I wasn't able to finish the story as the app I use to write became outdated and the makers went out of business. Caused me to lose interest. Which is sad cause I like the story.
The Tait First Nations Band Council decided on a Monday that they would invest in four Android Units, and these Units would be given to four elders on the Reserve to allow them continued independence.
The following Thursday those four Androids were shipped from Vancouver by Autonomous Drones to Northern BC, where Roads had yet to be built to the reserve. The six foot tall crates landed safety in front of the Band Office where Grace the Administrator went about dispersing them to the Elders.
By Sunday, all but one were destroyed.
The First Android was designated for Harvey, an eighty-seven year old grouch who refused to tell anybody when he was heading out into the bush to go Hunting. In fact, he was just returning from a successful Grouse hunt when he first encountered his new toy.
The robot was programmed to help him carry the catch in, and may have been a little too exuberant to help. Thinking he was being attacked by a giant Albino demon, Harvey opened fire. The close range shotgun blast ripped apart the Androids chest, sending its arm and head through the air; the body took two more steps and dropped to the ground.
The Second faired much better as it was given to Nancy, a seventy- four year old herbologist who was ecstatic to have a companion with her while collecting medicines. She named her Android Jacob after her favourite cousin and took him out into the forest. They spent two hours out there as she described each plant and its uses, which Jacob recorded for future use.
"That plant there, do you think you could reach it?" Nancy motioned to the edge of a cliff, where a particular plant had eluded her for years.
Jacob scanned the terrain, did the math and them nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"Please do, that would be fantastic."
Jacob moved to the edge, dropped down to his knees and reached over toward the roots of the green shrub. His weight was too much though, the ground beneath him gave way and he dropped the seventy feet to the rocks below.
"Oh bugger."
The third Robot was given to Charles, who at Ninety-one was still an avid fisherman. Charles was reluctant at first to having a babysitter, but was told by his great-grandchildren that a Robot meant he could go and do what he liked without needing permission again. Upon hearing this he and his Android grabbed supplies and headed out onto the lake in a small metal dingy.
Charles was a kid at heart, and loved a good laugh so thought it would be funny if he could make the Droid nervous by rocking the boat. The first time the Robot's gyros compensated, the fifth time Charles took it as a challenge; so on the seventh try the Robot leaped out of the boat to prevent it from tipping Charles over himself.
Charles laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more before he realized the Robot wasn't coming back up. Its delicate circuitry wasn't cut out for seventy feet of water. "Well... Shit."
The last Robot was assigned to Rebecca, not an elder but a thirty year old native woman who lived on the edge of the Reserve. Grace personally delivered the Machine to the young woman, who was also her younger sister.
"I don't want it." Rebecca said, the two stood at the gate looking over the Android. She was wrapped in a shawl that she threw on when she saw her sister coming up the driveway, hoping to cut her off before getting into the two story house.
"I don't think I'm giving you a choice." Grace replied.
"I don't want a Robot, and I definitely don't want it in my house."
"First...it's my Robot. The Band only paid two grand for this, and I wasn't getting a cheap second hand one like the others; so I put in the extra seven grand. So it's more mine than it is yours." Grace said. "And that's my house, sitting on my property, which is where I'm going to keep my Robot."
"That's not fair."
"Not to you, it's working out great for me." Grace smiled.
Rebecca frowned and looked at the Robot. It was six foot two with a mostly humanoid face, white rubbery looking plastic with blue eyes. It's head was bald but steal looking, with two plastic looking ears sticking out. Its body was mostly white armour shaped for sleekness but definition. It's abs, thighs and basically anywhere it would have to twist or turn was covered in a black rubber shaped like muscle.
Over all it was supposed to be life like, but cool as well.
"No." Rebecca said and started back for the house.
"Rebecca." Grace said.
"Nope." The younger sister didn't even look back. She climbed the porch steps and went into the house.
Grace sighed, then looked up at the Machine. "Ok. I guess I'll show you around. Follow me."
"Yes ma'am." The Robot said in an almost human but synthetic voice; it took Grace by surprise but she kept walking.
