Unfettered Bones Part 1: First Impressions
Unfettered Bones Part 1: First Impressions
“Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?” — Steve Polyak
This story was discovered in a compilation of files on an anonymous author’s computer during the Years of Peace. After a collection of apartments caught fire and burned down in the Historical District of Atarashi York, historians found them hidden. Scientists and historians are uncertain of exactly where or when the piece was originally written. The author is unknown but remains a voice for the everyday person to enjoy. Whether it was to watch on their Eye Sphere or read in a magazine, journal, or book is unknown. The original intent and/or meaning behind the piece is uncertain and left to the reader’s discretion
In the bustling and shining city of San Tokyo, three million people were all spread across the vast land as the floor to Marv’s apartment was being swept by his cleaning maid Bexty. She cleaned, cooked, put everything in the trash, and anything else Marv programmed her to do. The robot had many functions including being a masseuse. As he commanded, she came and took his banana peel and his trash of granola bars that he chewed on and threw them in the can.
Bexty was a maid bot who looked humanoid with a head, arms, and legs but her metal skin was a blue hue. Her head was transparent and one could see all of the functions working like clockwork. She wore a Japanese kimono and a huge red sash went across her shoulder as she vacuumed with her hands sucking up the crumbs.
Marv worked remotely as most people did in his tiny cubicle apartment situated in downtown San Tokyo. Most things were automated. He created websites, designing and publishing them. Automating his work he could perform multiple tasks in one day, send it out to his customers, and schedule them to his liking.
His long brown hair fell over his eyes like a horse and his face was youthful and chubby but stern, focused on his game. Hazel eyes were the glowing lanterns of his soul taking in the pixel colored screen. His mouth was wide and full like a whale’s and his tongue was on the side as he concentrated. His pot belly, from drinking too much, jetted out making all of his Japanese cultured clothes tightly fitted. Wearing a maroon vest intricately designed from an ancient time with jeans, he sat there sucked into a different world.
He lived his days playing video games, watching movies, and walking his labradoodle Chopper. He was playing Far Side a newly released version of the original 3000 game but the graphics looked like real life. Highly updated and crystal clear color, it seemed like reality. His hologram table lit up with the game’s side characters and the player’s weapons and maps displayed for all to see while the screen had the main game playing out. After he got killed in the game, he got an incoming message on his Eye from his friend, Scy.
“What’s up, man? What’re you doing tonight,” he asked.
“Nothing,” Marv responded. “Just have dinner with Zen but after that chillin.”
Immediately he replied, “Cool. You wanna get a drink? Liquid Assets?”
“I’ll get a drink, but don’t really wanna go there.”
“But I gotta show you something.”
“No tail, man.”
“It’s not that. Something interesting that you gotta see. I can’t explain it now. Just come.”
“OK, fine. I’ll be there.” And he went back to his game while his girlfriend Zen walked in briskly with a few bags. She wore a black skirt with a white button top in high heels looking professional. She worked in the hospital as a doctor. Exceeding high in her class at university, she was brilliant. The labradoodle Chopper wagged his tail greeting her.
“How was your day,” she asked cheerfully petting Chopper.
He didn’t look at her. He played the game through his Eye. “You’re home early. It was good.”
“Did you feed him,” Zen asked.
“What? Oh no, not yet.”
“I’ll do it,” she said getting his food out of the cupboard.
“Just get Bexty to do it,” he said still lost in the game.
“No, I’ll do it. Did you work today?”
“Yeah. Now I’m done for the week.”
“It’s only Tuesday.”
“That’s the beauty of my job.”
“I don’t know how you do that. I could never do that,” she said pouring the dog food.
“Well, somebody has to.”
“Do they? You would think it would be done by Laix now.”
“Nah, they still have to employ people to monitor it but I’m with Flinch now. Remember?”
“Oh, Flinch. Well, well, well,” she said putting the food down for Chopper as he munched away. “Aren’t we upgrading?”
“Oh, yes,” he said with a smile.
“Hey hun, can you help me with the groceries?”
“You didn’t order it online,” he asked annoyed.
“No, I walked to the store.”
“The store? Why’d you go there?” He still stared at the screen.
She shook her head. “Because I wanted to.”
“Why are you so cheery? Did you get a raise?”
“No. I’m just happy. Why can’t I just be happy?”
“No, of course, you can be happy, but just… why are you?”
“Maybe because we got accepted. As both excellent guardians for a child.”
“Oh,” he said blinking and stopping his game turning off the TV and his Eye. The holograms subsided disappearing off of the table. “I thought you said we were denied.”
“We were but then out of the blue they sent a message on my Eye saying we were approved.”
Marv rubbed his red eyes. “OK, well that’s great.” Hugging her awkwardly they kissed. It tasted delectable like watermelon and honey. “Hmm, you taste good.” He kissed her again as she laughed.
“You like it,” she asked.
