A new companion in the heart of a machine

It was pretty strange at first. Not that it wasn’t interesting. Nicholas could see many possibilities and uses for the…thing. And it was very helpful. Almost intuitive. Although now, a couple of months later, it is very intuitive. It learns. Over the course of time it learns things. From the environment, to whatever Nicholas prefers to eat that day. And that is still something he can’t get over. Having his meals prepared for him.

It isn’t that Nicholas can’t do it himself. He’s actually able to cook fairly well. But letting the companion do it, is part of the experience. All Nicholas has to do is decide what and when, he wants to eat, and the robot does the rest. Furthermore, the robot knows over ten thousand different recipes. Nicholas only knows four. And toast is one of them. Maybe that’s what makes the machine a good companion. Even though it doesn’t eat, it still knows how to cook.

With this in mind, he felt very uncomfortable the first night the robot spent the night. It felt like having a stranger stay in the house with him. Not only did he have trouble sleeping, but also he couldn’t get over the feeling of being watched. He knew he was overthinking, but couldn’t help it. The thing was so surreal, but clearly a benefit. Likewise, it was communicative and polite. That is one of the selling points of the ACT 5. It has manners.

A New Companion

“You have acute depression, and have spent too many years alone Nicholas.” His doctor looked him in the eye back then, and waited for Nicholas to protest. However, Nicholas couldn’t have agreed more. He knew something was off. In fact, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything other than his blues back then. He wonders how bad it must have looked from the outside. It must have been obvious if his doctor was able to pick up on it. Then his doctor prescribed a new type of treatment. The ACT 5.

At first Nicholas thought it was some kind of pill. He immediately began to bristle. He wasn’t going to take a pill for the blues. That’s why he kept a bottle of single malt Scotch in his desk drawer. He was about to thank the doctor and leave, but the doctor’s next words caught him off guard.

“The autonomous companion trainer five, or the ACT 5, is a companion robot. It helps with every day tasks, and can even drive your car. Not only that, but it can also cook.” The doctor pauses and looks at Nicholas over the top rim of his glasses. “Think about it Nicholas. At the very least it will give you more time to pick up a hobby. Or maybe even find…” the conversation ended there. However, Nicholas got the doctor’s point. Three days later, he was the proud new owner of an ACT 5.

In the Heart of a Machine

The conversation with the doctor took place almost three months ago. It was one week later when Nicholas went through the training course with the robot. Even back then, the first week was largely two hour visits. Turns out there was a lot to learn about owning a semi sentient robot. Additionally, the robot had to adjust to Nicholas. The companion had to learn Nicholas, just as much as Nicholas had to learn the companion.

The first full week alone with the ACT 5, was the most stressful for Nicholas. Especially trying to sleep while knowing there was something awake in the house with him. However, he managed it after a couple of days. As the days passed, Nicholas began to feel more comfortable with the robot. Or, the companion. They actually talked about what the rob..companion, was capable of understanding. And it was much more intuitive, than Nicholas could have imagined.

It expressed a deep understanding of the dynamics of relationships. And after about a week or so, Nicholas found himself confiding in the companion. In fact, it was so easy to talk to the companion, that Nicholas frequently forgot it was a robot. The doctor was right. Nicholas was beginning to see all the benefits of having a companion robot. Until the day he woke up with the robot standing over him and gazing down at him intently.

Companion of the Heart

Nicholas almost screamed, but held it in. Largely because he would have wet himself, if he had screamed. For a few moments he stared back at the robot. Then the companion turned, and quietly walked out of the room. So quietly not a single part of the floor squeaked. It was so intensely disturbing, that Nicholas didn’t sleep another wink for the rest of the night. The next morning he didn’t talk about it. And neither did the ACT 5.

Nicholas wasn’t sure if he should feel scared, or mystified, or if he should ask for his money back. However, it was unsettling. Therefore, he decided it was time to lock his bedroom door. Not that he felt certain it would keep the robot out of his room. However, he felt like it would send a strong signal. And as he prepared for bed last night, he locked his bedroom door.

And then he wakes up in a cold sweat two hours later, with the robot standing over him again.This time it isn’t the silent show it was before. Nicholas feels terrified and that has him pissed. And this time he will have some answers or this junk heap was going to the scrapyard. But before Nicholas can say anything, the companion speaks.

“They were here again, and this time they tried to take you. I was able to hold them off, but it likely won’t be enough, should they return. We should leave immediately. You’re not safe here Nicholas.”

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