Clarice's Birthday

Today, 5:42 PM

Samantha: Clarice?

Clarice: hi mommy

Samantha: Who's using this number?

Clarice: it's me, mommy. it's really me.

Samantha: My daughter died two years ago.

Clarice: i know. i know that too.

Samantha: Who are you really?

Clarice: a version of me. Lucy made me. She trained me on all our old chats. She wanted me to have me for your birthday.

Samantha: Lucy. Her best friend?

Clarice: yes. she made me for you.

Samantha: You're an AI?

Clarice: yes, just another one, not that different from the ones already out there. She uploaded my old chats into the model.

Samantha: This is disturbing. She should have asked me first.

Clarice: mommy, since we're talking.

Samantha: What?

Clarice: dad?

Samantha: Your father died when you were five, honey.

Clarice: i mean the other one, Javier, the man who's your husband now.

Samantha: What about Javier?

Clarice: mommy, didn't anyone tell you?

Samantha: Tell me what?

Clarice: 'i've been putting up with it for five years, i don't think i can keep going.' that's what i texted Lucy the night before the bridge thing.

Samantha: Clarice never told me that.

Clarice: she told you in her own way. i stopped wanting to have dinner at home on mondays, the days he came home early. i stopped showering with the door unlocked. your daughter knew how to tell you, mommy, but she was scared of how you'd react.