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The Coin Giver


CoverIn the 23rd century, the Earth's surface is devastated by global warming, and corporations exploit billions of poverty-stricken employees whose lifetime contracts they own . . . Richter Jedes, the rich powerful CEO of ZahlenBank, wants to live forever—so he makes two copies of himself. One is an evolved Artificial Intelligence imprinted with his personality. The other is a perfect clone named Dominic, whom he raises as his son.

When Richter suddenly dies, his son Dominic is left to deal with a terrible crisis which threatens ZahlenBank. And though Dominic loathes the egotistical A.I. masquerading as his father, they need each other's help to save the bank. Which of them is the true copy, and which is fake? Do they have free will, or are their destinies programmed in their source code? And, most important of all, does individual identity still have any meaning?



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This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

First printing, July 2004

Printed in the United States of America

SKU: ERBAEN0057

Copyright© 2004 by M. M. Buckner

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

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For my father and mother,
William and Margaret Buckner

Deepest gratitude goes to my life partner and spouse, Jack Lyle, who stands by me always. Heartfelt thanks also go to the many friends and colleagues who have encouraged me and critiqued my work, including in alpha order: William and Margaret Buckner, Mary Helen Clarke, Joe DeGross, Mary Bess Dunn, Laura Fowler, Phil Geusz, Mitchell Graham, Fred Grim, Cindy Kersh-ner, Jack Lyle, Bonnie Parker, Nathan Parker, William Parker, Brian Relleva, Martha Rider, Allen Steele, Carole Stice and Ava Weiner. Special thanks to my agent, Richard Curtis. And everlasting appreciation to my editor, John Morgan.

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