Brobots Read online

  ‘The usual route is fine. I’m not running away from trouble. I’m running towards it.’

  ‘Ha. Sounds familiar.’

  ‘We do have things in common after all. Thank you, Yana. It was a pleasure meeting you.’ Susan was half minded to launch back into small talk about Scrinton, but Yana didn’t look like she wanted to stay any longer than she had to. Susan didn’t think that rude. Just strange. Had the big news story broken her a little after it broke to the world? Maybe that was it. Small talk with a lesbian was probably an unwise move anyway.

  The rain had stopped. This was Maryland, so there wasn’t a huge amount of sight seeing to do. Feeling hungry, Susan headed for a single story steak house down the side of a skyscraper-come-mall-come-subway station. She’d need the protein before heading back to Washington proper for the next appointment.

  Byron and Jared

  Friday night. This was the beginning of a first weekend spent together.

  ‘Alma did come’, said Byron, breaking the silence.

  ‘Oh, hey! She’s lovely isn’t she?’

  ‘I’m not sure. She was okay I guess.’

  ‘Did she talk to you much?’

  ‘She told me to take care of you.’

  Jared smiled at that. Alma needed to butt out. But her little intrusions in his life were instantly forgivable. He loved her deeply, and always had. ‘What did you say to that?’

  ‘I said it’s not my job, Ma’am.’

  ‘Did she say anything else?’

  ‘She said, “you’ll see”. What do you think she meant by that?’

  ‘Oh… she’s always a bit… cryptic.’ And she can embarrass me like a mother. I don’t need looking after. Do I? What did she mean?

  Jared wandered past Byron’s bulky stature waving potato chips, takeaway menus and two cans of beer. ‘I thought we could watch a movie together. That sound good?’

  ‘I’ve seen some of those on the Internet; when people post free copies. They’re neat.’

  ‘Sure are! Beer. Takeaway. Movie. Comfy sofa. We can talk a bit too if you want. Just… y’know. It’s Friday.’

  Sitting down on the sofa together, Byron handed Jared a piece of paper.

  ‘What’s this?’ Jared scanned the list. It was details of support groups, a lobbying group, advice websites and call numbers: all of the things Jared had suggested Byron research. ‘Hey… you did a great job here. This is real cool!’

  ‘It took all day. My writing’s not too good.’

  ‘I’m sure it did. What’s this “RAI” thing?’

  ‘Campaigning for …robot rights or something.’

  ‘And it’s local?’

  ‘Based right here. Can we check it out soon?’

  ‘Sounds like a plan, bro’. Sounds like a plan.’

  Jared started flicking through movie options on his holographic vector projector. Byron was unlikely to contribute anything about tastes or favorites, so he went ahead and picked something easy-going.

  ‘There somethin’ else too.’ Byron’s eyes were glued to the pretty pictures.

  ‘There is?’

  ‘I saw …I think it’s called a paper magazine… it was in your room.’ He looked at Jared.

  ‘You went in my room today?’ Jared looked back.

  ‘Is that not OK?’

  ‘It’s…a surprise. It’s OK though. Which magazine?’

  ‘It had lots of pictures of men in it.’

  ‘Oh.’ Oh joy.

  ‘Do you like men, Jared?’

  There it is. Jared dropped his potato chips and the remote. He also flushed and stuttered. ‘Uh….’ Years of being in the closet and then braving the step to come out had taught Jared to face someone, look at them, and be unashamed when talking about sexual orientation. It was tough, but he looked the construction worker in the eye and made sure to inhabit his words. ‘Yes. Is that a problem?’

  ‘Not to me. I don’t have opinions about things like that. I don’t think I do anyhow. But… is it why you saved me?’

  There it was. ‘I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a contributing factor. But Alma will tell you, I’ve been fixing up broken things I find since I was a teenager. Programming. Engineering. Software. Soldering. It’s just… me.’

  ‘So you’re not expecting me to… do anything like that.’

