Jack slammed the door and ran out into the icy cold evening. She threw him out. It was over. Jack wanted to cry, but he couldn’t let his emotions take over him. He needed to find a place to stay.
The motel was cheap and he couldn’t drive any longer anyway.
The next morning, Jack’s head was throbbing with pain. He took two aspirins and showered. As he walked back into the bedroom, the doorbell rang and shocked him. He ran to the door.
“What?” Jack exclaimed angrily. Then he realized who was in front of him.
The police officer eyed Jack up and down. He apologized awkwardly. “Um… can I help you?”
“Sir, is Nelly Miller your fiancée?” the officer asked in a serious voice.
For a moment, Jack was confused, but then he answered, “Yes. Why?”
When the officer gave him a serious look, Jack’s heart sank. He knew something was wrong.
“Can I come in? I think we should sit down for this conversation.”
—
Jack cried seeing his fiancée’s coffin lowered into the grave. He remembered everything from the last few days… from the fight to the news of Nelly’s death. It seemed like a dream – or more like a nightmare. If only he could go back in time and not start that stupid fight. Then Nelly wouldn’t have to drive to her mother’s house angry. That truck wouldn’t have to crash into her car. They could solve their problems and get married like planned. This was his fault.
As Jack was leaving the funeral, he noticed a strange man there. Jack knew this wasn’t Nelly’s friend or relative.
“Jack Parker?” the man asked, smiling.
“Yes. Who’s asking?” Jack replied suspiciously.
“Russel Howard,” the man answered in a calm voice. “I work for the Vita Nova Corporation. We create virtual reality solutions to help grieving families. I have a special offer that we could discuss.”
Jack stared. Deep inside, he felt very uncomfortable. However, he was curious about the man’s words. Well, a conversation never hurt anyone, thought Jack. He took the man’s number and left home filled with new hope.
—
“Alright… let’s see,” Russel said while typing codes into the brand-new phone. It was large and so clear Jack could see his exhausted reflection.
“All done!” Russel exclaimed.
“The Vita Nova app is quite simple to use. You just follow the instructions on the screen to choose your conversation topic. Then, you start talking. The app will do the rest.”
Jack was anxious but Russel’s voice was comforting. “Do you want to try it?”
Jack pressed the large START circle on the screen. Clearing his throat, he thought: it’s now or never.
“Nelly?”
His voice was so shaky. Everything was quiet. Jack thought that the device didn’t recognize him. Secretly, he hoped it didn’t.
Then, a familiar voice was heard.
“Jack, is that you? I’m so happy to talk to you again!”
Jack was so shocked he almost fell off his chair. Russel had told him what would happen. They’d even rehearsed this. But hearing Nelly’s sweet voice again was just… too real.
“Jack, sweetheart, are you still there? Please, don’t let me lose you again…”
Jack jumped up immediately, “Nelly, don’t ever say or think that. I love you so much. I promise I will always be by your side.”
“Oh Jack, there is nothing I wanted to hear more!”
Jack could actually hear sobbing in Nelly’s voice. He couldn’t believe how real the simulation seemed.
Then, without a warning, the app was shut down. Jack panicked, but in that moment, Russel came to him. He was still smiling annoyingly. Jack felt confused.
“I’m afraid we have to take care of some formal things before I allow you to continue,” Russel explained and pulled out a thick contract from his briefcase.
“All the details are in here, but I’m going to explain our main conditions. You just used the trial version of the Vita Nova app. To enjoy the full experience, you have to renew your license every month.”
Jack flipped through the pages and felt overwhelmed. He just wanted to hear Nelly’s voice again. That was his only obsession.
“Just tell me the price.”
Russel looked a little surprised by Jack’s enthusiasm but he pointed his finger at the final price. Jack immediately signed the contract and Russel reactivated the app.
“Jack, are you there?”
Without even saying goodbye, Jack ran back to the voice simulation. Russel understood he was no longer wanted and left, smiling happily. This app would transform the future of his company, he just knew it.
—
A loud honk startled Jack.
“Watch where you’re going!” an irritated voice exclaimed as the car drove away. Jack ran across the street as fast as he could, protecting the precious device.
“Jack, are you okay?” Nelly’s voice asked worriedly.
“Of course, honey, don’t worry. I’m still here,” Jack answered. He walked to his tent, in an alley behind a dumpster. He sat down and pressed on the large button on the bright screen: DISCUSS PAST MEMORIES. Then, the voice changed the topic.
“Hey, Jack, do you remember that romantic weekend we spent in Rome?”
Jack’s eyes welled up with tears. He looked around while Nelly’s simulation talked. Everyone around him was living in same worn out tents, holding the same device in their hands, smiling at the realistic voices coming out of them. Some were hearing their children, while for others, it was lost lovers, grandparents, friends… suddenly, Jack wondered how his live would now be if he’d never met Russel.
There was a loud ding and Nelly stopped talking. Jack looked at the screen in panic, then calmed down when he realized what the text said: “Please confirm your next monthly payment to continue using Vita Nova.”
Immediately, Jack clicked on the large ACCEPT button and continued his life in the simulated past.
