Before I am Famous

literature is something we infer after the story is told

My Name is Bob, Automated Humanoid

Posted on | November 14, 2007 |

Jeffery tweaked the circuit board one more time and turned on the machine. Lights surrounding the automated humanoid illuminated. Jeffery, not wanting to draw attention to the lights, drew the curtains. The light bulbs, Jeffery made for his eyes, lit.

“Hello,” Jeffery said to the machine.

“Hello creator, my name is Bob, automated humanoid,” the machine spoke rigid.

“Wow,” Jeffery gasped as he looked over the robot. “I can’t believe it. It really works!” He shouted, jumping on the floor. The downstairs neighbor pounded on the ceiling. Someone knocked at the door.

“Who is it?” Jeffery barked.

“You know who it is, Jeffery, it’s me, Marissa.”

He smiled as he opened the door. He could never understand why a high class, proper lady like Marissa found him interesting, she kissed him on the cheek. Taking off her white gloves, she noticed Bob and swept over.

“Oh Jeffery, what is it? It is simply wonderful,” she cooed.

“It’s Bob, I made him. He is an automated humanoid.”

“You really are a genius. It’s amazing. Do you know why I love you so?”

“No. Talk to him, I’ve been creating a whole spectrum of thoughts and feelings for him,” Jeffery told her.

“Hello Bob, I am Marissa.”

“Hello woman. My name is Bob, automated humanoid,” the machine responded.

“He can talk Jeffery, amazing. You are so much smarter than Edison or Bell anyway. I’ve got to run but don’t forget about the social Saturday night at my home. Please don’t be late,” Marissa said, replaced her gloves and fixed her hat. “Will you bring Bob?”

“No, not yet. Soon.” He kissed her on the cheek, “good-bye Marissa.”

It seemed like Bob watched her go. Jeffery marked the occasion in his journal, “August 6, 1902 Bob is alive!”

He missed the social but Marissa understood completely. Jeffery obsessed over Bob; teaching, reprogramming. Marissa thought Bob was a wonderful project and spent a lot of time teaching Bob.

An early snow fell in November; Marissa came into Jeffery’s room, shaking the snow off her coat. Bob looked at her. Jeffery noticed the strange interaction and wrote it down, “November 10, 1902 Snowing. Marissa comes inside. Bob watches Marissa shake the snow off. He says ‘hello’ she greets him back. Then he says ‘coffee is on table.’ I do not remember teaching him those words. Marissa says thanks and pours herself a cup. Bob asks ‘better?” To me something is going on with Bob’s wiring. Could it be he is learning like a child would? Did Marissa teach him human traits such as compassion and caring? This is something worth more observation.” Jeffery put the pencil down and watched Bob reach for Marissa.

When he and Marissa were alone, he asked her if she noticed anything different about Bob. She said he seemed the same to her. Jeffery kissed Marissa. She waved good bye and hurried down the stairs. Jeffery couldn’t wait until Christmas; he panned on asking Marissa to marry him.

He went back inside; Bob looked at Jeffery’s Bible.

“Bob, do you want to play chess?” Jeffery asked bringing the chess board to Bob.

Jeffery became accustomed to losing to Bob but tonight Bob lost. In fact, Jeffery entertained the notion that Bob seemed distracted.

“I’m going to teach you poker,” Jeffery said.

“What is it?” Bob asked.

“Card game. My pa taught me to play when we lived in Boston,” Jeffery said and found the cards. Spending the night teaching him everything he knew about poker except for bluffing, Bob picked up the rules quickly and they played a couple hands as expected Jeffery won.

“Cheater,’ Bob said.

“No, it’s all part of the game.” Jeffery something about Bob was amiss.
The next couple hands, Bob bluffed and exceeded Jeffery’s expectations.

Later after powering down Bob for the night, Jeffery recorded his
thoughts in the journal, “November 11, 1902 I wonder if Bob is turning human. I taught him to play poker he quickly learned about bluffing on his own. Sometimes when Bob is awake and Marissa is here, he seems to be lost in her. When it is only us he seems distant. The only one he interacts with is Marissa. I must ask her to discover if Bob can feel. If he can feel, is he human? He looked at the Bible today. I know I created a machine but it seems as if Bob is alive.”

Marissa made it her mission to probe Bob’s thoughts. In one week, Marissa discovered Bob’s favorite color was blue, he liked the stories in the Bible and he loved Marissa.

“Are you sure he said he loved you?” Jeffery asked.

“I suppose he could’ve repeated what I said. I did tell him I loved him,” Marissa contemplated.

Jeffery turned away, “Oh Jeffery, my heart is yours. Why don’t you talk to him?” Marissa said.

“It is different with you, Marissa.” He leaned in and kissed her.

“Are you coming Christmas Eve?”

“Yes, I need a break.”

“Okay darling, see you tomorrow.”

Two days before Christmas, the snow prevented Jeffery from going to the University to teach so he powered Bob early. He knew Marissa wouldn’t come because of the snow. He was lonely. He sat in front of the fire and gazed at the very small diamond, wishing he had more money to buy her what she deserved.

“What is it?” Bob asked.

“A diamond ring,” Jeffery answered, he brought the ring closer to Bob, “I’m going to ask Marissa to be my wife. I love her so much.”

“Why?”

“Love is something you feel.”

“Teach me.”

“You can’t teach love. Well maybe a little bit. Love can’t be learned.”

“I feel love for Ma-riss-a,” Bob annunciated.

“Sure you do,” Jeffery answered and turned his eyes towards the diamond ring.

Bob reached for Jeffery’s neck and pinched his jugular. Trying to break the grip, Jeffery struggled free. Bob squeezed harder piercing the skin, blood erupted from his neck. Jeffery fell to the floor. Bob grabbed the ring and waited.

Marissa opened the door and saw Jeffery lying dead. She screamed. Bob rolled towards her, “Marry me Ma-riss-a. I love you,” Bob hummed.
Marissa ran down the hall, screaming not hearing or seeing the automated humanoid trying to follow her.

A special thanks to Clayton at One Angry Gamer for help with this story!

comment from blogger

Clayton said…
Imrpessive! I like it! *thumbs up*

Chivalrybean said…
Looks like Bob broke the 3 laws of robotics {:0)

Category: weekly shorts

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