"There's a tool shed out back, most of it belonged to my dad and he had everything you'd ever need. So if you see anything that needs fixing, please fix it."
"Understood." The Robot scanned the area, annualized what it could see and recorded what needed to be done to memory.
"And the lawnmower is broken, at least that's what my sister says, so if you can fix that please; which will be nice, as you can see the lawn hasn't been mowed in two months; it's completely out of control. Maybe, if you find any garbage or clutter on it, just pile it near the gate and we'll get it picked up later."
"Understood." It said again, as it took note that Rebecca watched from the kitchen window. When she saw she was spotted she disappeared.
Grace spent another ten minutes showing the Robot around, then watched it for a bit as it did as it was instructed. Grace left the property feeling quite proud of herself.
Rebecca lived in a mess. What was worse was that she knew it was a pigsty and for the most part wasn't able to do anything about it.
It wasn't just garbage though, a lot of it was important papers and documents collected over the years. The first floor was filled with stacks of books she still wants to read, magazines with fascinating articles about the places she wants to visit. Newspapers that reminded her of events she missed out on but would've loved to have seen in person.
It wasn't all her things either though, on the second floor was a room filled with her parents belongings. Their bed and clothes, pictures and keep sakes for their lives over seventy years; left here after they died. When Grace moved in she didn't have the heart to toss anything so simply put what she could in the master bedroom.
Like most of the house really, moving back in she tried to leave it all as it was; and just added her things to it.
She curled up on her couch, in the only uncovered spot and went back to reading one her novels.
The sound of the lawn mower roaring to life startled her, to the point her stomach tightened up. She had to will herself to relax and then headed to the window to look out.
The white dome skull of the robot moved past the window, all casual and familiar; as if it lived and was welcome here.
"Yeah, we'll see about that." Rebecca headed out the front door, paused to get her bearings and caught up to the machine halfway up the yard. "Hey, hey you...what are you doing?"
The Robot stopped and flicked the off switch, he turned to look at her. "I am mowing the lawn."
"Yeah, well, I don't want you touching my lawn." Rebecca moved in front of the Mower.
"Understood."
"No, no; don't just agree, I know what you're doing, you're going to keep mowing and say this is Grace's yard."
"This is Grace Cardinal's yard." The Robot Stated.
"She doesn't live here, I live here. That makes it my lawn."
"This property is registered at the Tait First Nations Band Office as Lot 46, lot 46 is registered to Grace Cardinal by Band Council Resolution 243 dated September 14, 2024 as per the last Will and testament of Hank and Sara Cardinal. If you would like, I would be happy to email a copy to your computer."
"No, I would not like; what I would like is you to go away."
"I am sorry Rebecca, I can not do that." The robots face altered slightly, it almost seemed empathetic to her.
Rebecca made claws of her hands and strangled the air. "I do not like people in my personal space; why don't they understand that?"
It titled its head as it considered the question. "I am not people, nor a person Rebecca; if it would make you feel more comfortable, please think of me as an appliance; no more human than your car, fridge or toaster."
"What?" Rebecca wasn't expecting such an answer.
"I apologize for the noise, but I estimate that it will only take me twenty-two minutes to complete the yard; if it's too bothersome I have discovered noise cancelling headphones in the shed, and would be happy to retrieve them for you." It stared blankly at her, waiting for a reply.
Rebecca had to absorb that. "No, you know what, just stay the hell away from me."
"Understood."
Rebecca stared at it for a moment and then started for the house, when she reached the porch it started the Mower again and continued working.
Inside the house Rebecca sat back on the couch but this time wasn't able to focus on her book.
As the youngest of four sisters she's spent a life time having very little say in her life, but enjoyed some independence in her twenties. Unfortunately her current situation has put her back under the thumb of most, if not all of her older sisters again. Outside her house was a perfect example of them exercising their will over her.
The more annoyed she felt about it the louder the lawn mower got, the louder it got the more annoyed she felt.
Although, after twenty-two minutes, the mower was shut down so at least the Robot was true to his word. Rebecca sighed, adjusted her arms and went back to reading.
