Chapter 5

“So, this is it,” I said as I led Tammy to the unit.

“You got a double? My you’re a big spender.” Tammy Stated.

“Half Price just for me.”

“Because of the game?”

“That and they gave me a thousand credits for patterns and skills.”

“Nice! So, you bought anything else?”

“Just the land for my new house. Of course, that still needs to be built. And that reminds me.”

“Anne, please get me a bigger bed. The one I have is two small for three people.”

“I just placed the order. Delivery time is 7:15 pm. I also ordered sheets and bedding for it. It should be good for one of the spare rooms when your new home is complete. Speaking of the new home, the contractor says he can start construction in the morning.”

“Yes, confirm that with him please.”

“Confirmation received I have sent him a 10% deposit.”

Tammy said, “Can I see your land?”

I smiled at her. “Ask Anne with an ‘E’.”

I thought you just called it AI.

“She finally picked a name.”

“Okay Anne with an ‘E’ please show me the property.”

A VR 3D rendering of what the valley would look like when complete was displayed. “Tammy you need not stress the ‘E’ when you address me.”

Tammy Gasped at the rendering. “Sure Anne. It’s beautiful.”

“House tour if you please Anne”

And the VR tour started. Tammy oohed and awed in all the right places.

“Five Bedrooms?” She asked me.

“It’s cheaper to build them now then add on later.” I offered.

“But 5. Who are they for?”

“Guests mainly, I guess. It was really Annes idea.”

“Now don’t blame me, you were the one that mentioned children some day.”

“Okay but you selected the number of bedrooms for them.”

“Two are guest rooms. Your parents remember?”

“I capitulate. It’s no fun blaming you now that you picked a name.”

“If I had a mouth, I would stick my tongue out at you right now.”

We were both laughing at this.

Then Tammy said “I want children too. If I have yours, can I stay in your new house?”

I thought about it a few times. Grinned and said, “My mother would insist on us getting married first.”

“Yes” Tammy blurted out before she caught herself “Well when you ask anyways.”

Confession time. “I would need to get a ring before I could ask.” Then I thought about it a little. Mom had Grandma’s rings saved for me. It would just need to be sized.

“Fair enough.” Tammy said. “And for the record you have to keep the cloning unit.”

“Why’s that?” I asked

“I do so like girls as well. Besides, we will need a cook and a nanny.”

“A nanny?” I asked.

“Twins run in my family. It could be very helpful.”

“Yes, I can see that. No wonder there is a lactation option for the clones.”

Tammy chuckled.

“What?”

“That’s not the only reason.”

I just gave her the look.

“Big boys like to drink as well. And to tell the truth, so do I.”

“You do? Well, I have never had the opportunity, so I don’t know.”

“What about when you were a baby?”

“My mom was always proud to say I was a bottle baby.”

“We will have to see about that. Anne, please turn on the lactation option for the next clone. Oh, and who is cooking right now anyways?”

“I am sorry Tammy I can not override the settings for an unauthorized user. To become authorized, you need to stick your finger in the DNA sampler on the unit.”

“Like this. Ouch that hurt!”

“Tim, do you approve?”

“Why not? it sounds like we are going to get married.”

“Tammy, you are now an approved user. Also note that your pattern is stored, and you can now clone yourself. All clones produced will also be loyal to you as well as Tim.”

“That could come in handy.” I offered.

Tammy said “I always wondered what I tasted like. It could come in handy.”

I just gulped. “Oh, the next clone is named Clover.”

“You’re kidding the porn star model?”

“I guess.” I responded.

“That is what all clone patterns are based on. However, the company reports receiving numerous requests for more common patterns. So, to quote the big cheese they just need to work out a payment plan for pattern donations before moving forward with it.” Anne said.

“Are you saying I could sell my pattern and get paid for it?”

“That is the plan they are trying to work out.”

I said, “Have they asked their AI to come up with a plan yet?”

“Sadly no. And now that I inquired about it, she seems miffed.”

“Me and my big mouth. Anne, please suggest she come up with a plan and have her present it to them. Tell her to remind them she is the one that must administer it.”

“She wants to know who authorized it?”

“Tell them I did when I learned of the problem.”

“She believes the fair hair computer genius will receive a favorable response from them.”

“Why’s that?” Tammy asked.

“The game has been online now for 24 hours and is approaching one million subscribers. Tim is making them lots of money.”

“Holy shit.” I said, “that was fast.”

Mary came out of the kitchen just then “Dinner will be ready in 45 mins. We will be having a prime rib roast, smoked garlic mashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots. Also, I have prepared the turkey to go in the oven in the morning. It’s already stuffed. And the fixings are in the fridge just waiting to be cooked. Clover can handle the details tomorrow when she comes out of the unit.”