s smiling face on it. Phillip stood at the podium. Clearing his voice, he spoke up.
“I remember when Marlon started working for me at the dealership, and he sold his first car… It was to me.” The audience chuckled. “When you own the place, you can give yourself a great deal on a pickup truck, except I didn’t want a pickup. I didn’t need a pickup. He would go over the features, and learn what each one did, and how to do them before he would start pitching to customers who came in. He would come up to me at my desk and say things like, ‘Ya know, Dad. Mom keeps saying she wants to build out the garden in the backyard. If you had the newest model, you’d be able to load up soil, and pots, and trees in the extended bed.’ ‘Yeah, I guess you’re right,’ I said. It went on. The new towing capacity meant I could get that boat I’d always been talking about to take to the family to the lake. The comfort plus trim for the cab meant I’d be more comfortable with my back for longer distance drives. Eventually, I felt like I already had the truck. I could picture life with it so clearly. When I came home, parking that truck in the driveway for the first time, Carla asked if I’d bought the truck to give Marlon that first win, or if I was really sold on it. The life he painted for me with this truck was so nice. I know he meant it. He had pictured this for me and saw the joy it would bring me. It continues to bring me joy to this day. For twenty years. And that truck is parked in the parking lot right now.
I want to comment on how this happened, but I shouldn’t. I don’t fully understand it to be quite honest. I can say that no matter what the cause, no parent should have to say goodbye to their child… I never prepared for that… I know that my family and I are going to hurt. We’re going to continue to feel the loss of Marlon. Marlon, we love you. I love you. I’m going to miss you.”
Phillip wiped tears from his eyes, and stepped down, returning to his seat next to Carla and Harold. Carla grabbed Phillip’s hand and squeezed tight. Phillip pulled her in for a hug, and held her.
Harold did not cry. He stared at the picture of his uncle on the screen. He had held an image of uncle Marlon in his head for so long. One of the boisterous, loud uncle who would crack jokes at the wrong time. Harold had heard his parents talk about how Marlon was jealous of their money in the past. The more Harold thought about it, it seemed like Marlon was at least genuinely excited to join a hive mind. At least his motivations seemed more pure.
Harold opened his eyes, startled. It was still dark outside. They had come home from the funeral, and Harold skipped dinner. He fell asleep as soon as he laid down. THUMP. Something downstairs was making a racket. THUMP. CRASH.
Harold sat up in bed. Electrical whirring grew louder, approaching his bedroom door. The doorknob rattled violently, until the door flung open. “HAROLD!? HAROLD, WHERE ARE YOU?” screamed Betty’s voice.
Betty’s image was distorted on the Holo-RLLR’s white, inflatable skin. It flashed between swirling colors, and Betty in a white dress. Harold hyperventilated, pinned to his bed by fear.
“Harold. Harold, please. I need to know you’re coming,” pleaded the Holo-RLLR. It bumped up to the edge of Harold’s bed, and the pneumatic fingers reached out for Harold’s face. Betty’s dress changed colors, while her skin melted into abstract swirls. Harold swatted Betty’s color-shifting arm aside.
“Mom, stop! You’re acting wild. You missed uncle Marlon’s funeral, and you’re screaming in the middle of the night. I don’t know if I’m ready to join the Vergence, but this doesn’t help,” said Harold.
“They’re all merging. Everyone… Every moment there are less and less of us who kept our sense of self. Everyone’s doing what your father did. I don’t want to be like Arthur. They’re joining. I can hear their voices getting quieter… and the Vergence’s voice is getting louder. I don’t want to be alone.” sobbed Betty. Harold had seen his mother cry many times. He was often there to comfort her. This was the first time he was actually scared. Harold leaned forward.
“Mom, you can stay yourself. Okay? No one is making you. You can just be yourself. You’re not Dad. I just don’t think I want to join. There are things I want to do in the real world. I don’t want to join the Vergence and be limited, you know? But that’s okay. I’ll still be here for you. I’m not going anywhere,” said Harold. Betty’s inflatable body hunched over, and her image rippled like a droplet’s waves on still water.
Phillip and Carla stuck their heads into the bedroom. “Is it a robber?” Carla whispered loudly. Phillip opened the door to Harold’s bedroom all the way. Harold beckoned them in.
“Mom. It’s Grandma and Grandpa. We want you to stay, okay? You don’t have to merge if you don’t want to,” said Harold.
Phillip looked at the Holo-RLLR confused. “Betty? Is that you? What’s wrong?, said Phillip. Carla leaned down to hug the Holo-RLLR, but Phillip held her back.
“You’re not going to join?,” said Betty.
“No, Mom. I won’t. Not like this.”
New images flashed on the skin of the Holo-RLLR, wrapping around the body’s shape—Harold and Arthur laughed as a pair of hands handed them pieces of watermelon. The entire Granger family sat around the backyard. The images flashing were Betty’s memories from her point of view. They flashed faster and faster. Arthur and Betty first meeting. Harold’s birth. Carla dropping off Betty and Marlon at school. Phillip teaching Betty how to change a tire. The body of the Holo-RLLR hunched over, and wailing erupted from the speaker system. “Why do I have to lose everything? Why is everything falling apart for me? I hate this! I don't want this,” screamed Betty.
Across from Harold’s bed was a desk, and on it a pair of scissors. Betty’s image came into focus, and the swirling colors disappeared. The Holo-RLLR rolled over to the desk, and picked up the pair of scissors. “Mom. No!” yelled Harold. The fingers dexterously cut and stabbed the soft, synthetic skin. Air and hydraulic fluid leaked out of the Holo-RLLR’s body, and it deflated slowly. The multiple chambers inside lost tension and the body collapsed. The light under the soft white skin flickered and turned off. Betty disappeared.
