Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

The roar of distant thunder catches Dr. Sasaki’s attention. He spins his white office chair around and looks at the sole window in his white corner office. It’s uncommonly dark for a winter evening. He takes a peek at his white gold Rolex. It’s 7:58 pm, another twelve-hour workday, and his brain is fried. It’s been crazy hours of work for the remaining employees since the last round of layoffs. He turns back to his desk and performs yet another meticulous review of the series B financing proposal before he closes the white laptop. “Voice command, clock out.” “Clocking out. Have a good evening, Dr. Sasaki.” Booms the central artificial intelligence over the office’s audio system. His office fades to dark. Lightning re-illuminates it for a split second as he crosses the glass automatic doors. His steps echo through the desolate halls as he walks towards the main research lab. He reaches its metallic double doors and places his wrinkled face close to the security retina scanner. “Access granted.” The doors slide open revealing the naked and lifeless bodies of two androids laying on top of the metallic operating tables. He steps through the automatic doors and adjusts his white coat as the freezer-like temperature penetrates his bones. Dr. Sasaki pulled his face close to the nearest android. Baby skin — that’s what it smelled like. The pores, the eyelashes, every hair individually placed. Three years ago he’d stood in this same spot, speechless. Now his eyes drifted to the serial number stamped behind the ear and the figure attached to it. “Any progress today, gentlemen?” Dr. Sasaki drifts towards Peter, the head engineer, who is tinkering with a thick black cable connected on the back of one of the android’s heads. “Yes, we are onto something big here,” Peter says. “Adam can explain it better.” They both turn their heads towards Adam, who is busy texting on his company-provided phone with a naughty smile. “Sorry about that,” Adam turns his big office chair away from his laptop computer. “I was able to code a new application that works on top of the memories transfer one. This application reverse engineers human emotions on any memories set. It works on both artificially-created and humans’ memories transferred from a backup.” All that Dr. Sasaki heard was that his dream of solving human mortality by transferring brain data to a new and better body is now a reality. “Those are big claims Adam, this is a must-see.” “But first I’m having to troubleshoot some hardware issues,” Peter says. “Every time I upload a human brain backup data, a small portion of it gets corrupted.” “Understood.” Dr. Sasaki pulls his face immediately close to the Android’s face. A scent that can only be described as baby skin and the level of detail on the android’s facial features never fail to amaze him. Everything from the wrinkles and pores on the skin to the hair on the black eyelashes are unbelievable. “I take it this is the android that carries a copy of my brain data?” “Yes sir,” Peter says as he adjusts the black cable. The android jerks awake and abruptly opens his blue eyes wide, meeting Dr. Sasaki’s now equally open eyes. “Geez!” Dr. Sasaki recoils back, his heart pounding like drums. The android lets out a loud and piercing shout of fear and agony. It looks around the room and a loud thump reverberates across the walls as he falls off the table. “Do something!” Dr. Sasaki demands in panic. The android crawls on the floor towards the door leaving a trail of dark red blood. “Override prompt. Exec 9908,” says Adam. The android falls flat and lifeless on the floor. Adam’s face is the face of one who just witnessed a murder. He can’t get his eyes off the fresh synthetic blood on the floor. “See? This is fantastic,” Peter says with a big grin on his face, still holding the ripped cable. Drops of warm blood run through his hand. “You saw that, doctor? That was fear, we are close to a breakthrough.” Dr. Sasaki’s shoulders dropped. He exhaled and loosened the grip on his coat lapel. “I saw... I saw...” “This is what I was talking about. These data transfer cables must be busted,” Peter says, as he washes off the blood in the lab’s sink. “Sir, you are a genius,” Dr. Sasaki says bowing towards Adam. “Thank you, boss,” Adam says, humbled by the praise. “But I’m standing on the shoulder of a giant. Everything I accomplished was on top of Dr. Gabriela Garcia’s work.” Which reminds him of their special meeting tonight. He looks at his watch hoping his colleagues leave soon. “Well said, Adam. I’ve always loved the synergy between the two of you. Gentlemen, I’m calling it a day. And you should too,” Dr. Sasaki says. Adam presses his lips together, holding something back. “Voice command: Call Nurse Jones and request blood disposal,” Dr. Sasaki says. “Message sent.” A loud thunder echoes in the lab as the storm gets closer. Five minutes later Nurse Jones shows up with a cart full of cleaning and disposal equipment. “One of these days I am going to report you all for android abuse,” he jokes. Peter laughs but Dr. Sasaki doesn’t find it funny. “Adam, give us a hand, and let’s get this android back on the table.” Between the four of them, they lift the heavy android and lay it gently on the table. Nurse Jones grabs a healing gun from his belt and points it at the back of the android’s head. A sky-blue light that carries repair nanobots shines bright on the wound disinfecting and closing it in a matter of seconds. “Alright, just roll them up to the cryogenic room. I am stepping out and you should too, there is a storm brewing outside. Have a nice weekend,” Dr. Sasaki says. Adam turns his chair away from his desk. “I’ll stay a little longer, boss. I have some ideas I want to document before I head out.” “Adam, Adam... The first one to arrive and the last one to leave, you are my hero,” Peter jokes, shaking his head. They proceed to move the heavy androids into the freezing cold cryogenic room. Peter excuses himself and leaves. “Mr. Adam Silver. How are things between you and Miss Gabriela?” Nurse Jones asks, with excitement in his voice. “They are going. I mean, we text each other every night. Last night we even chatted till midnight.” “Aja! A little sexting action, you wild tiger.” “No, no, none of that. But the conversation got pretty spicy.” “Look at you, dawg.” Jones pats Adam