By Tori V. Rainn
The rowdiness in the mall stretched for miles. I watched from a distance as people flocked the hallways, leaning over balconies to gape at the waving, smiling bot in their midst.
Thomas900.
Thomas’s robotic voice matched mine. He was tall like me, but with inward curves in the middle and a spherical base. His basic human support programming was identical to mine. The only functional differences were a few upgrades and a faster processor. Maybe additional memory. But the biggest upgrade was his coat—a beautiful sea-blue that even I gawked at. The makers had strategically selected the shade of the ocean, so humans would better trust and feel calm around their latest model.
I tried not to look at the boisterous crowd. No eyes lingered my way. My owner snapped his fingers, encouraging me to get back to work as a sign spinner for his display of smart microwaves. But no one was interested today, and the task quickly became colorless.
What would it be like to be new again? To have a bigger hard drive, joints that didn’t creak, and a fresh coat of paint? People found so much pleasure in brightly colored things.
I glanced down at my dull silver exterior, then straightened abruptly. “May I have a break?”
I sped up the escalators and into the hardware store, my motor humming like a muffled wasp.
When I found what I needed, I rushed to a bench, smiling as big as my silicon lips allowed.
Popping the lid off the paint can was no trouble. I dipped my brush into the sea-blue color and brought it to my stomach.
“Hey,” a tiny voice said. “What are you doing?”
I pivoted and looked down at a girl. I estimated her to be around seven. She reminded me of the porcelain goth doll in the antique store window—the black tutu with its silver sparkles, the miniature black combat boots, the matching braid of dark hair.
“I’m changing my color,” I said.
“What for? Are you a chameleon?”
I’m coded to amuse humans, so I chuckled at her comment.
“Of course not. I’m trying to improve my appearance so humans can derive pleasure from me.”
She rocked on her heels, then took the brush from my hand and placed it on top of the paint can. I rotated, following her movement, studying her carefully for commands.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I think that color is too bright. If we were on a mission in the jungle, I think you would stand out.”
She laughed, sprinting a circle around me. Wonder sparkled in her eyes. Her posture, the way her eyes dilated. I detected happiness.
“Why would we be in the jungle?”
She shrugged. “Because the jungle is cool and ‘cause I might need your help.”
I smiled, extending my hand. “I’m Odi. It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?”
“I’m Vega,” she said in her small voice as she shook hands. “I’m so happy I found you, Odi.”
Her pulse hitched, hinting at excitement. Her polite gesture brought me delight, which meant I was doing what I was programmed to do. Making humans feel safe and happy.
“Such a lovely name.” I scanned the area. “I don’t see your parents. Are you lost?”
She twirled and stopped to face me. “No, silly. Mommy is right over there.”
She pointed at a woman browsing through a rack of jackets.
“Wonderful.” I reached for Vega’s hand, and she took it in an iron grasp. “Let’s get back to your mother.”
“Mommy, look! I found the bot I wanted.”
The mother stared at me as if I were missing parts. “Honey, don’t you want the new bot?”
The little girl stood on her tippy toes. “No, they’re all the same. I want him.”
The mother lifted her brow. “Why is that?”
“Because he’s just like me.” Vega clutched my arm.
The mother looked at her daughter, then at me. She held up her hands in surrender.
“Okay, fine. I hope we get a discount.”
Accepting my new fate with only a minor coding error, I led Vega and her mother back to my kiosk. As the woman returned with my owner, I couldn’t help but glance at the Thomas900 still gathering an ocean of crowds. This close to the new models, a part of me wondered if Vega would change her mind about me.
“He’s refurbished?” The mother fingered her purse. “Can we get him at half price?”
“He’s not really for sale. Have you looked at the newer ones?” My owner pointed at the Thomas900 in the distance.
“Yes, but my daughter has eyes for your—”
“Odi!” Vega shouted, yanking on my hand.
The man nodded. “I see.” He glanced down at Vega. “Are you sure, sweetie? The Thomas900 is faster and smarter. Better at hide and seek. Excellent storytellers. Triple the memory. Up to one petabyte. Odi here won’t hold two years’ worth of data.”
“That’s okay.” The little girl looked down, then back at me. “I have a ‘tention disorder and have trouble remembering stuff in school. I’ll just have to reteach him the way my tutor does. Maybe we can help each other?”
The man grinned. “I suppose you can.”
The mother folded her arms. “Well, I don’t see other customers around here. Are you willing to reconsider? Surely, he must be worth more than a microwave.”
He scratched his beard. “I suppose we can work something out…” He nodded. “Okay then. Step into my office so we can get a few papers out of the way and he can go home with you today.”
Vega squealed and wrapped her tiny arms around my waist. I returned the gesture with a pat on the top of her head. My insides tickled as if a wire were loose.
“Off to the jungle we go!”
She pointed at an indoor ball pit in the center of the main stores and screamed like a warrior.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This one gave me a bundle of pleasure! Thanks for the mood boost! :)
Ah, glad it could boost your mood. Thank you so much for reading!
Looks like Vega has great taste. Fun story.
Yes, she does. Thanks for reading!
So jealousy, in robots anyway, is blue. Who would have thunk it? Enjoyed the tale and the hyperactive little girl.
Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciated.
Rose Q. Addams-Thank you so much for reading!
SC Steamer-Yes, Vega has excellent taste. :) Thank you for reading!
Susan Lyttek-Appreciated. Thank you for stopping by to read. :)
Love this! Great story!
Thanks so much!
Nicely done, creative and fun, really enjoyed it.
Thanks for reading!
This just tickled me! What a great story. So glad I got to read it.
Glad it hear it. Thanks so much for stop by to read it!
You perfectly capture the nature of a child’s mind. Who can really know what they’re thinking or what they prefer?