Chapter Four: A Portrait of Someone Who Does Not Exist

People in white broke through the door with ten seconds to midnight. Their leader carried no weapon, only a stamped order. “Lin Mo, you possess hazardous cognitive media. Surrender the Night Screen, and we can preserve your current personality.” “Current?” “You have been revised eleven times. Do not mistake a copy for a self.” A distant clock struck twelve. Lin placed the last light in Su Tang's eye. Across the city, Su was removing her makeup when she lunged toward her camera. At the same moment, her portrait stepped out of the Night Screen. Two Su Tangs faced each other through the broadcast—one in an expensive dress, the other in an old trench coat with a reporter's card. The woman in the dress covered her mouth.