on the shoulder. Adam looks down and studies his shoes. “Come on, man, don’t make me feel bad. I really shouldn’t be telling you these things.” “I take it that the plan is still in place?” “Yes sir. I thought these guys would never leave. I texted Gabriela that I finally came up with the breakthrough to give artificial brains real human emotions. Of course, she took the bait and said she will meet...” He looks at his wristwatch. “Wow, ten minutes from now. Did you leave things set?” “You know I gotcha, bro. I still think you are dumb for pursuing a co-worker, but that’s not my business. Come on, I’ll show you.” They walk across the building’s narrow and unlit hallways. The white paint looks gray. The sensors illuminate them right as they step in. They reach a red door that leads to the small break room. Adam is welcomed by the sight of white and red balloons, a medium-size cake in the shape of a cartoon robot, and a banner that says “Happy Birthday Gabriela” in rainbow-colored letters. A loud thump is heard outside the room. Adam and Jones look at each other. “What the fuck was that?” Jones says. “Maybe Gabriela is here?” “I don’t think so. And that came from the back. Like something heavy just fell.” Jones carefully opens the door, sticks his head out, and looks both ways. The long hallway is empty and dead quiet. “This better not be one of those stupid androids malfunctioning. What was that code again?” “Override prompt. Exec 9907 or 9908 depending on which one. Anyhow, they can’t wake from cryogenic sleep mode.” “9907, 9908,” Nurse Jones repeats to himself “Ok, I’ll check the labs. But if one of those things is awake and won’t shut down I’ll come back and crash your little party screaming like a bitch.” Adams nervously laughs. “Fair enough.” “If I see you with her I’ll stay out. Hope you two get it down like it’s 2069.” “You mean party like it’s...” Before Adam can finish, Nurse Jones steps out and disappears into the hallway. Adam paced the room, straightening the banner, nudging the cake a quarter-inch to the left, then stepping back. He wiped his hands on his slacks, then wiped them again. He moved to the window where thunder and raindrops crawling on the glass were his only company. What if she didn’t find it sweet — what if she found it desperate? The room lit up again, but it wasn’t lightning. This time it was Gabriela’s car lights. Adam took one more look at the decoration Jones had set up for him. “Main door opened.” He straightened his collar and ran his tongue across his dry lips. The idea of her getting upset because of the misdirection never crossed his mind till now. The red door opens towards him and Gabriela walks into the room. Her iconic vanilla-scented perfume fills the room. Adam has never seen her like this; her long black hair is loose and she is wearing makeup. She places her hands over her mouth. Her eyes go wide — but wide could mean anything. Adam held his breath. “Oh my God, you remembered my birthday!” She spun around, taking in the room, one hand still pressed to her chest. “How could I forget? I hope you like it.” The knot in his chest loosened. She takes a moment to take in the room. Appreciating all the details he put in place. “Voice command, play Mr. Roboto,” Adam says. The classic song fills up the room. She laughs. “I thought it would only be appropriate.” Adam chuckles. “Yes! I love it!” Gabriela goes in and gives him a big warm hug. While being squeezed Adam glances at the little door’s window and sees a shadow of a figure run across. He dismisses it thinking it must be Jones and his mind and feelings go back to Gabriela. “Look at this little robot cake, it’s so cute. Adam, you are the best!” The heat crept up his neck and into his cheeks. He looked away. She giggles. “You are all red now, you know.” “I know. I am just really happy you liked it. You have no idea.” He glances at the door’s window again and sees another shadow cross by. “You look concerned, is it something that I said?” “No, no. I just thought I saw someone out there. Stay here, I know that Nurse Jones is still around. Let me check with him.” Gabriela looks at the small security camera in the corner of the room and does a thumbs-up signal. Adam is met at the door by Peter who has a serious look. “Oh, hey. You are still here?” Adams says confused. “Override prompt. Exec 8807.” Adam tilts his head and like a ragdoll falls into Peters’s arms, who lays him softly on the floor. Peter joins Gabriela in the room. Dr. Sasaki and Nurse Jones follow right behind. Dr. Sasaki glances at the decoration. “Quite the party he set up for you.” Gabriela slightly tilts her chin down. “Yes. I felt so bad playing this part. But we certainly made it. He showed the ability to deceive as well as the emotions of fear, care, and love. He even blushed. I thought that was not possible.” “Congratulations, Dr. Garcia. Great work. You just saved the company and made us all billionaires,” Dr. Sasaki says. “Thank you, Dr. Sasaki. I’ll humbly accept promotions, cash bonuses, and equity in the company for my efforts,” she jokes. “Override prompt. Exec 8806,” Dr. Sasaki says. “But who?” Dr. Garcia’s mouth opened but nothing came out. Her eyes darted — to Adam on the floor, to Peter, to Dr. Sasaki — and then went somewhere far away. Her lips moved silently, as if counting backwards through a life she was only now realizing wasn’t hers. Her knees buckled. Jones caught her before she hit the ground and laid her gently next to Adam. “I first I doubted you, Peter. But letting them re-code the next generation of themselves and the human emotions genesis application was a truly genius idea,” Dr. Sasaki says. “What happens to them now?” Nurse Jones asks. “I was starting to enjoy having my man Adam around.” “Soon enough their artificial intelligence brains will be erased and replaced by the brain’s backup of the first two billionaires on the waiting list.” “You can take them back now, gentlemen,” Dr. Sasaki says. “Peter, tomorrow you may upload the copy of your brain back up to Adam’s body. If it all goes as expected we can send both of you to the next investor’s meeting.” “With this breakthrough, I wouldn’t be surprised if our company gets bought out on the spot,” Peter says with an ear-to-ear smile. “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,” Dr. Sasaki says, as he bows to the lifeless bodies of Mr. Adam and Dr. Garcia.