  ‘I’m hoping we can be friends. I’m hoping you’ll stick around. I’m hoping we’ll grow to like each other.’ And I’m hoping we fall in love because you’re even more adorable now that I’ve met you than I dreamed you’d be when it was only your face I could see.

  ‘That’s it?’

  ‘Take it easy, buddy.’

  ‘Sorry. I just… I’m … everything is new now.’

  ‘That’s fine.’

  ‘Isn’t it kinda weird, though?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You being into men and taking the risk to bring a construction worker into your home. You don’t know who I am.’

  ‘Somewhere in there it feels like there’s a trace of homophobia that you’ve picked up from someplace. Sorta like the expectation that construction workers are ‘real men’ and gay boys aren’t so the two shouldn’t mix. But I can tell you don’t think that way, which would be funny if you did given you’re not a ‘real man’, and probably no man is. But it’s only a trace.

  ‘I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve been following the work of Brobotics for years. I know their stuff. The temperaments of their …units…you’re not wired to fear or hate. So where’s the risk?’

  ‘You’re really smart.’ And kind of… what, exactly? It’s that feeling again. Like when I woke up and saw you. Cute?

  ‘Can we just watch the movie?’

  Okay. Sure. That works. A moment to breathe. Byron was admittedly captivated by the film. It was one thing to watch content online, and quite another to see it on a big screen in a large room with proper speakers and someone to reflect on it with. He was also seeing things and learning things about people – things that put him in a state of awe: awe of the kind that human children grow out of by the time of reaching puberty.

  But these were also things that were adding to his sense of uncertainty. Everything was new, which was both exhilarating and bewildering. The more he learned, the more he knew that he did not know. A jungle of feelings added to the alert response aspect; feelings about these new experiences, feelings about Jared, feelings about suddenly not having to work in construction – no longer having fixed defining roles to play. Missing Tasley so much. He was missing simplicity already.

  To an outsider, a human, watching Byron work in construction he’d have appeared to have been a rather average adult man; knowing who he was, walking in the world with a surety to his step – carrying with him something of that clarity of personality and character middle aged men seem to get which, even though it is always a self-made character, convinces them and others that it is all they can be. What you see is what you get.

  But human reality is always far deeper, and that sense of self is formed over time; and Byron had not had that time. Instead what was happening now was something of a reverse process. He had started from that place - not so much as a self-made character as a made character (resulting in the same hollow thing) – and now this was unraveling for him, beginning to show him that he did not know himself, his abilities, his feelings. In the same way that all of us learn, he was about to start making mistakes.

  ‘I do…Uhh…Jared?’

  ‘Mmmnh?’ The film was reaching its climax, and this part was loud.

  ‘I just want to let you know that you are nice.’

  ‘Thank you, Byron.’ Inappropriate for timing. Don’t you want to see the end of the film? ‘That’s good to know.’ Jared gave his new house mate a quick glance.

  ‘I think we can be friends.’

  And now this is more interesting than the movie. Jared turned down the volume. ‘Hey! I think we can be too! Mm. That’s made my whole month.’ Jared decided it wouldn’t hurt to give
Byron a clap on the knee to show his appreciation.

  ‘It’s made your month?’

  ‘Well.. y’know. It’s literally still early days. It took a lot of effort to get you back online. Hearing that from you makes it all feel like it was worthwhile.’

  It might not have been worthwhile for you. Oh, god. He doesn’t know how good I am with my work. I have to prove it to him. Shit. Byron’s eyes went wide. ‘I haven’t shown you how good I can be at working. I’m taking everything and here you are doing everything for me…’ he put his hands to his head and stood up in front of the movie. It was clear to Jared that he wasn’t going to get to enjoy the finale at all, but he could put the irritation aside for Byron. ‘…oh god…’

  ‘Byron…Byron…calm down.’ Jared had to stand up too. ‘Okay…stop. Listen to me. I’m sure you’re highly capable at lots of things you don’t even know yet. The only reason you haven’t shown me what you can do is because I’ve told you not to. I’ve wanted you to take it easy, and I don’t think you’re taking advantage, okay? All I meant was that when Yana and I did all that work to get you functioning again I had no idea who I was doing it for. Now that I’ve met you, I can’t wait to get to know you even better. So I’m glad. Because I think we can be friends and I’d really like that. So I’m relieved is all.’

