FSE

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Chapter 2. Programming old memories.

The news of the conservatives protesting outside the Washington capitol building were running rapid on every news station, most of the protester's signs read "Robots aren't people" and "No one has the right to vote, if it breaks the law.". This has been going on for a month now of endless protesting.

But after a slow and annoying legal battle, the companies that were promoting the social Android won their case, deeming them now as more than medicinal use and were now working together to make a bigger company, that, due to their victory and tax cut, would be celebrating by giving out free software upgrades to any and all owners of their products, including my model. Software upgrades were going to give a larger range of emotional complexity to social droids responses, as well as their emotional intelligence. Ever closing the gap on the uncanny valley.

But the extreme protesters that heard about their loss, quickly tried to climb the fences of the still split properties and tried getting into the production lines and ransack the buildings. Lucky the police arrived in time, and caught those who didn't run and trying to fight the police. I think there was even a shoot out.

Even with everything now settled down, but the end of that same week, there were multiple bomb threats, and threats of law suits if the companies combined their resources into one large company. But but the companies ignored the protesters anyway, and started sending out free upgrades in the mail, which were small rounded flat micro chips that, when latched on the back of the charger would automatically download the new software to every unit that was connected to the charger.

I woke up the next day around five thirty in the morning hearing the buzz and beeps of my alarm clock suddenly cut off by itself. Then feeling something warm and soft prod my shoulder, then shake me gently with what I assumed was a cloud rubbing my blanketed arm. I heard a soft voice call my name trying to get my attention.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a blurry haloed image of a large and effeminate reptile women smiling softly at me. Her eyes sparkled in my sleepy haze. She sat on the edge of my bed and giggled.

Saisa: "Good morning sleepy head, did you have any dreams?" She asked in a sing song voice.

I smiled back and stretched into a yawn, it covered my voice as the last remaining sleep stuck to my throat.

Me: "I slept ok, and I think I was dreaming of an air mattress trying to kiss my face. But I don't remember clearly enough. Did you..sleep? Or do you sleep?" My dazed look sobered up as I rubbed my eyes, then looked back to her face, now shining warmly in the morning light.

She giggled and teasingly booped my head with her left index finger. "Of course I did fuzzy head, and I have to if I want to save my battery."

Saisa and I began to talk for what went on for thirty minutes, afterwards she let me use the bathroom, and eat breakfast while we continued to talk. My mom however was still in bed, and my dad offered me a ride. Only to be jump back at the creature sitting across from his son, he walked into the other room, and swore to himself several times, he had thought the android wouldn't have come until next week, and had no time to adjust his anger towards them.

He had often been very enraged at the idea of my owning one, much more than my mother, though it had been due to personal reasons of his friend's son being more so addicted to his android and barely leaving his room when he turned sixteen. But he had often wondered why the boy wouldn't leave his room when he did turn sixteen, thinking only dirty things must be going on in there with her.

This had lead him to think the same of me, but he didn't hate me for it, but more that "it" would cause this to happen to me, to become less social.

I waited for him to stop his swearing, I hated when he got angry, it sort of scared me. But this time it was different, it didn't feel directed at me, but whatever or whoever it was for, Saisa felt this in me, and offered me a hug. I just sat there, too enthralled in my depression adding to the fear and self disappointment in old memories. So she took the liberty anyway, I don't know how she knew but she held me and said everything would be ok.

Her soft warm arms held tightly to my chest and waist, her chin softly resting on the top of my head. I almost let my heart crack open again, trying so much to turn off the memories, flooding back of all the bad times of my dad. I couple tears ran down my cheek, my chest began to pinch up. But once I felt her large inflated hand push to my chest, as her own arms pushed on my arm, the pinch in my chest went away. I had the warm feeling again, but I am sure it was her body heat, and nothing more.

But before she could say anymore comforting words, my dad came back in the room, only to see this thing touching his son, he snapped at me.

Dad: "Dammit boy, if you get late to school, I won't let you have any TV or....or that thing you got me?!"

I jumped from my spot, and said a couple apologies and ran passed him. He stared hotly at the freak, and was about to say something boiling in the back of his mind. But knowing about the fine if he dared to actually find a way to rid his son of this thing, the threat to it would be a waist of time.

