Hal is alone. The only living victim of an extremely virulent disease, everyone he's ever loved is dead. Hal is kept in a cage the size and shape of a house. The Caretaker, a remotely piloted android, brings him food and psychiatric care (depending on who is at the controls). The House helpfully reminds him that he is unable to move while any door is open. While they can attend to Hal's physical needs, their attempts at providing Hal companionship have failed. That is, until Hal is introduced to Jay. He is a Custom Companion robot piloted by an Ephemera. Hal is not allowed to learn about the person behind Jay, but finds himself falling quickly. The two must learn to navigate this unique relationship, all while under the watchful eye of those dedicated to Hal's care. In the speculative near-future of Imago, first explored in the book "-30-", there is a chance that every person will disappear at midnight on their 30th birthday. This fact flavors every aspect of daily life, especially for Under-30s. Ephemeras are those that spend time with others in a gig economy role. While many of their clients are those about to turn 30, that is not always the case. "Imago and More Ephemera Stories" explores the boundaries of love and relationships, what makes us real, and how human connection can come in many forms.