The Trade-Ins - Recap

An elderly couple, John and Marie Holt, come to the New Life Corporation and meet with the salesman, Mr. Vance. The salesman reviews their medical histories and notes that John has been suffering from increasing illness and pain, then talks about how they specialize in rebirth. Vance explains that they build new artificial bodies in the prime of health and youth, close to perfection with a lifespan of 112 years. The Holts have been married for 50 years and John insists that their relationship can't end, that all they have is each other. Vance offers to show them the new models and takes them to a darkened series of chambers containing various "model" bodies. Vance explains that they put the patient to sleep and then transfer their personalities into their new perfect bodies without pain. Vance shows them other bodies in various poses and settings and is then called away. The Holts are left to wonder at the miracle presented to them and whether it's real.



Marie says that she will stand by him forever and Vance returns to assure them they're ready to go the next morning. He also guarantees that they can have the transformation for approval for one week, assuring them they've had a better than 90% satisfaction rate. John finally asks how much it costs and Vance notes that it costs $5,000 for each body. When John says they only have $5,000, Vance has to inform him that government regulations prevent them from offering credit. He does offer to perform the transference for only one of them and Marie insists that John has it done while she waits. Vance has to turn them down and lead them out, as Marie notes that they will be together in their old age.



At a bar, the owner Farraday is playign the piano when John arrives alone. He's there to play in a private poker party and Farraday lets him join. The game begins and the players make their bets. John flinches in pain but continues, and Farraday wonders how long he's been in pain. When John admits it's been several years, Farraday says he's going to clean him out and John apologizes for holding up the game. The gambler asks why John needs the money and John explains that he needed to double his money for the new bodies. John matches Farraday's raise with $5,000 in the pot, although Farraday warns he has three of a kind. John shows his hand: three kings. Farraday considers his hand of three aces... then folds. John staggers away with the money he brought, and says that Marie will understand that he can no longer live with the pain. Once he leaves, Farraday just chuckles and hums to himself.



Back at New Life, Marie insists that John go ahead with the transferral and Vance leads him away. John turns to look back and Marie waves him on. The attendants come to get the body that John has chosen. A few hours later, the surgeons announces that John is fine and take away his old body. Vance brings in John in his new body and he triumphantly laughs and jumps around the room, saying now they have their lives ahead of them. Marie looks on in sudden horror and John draws back in shock. Vance calls him away to sign some papers and John looks back one more time before leaving.



A little later, Vance brings John back: John in his original body. John has decided regardless of the pain, he'll grow old with his wife and they'll be together. They leave, considering the artificial bodies but satisfied with their choice.



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