The car ride was awkward and silent, and I just stared out the window, trying to distract myself anyway I could. As I tried to do so, we passed over the large city bridge which went over the river splitting the city from the suburbia where I lived. Seeing the large skyscrapers, one jumped out at me. It was under construction, and was taller and wider than all the other building around it. And at the very base was a even wider ware house or some such building attached to it.

When I finally got to school, I quickly grabbed my things and got out of the car. And before I could turn around to say goodbye my dad, his car raced off, not even giving me a second glance. I just held the jumped fear from his sudden leave, and walked into the front of my private school.

During the first period class I slowly felt giddy when I heard news from our teacher, on how the four big android companies, and three of the large android companies of the world were pooling their money into several centralized buildings in almost every major city around the country. And how they were now about to begin their new ad campaign to sell more of their "evil" robots. I rolled my eyes on his last remark, and noting his frown when he saw me do this, I walked to my desk where three of my classmates were arguing on who had the better social android.

I didn't bother to learn their names, as I didn't feel a need to, whenever I tried to get to know them, and share my thoughts about social androids, they would all laugh and say I didn't know anything, and how much of a weirdo I was for thinking they had real emotions, and that the only "benefit" of having one was for bragging rights.

I still listened in on their conversation from time to time, as it was the only interesting thing to do at my school, well, at least in terms of the news about the androids as my parents refused to let my watch the constant news about it.

As I listened in to their new conversation it turned out that heavy manual was to teach you the ins and outs of your personal android's software and hardware. And there was a couple chapters devoted to programming certain things they could do.

This included setting up an alarm system, changing their voice, and even some physical changes, including skin pigment. I didn't understand was a pigment was. And being way to curious to forget how they usually responded to me, they laughed at me, and called me an idiot for not knowing what it was. But knowing how the one was listing things off, I assumed neither did he.

At lunch I was sitting by myself, as usual, but I was somewhat excited to get home to read that manual. It would be the first time I would have something to do that wasn't homework, but still it was that kind of investment that might help me have an excuse to spend more time with Saisa. Something my parents wouldn't think of me, trying to be antisocial. Being in that kind of relationship was what caused them to be so mad at me. But if I made it look like more of a project, they may just leave me alone.

But even with this new revelation of an idea, I still couldn't stop thinking about her hug she gave me last night. And how it felt so warm and genuine. It made me feel really strange, but I didn't want to admit to myself that I found it flattering. Why would I be flattered by something that wasn't even alive? I tried pushing it out of my head, but her eyes filled with so much joy when I named her...what was wrong with me? Why couldn't I stop thinking about her like this?

My thoughts guided me as I took my seat back in my classroom, and I was so much deep in thought about her eyes, her kind voice, words; my mind slowly began to drift to her body. I quickly shook my head, and tried focusing more on the manual. But that was a mistake when it reminded me what the boy said in class, on how I could change some of her physical features. I was too deep in thought when I girl stared at me, then laughed out loud, pointing at me.

Girl: "Oh my god look! Thomas' face is all red, what are you thinking of huh?" She mocked. The group that was paying attention to her suddenly looked to me, and all started laughing. I closed down and turned away from them, my chest tight as a double noose, my face burning with embarrassment. I wanted to vanish, but they all became quiet when the teacher came back and told them to stop whatever they were doing and to take out their homework.

I snapped out of it and froze, my chest snapping the knot and began pounding hard. What homework, he didn't assign any did he? I began freaking out, I was so excited about having a new friend at home, I completely forgot that I had homework due. I tried thinking of an excuse for him, and knew if my parents found out I would be dead.

As I was waiting for the inevitable doom, suddenly six other kids starting freaking out and yelling how they didn't know they had an assignment due. Then twelve more joined them. The careless teacher looked at the mess that he called his folder of due assignments, and started shuffling through them looking for the supposed due list of this weeks homework. He gave up after a few minutes, not finding the list for this week. If he felt embarrassed, he didn't show it.

He quickly waved them off. "Alright already, I'll give you until tomorrow to get it done. But for now, just start it, I need to have a quick meeting with the other teachers in the conference room. So behave, all of you." *he pointed to a few students that were ignoring him, then he took his leave.

