Epilogue of Ray Bradbury’s Marionettes Inc.
Smith emerged from the streetlight across from Braling’s apartment building. With the silent streets, he was left alone with his confusion and anger. Why would Nettie do this to me? Smith’s thoughts were quieter than the road of empty voices. He opened the door and went up the elevator to floor 3. Once the elevator doors opened, he slowly walked towards Braling’s apartment. Room 302. The door with scratches at every corner, and a worn-out doorknob. The air smelt like fresh mint. Probably Mrs. Bralings cooking. Smith took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The door flew open revealing a suitcase in the middle of the apartment floor.
“Hey Smith! What brings you here at this time of night? I was just getting my suitcase ready. The missus and I are getting ready to go away to Rio.” Braling seemed more energetic than usual.
“Rio? I thought you and the missus had some… problems,” Smith said suspiciously.
“With what? Smith… are you feeling okay?” Braling said this, concerned.
“Nettie. It’s Nettie.”
“Is she feeling fine?”
“I wouldn’t know. She’s replaced herself.”
“Replaced herself!?” Braling chuckled in a confused way. “Replaced herself… how?”
“Where’s Braling Two?”
“In his box. Braling Two… is in his box.”
“Alright… Braling Two gave me the creeps anyway.”
“Why is that?”
Smith took a deep breath and tried to comprehend the events that occurred shortly before. He couldn’t wrap his mind around Nettie leaving him. He knew what he had to ask.
“You have to help me kill Nettie,” Smith whispered coldly.
“What are you talking about?!” Braling exclaimed.
“Nettie… She replaced herself. She left me. Left me,” his voice trailed off.
“Left you? You don’t mean-”
“Yes, she replaced herself.” There was silence. “You need to help me,” Smith started.
They exited the apartment and stepped soundlessly into the street. Braling and Smith discussed their plan to kill Marionette Nettie. They walked to Smith’s house, 55449 Garland Avenue. Smith readied himself for what was to come.
They entered the dark house and made their way toward the kitchen. Smith stared down at the black and white checkered floor while he pulled open the drawer next to the sink. He took the sharpest knife in the set and held it up. It was like the knife was glaring at him. Waiting. They walked up to where Nettie was still asleep. Smith stared at the robot. He tried to get past his hatred for her. But there was nothing. Just hate. Smith’s heart broke into a million pieces as he realized that his wife never loved him. If she did, she wouldn’t have left him. He raised the knife ready to sink it into her fake, ticking heart. He then hesitated for a moment.
“Just do it. She deserves it,” Braling murmured.
Smith closed his eyes and sunk the knife into her chest. Smith heard an ear-piercing scream but had no reaction. There was blood everywhere. Smith didn’t process what he had done. The realization of his actions hit him like a truck. This wasn’t Nettie’s marionette. The marionette was a robot. It couldn’t bleed. This WAS Nettie. Smith put his ear to Nettie’s chest and heard her heart slowing down. Smith dropped the knife, backing away from his wife’s body.
“What have I done… what have I done…” Smith repeated. He stared at both his hands that were covered in his lover’s blood. “No, it can’t be. Nettie I’m sorry. Nettie, please,” he shouted as he shook her cold, lifeless body. “This is all my fault.” Smith dropped to his knees. “How could I let this happen?”
Smith looked around the room. The room was blurry and twisted. He walked aimlessly to end up at the bedside table. He saw the picture of him and Nettie on their wedding day. The memories came to him in a flash.
“We need to go,” Smith whispered. “I need to go.”
Braling agreed, following him out of the room. They walked out of the apartment onto the streets.
Smith started to walk slower, and his vision became more impaired as each step met with the ground. What Smith didn’t see was the rock he ended up tripping over. Braling stopped in his tracks to help Smith up.
“Keep your eyes open, huh?” Braling said as he held out his hand.
Smith put out his hand to meet with Braling’s, and as Smith was brought up to the height of Braling’s torso….
Tick… tick… tick… tick… tick…
Smith awakened from his state of confusion, to see the bloody knife in Braling Two’s hand.
“It’s funny you didn’t realize until now. Braling is dead, and you’re not saving him. You couldn’t even save your wife. At least now, you’ll all be together again.”
Blood clouded Smith’s vision, and he heard a laugh as his consciousness faded away.