Schrödinger’s Cat

Squirrels skittered across the farmhouse tin roof, and Jodi relaxed for the first time in months. Toby, her golden retriever, enjoyed their long walks in the harvested fields of corn, where doves invaded at sunrise to take their share of the remnant grain.

They had escaped the city and her tormenter a month earlier. The clandestine relocation service had been worth every dollar spent to change her identity and cloak her existence. Only her mother knew her new name and where she had moved. A new online overseas job would begin tomorrow, and she relished a new purpose in I.T., her chosen field. Jodi laid her work clothes for the following day.

"What do you think, Toby? The brown sweater or the blue?"

"Woof." Toby panted and smiled at her inclusion.

"Blue it is. Great choice Toby."

Jodi, an experienced remote employee, understood the importance of a designated home office and dressed for work. The compartmentalization of her private and work life set the stage for efficiency. The man who stalked her didn't have the same mindset.

***

The invasion of her privacy had begun with an online dating site. Her extroverted friend Suzie set up a profile in her name and likeness for fun. When Jodi wouldn't respond to the interested men, Suzie did for her. Dozens messaged the profile, and three men professed their undying love the first week. The goal had been for Jodi to change her reclusive lifestyle, but it became an entertaining game for Suzie. She pushed the overriding theme: "Who will love me enough to give me the world?" and posted sexy beach photos from Jodi’s Bahamas getaway.

Candidates begged to meet her. Some attached financial statements and others their appendages, and a few begged. Then came Steve. Suzie categorized him as mature for his age, a gentleman, wealthy, and very attractive. After weeks of messaging, she pushed Jodi to meet him at a local bar. Suzie would monitor the introduction from a distance. Steve's online photos displayed him as a six foot three with an athletic build, stark blue eyes set behind sharp tanned cheekbones, and salt and pepper hair. The girlfriends concurred his photos were hot.

Jodi resisted the meet-up but succumbed after a third glass of wine. "How bad can it be? It's just an introduction and he is also a chopper pilot, just like Dad," she said, "And, we're both diabetics and live a clean lifestyle. We have that in common."

Steve was a catfish. He stood five foot four with pale pudgy cheeks, black beady eyes, and a bald head.

"Hello, Jodi. I'm here to claim my prize. You! I believe our connection and conversations online surpass any thought to appearance. Wouldn't you agree? Let's go to my place for a real date in private," he said and looked toward Suzie across the room. "I spotted your friend. You don't need her. With me, you won't need anyone."

"Excuse me? I'm leaving. I've made a mistake," Jodi said, and abandoned him at the counter.

Jodi and Suzie laughed as they left the bar.

"Oh my God, you got catfished. Steve or whoever you are, you're blocked," said Suzie.

Steve didn't laugh.

***

Jodi's next few weeks turned into a nightmare as someone broke into her house and left a note with a dozen roses.

You can run, but you can't hide. We were meant for each other.

The police came and said they'd investigate, but the dating site wouldn't release private data. Jodi's bank account was hacked, and someone withdrew a penny. She knew her stalker had toyed with her. Jodi called Suzie, but she didn't answer. After four texts went unread, she grew concerned and drove to Suzie's apartment. As she turned onto an otherwise quiet street, she was greeted by a plethora of flashing blue and red lights. Suzie had been bludgeoned to death by a baseball bat. Jodi told the detectives about Steve, but they didn't believe her and declared it a robbery gone wrong.

Broken and scared, Jodi returned home to find a stuffed bear on the bed she had gifted Suzie in college. A typed note attached said.

It's just you and me now. I'm the Man for you.

The stuffed bear renewed the detective's attention, but the murder investigation stalled when the online dating sites server was infested by a cyber-worm that destroyed their stored data. Curious, Jodi logged in to her account and found a message from, The Man.

Say yes, Jodi, It will be easier this way. I want to give you the world.

The following morning Jodi started the process of her identity escape through an international client she had worked for in years past. Jodie spoke at Suzie's bleak funeral, and the traumatic occasion marked her last public appearance in the city. The following week, she and Toby disappeared to a new life.

***

Jodi finished her coffee, walked Toby, and logged into the work site. Today would be filled with corporate orientation and human resource videos. Jasmine, her professional name on the screen, was a necessity she would have to acclimate to. Midmorning, Toby barked. Jodi assumed the pesky squirrels had drawn his attention.

"Hush Toby!"

Toby barked again, growled, and moved toward the front door. Aggravated, she left her office to follow him. Jodi peered out the sidelight window as a gray drone the size of a small table skimmed across the sky toward her house. The flying machine buzzed like a thousand bees and hovered over her front step. A mechanical arm lowered an eighteen by twelve-inch brown box from its cargo bay onto the porch. The drone accelerated into the sky when the package was released, and the buzzing faded over the horizon.

"Who would send me a package? I haven't ordered anything and only Mom knows I am here," she said to Toby.