“Yeah, I really do.” Then they made out making love on the couch. Chopper came and tried to break them up but Marv berated him to the corner as they finished up.
“Alright,” Zen said. “Help me with the groceries.” She said putting on her bra.
“Oh, alright,” he said getting up and putting on his jeans. Zen went to wash up in the bathroom. “If only Bexty could bring in groceries.”
And Marv went out quickly downstairs. He hadn’t been outside for four days. He felt disgusting.
Inside the apartment garage, self-driving cars went around fast in a swift circle to their destinations. He got the rest of the groceries from the trunk. His leg was numb as pins and needles started, and throbbed as he limped popping a few screen pills that his doctor prescribed. The doctor said to take them anytime he felt sick to his stomach or wheezy after a long day sitting down at his laptop.
He went back inside, down the blue-painted hallways. The cathedral of neon lights paved the way back to his apartment. Numbers of different colors shined and hummed in exaltation leading everyone to their appropriate rooms appearing outside the cells. He entered through the scarlet door and put the bags on the counter.
She smiled at him. “So, it says our meeting will be on Saturday.”
“OK, sounds good. Is there any more info?”
“I’ll send it to you.”
“Thanks. You need help with dinner?”
“Sure, you wanna set the table?” He set the table and washed the lettuce. The cleaning maid did all of the dishes. And she swept continuously never needing any help. She was programmed seamlessly.
Zennette finished the chicken salad as they sat down digging in and delighted by each other’s company.
“So, Saturday,” Marv said. “That’s awesome.”
“They said to be prepared for anything and everything. There could be a delay and/or change last minute.”
“Why?”
She shrugged, “That’s just how it is, I guess. But we’ll hope for the best,” she said grinning. She was beautiful, Marv thought. Her full chest with her Asian round face and jet-black hair were desirable. Her feline features made her glow in the fluorescent light. She was taller than Marv but they didn’t care. They loved each other.
“Yeah, well, the real question is: How much is it gonna cost?”
She finished eating and wiped her mouth. “A good amount of Yen.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. Well if it means a child that’d be great. What sex?”
She flushed, “Oh, Marv, don’t ask things like that. It’s kinda rude.”
“Don’t start. It’s just us. It’s a normal question.”
“Can you please not use the word ‘normal’, dear.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not nice.”
“Not nice? Not nice? You think the world gives two shits about you and me? You think the world is nice?”
“It is. Don’t you think? You wouldn’t have this job without it.”
“It’s true,” he said wiping his mouth and putting his fork down. Bexty came around and quickly got their plates while she washed them silently. She never asked before she did a task. She simply did, emotionless. “But you don’t know what I’ve been listening to.”
“Your podcast again,” Zen sighed. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
“You mean what Germany is doing? Huh, torturing kids, killing innocent people? China destroying towns that disobey their edicts? Is that what you’re talking about? Because if you are, it’s all true.”
“OK, honey, that’s fine,” she said embarrassed.
“You’re not listening, Zen. Come on, just hear me out.”
“I’ve been hearing you out since we first started dating. That’s what I like about you.”
“Yeah, I know but-”
“Even if that was true what’re we gonna do about it?”
“Do you know some think that China secretly controls Japan? People think it was Japan who made an agreement with the US but this guy is saying that actually it’s China behind all of it.”
“That would be something,” she said smiling.
“Anyway, I’m not trying to have an argument. But you’re right, what would we do?”
“But maybe we can finally start a family.”
“A one-child family,” Marv said wiping his plate with his finger.
“We should be grateful, Marv.”
“You know in 3030 they’re gonna demand that we pledge our allegiance to Goro Yami? You really want that lunatic in power? He’s gonna be the World Leader of the entire empire. Doesn’t that just scream dictator to you?”
“Work has been crazy, I can’t let politics rule my life, Marv.”
“I just want more than one kid.”
“I know, honey, but life is complicated.”
“I wish it weren’t.”
“Me too,” she said smiling as she caressed his hand. “But I’ll send you the bill for the program right now. Before I forget.” She went into her Eye Sphere and sent the bill to Marv’s Eye and he saw the bill.
“Geez, that’s a big one.”
“Yeah, just pay it before Saturday.”
“OK, can do, love.” He paid it immediately with his wallet connected to the Eye system. “Well, I can’t wait,” he said genuinely. “So, we won’t know if it’ll be a boy or girl?”
She shook her head, “Either or.”
“Well, I forgot to mention: Scy wanted to get a drink tonight. Is that cool?”
“Yeah, you can tell him about the news. Yeah, go. Have fun. Tell ’em I said ‘Hi.’”
“Thanks love,” he said kissing her on the forehead. He smiled and she forced one back. Rising, he got his jacket on, said his goodbyes, and then turned to Bexty wishing her goodnight.
She turned in the living room, “Goodnight, Master.” Then she powered off transforming into a small cube being hoisted into the outlet to charge for the night.
To be continued…
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