*Congratulations, ROGER MADISON!
You have been selected for reassignment. Agents will arrive shortly to begin the process. We sincerely hope you enjoy the rest of your new life as
LILITH ANDREWS
As always, The Company appreciates your cooperation, and reminds you that resistance is useless.*
That was the end of the form letter. Roger sighed, "Lilith Andrews, eh?"
"I know her!" Jon said, "She goes to my school." In fact, Jon recalled, he had a couple of classes with her. She was Sarah McMillan's chief rival, yet another spoiled rich teenage girl, vying for status as the school's Queen Bee. She also happened to be the daughter of Roger's boss.
"Ugh, that bitch!?" Zoe said.
"Zoe, language!" their mother said, finally regaining her composure. "I'm sure she's sweeter than you think. Besides, this is a time to be supportive."
"Will we see you again?!" Mikey wondered aloud. Roger tried to comfort his youngest son.
"Of course you will, I'll just be a little different," he turned to the rest of his family, "And no matter how I might seem, you'll always be my family to me."
Zoe scowled and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, right. Not after the programming."
Linda retorted, angrily this time, "We don't know that! It's always possible that original memories can remain, deep down inside. We just can't test it because of The Rules."
"Whatever," Zoe said.
Jon was about to ask what his mother meant when she said "The Rules" but at that moment, the front door opened. Two large men in black jumpsuits stood beyond the threshold.
"Roger Madison?" They asked in unison.
Jon's dad took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Yes, that's me."
"It's time," the men in black said.
"Okay," he turned to his family, and hugged them each, one at a time, and kissed his wife deeply. He looked her in the eye, "I promise I won't forget you."
The men entered the room, and grabbed Roger by the shoulders. He gave little resistance, and without a word was whisked to the black, windowless van waiting in the driveway. The family watched as the van drove off into the distance. Jon stood there, trembling, wondering what exactly what would await him at school the next day.
