Simulation

By Dave Meriwether

Josh eased his Lexus into the parking space across the street from Ever Andolo, his and Bella’s favorite Italian restaurant. He stepped out of the car and went around to open the passenger door for Bella, taking her hand as she stepped out, her high-heeled shoes clicking on the pavement.

Holding hands as they crossed the street, they stepped up to the entrance and went inside, Josh holding the door for Bella and following her in.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Labatt,” said the Maître D, smiling warmly. Your usual table is ready. I took the liberty of requesting your favorite wine, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, our last bottle of the 1995 vintage.”

“That’s wonderful, Robert!” Bella leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“Please,” the Maître D motioned the couple towards the table, following them, seating Bella, and then placing the menus. “Enjoy, my friends!” He said, motioning for the waiter.

The Waiter approached the table, speaking in a jovial tone. “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Labatt, welcome back; it’s so good to see you both again!” He uncorked the bottle, poured a tiny amount into a glass, and handed it to Josh, looking at him expectantly.

Josh swirled the wine and then raised the glass to his lips, breathing in the complex aroma and tasting the ruby-red liquid. “Ah yes, exquisite as expected!”

“Wonderful sir!” Said the waiter as he poured each of them a glass. “Enjoy the wine, my friends; I return shortly.” He turned and headed to the kitchen, disappearing behind the double swinging doors.

“Wow, it’s a little crowded tonight!” Said Josh, looking around the room and towards the bar.

“It’s always crowded on a Friday night, dear.” Said Bella, sounding bored, running her finger lazily around the rim of the wine glass. “All of your wine snob buddies are here, as always, trying to outspend each other.”

“Ahh, here we are, my friends, some fresh-baked bread and honey butter!” The waiter said as he returned, setting a small basket of fragrant dark bread on the table. “Are you ready to order?”

“Thank you, Giuseppe.” Said Josh, “Could you give us a few minutes?”            

“Of course, sir, take your time. I return in a few minutes.” Giuseppe turned and went back to the kitchen.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?” Josh said with a concerned look on his face.

Bella picked up her glass and gulped down the expensive wine and then refilled it to the brim. “Listen Josh, we need to talk.” She took another gulp of her wine and set the glass down. “I know you mean well and that you love me. It’s just that…”

“I’m suffocating you! Yes? And controlling you?” Said Josh, looking disgusted.” I know Bella, we have had this conversation before. It’s becoming quite boring, actually.”

Bella looked at him, stunned. “What do you mean? We haven’t discussed this before! I’ve been agonizing all week about how to tell you!”

“And that’s not all, Bella; you have more to tell, don’t you love? Much more!” Said Josh darkly.

“More? What are you talking about?” Said Bella defensively.

“About your friend over there.” Josh pointed at a tall, well-built man at the bar. Bella turned to look as the man raised his glass to the couple, a wide smile on his face.

Bella turned back to Josh. “Are you kidding me right now? Jack??” Bella said, laughing. Why would you think such a thing? Jack and Maria are our best friends. Maria is like a sister to me!”

“Oh, my sweet Bella, you really are a terrible liar! I know all about it. I know everything. I’ve always known.”

“Have you been spying on me?” Bella said angrily, slamming her hands on the table. “How dare you!”

“No, Bella, I haven’t been spying on you; I know you; I created you.” Josh said resignedly.

“What? Created me? What the hell are you talking about Josh, are you drunk?”

“No love, not yet anyway, and yes, I’m afraid it’s true. You and I have had this conversation a hundred times at least. Not in this exact place every time, but essentially the same.”

“Wow! Really? Did you just come up with this now? Are you off your meds?”  Said Bella, laughing scornfully.

“I’m not on any meds, Bella!” Josh snarled.

The man from the bar walked over to the table, smiling. “Hey kids, play nice! What’s going on over here?”

“Hello, Jack!” Josh said ominously. “Is there something we can do for you? Or maybe my wife can do?”

Jack raised his hands defensively, stepping back. “Whoa, Josh! What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it, JACK!” Josh said contemptuously. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. I need to demonstrate something to Bella, and I could use your help.” Josh turned back to Bella. “As I was saying, dear, the truth is that you aren’t real!”

Bella looked at Jack and then back at Josh. “Have you completely lost your mind?” she said, laughing nervously.

“Yeah, buddy, maybe you should see a doctor.” Said Jack, laughing along with Bella.

“I know that’s pretty crazy, yes? Pretty hilarious? Maybe I should become a stand-up comedian!” Josh said, laughing. “But seriously! You aren’t real either, Jackie boy!”

Jack stopped laughing abruptly. “What are you talking about, Josh? Did somebody drug your wine? I’m serious now, there is something really wrong with you, my friend! Maybe you should go home and sleep it off before you find yourself in real trouble. I’ve had just about enough of your little jokes.”  He said, narrowing his eyes.

