SoulMatch

The drug was called Somnex. It was distributed by the Lovelee’s Corporation. The company was paying people to trial run the drug for their new performative virtual reality program. Many were nervous; even more were weary. Few had a choice in the Alliance District where poverty was more than just a threshold, it was the medium. Benjamin was one of those few who started the trial drug. At $200 per dose, it was a no-brainer to participate. There was little work in their District, shops either did not make enough to survive, or were robbed to the point of the owners abandoning shop. The Alliance District was supposed to be a place for rehabilitation and reform. Anyone from ex-criminals to the elderly too old to pay their taxes were brought to the District to force them become “better people”. Everyone saw the lie for what it was, keeping the other District’s streets clean.

Benjamin was told to take the drug for a week each night and record the results on a voice recorder he would return once the study was completed. Benjamin had learned to read and write but just barely, hence the recorder. He survived from the hours cleaning the motel that bordered the Alliance Wall Line. The first dose left Benjamin feeling like he was floating and sinking all at once, not an unpleasant feeling, but it was different enough that Benjamin was almost hesitant to take the second dosage the next night. But when evening came, he took the oblong blue pill, and his head began to swirl, and the floaty-ness became a pleasant feeling in his mind. His dreams were pleasant and so realistic it was hard to come back. At weeks end, Benjamin returned to the clinic where they took his recorded results, his vitals, and he left with $1400 to his name.

Quite some time after the trial, Lovelee’s came out with SoulMatch. A new virtual reality setup boasting its matchmaking skills. Benjamin watched fascinated as the commercial over the too-small television set in the corner of the diner. Al’s Express was one of the few lasting restaurants in the Alliance District, there was an unspoken rule in the lawless community that Al’s was off limits. Those who tried to overtake the thriving diner, were found butchered in front of the steps as a warning and a reminder.

“Have you wondered about your Soulmate?” The sensual voice declared over the speakers, an image of clouds and a bright blue-sky parting to reveal the sun took up the screen.

“A person made just for you? A mate to share your life with? Look no further.” The images on the screen flickered to a sleek box-like machine with a person stepping inside of it. They placed a familiar blue pill on their tongue and then put on a bulky headset that went over their entire face and around the back of their head. Benjamin watched as the screen turned to show what the person was looking at; a curvy woman with a leather bodice and long flowing hair filled the screen.

“Hello, Mate.” The woman said, blowing a kiss to the person in the booth, leaving a red lipstick stain on the screen.

There were words in an elegant font that curled across the screen that neither Benjamin nor anyone in the district would hope to be able to read. The voice continued.

“Your Soulmate might be out there, with advanced artificial intelligence technology, the Lovelee’s team is committed to uniting you with your Soulmate. It’s easy, just take the Somnex pill and enter the machine. With the help of the mind opening pill, it will allow SoulMatch’s AI to find your perfect Soulmate.”

A smartly dressed man and woman, both wearing matching suits appeared on screen, “We understand that sometimes our Soulmates were born at a different time, but our team of researchers found how to upload their consciousness of those well passed into our system to give you an authentic experience. Your Soulmate is or was real and can be alive now with the help of SoulMatch.”

There was a voice that spoke after, too low and quiet to hear above the chatter in the restaurant with fine print on the bottom of the cloud filled screen.

“Ha! That’s bullshit.” A man beside Benjamin scoffed loudly.

But Benjamin couldn’t turn his head from the set and soon his food was long forgotten as he waited for the commercial to play again. He was hooked. For as long Benjamin could remember he was lonely. He had a few friends around the District, but mostly he wanted a lover. Someone to call his home after a long day and spend time with them. Maybe the reason Benjamin hadn’t met his Soulmate yet was because they were born in a different era. Benjamin smiled to himself as he made his way to work. And it was like the heavens heard his lonely cries and fate smiled down on him when he saw a brand-new sign above the hotel stating.

SoulMatch machines within.

Benjamin hurried inside and waited at the front counter. The hotel lobby was plain but clean and a small receptionist with a crooked nose looked at Benjamin with a pinched expression.

“Staff is supposed to use the back entrance.” She directed him.

“I know. I’m asking about the SoulMatch machine. Is it setup? Am I allowed to use it?”

