Mustard

Kim considered this. She was very curious about how clones were produced but it seemed rude to ask him directly. She was beginning to understand that this individual had opinions and feelings, just as she did, and was wary of how to proceed.

‘Look, Xavier,’ she said. ‘I’m not very happy about using your knees after all. What happens if I return you to Amazon - do you know?

‘I will be put back into stock. As I would not be in my original wrappings I would be stored in the Warehouse section and offered to purchasers at a discount.’ He looked at her directly. ‘Is there a problem with the product?’

‘No, no,’ she said hastily. ‘You’re fine. It’s the concept I’m struggling with.’

He nodded thoughtfully. 

‘You only have two options. Keep me or send me back. And fourteen days to decide.’

Kim didn’t like either option very much. What had seemed like a brilliant idea yesterday felt appalling today. She had been keen as mustard to surprise her husband with an amazing gift but hadn’t really thought through the implications.

‘What would you like me to do?

‘Kim. May I call you Kim? You already know the best course of action.’

‘I do?’ She was mystified.

‘Oh yes.’ For a long moment he studied his fingers, lying interlocked in his lap.  Then he looked up into Kim’s eyes. ‘You won’t send me back because you have internalised my situation. Jean-Claude told us all about the moral compass that most regular humans possess.’