In the Lives of Puppets

by T.J. Klune

“One of the wires off the solenoid is coming loose. I can fix it.” “I can do it,” Dad said. Vic bit back a retort, opting for something softer. “Then you should have. I’ll take care of it so I know it gets done. Nurse Ratched.” She stopped beside him, taking the plug for the soldering iron from him and inserting it into herself. She said, “Ooh. Yes. That is it.” “Gross,” Rambo muttered. He nudged the side of Vic’s leg. “Is he going to die?” “No,” Vic said, leaning forward, elbows resting on his dad’s legs. “He’s not going to die.” “Because we’re going to be alive forever?” “Impossible,” Nurse Ratched said. “Nothing is immortal. Eventually, our power cell will drain and we will perish because we will be unable to find a replacement.” “But Vic will find one for us,” Rambo said. “Victor is human,” Nurse Ratched said. “He will die long before us. He is soft and spongy. Perhaps it will be cancer, either rectal or bone. Or the plague if he gets bitten by a rat. Or he will get squashed by an Old One like he almost was today.” Her screen blinked with the word OOPS.