Jodi opened the door with caution, looked up the farm's driveway, and across the fields. Silence reigned except for the wisps of a slight breeze. No movement was evident except a few birds were late for their breakfast.

Cautious, she stepped onto the porch and examined the package from a distance. Bold black letters were handwritten on the brown box.

Wait to open until November 29th.

"It's from Mom, Toby. I'd forgotten my birthday is only two weeks away.” Jodi’s mom had always teased her in the past that her birthdate coincided with the release of the Schrödinger’s Cat article on November 29, 1935. “A box? How cute, Mom. Hope there’s not a cat in there, dead or alive. Are you in on this surprise, sweet Toby?"

She knelt and rubbed his ears, and he licked her nose. He laid his golden head on her shoulder, and she hugged him.

"We're going to be okay, boy. I've got to quit being so jumpy."

Jodi picked up the box and carried it to the kitchen. "I've got to get back to work, bud. Dinners at six. Tonight, you'll be served chicken ala carte."

***

Two weeks seemed to fly by and were consumed by her work, Toby's walks, and various household projects. The box on the counter brought a sense of expectation Jodi found welcome in her self-imposed isolation.

November 29th came, and the day started with a red velvet cupcake for her and chewy dog treats for Toby. She played Happy Birthday on her Dad's Marine band harmonica, and Toby howled in sync. The duo's silly tradition had started with her Dad when she was little and always made her laugh. Five years had passed since he died, and she missed him.

"Why, thank you, Toby. You have such a beautiful voice. Marilyn Monroe would be jealous. We'll open the box after I talk to Mom on the satellite phone. We agreed to only call on special occasions for the first year."

Jodi poured her second cup of coffee and turned the T.V. on to the news channel. Red banners streamed and screamed across the bottom of the screen.

Take Shelter where you are. Contagion sweeps the world.

Hundreds of thousands are dead.

Emergency services are not responding.

A nervous news announcer, a college-age kid by appearance, spoke on the screen.

"This a Jerimiah Jones, an intern, standing in for Tom Brick.

Folks, I am it. Stay inside. If you have a hazardous suit, put it on. If you have a contagion mask, put it on. People are dropping dead in the streets with an unknown virus. Coming to us live from Broadway is Julio Burns."

The screen switched to a video roll of screaming crowds falling over like dominos until the camera lens smashed into the pavement.

"Julio are you there?" said Jeremiah and received no response.

Jodi checked the channel.

"Is this a horror movie?" she asked Toby.

The reporter reappeared on the screen and looked off-set, left and right.

"Is that it?" Then back at the camera. "Screw this. I'm out of here folks, good luck," and he ran off the set to leave an empty news desk.

The network continued to broadcast and didn't go to commercials. A singular camera remained focused on the empty news set.

Concerned, Jodi dialed her Mom's secure satellite phone, which rang to voice mail. She punched the number again. Her Mom's faint voice answered.

"He-llo."

"Mom, It's Jodi. Are you okay?"

"Hello, is someone there. Please help me." A gurgled cough sputtered into Jodi's ear.

"It's Jodi, Mom, I'm coming to get you."

There was no response.

"Do you hear me Mom? We will open the package you sent, together. Won't that make you happy?"

Labored breaths and slow, emphatic words pushed through the phone,

"Don't… come, Jo. It's too late. I lo…ve you."

Jodi hyperventilated as tears flooded down her cheeks. "Mom, hang on, I'm coming."

"Don't Jodi. Wh…at package?" her Mom whispered. Jodi heard a crash through the phone like a lamp falling to the floor. Minutes passed as gurgled breathing filled the phone's earpiece. Each one became fainter than the last, then silence.

"Mom! Mom?" and the phone went dead. Jodi dialed 911, and a machine's voice spoke.

"All the circuits are busy. Please try again later."

Toby whined, and Jodi collapsed to the floor and held him.

"I'm scared too, Toby."

Shaking and disturbed, Jodi needed water and filled a glass at the sink. The package on the counter loomed large in mystery. Unlike Schrödinger’s theoretical conundrum, the box now represented a definitive threat.

"If mom didn't send it, who did?"

A new voice came from the television, and the hair on Jodi's neck stood up as chills of fear spiked down her spine.

"This is Steve Racine, reporting to you live from WNN television in New York City.

Jodi recognized the voice and turned toward the television. Steve's pudgy, beady-eyed stalker face filled the screen.

"Hello, Jodi. My love. I know you're out there," and he laughed. "Surprised? You sure do play hard to get. I started to let you go, but I'm convinced you are the one for me, and nothing will stand in the way of us being together. Before I forget, Happy Birthday Dear," and he sang the Happy Birthday song in a slow, monotone voice.

"You murdering bastard," she screamed and threw the glass at the T.V. The glass sailed high and shattered against the wall.

"I know you received the package because the Drone camera recorded you standing in the window at the delivery. My, oh my, the country setting is good for you. You look great! I can't wait to be with you. We are going to have the most beautiful children in the world. I know, because they will be the only children in the world."