  Byron had stopped his panic. He lowered his arms and looked at Jared.

  ‘I misunderstood?’

  ‘Yes.’ Jared put out a steadying hand on Byron’s shoulder. Byron had no words, so just nodded that he got it now.

  This small outburst foregrounded something Jared had already picked up; that Byron was not simply just disoriented at a level one would expect for his sudden change of circumstance. He was shaken. Was he even going to survive this transition? Jared bit his lip. ‘I’m here dude. Just… take everything easy, okay? Go easy on yourself. Be gentle.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘I kind of wanted to watch the end of the movie. Can we do that now?’

  They sat down together again; a little further apart than before. The movie didn’t matter any more. Jared was watching it, but he was thinking about other things. He was going to have to tip-toe with Byron.

  --

  Walking Artie through the local park the next morning helped deliver some clarity. It wasn’t healthy for anyone’s mental wellness to stay stuck in the same building; even just for days. He knew that days would quickly turn into weeks, and perhaps weeks to months. There was no way he was going to hide Byron in his home until the world decided free-roaming AI’s were a thing and that they should have a life and rights. If it ever happened, that would all take time.

  The question really was whether it would be positive to use a free Saturday evening to take Byron out, or whether it would freak him out even more. Psychology was not Jared’s thing. Code he knew. Even for a geek his people skills were unusually good; but not expert level. If only he could ask Yana for advice right now. Alma? Would Alma know what to do?

  Artie was off the lead and through the door jumping up at Byron in the kitchen. He smiled and patted her. He was getting used to her petting needs, and seemed to be enjoying it too. Jared stuck a trilby and scarf on the bannister and kicked off his shoes. He walked towards them both, running fingers through his hair and adjusting to the warmth inside the house.

  ‘She likes walking with you, du’n she!’

  ‘She does. It’s a favorite thing for dogs. Is it a favorite thing for Byrons too?’

  ‘Huh? What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve been wondering about how you’d feel about going out the house together. Maybe tonight. Getting some fresh air. Maybe for a beer, or a meal, or just a walk perhaps.’

  ‘You know we don’t free roam. I can’t be seen…’

  ‘I don’t know that, actually. You may not be considered your own person in law yet. You may not have rights. And for all we know you’re the only sentient machine in the world who doesn’t have to go to work in the morning. So the free roaming thing hasn’t been done. But it’s not illegal.’

  ‘Do you think we look human, Jared?’

  ‘You definitely pass as human; you know that. I kinda wonder sometimes if your joint lines will snag your clothes in an obvious way. But it looks like your manufacturers even thought of that.’

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t think I’m ready yet.’

  ‘That. But… if we leave it too long you might never be ready. So I can’t win here. So be honest with yourself.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Did you ever use to socialize with your bro’s? I don’t really know anything yet about the routine you used to have?’

  ‘Well, most construction sites are managed around management hours. When we weren’t working we always took special pods back to an off-site location where our charging units were kept.’

  ‘Those ones where you charged overnight?’

  ‘Yeah. Each one had a shower, a shared facility to wash and dry clothes, and each unit had a node for Web access in case we wanted to use that and learn stuff or watch things. That was kind of it. But, yeah. Most weekends we’d have some charged free time so we tended to congregate in the communal areas. Play games. Swap stories about work. Very occasionally there’d be drink or food involved – just for the enjoyment factor. We don’t get drunk or any fatter than we are.’

  ‘Lucky you! Actually, your talk of clothes gives me an idea.’ Jared leaned back against the worktop. ‘Hm. I think it’s too soon for you to meet some of my buddies just yet. I need to work up to that, so maybe that’s something for next weekend or one night next week. But you’re gonna need some clothes. You can’t go out for an evening dressed like you’re still at work. How about we spend this afternoon in town and we can pick you out something nice to wear?’

  ‘You would do that?’