It was another hour of almost peace for Rebecca before the front door opened; she looked up as she heard the steps. Instantly her stomach dropped, her adrenaline surged and panic set in as she climbed to her feet.
The Robot stopped at the entrance to the living room and scanned it quickly.
"What, what are you doing?" Rebecca asked quickly.
"I have finished my assigned tasks outside, and am now wondering if you have anything inside that you would like me to handle." The Robot continued searching the room.
"No, I want you outside, you don't just walk into my house, you don't do that kind of shit."
"Rebecca, you are showing severe signs of emotional and physical stress; are you ok?"
"No! I want you out. Get outside! Please!"
"I am the cause of your immediate stress?" He asked, his voice was calm and reassuring as he tried to assess the situation.
"Yes! Now screw off!!" She screamed.
The Robot turned around and walked to, then out the front door onto the porch. It stopped there and turned back to watch as Rebecca watched him from in front of the couch.
"You are experiencing a panic attack episode, I have noticed you have Clonazapam sedatives on the television stand, would you like me to fetch you a glass of water?"
"No." Rebecca slowed her breathing down, "I just want you to leave me alone, just stay out of my house ok."
"Understood."
Rebecca sat back down on the couch, holding her forehead as tense neck muscles constricted causing a head ache. She looked up to see it was still standing on the other side of the screen door.
"Why are you still standing there?"
"You are in distress, I must remain until that is no longer the case in the event I could be of assistance."
"You being there is what's..." She sighed. "Idiot."
The Robot extrapolated her meaning and moved away from the door, disappearing from her view completely.
Rebecca stared at the door. It would be another hour before she was calm again, and even then her heart rate remained high as she went to the door to look out.
The Robot stood four feet away at the edge of the yard, unmoving next to the work shed.
"I hate you people." Rebecca said softly, then closed the hardwood door.
Rebecca hadn't slept through the night in over two years, so it wasn't unusual for her to be up at two in the morning wondering around. On this particular night she was flipping through her stacks of papers searching for a distraction.
She happened to glance out the window and saw that The Robot was still by the shed staring straight ahead. It hadn't moved an inch since the last time she saw it.
Not until now, when it turned it's head slightly to look at her; like a dog she supposed.
Rebecca moved away from the window and sat down on the bed.
She felt trapped; the last few years she had imprisoned herself in this house but now she actually felt like there was a guard now.
No, that feeling wasn't right. It was something else but she couldn't put her finger on it quite yet.
Ten hours later it still kept watch over the front yard, slowly turning its head as Rebecca walked from the house to the mail box. She glanced at it from the corner of her eye but tried to act casual.
The mailbox, as usual, was empty so she started back toward the house; only to stop when the awkwardness got to her. She turned to face the robot.
"You know how creepy you're being right now?" She said at a reasonable decibel level. "Seriously creepy."
He tilted his head.
"Why don't you go wait in the tool shed with the rest of the tools?" She said; it felt mean coming out of her mouth but by then it was too late.
The Robot walked to the shed, opened the door and stepped inside; then closed the door. A wave of guilt came over Rebecca, one she tried to push away by reminding herself it wasn't a person, it didn't have feelings.
She spent two whole minutes wrestling with it, then realized it didn't have a name; it wasn't real.
After lunch Rebecca sat down in front of her computer and signed into her group therapy meet up. Over the internet she was connected to six other people throughout the country that were going through similar situations as her; led by Doctor Huddle.
On her screen were six boxes with the names of the other patients, but not their faces; when someone would talk it would light up and the audio lines would peak. Designed to allow six shy people to communicate. Huddle's box though, was an image of a twenty-something man in casual wear and glasses; not hindered by mental issues he was someone they could view.
"You know what I heard, I heard there was this brain laser thing." Bill said, he had a higher pitched voice; young. "Where they make you think of what gave you PTSD..."
"Oh yeah, I've heard about this..." Janet replied, her voice made Rebecca think of a fifty year old.
"Right..." Bill continued. "So they find out what part of your brain holds the memory of what scared you; and they burn it out with a laser."
