Paper was worthless and all the elite had hoarded the gold. But everyone had memories. More valuable than money and more precious than gold, and no one could ever go bankrupt, always creating more. And so, the day soon came when the world’s currency wasn’t kept in banks, but in the heads of its inhabitants.       

 

It was easy at first. Spend all the bad memories. But as time went on, James realized he had more good recollections than bad and the cost of everyday life had risen above what he was willing to spend. So James turned to gambling. Spend one memory and receive an x amount of credits for the chance of winning dozens of memories that weren't his, and easier to spend.

"Read 'em and weep." Trent fanned his cards on the table. A royal flush stared back at James. His heart sunk into the pit that opened in his stomach. "Alright, James, pay up."

   

"One more game. Double or nothing." James picked up the cards and shuffled.
Ivan grabbed the cards. "Cough it up."

 

"But all I have left are the memories of my wife...our wedding...our honeymoon...the last twenty-two years of my life."
  

Trent nodded. "Jackpot! Just the memories I need for that new Corvette I've been eyeballing!"

 

Ivan placed helmets on the heads of James and Trent and pressed the button. A moment later the transaction was complete.

                                                                                                 ***

 

James lined his retina up with the scanner and the front door opened.
    

“Honey, you’re home! I was getting worried.”
    

Startled, he stood dumbstruck as a woman he never met hugged him, clearly mistaking him for her husband and this for her home.
    

First those two poor kids who kept calling him daddy. Now this delusional lady.
    

Why did these things keep happening to him?