The woman wrinkled her nose but picked up a nearby phone and asked his questions into the receiver. After a long moment, she hung up and looked to Benjamin with bland disinterest. “Yes it is setup. My manager said you can use it after your shift when the doors are locked in the Entertainment Room. You will be charged in 15-minute increments, there is a waiver to sign on the machine when you sign up.”

Those who lived in Alliance couldn’t afford the hotel, it was used mostly for people travelling between Districts, or those who bring aid to the area. It stayed mostly empty, but “upkeep was essential”, the hotel owner had told Benjamin when discussing his job. And Benjamin took that to heart. Today, he shirked on his duties, guilt coursed through him at not being at his best. Though at the end of his shift, that feeling was nearly forgotten when he was allowed into the Entertainment Room. He was given his Somnex, and lead to a SoulMatch machine in brilliant white and cream colors. He put on the headset that was surprisingly comfortable and put the pill on his tongue. Flashing colors filled the screen with angelic music that seemed to echo all around Benjamin from the headset. The words SoulMatch appeared followed by a terms and conditions contract that Benjamin was quick to skip over and sign. He created a new login and answered the questions about his ideal Mate into the voice recorder function.

Which gender do you prefer your Mate? – “Male”

If you could choose, would your mate be a: young adult (over 18), adult, or older? - “Young adult”

What are your top traits in a Mate? Pick 3- “Kind, patient, a good listener”

And on the questions continued about preferences and experiences both sexual and romantic. Benjamin could hardly wait as he hit continue on the screen. A blue line started to fill in as time passed and the screen said, results pending. After what felt like an eternity, a low quiet voice filled Benjamin’s ears, and a smile spread along his lips as he listened to the perfect sound of it.

“Hello, Benjamin.” The cloud filled screen changed and a man, younger than Benjamin’s 28 years sat on a comfortable looking couch. He had curled strawberry blonde hair that flopped along his face, beautiful brown eyes and a shy smile. He pushed thin framed glasses up his button nose and Benjamin couldn’t stop smiling. “My name is Micah; it is so good to finally meet you.”

Benjamin beamed at his mate, because that was who he was, he could feel it in his bones that the perfect person on screen was meant to be his. “Hi Micah.” He breathed. “You are so beautiful, I am honored to meet you too.”

A blush overtook Micah’s face and Benjamin was gone for.

Benjamin paused, thinking of the other man at the diner who didn’t believe in SoulMatch. So Benjamin couldn’t help but ask, “Are you real?”

Micah smiled fondly at him, and Benjamin felt silly asking the question. “I am real for you.”

And that was enough of an answer for Benjamin.

Hours passed with Micah. They talked of everything. Micah was sincere, patient, understanding, and a great listener. Benjamin told him about growing up in the Alliance District and Micah told him of growing up in a state that no longer existed called Arizona. They talked of their favorite pastimes, their aspirations, and their prior lovers. Micah did not have any lovers; Benjamin would be his first, which pleased Benjamin to no end. After his eyes had long grown heavy, Benjamin let out a long sigh.

“I must go Micah. It’s probably night here and I need to sleep for work.” Benjamin said at last with great sadness.

Micah’s face turned down and for a moment, Benjamin considered staying up for a moment longer, but he knew he couldn’t.

“When can I see you, again?” Micah asked.

Benjamin’s heart broke at the sadness in his voice.

“Soon, tomorrow after I am done with work.”

Benjamin blew out an air kiss like they did in the commercial towards the screen which caused Micah to smile. Benjamin logged off of the session with his mate and another screen popped up. It was the billing information. $300 were charged to Benjamin’s account, the number hurt to look at. But Micah was worth the price it cost to see him.

Benjamin had a longing for the man and sometimes after the sessions and the drugs wore off with that intense floaty feeling, Benjamin felt more alone because he knew deep in his heart that Micah was already gone. This was a version of him that had lived his life, but his soul was now just finding Benjamin’s. After a month of this routine, Micah brought up something that Benjamin wasn’t quite sure how to, and Benjamin loved the boldness from his mate for asking.

“Benjamin. I wanted to know if you would be intimate with me?” Micah’s cheeks flamed red, with a gentle blush.

“How?”