  ‘Sure! It’ll be fun!’

  ‘Okay. Great!’

  They took a taxi pod to the center of town and stopped off at the last remaining mall. Jared figured a mall would be somehow more discreet than wandering the streets. Ironic, since this was one of the busiest parts of town. But inside the mall others would be in a shopping daze and minding their own. Jared doubted anyone would bat an eyelid at seeing Byron; he passed as human even up close. Each Brobot had a different build and features. But one or two geeks like him (people who followed developments in AI with keen interest) might spot a few facial traits. Button noses. For a first trip out the mall was definitely the place to be. Jared didn’t factor in the behavior aspect.

  Byron was wide eyed once they entered the mall. ‘This construction’s huge. Look at all the people. Jared – do you see those lights?’

  ‘I see them!’

  ‘Pretty.’ Byron had a grin on his face. His immature reactions wouldn’t give him away as a synthetic human, but Jared was hoping he’d rein it in after a few minutes because it probably would draw attention to him in other ways. He worried people would think of him as a ‘simpleton’. Not that Jared minded that, of course. If they had a problem with that it would be their problem. Byron was quite simple in some ways.

  Byron walked behind Jared, a little slower so that he could take in the sights, sounds, smells. It was fascinating and bewildering. There were people of all ages, sizes, colors. The paving was so clean, and the shops lit up so neatly with their different wares. He put his hand out to inspect a bamboo frond. It was plastic and easily broken. He stuffed the broken piece into his pocket. Concentrating on the shops again he reflected that people must need so many different things. ‘I don’t even know what most of these things do.’

  ‘Me neither, Byron. Waste money is what a lot of them do. Hey, here. One of my favorite outlets. You probably won’t know what you like, so this time I’m choosing! Okay?’

  ‘Uh… okay.’

  Once in the store and up to the men’s department, Jared started scanning the racks and shelves. He decided to get the underwear over with first. In some ways embarrassing, in other ways not; Byron wouldn’t
have to try it on and Jared could purchase it without the attendant noticing a mismatch in size between buyer and item. He felt a bit playful so he picked out some designer boxers to add to Byron’s collection of one. Nothing too fancy, but nothing too plain.

  He next found Byron staring at shoes, and led him over to where the t-shirts and pullovers were. He found a couple checked tees and a chunky woven hoodie with a fur-lined hood. Would that work? No idea. Brown eyes. Black hair. Byron would need dark pants. He picked out some classic jeans and a pair of dark chinos. ‘I guess you don’t know your inseam measurement, huh?’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘The length of your inner leg.’

  ’76.81 centimeters. 30.24 inches.’

  ‘Oh! Okay.’

  The next challenge would be the fitting rooms. Jared hadn’t really thought this part through. He could wing it, surely? With Byron loaded up with clothing to try, Jared led him to the rooms. The attendant checked the quantities and handed Byron a token.

  ‘What now?’ he whispered.

  ‘Just go into the room she pointed at, close the door, and try on the clothes. I’ll wait here. This chair’s free.’

  ‘How do I know if they’re correct?’

  ‘Well… come out when you’ve got them on. Keep your shoes off, and show me. I can say.’

  A full seven minutes passed. What was Byron doing in there? Jared got up and wandered over to the cubicle. He tapped the door. ‘Byron? You OK in there?’

  ‘I’m almost ready.’

  ‘Okay.’

  A few more seconds and Byron opened the door. He walked towards Jared who was back on his chair. He looked more relaxed, and extremely attractive with the jeans and hoodie combo. Heck, he looked attractive all the time. But it wasn’t quite right.

  ‘It looks good. You did well. But this outfit doesn’t work on you. It looks too young. You need something more mature. Let’s ditch the hoodie for a knit. We’ll also get you a jacket to suit. Those jeans are OK. Did you try the chinos?’

  ‘Not yet.’

  Thirty minutes later Jared had approved the chinos, found a knitted jumper and picked out a lovely black jacket that made Byron look like a boss. (Jared would have to try a tailored suit and black tie one day.) All he needed to complete the look were some shoes.