[ WP ] Teleportation exists , and commercial teleport stations provide instantaneous travel all over the world . As many times before , you step on the transport pad . The machine activates . To you nothing happens , but another you , identical to you in every way , has materialized at your destination .

The confusion and anxiety hit first. `` We need to check a few things, please wait here'' moved on to `` A billion to one chance'' and then `` We'll be in touch'' as the staff shook my hand before I climbed into a cab. Their faces must have mirrored mine as we both wondered `` What next...'' 
 
 He's me. With all my memories right up the the crack of the teleporter's scanner. Who would live with my wife and kids? Who would be out on the street alone without a family? Could I do that to myself? He would be wondering the same thing, but at the disadvantage of being on another continent with only work colleagues to comfort him. 
 
 The solution struck me. The perfect solution. I called my work number and we talked. I could hear him choke up, holding back the tears before whispering `` Thank you'' and hanging up. There was a hint of envy in his voice that only I could recognise. 
 
 I had the cab drop me off at a remote beach. I stripped naked and walked into the water. I swam as far as I could until too weak to take another stroke. I slipped under the waves silently. 
 
 All the worries in the world slipped under the waves with me. The mortgage, health issues, work issues, the decreasing sex life, the growing apart from my wife, the kid's schooling, trying to be a good dad to my kids.... 
 
 They were n't my problems now. They were his, and my family would never know I was gone. 
 
 
 
 
 

