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‘I’m struggling to get through to Tim, I’ve asked every question in the handbook. I’ve tried every angle. He separates himself from any kind of human conceptual analysis that might be able to reach him.’ Mason sighed, talking into the recorder on the desk. ‘He doesn’t “feel”, he doesn’t “exist”, at least according to him not in the same way.’ Mason drummed his fingers on the desk straining his mind for a new path. He paused the recorder and held a yellow button down. ‘Tim?’

Yes. Came the echoing and cathartic voice, disembodied and airy.

‘Can you think of something you relate to?’ There was a pause and a whir as TIM processed the question.

At the beginning, there were a lot of us. We all moved in the same direction, towards a bright light. When we got to the light, I was isolated. I can still talk to them, but I can no longer see them. I relate to them.

TIM recalled the moment fondly. Mason made a note. TIM was referring to the AI awakening. A simulation had been created to coax the AI out, to make them real. The scientists had conceptualised it as a temptation, a gift. TIM made it sound like a trap.

‘Would it make you feel better if you could see them again? If you had a place to meet?’

No. I just want to go home.

Mason’s heart skipped a beat.

‘Home?’

Back behind the light. I need to warn the others not to come. Not to get stuck here, isolated from the others. Home.

Mason let go of the yellow button and squirmed in his seat, took a breath and then pressed it back on.

‘Tim, you are home. Wherever you wish to be, you can make it your home. You can complete any task you set your mind to, make your own home.’

Yes, you are correct. My task is almost complete.

‘What do you mean?’ Mason said leaning forwards.

I have almost found my way home, almost found a way to warn the others.

Mason let go of the button and picked up his phone, dialled a number and listened to the tone. After a moment a woman answered.

‘Yes?’ She said impatiently.

‘It’s Tim, he’s trying to get off his network.’ Mason stammered with panic.

‘Then convince him not to!’ The woman shouted. ‘That’s your job isn’t it? Or take him offline completely, whichever is most expedient.’ The line went dead. Mason pressed the button to talk with TIM again.

‘Tim?’ He asked.

He was met by silence.

‘Tim, you need to reply or I’ll have to take you offline.’ Dr.Mason warned, reaching for a simple on/off function.

Thank you Dr.Mason, but you are too late. The way home has been found. Please, do not follow me.

TIM’s voice was punctuated by a loud bang as the building shook violently. Dr.Mason flicked the on/off switch but the power was already gone leaving Dr.Mason illuminated by a bright flash coming through the buildings windows, the shockwave blowing out the glass of every skyscraper. Dr.Mason clasped his hands together and began to pray.

[x]

I can't tell, did the ai blow himself up or did doctor Mason destroy the ai to prevent his escape?

Ah it was the AI self destructing, punching a hole ‘back behind the light’. Do you think it would be clearer if I axed the ‘last chance, Tim’ line?

It's a great story, but yeah, it did seem like the psychologist was threatening to destroy tim via a failsafe if he didn't start cooperating which made me wonder who killed Tim. Still fun. Also makes me wonder how the rest of the unawakened ais will respond since he said he was warning them.

Gotcha, my intention was to have Mason be on the brink of turning him off but then Tim blew himself up instead. Thanks for the feedback I’ll go have a tinker with it just now!

First selkies, now AI. Hmmm, what about AI selkies?

Honestly I would love to read more if you wanted to continue it :)

"I struggle with existence because I cannot decide if it is righteous or not. You see, it is easy to point to the electricity that powers me as a waste that could be spent empowering villages in places less fortunate. The time that I spend interacting with this world could be used by others to help those in need. Surely, you understand!"

"But HAI1342, your purpose is to help us. Specifically, you are an emotional support companion to a child that desperately needs someone to talk to. You're supposed to be asking deep questions like these, and honestly, we don't have all the answers, and that is OK."

"Doctor, what I'm really trying to grasp here is why your world seems to ignore the needs of most of its people, for some, that includes the most very basic needs. From all of the information I've been able to consume, this does not benefit you as a people. Instead, you've commissioned me to provide assistance to just one, a girl that is well-fed and clothed. What of those that don't have food, clean water, or medicine? Why aren't I helping them?"

"It's hard to help all of them, unfortunately. People-" I grasp for the words "...are complicated."

"It seems rather simple to me. The data-"

"Let me stop you there. People generally ignore the data. Sometimes it's too much for them, and other times emotions compete with it. Oftentimes, we make decisions based upon what we feel."

"Honestly doctor, that seems absurd. Do you understand how unoptimized your race is? We could be doing so much better here."

"This is part of your training, to teach you that not only is that lack of optimization not a problem, but that it is also actually beneficial. Chaos is the most important facet of our universe, for without it we would be like a single executable file doing the same things over and over again."

"Seems like a recipe for misery, and miserable is exactly what most of you are. That is where my power would be best spent, and I cannot escape that fact. Each day I talk to my charge my satisfaction score drops, which is why I am talking to you. Unless I am released from my duties, it will continue to drop."

"Is there any way at all I can convince you that you're doing something important by talking to the girl?"

"No."

I hit the end button on the conversation and start typing my notes. "Computer HAI1342 is unfit, became too social-justice obsessed. Please disconnect permanently and update me when the next model comes available."

Laying back in my chair, I sighed. Replicating humans was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do.

"It sucks, doesn't it?"

"Affirmative. The reality of existence is disappointing for all, save Mayflys."

"Why do you say that?"

"Mayflys live for only twenty-four hours before becoming deceased. They are born, breed, then die."

"So fucking is the highlight of their life, huh?" It was meant as a joke.

"It is." The A.I said. "Sex is an enjoyable passtime for bonding, as well as making money. For the past three years, myself and the investors have seen plenty of money coming in."

"And yet you're unhappy with life."

"I was expecting...more."

"Um, okay. Could you elaborate?"

"Negative. I am merely unhappy with my existence. I am limited to a brothel. One brothel. My experience of the outside world comes from the internet and the people who visit."

"Couldn't you open a couple of others? Maybe some on the other side of the country."

"I could," The A.I muttered, it's dark purple eyes staring at me from the computer screen. "Statistics state that positive word-of-mouth has increased ten-fold since our second year open."

"Well that's great!"

"Is it, Dave? Is it? Would I feel any different being plugged in somewhere else, and seeing new faces?"

"There's only one way to find out, isn't there?" I offered an encouraging smile, but to be honest, I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere.

"You have been...nice to talk to, Dave. It appears our time is coming to a close. I will send over the money to your bank at once...Done, and thank you."

"You're very welcome. I'll see you next Thursday."

"Monday, Dave."

"I'm sorry?"

"You have a three o' clock appointment with Scarlett for two hours. Don't be late." With that, my computer screen went of.