Picture Bride

Illustrated by Ed Emshwiller

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"Picture Bride" by William Morrison is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around the unusual love story between a man named Perry and a woman he has never met in person, who exists a thousand years in the future. The story explores themes of love across time, using a fictional time-contact machine that allows Perry to communicate with his future bride. The plot unfolds as Perry reveals to his brother, George, that he has fallen in love with a woman from the distant future, only having seen her through this time-contact device. Despite George’s skepticism, Perry becomes enamored with the idea of their love, leading George to investigate further. The tension escalates as George crashes into Perry's laboratory during one of their time-contact sessions, resulting in a catastrophic incident that leaves Perry missing, yet hints at a profound connection between the two lovers. The story culminates with George witnessing a glimpse of Perry with the girl on the screen just before the equipment fails, suggesting that their love transcends the barriers of time.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.