In the year 3000, Mr. Morcheck awakens after a wild New Year’s celebration with a nagging comment echoing in his mind—his friend’s suggestion that something is “off” about his wife, Myra. At first, he dismisses it as Primitivist nonsense. After all, Myra is the ideal Modern Woman: attentive, loving, efficient, and completely devoted to his comfort. But as her reactions slow and small errors creep into her perfect routine, Morcheck is forced to confront a truth he desperately wants to deny.
As Myra weakens, her affection only deepens—pushing Morcheck toward a decision that blends heartbreak, devotion, and a dawning awareness of how fragile his world truly is. Robert Sheckley weaves a sharp, insightful tale about technological dependence, societal ideals of “perfection,” and the unsettling line between companion and construct. Robert Sheckley (1928–2005) was one of the most inventive voices in 20th-century science fiction, known for his razor-sharp wit, clever social commentary, and ability to twist ordinary situations into extraordinary speculative adventures. First rising to prominence in the 1950s, he became a fixture of Galaxy, Fantasy & Science Fiction, and other influential magazines.
Sheckley’s work often blended humor with philosophical inquiry, challenging the assumptions of modern life through imaginative premises and surprising reversals. His stories continue to resonate for their intelligence, unpredictability, and timeless insight into human nature.
