Doppelgänger

Three Months Earlier...

“Sir, the next candidate is here, should I let him in?” an old man’s voice echoes in the study of the real Carl Cosgrove. His study was a collector’s paradise, filled with all sorts of gadgets and trinkets the kid lawyer himself had collected over the years. A lot of it was movie memorabilia, with most of the props coming from the Rock Camp franchise.

Along the wall, there are trophies and plaques, with most having “BEST TEEN LAWYER” or “BEST STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE” on them. It was a luxurious sight, really. Complete with a mini bar and everything. But with just the scrawny teen boy in the middle—lonely, very lonely.

“Yes, Stan, you can let him in. Thanks,” the real Carl smiles softly at the butler but there’s a hint of pain in his voice and Stan can tell. But he doesn’t dare acknowledge it, as there was no use in getting the real Carl to admit to anything besides “I’m doing good” and “I’m fine.”

Both were lies. And both parties knew it.

This time, however, Carl was hoping someone else could do the lying for him.

Stanley “Stan” Esquire had disagreed vehemently with Carl on the decision of a replacement of course, as his young boss could lose everything. His career. His friends. Maybe even family. As his primary father figure, it was something Stan didn’t want for him. It’s my fault, Stan thought. I shouldn’t have given him that idea in the first place. I was only kidding. Poor kid took it seriously.

“Very well, sir,” Stan says in a calm voice but his eyes were shining, a couple of tears threatening to escape. He turned away as to not alarm the boy, but it was too late. Carl had already caught a glimpse of his butler’s face and felt his heart rip with guilt.

There’s no other choice. But maybe this whole thing is dumb, I mean, what are the chances —

Then he came into the room.

It was like looking into a mirror. The same messy blonde hair, although parted the opposite way. The same soft friendly face. Even the outfit was spot on, an electric blue business suit and a tie with a dorky pattern on it. The only difference was his sunny expression. He had the most genuine smile that could ever exist. Like a kid in Disneyland for the first time.

In that moment, Carl saw the version of himself he wishes he could be.

Oh, to be happy, Carl thought. To Carl Cosgrove, happiness was nothing but a pipe dream. Nowadays, he was swamped with stress, severe burnout and the foreboding fear of falling off the map and becoming an utter failure. It was something he couldn’t cope with very well. The trip to the hospital earlier this year had proven that fact perfectly. There’s no cure for wanting to be gone. Or at least that’s what Carl thought until he saw the boy right in front of him.

Him. He's it. The solution to everything. This could work.

It wasn’t that the other boy was happy. In fact, he was sweating bullets. But he needed this job and if he didn’t get it—well, let’s just say he doesn’t smile like this when he’s at home, back in Leaf Springs.

The smile was a cover up. A facade. Just like this whole operation. It was either this or spend another not so glamorous year at Leaf Springs High. Doing normal kid stuff. Flipping burgers at the nearest fast-food restaurant. Watching other people live more exciting lives, like the kids at this school. Taking this job seemed like the obvious answer. Even if it was just escapism at its finest.

“Wow,” the shocked boy at the desk lets out without thinking.

At this, his doppelganger begins to look self-conscious, messing with his hair and straightening his tie.

“No, no, sorry! I meant like, wow, I didn’t know I had a twin,” Carl continues, hoping he hadn’t already scorned his soon-to-be replacement.

“Yeah, I got the twin comment from a lot of your uh—colleagues? People? Anyways, my name is Carl,” the doppelganger finally speaks, and he’s even got the same voice, although it’s a bit peppier sounding. The lawyer studies him for a few seconds before launching into his next sentence. He’s a bit too happy. What does he think this is? A vacation?

“Woah, we even have the same name! Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Carl Cosgrove. Yeah, the office is friendly, you’ll get to know them pretty soon here. I don’t mean to be super direct or anything, but you seem like the perfect guy for the job. That is, if you want it-“

“YES. I mean—yeah, I think that could work,” the other Carl awkwardly stumbles on his words, his previous calm and cool guy act thwarted.

Cosgrove laughs. Charming, even when awkward. Adorable.

“Alright, well, let’s get down to it. And oh, where are my manners? Have a seat!” the young lawyer points to a fancy chair—more like a throne—in front of his desk.

The other Carl takes a seat, and the rest of the conversation goes by like a breeze. Carl Cosgrove was extremely easy to get along with and seemed happy with the other Carl, which filled him with joy.

Somebody as cool as him likes me? I must be an okay guy! And I can definitely do this job. Seems easy enough. Everything checks out. Except-

“So, not to be rude or anything but—why exactly do you need a replacement? I mean, like a temporary one—well, I’m assuming it’s temporary.”

As if reminded of a bad memory, the real Carl’s smile fades. He seems caught off guard with the question, like he hadn’t thought too much about it himself.

If he had no self-control he would’ve said, “because I hate my life and want to disappear.”

Instead, he said,

“Just need a mini vacation and couldn’t quite get the month off, being a lawyer and all. I know it’s a bit extreme, but you’re my only chance of freedom here,” He chuckles nervously, running a hand through his hair, messing up its perfect shape.

“Oh, okay. Well, uh, is there anything important that I should know?”

“Yes, actually. It’s all here in this manual!” the real Carl grunts, grabbing a huge booklet from underneath his desk.

The other Carl is shocked and slightly horrified. He hated reading with a passion.

“Oh god.”

“It’s a lot, I know! But if we’re gonna pull this off, you gotta do your research on Ash Cannon Prep. There’s a lot of lore. Also, I’ve included the list of—let’s say chores—that I need you to complete before I come back.”

“Chores?”

“Yeah, just a laundry list of unfinished business. Don’t worry, Stan here will show you the ropes on how the practice works and all that. As for the rest of it, the manual will tell you all you need to know.”

“Alright, well, when do I start?”

“Right now.”

“What?!”

“Do you want the job or not?”

“Well, yes.”

“Okay, pack your bags, Carl! Starting today, you’re Carl Cosgrove. You’re a kid lawyer. And—"

The real Carl checks his watch and his eyes suddenly widen—

“You’re late for court! GO! GO! GOOOO!”

As if this was P.E. class, the real Carl pulls out a whistle and blows it.

“Why do you have a whistle?!”

“You’ll see. Here!”

Cosgrove throws the whistle and his doppelganger catches it.

“You’re gonna need it to keep my crew in line. They get a bit…wild,” the real Carl smirks and waves the other Carl goodbye.

Once he leaves, the kid lawyer lets out a big sigh of relief.

Not too long now. I can finally be free.

Looking out his study’s window, he can see the other Carl walking towards the limo he came in. He watches as the limo circles around the fountain in the middle of the driveway and finally leaves the premises.

Good luck. You’re gonna need it.

The one thing Carl Cosgrove failed to mention: the replacement wasn’t temporary.

It was permanent.

With enough time, he’ll accept it. Or at least that’s what Carl Cosgrove wanted to be the truth.

He walks towards a picture sitting on his desk. It’s a group of kids all smiling at the camera, alive and animated.

He smiles. A sudden glimmer of hope surges through him.

Whoever you are, Carl—

Please take care of them for me.