Hal Brenner stared at the reflection in front of him. It wore a black pea coat, and it’s hair was the opposite of disheveled - it looked nothing like the man in an orange jumpsuit with oily hair that hadn’t showered in days.

“Look at you, Hal,” the reflection scoffed.

“Why are you here, Alex?” Hal said.

“Ah come on. Aren’t you excited to see your twin brother?” Alex smiled and leaned back in his chair. “How long has it been?”

“Not long enough,” Hal said through his teeth.

Alex clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Don’t be rude. We only have a few minutes to talk before they send you back to your cell, and we have a lot to talk about.“

Hal closed his eyes and attempted to cool the blood boiling in his veins. “I don’t need you’re help this time, so how about you go back to whatever hole in the ground you crawled out of and leave me be.”

Alex shook his head. “Ah, Hal,” he said, “I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation. They pulled over a speeding car, and they found you, a senator, with a mistress by your side and cocaine in your trunk.”

“I don’t know how those drugs got in there. I’ve been set up.”

“Maybe you were set up, but that doesn’t matter.”

“The public will believe it. That’s what counts.”

“It’s not that simple,” Alex said.

“It’s the truth.”

“They’ve arrested kids for less. And even if we cleared you of the drug charges, there’s your special friend to deal with. People don’t like it when senators cheat on their wife. The press is going to eat you alive.”

“She’s nobody,” Hal shrugged, “she won’t talk.”

“And what if she does?”

Hal shifted in his seat. “I guess I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t.” He smiled.

Alex bowed his head and leaned on the table protruding on his side of the glass. “You’re reckless, Hal. And you’ve never understood that your choices have consequences. I used to think you were so great.” He looked up, his eyes piercing deep into Hal. “You worked hard, you married a great woman. You brought two beautiful children into the world.” Alex gritted his teeth. “But I was wrong. You’ve never been great. You’ve just gotten lucky!”

Hal laughed. “So this is why you came to visit me. You want to criticize my life and make me feel bad. Sorry, brother, but it’s not working.”

“What happens when Jess finds out? Have you thought about that?”

“She won’t find out.”

“But what if she does? She would be devastated. Philip and Debby - they’d be horrified to know what their perfect father is really capable of.”

“Don’t lecture me about family,” Hal said. “You’re the one who shut themselves off from the world only to appear randomly whine about my life choices. Well, I’ve heard about enough of you’re whining for today.” He stood. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be heading back to my cell now. If my legal team is worth a dime, I’ll be home by tomorrow afternoon, and everything will be straightened out.” He turned and began walking away. “Do me a favor, Alex - don’t come visit.”

“I’m afraid,” said Alex, “you won’t be going home tomorrow, brother.” Hal stopped, his blood boiling again. He turned and saw Alex looking back with a grin on his face.

“What are you getting at?” Hal said.

“You’re not going home tomorrow,” Alex repeated. “Tomorrow, your charges will be dropped, and your whore will be paid off, but you - you won’t be going home. No, you’re staying right here.” His grin pulled into a smile as he stood. “I gave up everything for you to have your perfect little life. I’ve sat back and watched you wreck it all for too long. You’ve had your chance. Now it’s my turn.”

Hal stood frozen in horror. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying it’s over,” Alex said as he stood. “You’re a black stain in the fabric of our family, and I’m bleaching you out. Tomorrow morning, your record will be expunged and I will go home in your place. The warden here will find a nice white cell for you to ruin with your filth.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Hal cried. “You can’t just take my name and lock me away in here!”

“Oh but I can,” Alex said. “Nobody knows I exist. You said it yourself, I’ve been hiding from the world for a long time. Thankfully we still look nearly identical.” The new reality washed over Hal as Alex continued to speak. “Nobody will recognize the switch. Any difference they see, they’ll quickly accept. A distant husband becomes passionate. An angry father becomes loving again. Every thing they endured with you will be replaced by something better.”

Hal could barely move much less speak, but he tried to utter his words in a dry throat. “Alex, I’m your brother. We can work something out, I’ll learn to be better. You can help me! No more hiding,” he smiled weakly. “How does that sound?”

“It’s too late for that,” Alex said. His words rang in the room like the final chime of a grandfather clock. The room fell into a dull silence. “Goodbye brother,” Alex said and turned. “Enjoy your new life. And don’t worry - you won’t be seeing me again.”