I sat there, not sure of what kind of meeting that needed all the teachers, it must have been something big. I shrugged it off, not bothering with it.

I was in the middle of doing some homework for tomorrow when I heard the final bell, taking me out of the moment. I gathered my things, and walked out of the class room. I barely noticed anyone as I walked by until I made it to the front of the hallway, passed the conference room.

That is when something from it caught my eye. There was a small packing crew putting away some kind of propaganda. It was logo for the new robotics company that was going to be downtown.

It was a large blue and white logo, though half of it was gone, but it had something to do specifically with social androids, one of the most popular lines of robots.

Why where they here, and what was with them making such a big sign for our school. That is when the packing crew noticed me, and asked me if I wanted a flier for their ad campaign. I shrugged and said sure, sorta intrigued by what it would have.

I quickly stuffed it into my backpack when I heard my dad's horn outside and him waving me to get in the car. I then thanked the man then proceeded to run outside.

The ride, like this morning, was awkward and quiet, I wanted to say something to break the silence, but the twinge in my chest held fast, and didn't let me string out a single sentence. My dad looked tired and irritated, this bothered me, because even for an angry man, he never looked this bad.

It felt like forever when I got home, and on the way there, the sun was slowly being blocked by an upcoming storm. Moment by moment, the suns rays became more dim with golden rays until a single bit of the sun's light fought to break free of its captors hold.

When I finally got got out, a single cold drop of rain hit my head, I quickly ran inside not wanting to get soaked. My mom was in the kitchen, she was home early today, and the soft smell of spiced chicken wafted from the stove and to my nose. If there was one positive thing about today, was that I would get to eat warm food instead of the usual cold spaghetti.

I then looked around, wondering where Saisa was, I was about to ask my mom, but she noticed me.

"Hey get some of your homework done so you can eat. We need to have talk later."

I tried to further the conversation about what we had to talk about, but she shooed me up the stairs.

And as soon as I turned the corner to my room, I was met with a warm large inflated hug as my greeting.

"Aww, I missed you.~" Saisa cooed in a sing song voice. She would only let me go after a few moments to let me warm up in her arms. Then let me into my room, she followed me with my gaze as I put my backpack down. And offered me a seat at my desk where she sat next to me.

That is when something popped into my head, then I asked her. "Hey, I was wondering something, what do you exactly due besides be my social droid?"

She looked at me inquiringly, not sure of what I meant, then her eyes lit up in confirmation.

"Oh, I have many useful functions besides social interactions, and therapy. I can be use-" she quickly corrected herself knowing I didn't like thinking her as an object. "I have many talents, I can be your alarm clock, be an extension to your computer. I am also really good at massages, oh, and I have many passive abilities as well, do you want me to tell you about them?"

I laughed slightly, and honest laugh, something I forgot I was able to do, maybe I was the robot, and she was the person.

She smiled at me, she looked sweetly at me, and I almost began to blush at her sudden expression change.

"I like your laugh, it suites you..." She said warmly, and proceeded to lightly cuddle me. I felt my face flush a deep rose, and my head felt a bit warm.

I quickly tried to think of something to say, as not to make this into a awkward moment. "Y-ya, please, I want to know all about you, it's only fair, since you got to learn all about me yesterday." I forced a smile, though I'll admit it was a tiny bit genuine.

She then looked up to the ceiling almost as if she was thinking of what to say, then started listing random factoids about herself. "Well, I was manufactured in Texas, but my software was made by Social Horizon in Kitakyushu, Japan. I am technically three years old, but just don't tell your parents." She tried holding in a laugh, trying not to make it awkward herself.

She continued: "I can change my size, so I can shrink up to five feet without loosing my basic shape, and can be as tall as six feet and ten inches. My power can last up to three days with a full charge, and that can be extended to about double if I use sleep mode when you go to bed. Also, I can control my temperature to match yours for the perfect snuggle sessions." She looked happy about that one, and gave me a slight squeeze to an already nice cuddle.

I looked into her eyes, and turned so I could hold her, squeezing her back. If it wasn't so quiet in the house I would have missed her soft sigh as I hugged her back.

