Menagerie

Menagerie – short story

The Acme Corporation has finally released their newest product line, Menagerie, robotic animals. It quickly becomes the latest rage in the golden city of Corinth.

Ever since the last animal died off shortly after the Wars over a decade ago, people have mourned their passing, wishing for their return. But no longer. Thanks to the innovative imaginers of Acme, you can buy your favorite extinct pet. And better yet, you can bind to it through a drop of DNA, forging an unbreakable empathic and spiritual link. A true forever friend.

Timothy Hollow is an up-and-coming management analyst with no interest in Menagerie or forever friends; his only desire is to make it to the top of Corinth’s social order. He dreams of one day living miles above the city, in one of the uppermost floors of the most plush super skyscrapers dotting Corinth’s skyline. A modern-day Babylon. He’s worked tirelessly for the last two years, sacrificing all for his job. Now, he’s on the verge of a big promotion, and nothing can stop him. Except for Mom.

An unwitting pawn to nefarious plans, she stops by Timothy’s apartment one fine Corinthian day bearing an unexpected and unwelcome present, a Menagerie.