“I know, right? Well, here’s the punchline, Jack. You, Bella, this bar, these people.” Josh said, sweeping his arm, taking in the whole restaurant. “It’s all just a simulation. A computer-generated fantasy.” He said with a smirk. “To you, it all seems real. You hear, you see, you smell, you taste.” Josh turned to look at Bella, a smirk on his face, then pinched her arm hard as she let out a squeal of pain, pulling her arm back quickly. “You feel! But the truth is, you are really just ones and zeros, code and algorithms. Mimicking humans but without souls.” Josh sat back in his chair and sipped his wine, a melancholy smile on his face. “It’s sad, really, when you think about it. You think this is reality, but you are all just pathetic ghosts pretending to have lives, lost in an endless loop forever.” Josh emptied his glass and then picked up the wine bottle, taking a long swig.

Jack clapped his hands slowly, deliberately. “Wow, Josh! Bravo! You have completely lost it!”

“Have I? Okay then, let’s talk about you Jack! Tell me, how’s my wife doing with the tennis lessons? The last time I checked, she hadn’t improved a lick after six months! What’s going on Jack? Do you have something you would like to share with the class? Your pattern is so predictable!”

Jack stood up defiantly. “What are you accusing me of, Josh? Do you have something to say, nut job? Say it then and see what happens!”

“Relax, Jack!” Josh raised his hand dismissively. “Sit down, I want to return to our simulation discussion, or maybe a demonstration would illustrate my point much better!” He got up and dragged an empty chair away from the table and onto the small dance floor. He picked up the now-empty wine bottle and tapped it loudly with a spoon. “Everyone, excuse me, everyone. May I have your attention?” The crowd around the bar and the surrounding tables all turned to look at Josh, standing on the dance floor beside an empty chair. “If you would indulge me, I would like to give you all a demonstration. Some entertainment, if you will.”

“My good friend Jack here.” He turned to Jack, motioning him forward, and then back to the crowd. “My good friend Jack will assist me with a science experiment! It’s to prove a point, actually.

Jack sat down in the chair, smiling widely and shaking his head. “Whatever you say, Josh! And can someone bring me a glass of wine?” Jack yelled as chuckles emanated from the crowded room.

“And for this demonstration, I would also like my lovely wife Bella to join me.” Josh turned to Bella, extending his hand. She shook her head, mouthing the word No! Josh turned toward the crowd while still extending his hand toward Bella. “Aww, she’s a little shy! Let’s give her some encouragement, shall we?” The crowd clapped and cheered wildly as Josh looked back at Bella, a wicked smile on his face. “Come now, darling, let’s not keep your adoring fans waiting!”

Bella stood up hesitantly and walked over to Josh, whispering, “Asshole!” As she stood beside him, putting on a bright smile.

“And so, before the main event, I believe an explanation is in order! And this is important information for all of you!” Josh said solemnly. “I want to tell you all, many of you dear friends of mine, none of you are real!”

The people crowded around the bar, and the diners at the tables all looked at each other, murmuring, some laughing, others staring at Josh with puzzled expressions.  Someone from the bar called out. “You’re losing it, Josh! Too much wine today buddy?” The crowd burst into raucous laughter as Bella crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head and mouthing the words I’m Sorry to the crowd.

Josh raised his hands. “I know, I know, settle down. I admit it sounds crazy, but I will prove it to you and my dear friend Jack,” Josh said, gesturing towards Jack sitting beside him. “The man who has been sleeping with my wife will prove it to all of you now!”

Shocked gasps arose from the crowd as Bella yelled, “No, that’s not true! It’s not true!”

Maria, standing at the bar, locked eyes with Bella and screamed, “You bitch! How could you? “

“Jack jumped up, ready to attack Josh, but he was suddenly slammed back into the chair, unable to move. “My dear friend Jack will now assist me with my demonstration!” Josh raised a hand towards Jack. A bright red glow appeared, starting in the center of his chest, rapidly expanding outward. Jack sat wide-eyed, an agonizing scream rising from his throat, and then suddenly, his entire body burst into flames. Jack continued screaming as the flesh bubbled and popped, reminiscent of bacon in a frying pan.

The crowd erupted into screams as some ran towards the door, others diving behind the bar, as Bella fell to the ground screaming hysterically. Josh leaned over Bella with a wild look in his eyes. “When will you learn, darling? This is my world! I make the rules! I control everything in this universe, and you’re about to be deleted!” Josh said menacingly.

Bella looked up at Josh in abject fear, still screaming uncontrollably. Shaking her head wildly as her mascara ran down her cheeks in long dark trails.

“And now, for you, my love, something special.”

Something shifted beneath her dress. A slow, rippling movement, wrong in its rhythm. Bella gasped, clutching at the fabric just as it split open.

Spiders poured out of her—hundreds of them—thick, black, venomous. They crawled over her skin, burrowing, biting, chewing as she screamed and thrashed, her body swelling grotesquely beneath the writhing mass.

Josh turned to the screaming crowd as the fire spread, relishing the pandemonium and the smell of burning flesh. “And that, my friends, is the show! Please remember to tip your waitress!”

***

Josh entered the cozy café and looked around, finally spotting her seated at a table beside the window, sipping a coffee, and staring outside towards the lake. She was a beautiful young woman about his age, her long blonde hair in a ponytail draped over one shoulder, wearing a bright yellow sundress. Josh adjusted his tie and smoothed his shirt, then approached the table and introduced himself. “Hello! I’m Josh!” The woman stood and extended her hand, smiling brightly. “Hi Josh, I’m Bella! It’s so great to finally meet you!”