"So you just forget?" Pamela asked.
"Yeah, it's not there anymore, so you don't have flashbacks...does that work? Doctor Huddle?"
"There's been some advances in memory reconstruction, there's been some issues they still need to work out is my understanding..." Doctor Huddle explained.
"Like what if they miss, someone sneezes and you forget your birthday." George joked.
"Or you're a vegetable." Pamela added.
"Lasers are very accurate, what they found though is memories are...spread out in more than one place, sometimes overlap..." Huddle said.
"Or if you're thing is being afraid, would you be brave enough to get that done...it's scary shit." Bill said.
"Or..." Rebecca said, the others went silent; she didn't usually talk on here so when she did the others would allow her time to speak. "What if what they had to erase to fix you, also meant erasing something you want to remember?"
"She makes a good point." George backed her up. "That's a very good point."
Rebecca took a breath, she hated public speaking and just that question made her face blush.
"I guess you would have to weigh the benefits versus the trade off, we live our lives trapped inside our heads; I think forgetting some things would be worth getting on with our lives." Bill stated. "Don't you think?"
Rebecca shook her head but wasn't able to say anything further; she truly didn't think what she would have to give up was worth it. She hated this though, this need to be heard versus her fear of being judged for what she thinks.
"I guess it's just a matter of how much you want to get better." Pamela said.
It was only once a week the group would meet up for an hour, and when today's came to an end Rebecca said her goodbyes by typing into the keyboard. The screen went dark and she sighed, even though she kept much to herself she missed them over the week.
They reminded her that she existed to the outside world.
"Son of a bitch."
Rebecca made her way outside to the tool shed and opened the front door, the Robot lifted its head and looked at her.
"You're designed to make me feel you're people, aren't you?" It was an accusatory statement.
"I'm designed for life-like user interface, and to reciprocate emotional signals." It said.
"But you're not real...not really...your reactions are just programmed responses to what I say and feel, right? You don't actually feel." Rebecca asked and stared it down.
It didn't respond at first, as if contemplating what it should say; deciding on what it thought she needed to hear. "No...I don't really feel."
Rebecca felt that was a little to real, then nodded quickly before she changed her mind. "Alright, you can come out of the box...but you stay outside."
Rebecca moved to the side as The Robot stepped out of the shed, it looked around as if it just got out of prison and walked to its earlier spot. Rebecca closed the door and headed back to the house, she glanced over a few times to make sure it did as it was told; which it did.
Rebecca spent the next few hours mindlessly watching the drivel that passed for day time television these days. She spent most of that time lost in her own thoughts, not even aware of what was playing.
That's when she realized it was raining, the droplets pelted the windows; propelled by the wind. She could see the trees in the distance bend, the weather shifted drastically like this periodically as it got closer to Fall.
"Oh shit." She remembered the Robot and went to look out the front.
The Android stood in the rain, it's armour a darker shade under the grey skies; the rain bounced off the metal. When it realized she was at the door it looked over, instantly tugging at Rebecca's heart strings.
She sighed and stepped out onto the porch. "You can come stand on the porch, under the roof so you're at least out of the rain." Rebecca put her hands inside her sleeves and crossed her arms, it was definitely brisk out.
The Robot looked up at the sky as it considered it, then crossed the yard and up onto the porch. It moved to the far end of the wall and turned back to her. Rebecca watched it for a moment.
"If you're concerned about me rusting, I can assure you that's not possible;" The Robot explained. "My casing has be treated with hydrophobic chemicals, it actively repels water."
"Right." Rebecca looked It over, the metal was completely dry and there wasn't a puddle at its feet. She nodded and it looked away at the yard.
Rebecca looked out as well, and wondered what it was that the Robot watched for; there wasn't anything out there that wasn't there the night before.
"I don't hate you, you know." Rebecca said after a moment, it turned to look at her. "I don't."
It nodded and looked back toward the road.
