[ FF ] You come to realize you exist within a computer simulation . Things were not always this way . ( 250 words )

The Christmas tree was still in the foyer, between the lifts. I put my hand to my head. Was Christmas coming up, or had it just happened? I could n't think straight. The tree had definitely been there for quite a while. It had been there yesterday, it had been there last week. Was the Christmas tree eternal, like Pamela's migraine and Pat's kid coming down with the flu? The last Christmas I could remember was when I got that nice Christmas bonus, but that seemed so long ago. Everyday I thought of that bonus when I looked at the Christmas tree. Pamela walks by me. `` Staff party tonight'' she chirps. `` Hope this migraine does n't kill me by then.'' Her shoes squeak on the polished floor. 
 
 Office work goes by in such a blur. Pat's kid has the flu: she has to leave early. Staff party in the clubhouse. One brandy, two brandies. Where's Kathy? Who's Kathy? She's my wife, I tell myself. Why is n't she here? Three, four brandies. Pat's speech. Record profits. Another brandy. Pamela's migraine is gone, she tells that guy from programming. Another brandy. I'm good to drive. `` Caution: ice on roads''. 
 
 Lights so bright they hurt my eyes. My head is aching, my ears are aching. Kathy is sobbing. `` Save him'' she cries. A doctor says something about a computer. `` Repetition'' he says. 
 
 She says yes. I feel a kiss on my forehead. 
 
 The Christmas tree was still in the foyer, between the lifts. 
 
 I scream. 

