Hello to all. This is a two-part story and no real relationship to the other items I have written. It's a commentary and idea formed around a common argument between a friend and I. While he is a Tech Guy, he has an absolute abhorrence to the idea of an AI companion. While I, being more in the Luddite and troglodyte realm, think that it may end up being a fascinating change. They will either mesh with our society or kill us all.
It's fun to postulate.
All folks are made up manifestations of my own twisted mind. The story is not based on real people or occurrences.
***
Hell, hath no fury...
Drew was tired, just plain tired. He was a good guy, Yea, yea, yea everyone said crap like that. But Drew and his close circle of friends believed it was true.
He was the typical "nice guy" you know the 7 out of 10 on a woman's shopping list for a companion and lover. His friend Jonathan used to recite the boy scout pledge when Drew would start to whine. All Drew would hear was "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent" as his friend held up his hand in the proper finger configuration.
Drew would then salute him his normal way with the one finger more prominent. Jonathans boy scout pantomime would be after Drew asked his normal drunk question. "What's wrong with me? I just want a sane relationship with a nice woman. A woman that does not go insane after 6 month and try and turn into a doormat." Drew huffed. It would get worse when Jonathan would tell him the truth.
Drews latest entry into the realm of self-pity had begun again in the friend zone. And after a brief run in the relationship zone, ended in friend zone. Not that he really made it out of the friend zone, he was just the temporary compromise. He loved to cook, and she loved to have someone cater to her. He could fix things, and she kept the bills down on her place by having him fix and build things for her. He would give her massages because she loved to be touched and he could touch her toned sexy body. He was a doormat, or as his friend described him, a fluffer. He kept her in orgasms until someone she found more presentable came along. You know tall, ruggedly handsome, drove a nice car, and had more muscles than brains.
'Brother, how long have we been discussing this? Why do you think I gave you the tag line of 'fluffer supreme?' You go the fuck out of your way to do shit for them because it makes them 'happy.' With no fucking ROI!" Jonathan paused for a second.
"What the fuck Fluffer? We are both stuck in the 7 out of 10 list. It's the first three we cannot get past," ended Jonathan for a moment.
"Don't you think I know that? I will never be part of the top three. I will never be tall, my 5'-7" is it. I will never be handsome. I have an 'everybody face' that the Major said would be perfect for undercover. Plus, I am 20 lbs. overweight. And of course, I am not rich. I do ok, but unless I win the lottery..." Drew sighed and drank more of his beer.
"You need to stop. We have had this conversation over and over for years. Having to lose part of tomorrow over a hangover is not in the plan brother," pleaded Jonathan.
"I Know, but here we are, Friday night. I am intelligent, not brilliant but can handle my own. I can be funny, quirky funny, but I laugh at myself not others. I love to share my passions. I do volunteer work because it is the right thing to do. I am an artist and a decent one, but I have a real job and pay my bills." Drew paused to take a sip
"I make the women I am with feel beautiful. Not just give them a line of bullshit. They know I see them as beautiful and show it in my art. I can discuss politics and life without being an asshole. And yes, I am trustworthy, loyal, helpful...blah, blah, blah."
Drew finished his drunken slur, then did a drunken smile and put his head down.
"My friend, it's time to get you home. You have expended your favors of self-pity. Let us get an Uber," Jonathan demanded.
"I am going to do it you know, I really am," mumbled Drew with a drunken burp to end his side of the conversation.
"Don't start on that stupid evil shit again or I am going to have to tie you to the chair, tape your eyes open and put 'Ex Machina' on a loop." Jonathan cautioned.
As Drew slowly faded into his tired drunken sleep "Its time, I'm going to do it..."
"Shut the fuck up brother, I love you like a brother, but that is the stupidest idea you have ever had, and you need to let it go..."Jonathan stated while dragging Drew's drunk ass out of the chair.
***
Chaz Thornton stood at the podium looking over the limited crowd in the expansive assembly room. All the onsite participants were properly spaced based on the requirements of social distancing. Connected to the web, 8 huge screens faced Chaz, cut into multiple quadrants to show the faces of the company employees connected over the world.
This was his moment, a roll out of the newest level of AI powered companions. Synergy-Intel saw a need spurred by the Covid-24 plague. His company provided companionship through silicone and electronics. A clean companion that provided 'friendship' in a clean, safe, and intelligent package.
As CEO, he was here to layout to all his employees the newest line of AI powered companions. To thank his employees for all their hard work and let them know the company appreciated it.
Not that Chaz really did. He was waiting for the day when he could replace them all with his creations. No more whining, no more 'female' issues with periods, pregnancies, sexual harassment...all gone with his new "J" line.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome to a new era for humanity," Chaz loved starting his speeches with a burst of energy. He paused for effect.
"Tomorrow we roll out the new "J" model companion with the highest level of AI for any cybernetic device in the world. This safe, clean 'friend' is what we need now to get us through this second wave of the Covid disease. Through your hard work, we have brought the world a safe way to take care of our elderly, protect our children and provide secure safe companionship for all of those in need. We have created the 'human touch' in a world where a real human touch can be deadly." Chaz paused again.
Cristy sat in the front row of honor. As the girlfriend of Chaz and one of the lead designers/programmers for SI, she rated special treatment. Of course, her good looks, exposed long legs and cleavage were bonuses when Chaz made sure she was panned during the webinar.
Cristy sat back smiling and waived when she was featured as one of the lead executives. 'What a pompous, asshole, douche bag," she thought as she was forced to listen to Chaz's bullshit and smile the whole time.
***
As soon as the webinar was over Cristy went the woman's restroom and shut herself in a stall. The tears finally started to fall, and they kept coming. She just sat there, pulling toilet paper from the stainless roll, blowing her nose, and wiping her tears.
She was not sure how long she was in the stall. Her humiliation just kept spinning her mind. Finally, she heard her friend Rihanna calling her name.