THE OTHER MAN
The setting is a residential library. Dr. Wendell McAllister sits at a desk, working. Marsha McAllister, his wife, enters. Dr. McAllister expresses irritation at being interrupted which prompts an unpleasant exchange in which his wife accuses him of having an extramarital interest in his attractive aide. This accusation illicits an angry denial. But as their conversation proceeds, it becomes clear that Dr. McAllister, a world-renowned scientist who only recently has succeeded in cloning himself, plans to take the young assistant along on a European conference excursion that will include his reception of the Nobel Prize. At length he tells of his intention to seek a divorce.
Just then, Mrs. Simons, the housekeeper comes into the room, announcing that all the doctor's luggage has been placed into a car that will be taking him to the airport. When she leaves, Marsha presses her husband for some indication as to how long he will be away. Dr. McAllister's reply is a vague six weeks to 2 months, and then he relates that arrangements have been made to bring his clone to live at their house for the duration of the trip. So saying, he departs with an over-the-shoulder promise to call upon reaching his initial destination.
Left alone, Marsha breaks down and cries. Mrs. Simon enters and attempts to comfort her. In the couse of this process the front doorbell rings. Marsha explains that her husband's body-double will be staying with them. Appaled at the prospect, Mrs. Simons is reluctant to answer the bell. But when it rings again, she dutifully goes off. Moments later, Albert Frenchett enters. He identifies himself as a lab technician from Dr. McAllister's research center. When questioned he explains to Marsha that the clone is an exact duplicate of her husband in every way - appearance, mental capabilities, speech, mannerisms, handwriting, and even fingerprints. However, it has neither memory nor moral judgement, but can readily be tought the needed developmental patterns.
Given this information, Marsha devises a plot to educate the double to become her husband with certain desired changes. Within two months' time she will have a devoted mate, sold of the research laboratory, consolidated the family assets and relocated to south Florida for a life of humanitarian service. At such time as the real Dr. McAllister returns from his trip he find himself to have become little more than...a clone.