My ADD suddenly switched gears in my mind, reminding me about my homework. "You have a computer for a brain right?" She gave me a slightly sly awkward smile, and nodded. "Then could you help me with my math homework, I am really confused about this assignment my teacher gave me."

She happily agreed and asked me what exactly I needed help with.

It would be for the next hour she helped me. Helping me fly through my math homework, giving me hints, and unusual ways to make some of the problems easier for me to figure out on my own. Not even my teacher would of thought of the things she showed me. But then again, Saisa was my "personal homework droid.".

Then came my science homework, it had to do with how cells worked, and how they split. Our science teacher, who was also our gym teacher, had us pair up and each pair put their heads together and try and find out how they split by finding hints. Those who passed, had no homework, and those who failed had to do the small assignment. You could guess who failed.

But Saisa was chalk-full of useful information, including biology. But before we delved into the wonders of the microbial, my mom called me downstairs for dinner. But, told me to leave "the android" up in my room. I looked up to Saisa, but she waved it off, saying it was ok, she could have a bit of a snooze as she waited for me. I kept lingering to leave, feeling kind of guilty to leave her up here by herself. She then sighed and smiled at me, lifting me up slightly and dropping me off softly outside my room, and shooed me down the steps with a giggle.

I quickly pushed down the blush on my face of her picking me up, and took the final steps downstairs and into the kitchen.

Mom: "Ok, we need to talk about some things. And the first thing we need to is about your school." She took out a very official looking letter with my school's logo on it. She then opened it and read the letter aloud to me.

"Dear Thomas, it has come to our attention that you have a social droid, you are one of many of your classmates who also has the need them, for various personal reasons. And being how this came to be isn't without any doubt a good reason. The reason for this letter is to inform you that our school was personally selected as a testing ground for a new educational technology. In this letter we included a new chip to be used by your social unit. To download this linking software, this will give it ease of access to your student I.D. As well as the school database, to help you in your studies, with a personalized touch. Thank you for your choice in schools, and have a lovely day."

Signed at the bottom was the head of the school board. My mom however had the chip in her hand, and apparently was contemplating of telling me about this. She then handed me the chip.

"Before you go upstairs you also received something in the mail, with a letter on the front to us, telling us that only you are legally aloud to open the package. But you need to have your dinner and finish your homework before you do any of this android business got it?" She said in a stern tone. I nodded and quickly ate all my food, and in under fifteen minutes, I took my school chip, and the package and ran back up the stairs.

Saisa was laying on my bed. She seemed to be in sleep mode, I guess she wasn't kidding after all. My teenage mind made me stare at her body, her slight plump inflated curves were purposefully effeminate, and her tight workout outfit was snug to her chest area and lower hips. She was sleeping peacefully, and if you were to hold still for a moment, you would notice that her body had mock respiratory functions, to make her look like she was breathing.

I tried looking away, but my eyes refused to look from her neck all the way to her face. She looked so happy as she slept, the tip of her tail resting next to her cheek that was facing me. The way she was laying I could see her long legs hanging out passed the bottom edge of my bed, her heels bent inward reminding me that she was in fact, an inflatable android.

But as soon as I had my fill of trying not to jump on her and snuggle up to fall asleep, I took my attention to the manual that I neglected to read for a day now. So I sat in my chair and pulled up the manual that was resting itself on the bookshelf across my room.

Apparently according to chapter one, I could program certain sections of her personality, or have her do it herself automatically. I didn't want to mess with that however, as she was already perfect, and hated the idea of doing something like that to someone I considered a person.

I kept reading, and the more I read the more I was amazed how much detail was about her vocal commands. There were five whole chapters talking about what could be said, and how she interacted with you by her asking me certain questions, and me answering them with certain tones of my voice.

That, and according to chapter six, the emotion center of her software made her able to feel artificial emotions, and could form opinions on things she liked, and hated slowly forming an organic-like personality. And that it was open source, and easily up-gradable.

This is when I found the ninth chapter, it was a very special chapter, the adult section, It didn't have much in terms of something I was thinking of, but apparently when I turned the legal age in my state, she would be able to turn on her adult functions.