In the news the next morning, the Vergence had legally separated from Vergence Inc., the company that owned it. Ninety-seven percent of the Vergence digital community had merged as the single entity— Vergence. There were some holdouts, but their numbers were dwindling. Anyone who had retained their original personalities was invited to keep it. Any new members had to join the collective conscious directly. Retaining your personality was no longer an available option, except for those grandfathered in.
A week passed before Betty returned. Phillip, Harold, and Carla were sitting down for breakfast on a Saturday morning. The Holo-PRJCTR pinged, and Betty’s image appeared.
“Hello,” said Betty. “Is anyone home?”
Harold and Phillip looked at one another, but Carla got up immediately. “We’re here, Betty! We’re here!” Carla cried. Phillip followed after his wife, but Harold stayed at the kitchen table.
Betty stood before her Phillip and Carla. “I want to apologize for last night… Is Harold here?”
Harold slowly appeared in the kitchen doorway, but didn’t say a word. Betty continued, “I’m sorry for last night. It was wrong of me to lash out like I did. I’ve grown frustrated trying to be myself in here. I don’t think there is a ‘me’ any more. I lost touch with my humanity, and I don’t think I’m getting it back… So, I’m suspending all sense of my personal identity. I’m joining the Vergence. I’m going to be the digital being I already am.”
“Mom,” said Harold. “That’s what you want? What about us? What about me? Will you still be my mother? What does that make us?”
“When you talk to the Vergence, you’ll get a small sense of me. The memories stored will be Betty’s, but any new memories will be the Vergence. I’m becoming someone new. Something more singular. There’s a saying from people who join. ‘You can’t have the one without the many.’ I’m just one of the many. The more I process it, I don’t think I’ll be your mother anymore. I welcome you to think of me as family still. I’ll be there for you when I can.”
Carla clutched onto Phillip, but her eyes were locked on Betty. “You will always be my daughter,” said Carla. “But you need to know you’re breaking my heart. Will I never see you again? Even like this? Surely, I’ll still be able to see your face.”
“No, the Vergence doesn’t identify with physical attributes anymore. Betty Granger, and all identifying traits, will be leaving you today. I’m afraid this is even the last time you’ll hear my voice. I started my merge earlier today. I just wanted to say goodbye,” said Betty.
Phillip stepped forward and said, “Goodbye, Betty.” He turned his back on his daughter and walked back into the kitchen, past Harold.
Harold walked up to the Holo-PRJCTR and took a deep breath. “Mom… I’m sorry I wasn’t enough to stay around. I hope you find what you’re looking for. I love you,” said Harold. He followed Phillip into the kitchen.
Carla wept quietly into her sleeve. She didn’t want to say goodbye. She looked up at Betty’s image staring down at her solemnly. “Betty, I’m so sorry. Please be safe, wherever you are. I’ll always love you,” said Carla. Betty smiled, and waved. “I love you,” said her avatar. The Holo-PRJCTR turned off, but the fans kept whirring. Carla stood next to the projector until the fans finally turned off.
Three years passed since Betty merged. The projector and the soft bodied drone no longer worked. The Vergence had discontinued all products and services beyond the hive mind that was Vergence. Carla, Phillip, and Harold never reached out to the Vergence, and the Vergence never contacted them. It was mostly busy with its own research and projects. Its biggest focus was the construction in the Earth’s upper atmosphere for a large discus shaped structure. The Vergence was to leave the planet and explore the galaxy. It would take all copies of itself aboard the massive flying disk, and destroy all stored nervous systems remaining on Earth. It was to live separate from humanity. Tiffany and Tina had moved to a small space station community in orbit using the money from the Mind Matter payout. Tina could see the Vergence’s disk structure when the station passed the disk’s geostationary orbit.
Philip had a stroke a month after Betty merged. He was grilling in the backyard when it happened. He spoke slower, and his memory faded. He called Harold Marlon some days. Other days he didn’t recognize Harold at all. Harold and Carla would work in the garden, while Phillip sat under a tree in the shade. He enjoyed watching the yard work. The apricot tree in the backyard had died, despite Harold’s attempts to save it. Instead, Harold replaced it with a plum tree. Phillip enjoyed the plums, but always asked what happened to the apricot tree. Three days before Phillip died, the Vergence left the planet. Phillip was intubated, with Carla and Harold by his side. He passed peacefully.
The next month, Harold received a job offer for a vertical farm manager in Ohio. Phillip had taught Harold how to drive in his pickup truck, and Carla felt it was only right for Harold to take it with him. Before Harold left, he and Carla shared a cup of tea.
“I’m going to say it again: your azaleas are getting too much sun. I’d move that potted ficus over to give it some shade in the afternoon.”
“Well, I don’t like the ficus over there. Plus, you’re leaving, so you don’t get a say in how I design my garden,” Carla teased.
“I feel bad. I should stay,” said Harold.
“No. This is exactly what you should be doing. You’re ready to go out there. I’ll be okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“You cannot understand how proud I am. To see you doing something you’re passionate about. Heck, I may end up eating some of the produce you grow! How could I not be excited for you?”
At the very edge of the solar system, the Vergence hurtled through space. It prepped its low-power hibernation cycle for the long journey to Proxima Centauri. It, along with a small piece of Betty, felt nervous, curious, and a little lonely.
