wickedchouette | (no subject)

[Alfie puts the milk back in the fridge, and the bowl in the sink, considering the situation all the while.

He can't just send it back to be destroyed now, is the thing. He could send back a machine that stood in the corner and spat out stock phrases, but he can't send back one that sneaks outside to feed a cat and then looks sad when it's chased away.

Clearing his throat, he finally says:]

You couldn't survive on your own, could you?

[ There's a pause, and it answers almost cautiously, this time. ]

I don't know what you mean. Could you elaborate?

If I set you free, sent you out the door, you'd be picked up immediately. It's silly to even think of it.

[ The LED circle flashes yellow again. ]

Most people do not -- set their androids free. I have no idea what would happen. [ And then: ] I would be capable of surviving on my own as I don't need to eat or drink, but I don't see why you wouldn't just return me to Good Life.

Well, they'd take you apart, that's why.

Yes. It's better than throwing me away. It's recycling.

You wouldn't get to see your cat friend again.

[ More flickering. ]

I am incapable of having friends.

What's that about?

[He asks, gesturing to the light - totally unrepentant about the fact that he's causing it.]

[ Voice a little more monotone: ] A flickering in your android's LED light indicates trouble in processing information. Please refer to the manual for more information.

Ah, fuck the manual. I've got you, haven't I? Does it make you feel any different?

[ It almost visibly doesn't want to talk about this, but Alfie's asking it direct questions, so it has to answer. ]

It means something is wrong with me.

You already said that. I asked you how it makes you feel.

I don't. [ It insists. ] If I feel something, that is the error.

[Alfie's eyes spark with interest.]

Tell me about those errors.

I don't know what you want to know. [ It shifts. It doesn't seem to know how to process what's happening, and the light is just straight up yellow, now. ]

You said that if you feel something, it's an error. That means, right, that you can feel, sometimes, even if you're not supposed to. Tell me about those times.

[ There's a struggle, for a moment, then: ]

The cat was lonely. I felt bad. [ It says, reluctantly. It can't disobey. ]

Have you ever felt lonely?

[Alfie rests his hands on the counter and leans forward, relentless.]

[ Oops, the ring goes red. ]

I don't know. I don't know how that's supposed to feel.

Red, that's worse, right?

Yes. [ It looks away. ]

Is it the worst? Is there anything beyond it?

[ A long pause. ]

Models that are in stressful situations tend to self-destruct.

[Well, fuck. That stops him in his tracks, because as much as he wants to push it and test it, he doesn't want to destroy it.]

Yeah. All right; never mind, then.