‘Life4Sale’ by Michael Donoghue

Winner of the 2019 Raven Short Story Contest, Michael Donoghue charmed us with his epistolary tale for the digital age. ‘Life4Sale’ reminds us, no matter the terms, buyer beware! 

Judge JJ Lee had this to say: The world building and the weird factor are efficiently established without ever forgetting that character motive and conflict are what make a short story tick. It never bogs itself down in spec fic mechanics. I appreciated that it is the kind of story you may find on Black Mirror or, if you’re old enough, classic Twilight Zone.

Enjoy this excerpt from Issue 26, Spring 2020, and take a scroll through a surprising slice of life.

Life4Sale

by Michael Donoghue

Hey, I’m responding to your Craigslist ad in the Life4Sale section: 

“White Male, 31, Good Job & Health. Original Owner. Looking for Fast Trade.”

Post id: dHdpdHRlci5jb20vbXBkb25vZ2h1ZQ== 

Male, avg looking, good health (one bad knee), awesome job, 31, no diseases, smoke-free, no pets or children. Looking to straight-up LifeSwapTM for equivalent trade-in due to recent divorce. Original owner, never swapped before. My loss—your gain.” 

Is it still available?

Maya 

Hi, 

Still avail, but not interested in selling to a woman, thanks.

Hi again, 

Ha! Totally understand that feeling, but just to let you know, my original life body was male. Also, I’ve mostly traded and run male bodies, so no probs providing continuity for your aux life (friends/family/work/colleagues, etc.)  Btw, what is your awesome job?

I’m looking for a straightforward LifeSwap. 

Female, 27, mixed race (sold to me as being Japanese/Norwegian, but I have my doubts), curvy, moderate eczema, some Crohn’s disease, steady employment in a flower shop (4 days a week). Comes with two pet rats and large extended family, plus a hot girlfriend (yes, you read that right). Am enclosing photo of g/f Cynthia. 

Please let me know if you’re interested.  

Maya 

To find out what happens next, pick up your copy of Issue 26, Spring 2020 here!

Michael Donoghue grew up in a small fishing village on the east coast of Nova Scotia. Now he resides in Vancouver but still mostly lives in his head. Michael’s stories have appeared in various anthologies including Everything Is So Political (Fernwood), and sci-fi magazines such as Abyss & Apex and Neo-opsis, as well as literary journals such as FreeFall. He has been a James White Award runner-up, a Sunburst Award finalist, and a reader at the Vancouver Word Festival. Michael works in public health, where he spends much of his time preoccupied with hand washing. You can find him on Twitter @mpdonoghue.