I felt kind of dirty thinking of this, but the way she was acting around me made me feel she liked me. So maybe this is how relationships worked, you liked someone for a long enough time, they would fall for you. That and these thoughts would begin to occur in her when I turned 16. If that were to happen...what would we do?

My mind started to race with possibilities, but I stopped myself so I wouldn't get too excited. After all, I did miss my "me time" yesterday when I got her. Maybe it was time to let myself cool down. I needed a long warm shower. So with my now red hot face, and my heart rate beginning to speed up again, I ran into the bathroom, turned on the shower as loudly as I could, and helped myself the only way I knew how.

I couldn't help but think about her, she was every definition of beautiful. Her long curvy body, her sharp shining emerald eyes. Her soft low voice, but most importantly, her kind gentle nature. She loved talking to me, and we had so many things in common, but that was to be expected, but if the book was right, she really could find certain things interesting. But I wondered what she really thought about me.

I shouldn't of thought that, my depression then found a weak spot in my thoughts, and grabbed onto it tightly. Ripping me off track and deep into the tornado of doubt. What if she was just programmed to lie to me. What if the book meant that she was just forced to enjoy the things I said and did?

I suddenly heard the storm turn for the worse, only translating of what my mind was doing now. My chest that was relaxing from the excitement slowly began to tense up again and felt heavy. Who was I kidding, she was just a robot right? Only there to put on a mask that smiled, and agree to whatever I said. Just like when I go to church, everyone pretending to look nice and smiley at me.

Though whenever I tried to talk to someone, or need guidance, they would sigh, put on that infamous smile, and just nod there head at me. Wishing that their god would strike them down if I said something else to pull them down due to my depressive state.

Or when I was at the school counselor, she was the helpful one all right. The first time I broke down and refused to talk to anyone, I was sent to her. She was the one who I saw the most in school, besides my main teacher. And whenever I had to cry, or felt the pain in my chest, I was told in an annoyed voice to visit her to "talk about my feelings.".

She tried her best at first, but it never felt like she was giving me any advice, and just told me what to do.

"Just pray about it, and God will help you with your prob- with what you need."

I would ask her "what exactly do I need", or how do I not be sad all the time, "what do I do?". I would try desperately to get something out of her. Then after a month of her trying to set up prayer sessions with me. She heard word of the new social droids that were being legalized to be given to young adults, and minors for medicinal needs. And recommended I apply. This was the first sense of hope I had. And I was tired of her "help". And so begins my wait.

My parents were all but pleased when I informed them of my decision. It was late at night when I told them about it. About how my consular told me about this. I had to do something, and I felt so useless without something positive in my life. So it was only after I ran upstairs and applied, did I tell them the news.

Thunder then crackled outside snapping me out of my thoughts. I couldn't tell if I was crying or not, as my tears would mix in with the water draining down on my hot face. And I couldn't hear myself whimper due to the ever raging storm outside.

I couldn't help myself, but try and make light of the situation, but my mood to do anything of "that" sort drained out with my invisible tears. I got out of the shower, and turned the lever into the off position. Then quickly dried my face off with the rest of my body, and then walked my now cold body back to my room closing the door.

And to my dismay, Saisa was now awake, and looked at me with a bright smile, but once she realized my lack of composure, it turned to that of deep concern. She asked me, if I hurt myself, and if I was ok, of if she should call my parents from downstairs. I just shook my head, trying not to cry.

My head spinning with doubts; the painful memories only fueling my self hatred. The next thing I heard was my door closing, then something soft and warm lifted me up. And something even warmer wrapped myself in a cloud of concern, turning me slightly and gently pushing my face into her chest. Rubbing my back slowly. I then felt her soft chin lean on top of mine.

Then whispering to me, "It's ok, I am right here, everything will be ok, I promise Tommy..." She said this not as if she was sad, or annoyed, but somehow filled with concern and motherly care.

She just held me tightly to her, her warm body making my frozen pain slowly melt away. With my chest unwinding, I cried soundlessly into her chest. Her very soft, and very large left hand rubbed the back of my head, as the other one held me by the middle of my back.

I then felt something else hold me, something just as soft and warm as her, loop around my waist, and slowly tighten. Her tail's tip rested on the part of my chest that was facing to the side of her, as I was facing the door, and then slowly I closed my eyes.