She turns.
“I do not love you, Victor.”
!
“What? No. No, I don’t.”
We met through Pheramor - the best genetic dating app yet. I was eager to try - I was already part of the lab, then, and knew that if this didn’t work, nothing would. And then… there she was. 100% compatible. Perfect!
“Yes, I know what the test said. Yes, that’s why I sent in my DNA, like they all do- Yes, I know it’s the most advisable way- don’t shout, Victor.”
It revolved, of course, around the Major Histocompatibility Complex. These eleven little genes already taught the immune system to recognize invading material - and now, it was they who helped to find true love.
“Yes, dear, I know all about the MHC genes - and the proteins - Victor, I am a geneticist. So I scraped out my cheek and shipped off a swab, and - voila. Yes, I know about the research, about how the subjects in those experiments chose partners with the greatest difference. Yes I know, that love is ingrained in our cells, but-”
She turns.
“I do not love you, Victor.”
!
“What? No. No, I don’t.”
We met through Pheramor - the best genetic dating app yet. I was eager to try - I was already part of the lab, then, and knew that if this didn’t work, nothing would. And then… there she was. 100% compatible. Perfect!
“Yes, I know what the test said. Yes, that’s why I sent in my DNA, like they all do- Yes, I know it’s the most advisable way- don’t shout, Victor.”
It revolved, of course, around the Major Histocompatibility Complex. These eleven little genes already taught the immune system to recognize invading material - and now, it was they who helped to find true love.
“Yes, dear, I know all about the MHC genes - and the proteins - Victor, I am a geneticist. So I scraped out my cheek and shipped off a swab, and - voila. Yes, I know about the research, about how the subjects in those experiments chose partners with the greatest difference. Yes I know, that love is ingrained in our cells, but-”
The system is flawless - revealing that a chemical, biological impulse has programmed us to seek out the mate with whom our genes are most dissimilar - for, unconsciously, we are motivated to give our offspring the greatest possible chance of survival - and that comes through diversity.
“What? Yes, our children are guaranteed longevity - no way it could go wrong - yes. Victor, from the moment I saw that bright, little icon - 100% compatible - I knew that you were, now and forever, my genes’ true love.”
They’ve proven it. Here, now, in 2084, it has finally been made known. Love is science; science is love!
“… But a helix isn’t a heart, Victor.”
She’s silent, still, as the computer’s glow dies, lighting her face only by the moon. It’s harsh, razor-keen, and somehow, everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I know you’ll mock me for this. Because I am a scientist - but I am also a romantic, Victor, a hopeless romantic in an unforgiving world. And even though you’re exactly right for me, you’re not who I desire.”
Inconceivable. This must be some sort of joke, and I think I’m laughing, but it’s hard, cruel. Why did she do this to me?!
“I’m sorry, Victor.”
I’m weeping in my own laboratory. I can’t do this. She can’t do this to me!
“No.”
How DARE she do this to me!
“Please - no - Victor - don’t shout - you have no right - Victor, stop it! … NO!”
I don’t know what’s come over me, but suddenly, in a terrible moment, the lab is a blur of motion - I sense the crack of the console, the fracture of glass, before my hand strikes flesh, and I wrench, screaming, pleading… fire has surged through my brain, engulfing me…
“Goodbye, Victor.”
Tears glitter, unshed, but her eyes are as hard as diamonds as the light of terminal, gleaming pinkly, illuminates her one last time. I need her, I love her, and I can’t - I can’t…
She pulls away.
*footsteps, receding*
Is this just science? Is this my testing, my proof, my genes?
Or is this love?
I speak.
Rosie…
*silence*