There was a new pop-up on the screen and Benjamin read as carefully as he could, though most of the words made little sense to him. For a premium upgrade, he could be intimate with Micah. The headset could stimulate his body from new sensors embedded in the chair that made Benjamin feel everything him and Micah would do. Accepting the new terms, Micah seemed pleased by the turn of events. The first touch of Micah’s lips felt both serene and strange. It was just a faint brush of air from the headset, but Benjamin knew in his soul that Micah would touch him if he were able. And soon kissing Micah felt like second nature, and they were able to be more intimate with each other.

The days passed by in a blur between Benjamin cleaning the hotel and his evenings with Micah after taking his pill. Benjamin’s head was starting to feel fuzzy between sessions and it was starting to become difficult to pull himself from the virtual reality after, it felt like he was constantly in a dream. After a long day of cleaning, Benjamin started excitedly towards the Entertainment Room, but a closed sign on the door made him pause. With hurried steps, he went to the front counter where the same severe looking woman sat.

“Why’s there a closed sign on the door?” Benjamin rushed out.

The woman looked at Benjamin with a familiar scrunched expression. “They shut them down because of some lawsuit.”

Panic seized Benjamin’s chest, and he had to take gulping breaths to form his next words. “What do you mean?”

“The machines were picked up, they are gone. I don’t know the details. Go home.” The woman ignored more protests from Benjamin and soon he went home with a heavy heart.

Benjamin missed Micah fiercely like part of his being was gone. He didn’t understand why the company would take away his mate after just finding him. Benjamin was angry, and after going to his apartment that was covered in papers that covered his door in bright yellows and oranges, that anger only turned more pronounced when the key wouldn’t turn in the lock. With shouts of outrage, he marched down the stairs to the apartment below where the Super of the building lived. He pounded on the door.

“What? WHAT?!” A gruff voice yelled from behind the door. As Benjamin continued his tirade against the door.

The door swung open to reveal his Super, a balding man with a large belly and lidded eyes. “I can’t get into my apartment.” Benjamin let out.

His Super shook his head and sneered, “Cause you haven’t paid rent! You were evicted; I already got rid of all your stuff. You haven’t been here in days!” The door slammed in Benjamin’s face. He didn’t know what to do next. He needed Micah. He needed his Mate. Benjamin tried to tick through the days in his mind, thinking he had just been at his apartment, where had he been sleeping or eating? His mind felt a great mess and a piercing throb started behind his eyes. Micah. Micah. Micah. It seemed to call to him. He needed him. Nothing else mattered. Benjamin just had to find another machine and everything would be alright. He walked out the doors of his former apartment, knowing as soon as he talked to Micah, everything else would fall into place.

But the day wore on as he hopped from building to building, looking for a SoulMatch machine. And at the end of the long day, Benjamin curled up under a concrete alcove on the side of a crumbling building, he ignored the painful stomach cramps, Benjamin couldn’t remember when he ate or drank last, but it didn’t matter.

The next day proved much the same.

And the next.

And the following one.

Until a week had passed and the throbbing in Benjamin’s mind was nothing short of torture- like a nail repeatedly being driven into his skull.

It’s the least I deserve for deserting Micah.

As Benjamin was mindlessly scraping through the dirty streets in a haze, he spotted a sleek machine hidden behind an overflowing dumpster at the far end of the District. It took muscle seizing work to shuffle the machine close enough to the outdoor outlet of the building that Benjamin had to pause before the bout of dizziness dragged him down before he could talk to Micah again. Benjamin found the power button and hoped he could find Micah without the Somnex. But when the starting screen loaded up, there was not an option for “login”.

“That’s easy. I’ll just create a new account. Micah’s my Soulmate, it doesn’t matter which one I use.” Benjamin spoke to the open air.

The headset was damaged, and he could only hear from part of it, but Benjamin continued the painstaking process of answering the questions even though his brain felt like it was shredding itself apart. After what felt like an eternity, a familiar screen popped up.

“Hello, Benkamin.”

Benkamin? That’s not my name.

But on the screen there it was- plain as day. Benkamin. He must have typed it in wrong, but that shouldn’t have mattered.

Shouldn’t Micah know my name? Why doesn’t he recognize me?

The cloud filled screen changed and Benjamin looked at the curly strawberry blonde hair that flopped along Micah’s face. He pushed thin framed glasses up his button nose in an all too familiar gesture. “My name is Micah; it is so good to finally meet you.”