"It's my sisters that I hate; well, I don't hate them either, I just hate what they do all the time; I'm over thirty, I shouldn't have to live my life doing what they tell me to; you know." Rebecca glanced over to see if it was listening. "I should be able to make my own choices. Where I live, where I go, it should be up to me. Not them. They have this...paternalistic attitude, I've had parents, I was a parent..."
It looked at her, absorbing the words she used and how it even took her aback.
"Yeah, so I can parent, I can parent myself you know." Rebecca shifted her sweater a bit. "So I'm mad at them for pushing one more thing on me, you; and since I don't have the balls to take it out on them, I've been taking it out on you. I'm sorry about that."
The Robot arched an eyebrow, "That's alright Rebecca, I accept your apology."
She weakly smiled back, and then sighed her relief. "So do you come with a name, or am I supposed to give you one?"
"Eric."
"Your name is Eric?"
"Yes."
"Ok." Rebecca smirked. "Seems simple enough...I guess."
It doesn't respond, just watched her.
"Yeah. Thanks for understanding then." Rebecca opened the door but paused when Eric nodded his agreement. "Bye..."
"Have a good night, Rebecca."
Rebecca entered the house and closed the wood door behind her. Eric watched for a moment before he went back to scanning the driveway.
Rebecca tossed and turned all night, as she usually does, and woke up around eleven to start her day. She washed, dressed and made her way to the kitchen where she started her breakfast and coffee.
That's when she noticed through the kitchen window that the front porch was empty, Eric wasn't there. Rebecca quickly moved out the front door to look around, and he was gone; not in the yard, around the side or up the road.
She wondered if it was allowed to just walk off like that, and how much was she going to get in trouble with her sister for losing her ten thousand dollar new toy.
She felt the panic start to built as she mentally kicked herself, she knew that she should've just brought it inside. If she kept it in the House it wouldn't...wouldn't have what? Did somebody steal it, did it spot a squirrel and follow it out into the bush.
Grace was going to kill her; not really, but with her fear of screwing up it might as well be a death sentence she was facing.
Rebecca went back inside and paced for a few minutes, as she contemplated whether or not she should phone Grace; or someone else so they could help her look for it.
Do Robots just walk off? Her knowledge on the matter was limited.
Rebecca spent the next hour fretting before she finally decided to put on a jacket and head out; cursing herself for her imagined fears.
She stopped at the gate, momentarily unsure about taking the next step; and no idea how far she would get.
Crossing the threshold she instantly felt the first tinges of fear, the sudden loss of tension in her arms; as if suddenly walking through salt water. She knew what it was as it was something they covered in group dozens of times; adrenaline was flowing through her veins.
Her fingers tingled. Her irises opened up letting in too much light, her breathing quickened and caused oxygenation of the blood... Making her feel light headed.
She hated this feeling. Hated it more than anything else on earth.
"Are you okay Rebecca?"
Rebecca had stopped to lean against a tree when the ground started weaving, the dizziness signally to her she had started a full blown panic attack.
Eric was a few steps away watching her.
"No! I'm not!" She couldn't control her anger, it was that or cry. "Where the fuck have you been?"
Eric looked off into the trees as if decided whether to tell her or not, he looked back to her. "Would you like me to carry you home?"
"Don't touch me."
"Ok."
"Where the hell where you!? You're not allowed to just leave." He just stared at her blankly. "You going to answer!?"
"I'd prefer not to."
Rebecca was taken aback, not sure what to say. "What? Are you allowed to not answer?"
He just stared again.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Hello."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes, part of her wondered if someone was playing a joke on her and right now she wasn't in the mood. "Where the hell did you go!?"
"Home. I was going home."
Clonazapam. Rebecca's sedative of choice even though she's read the warnings of dementia later in life, it's what calmed her down. Although now she was wondering if the dementia showed up early.
Home he said, she figured that he meant coming back to the house. When she pressed further he explained to her that his home was somewhere else, where all his friends and the people he considered family lived.
"Where's that?"
"I don't know."
"Why not?"
"It's not in my memory." He smirked. "I was hoping I would know it when I found it."
Smirked. A robot smirked at her as he talked about someplace he considered Home.
"Yup. Dementia." She said to herself as she downed the pill.
