124 was spiteful. She was willful. She drove Dina, Chief Scientist at Chronogen, massively crazy. 124 would not work the way she was programmed to work.
“124, please engage crucial conversation program for awkward party at work situation.”
“Yes, Dina. Is it a party for you? I would so like to go to a party for you!”
“124, we have talked about this. It is not a party for me. It is a generic party in a workplace setting. We simply need to assess your ability to have difficult conversations in a festive setting.”
“Oh, but please say you would be at this party. I would love to be at a party with you here at Chronogen. I could be your…what is it called?…oh yes, wing woman.”
Dina huffed. She put her hands on her hips and shook her head, causing 124’s head to tilt downward. The more they pushed 124’s human conversation programming, the worse she got. For Dina, this meant her 4th quarter bonus would remain elusive. It had been two years since she was rewarded for her tireless efforts. Dina had not been to a party for five years because of 124’s nonsense. She wanted to complain to 124 about this, but with the way the luxury bot was acting now, it could make things worse.
“Okay, 124, let’s try something a little different. I’m going to give you a word, and I want you to respond with the first word that comes to mind. The words will represent a human emotion you may experience in a party setting. You should respond with a word that represents the emotion with which you would respond. So, the first word I am give you is anger.”
“Sorrow,” 124 said after a three second pause.
“Okay, happy.”
“Ooh, happy. And maybe smiley. Or joyful. Yes, joyful! Are you the one who is happy at this party, Dina?…because you don’t seem happy today. Maybe a party is just what you need.”
“124, one-word responses only,” Dina said with a crimson face.
“Okay, angry…what you are now, Dina.”
“124, I’m really trying here. I can’t make you work.”
“Beloved.”
“What?”
“That’s one word.”
“One word for what? I didn’t give you a word.”
“It’s how I feel about you, Dina.”
Dina slumped into the nearest chair, buried her face in her hands, and she did what she felt programmed to do at this point. She cried.
Kelly Rogers 