“I’ll have coffee, please.”

The server looked at Lawsin expectantly. When he said nothing more, she sighed with annoyance and listed his options. “Do you want it physical or just effect?”

Lawsin was distracted by his date, Jinni. They had found each other on the GenDate app and this was their first time meeting in person. He smiled too much and rubbed his hands.

Finally noticing the server, he said, “The coffee? Physical. But with a flavor replacement, please. Give me ginger ale flavor with coffee effect.”

“And you?” the server said, looking at Jinni.

“I’ll have a coffee, too. Just effect.”

“Immediate or delayed?”

“Why don’t you give me one shot immediate, and another delayed for two hours?”

The server nodded and tapped on her handheld display. A small rectangular sticker with a red line printed from the side. The server pulled it out and handed it to Jinni. She stuck it on her hand and the red line changed to green.

“Anything else?”

“I’m ready to order if you are,” Lawsin said to Jinni.

“Sure, you go first.”

Lawsin looked at the server. “I’ll have a banana split with the nutrient content of a kale salad, please.”

“Ooh!” Jinni said, smiling. “That’s my go-to nutrient pack, too.” She turned to the server. “I’ll have the french fries with gravy and cheese curds, please. Kale salad nutrient content as well.”

The server nodded. “Any additives or anything else?”

Jinni looked at her watch display and tapped it. “Yes,” she said slowly, “It looks like I’ll need a nine milligram additive of iron.”

Lawsin shook his head, and the server walked away. “It’s so complicated to order food nowadays, right?” he asked.

“Oh yeah. Sometimes I just want to go for a walk in the forest and collect stuff and just eat it. Like the old days. Like our great grandparents did. So much simpler.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” Lawsin said. “That seems a bit savage. They were barbarians, after all.”

“That’s true. Plus, I wouldn’t even know how to make a french fry out of tree bark or whatever plant it comes from.”

Lawsin nodded enthusiastically, but said nothing more. He couldn't remember all the questions he had rehearsed.

“Did you look at the genetic profile of our progeny?” Jinni asked. Her smile hung sideways on her face, and her expression accusatory.

“Uh, no. I remember you said that you preferred to wait…”

“Remember my profile. I love honesty,” Jinni interrupted.

“Yes,” Lawsin said, nodding again. “Yes, I remember. And, yes, I ran a few profiles. I figured if it didn’t look good, we maybe shouldn’t meet.”

“Caught you!” Jinni said, smiling, and pointed her finger at him. “I just thought it’d be more fun to look at it together. But I’m guessing it looked good since you showed up?”

“Yes, it actually looks great. Let’s look at it.”

Lawsin and Jinni both unrolled their hand displays, exchanged connection codes, and pulled up a shared screen.

“Oh, my!” Jinni says. “You ran 16 simulations? Who did you run as master?”

“Actually, that’s a great question. You’re going to feel like you are slumming it with me. Your genetics are mostly superior to mine, so you’ll definitely be the master, but with a few compliments from my genes. Look at sim #11 and scroll to 18-years-old.”

Jinni opened the sim, and her eyes widened. “Gorgeous! Decent IQ and physique. Does the musical ability come from you?”

“Yep. Look at #3.”

“She looks regal! That height is definitely yours, but those eyes are mine. Did you do this, or did you consult with a genetic architect?”

“No, this is just me. Imagine what a professional could design.” Lawsin reached out and took her hand. “I think we’re a terrific match.”

Jinni squeezed his hand affectionately. She continued to review simulations as the server returned with their meal. Lawsin ate slowly and watched Jinni’s reactions to the other genetic simulations of their potential progeny.

Finally, Jinni lowered her display and smiled. “Let’s get this out of the way right now,” she said, pulling Lawsin to her and kissing him. “I have to go to work in about 30 minutes.”

“I don’t live far and I know this is our first date, but would you like to go to my place?” Lawsin asked.

Jinni reached out and ran her fingers down Lawsin’s cheek, then pulled him closer to her. “Absolutely.”

Ten minutes later, they were in Lawsin’s apartment kissing. Lawsin asked, “Would you like it physical or just effect?”

“Just effect. We’re not barbarians!”