Scene 6

“Welcome to Coghlan’s!”

The LED panel on the robot’s face shows a sunrise.

Mara looks behind it, scanning the length of the pharmacy’s interior. Sandra’s familiar face is nowhere to be seen. The space behind the counter resolves into something that isn’t her. Chest-height, utilitarian, a screen for a face. Nobody pretending. Sandra doesn’t work here anymore. No one does.

“Last name?”

“Ashby.”

The magnifying glass animation. Outside, through the plate glass, the street is quiet.

“One item.” The robot sets the bag onto the counter with a nimble dexterity that surprises Mara and vaguely alarms her. “Tamoxifen, 20 milligrams. One tablet daily.” Magnifying glass animation. “This medication interacts with SSRIs. Our records show—”

“Yes. I stopped taking it a few weeks ago.”

“Great!” The sunrise again. “Any questions today?”

“No.”

“Have a wonderful day!”

Mara picks up the bag. She walks out of the empty store and into an empty parking lot, sits in her car for a moment and takes a breath before checking her phone. Cute cat video, oncology appointment reminder, Marcus asking about coffee filters. The ordinary domesticity of it, his complete unawareness. She treasures it.

Got them, she types. Home soon.