"What have you done, you sick prick?" she said.

"By the way, your birthday present is the greatest gift I can give you, your life. You did say online that you wanted someone to love you enough to give you the world, so I have. I released a killer virus into the world via drones. The method is quite simple. I created a contagion so virulent I only needed one hundred and ninety-five drones to do the job. One per country. Doesn't everyone trust a drone when it makes a delivery? You did. Everyone's so excited to receive a special package. You were."

Jodi dropped to the floor and found it hard to breathe.

"Have you opened your present yet?" He said, "Inside, there is a prefilled syringe and needle. All you must do is inject it in your thigh and you will survive this end-of-the world pandemic. See, I am proving my love for you by giving you what you wanted, the world. I will be Adam and you, my dear, will be Eve."

Jodi stared at the screen in shock.

"Tomorrow, I'm coming to you. I can't wait, Jodi. I love you so much. I can't wait for us to make love the first time. It will be spectacular. Now, before it's too late, take the injection. I will see you soon, my love," he said.

Steve exited the news desk and stopped at the far right of the screen. He smiled, blew an air kiss, and waved to the camera.

***

Jodi ripped open the box to reveal a plastic case with a prefilled syringe, just as Steve had told her.

“That answers one question, Schrödinger’s cat isn’t in here,” she said.

She placed the syringe on the counter and thought about her options. Either live with this maniac or perish with the rest of the world. She tuned into a local radio station and heard a panicked D.J. announce the virus was sweeping the town ten miles from her.

"Everyone, stay inside, I will stay on air as long as I can. 911 is down, the Sheriff and deputies aren't responding. The hospital isn't answering calls. I don't know what to say folks except, God help us all."

Toby lay on the kitchen floor with his head on his paws.

"What should I do?"

Toby whined in response.

Jodi lowered her pants to expose her thigh and plunged the needle in.

***

Helicopter rotors thumped in the distance, and Toby barked louder as it came closer. Jodi placed a handwritten note on the door, secured Toby in his crate, and retreated to the bedroom.

"Don't look at me like that, Toby. A woman has to do what a woman has to do."

The helicopter landed in the front yard, and the rotors wound down to a complete stop. Steve exited the chopper, crossed the yard, and stepped across the porch to the front door. He retrieved the posted note.

_____________________

Dr. Steve Racine, MD, PHD, Virologist. Nobel Prize Winner, CEO of Pathos Labs.

Steve,

No one has ever loved me like this. You didn't tell me you were the foremost virologist in the world. I am impressed by your motivation and superior intelligence. You have honored me by choosing me and presenting me with the world. Thank you. You have exceeded my wildest dreams. I am in the bedroom waiting for you to show you my appreciation and affection as we bond together to start our new life.

Love,

Jodi

_____________________

Steve pumped his arm in victory and said, "Yes!"

He opened the front door and crossed the family room. An arrow-shaped paper was taped to the wall and read.

This way to paradise.

He stepped through the doorway to a candlelit bedroom. A bottle of tequila and a full shot glass rested on a table by the door. Jodi lay across the bed wearing a short black lace negligee.

"Hello, Steve," she rasped in her sexiest voice, "It's time to show me what you've got. Take a shot or two of tequila and shake a slow dance for me big boy," as she slipped the thin strap off her shoulder and exposed her breast. "I got something for you, but you've got to come get it."

"Oh baby, I love a strong woman. That's why I picked you," he breathed.

Steve unbuttoned his shirt and kicked off his shoes. He raised the shot glass filled with gold fluid to her and tossed it back in one motion.

“This is going to be a wild night," he said.

He lowered his pants, and his hands shook violently, like a man with palsy. Stumbling toward the bed, he tripped to the floor. Beads of sweat broke out on his face, and his pale skin flushed red.

"What is wrong with me?" he said as his trembling hands reached out to her, "Help me Jodi. Ugh, my chest is killing me. I can’t …breathe."

Both hands went to his heart as his body contracted in pain, and he slumped to the carpet. Jodi pulled on a bathrobe and stood over him. The whites around Steve's beady black eyes turned bloodshot as the capillary burst with the sudden rise in his blood pressure.

White foam seeped from his mouth as his chest convulsed with shorter breaths until it stopped. The monster stared at the woman he had stalked in disbelief as the light of life faded from his eyes.

"Shot for shot, babe. A pure shot of insulin for you that is," she said, "You obviously didn't read my dating profile. I hope you rot in whatever hell there is. You bastard."

***

Jodi, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, picked up a backpack stuffed with minimal clothes, her flight jacket, and the bag of dog food. She loaded Toby into Steve’s helicopter and started the engine. The rotors accelerated to full speed.

"You ready Toby?" and he wagged his tail in response. "Somewhere, someplace, someone else survived this and we will find them. Until then, it's just you and me, bud."

"November 29th, Schrödinger’s Day and this cat isn’t dead yet! Happy Fricking Birthday to me."

"Woof."