Controlled by Choices

Chapter 5

  She struggled to open her eyes and was met with a blinding glare piercing the darkness above her. As always, NANCY found herself in the padded room. The one where she woke up every day after her power recharged. The cushiony feeling of the area brushed against her artificial skin as she went through her morning routine. She watched as the dark halls outside slowly began to shine, signaling that it was time to start her day. The harsh rhythm of the alarm repeated on a speaker, calling in a mob of people.

  Neuroshare's staff abruptly rushed into the room, ready to prepare the robot for the day ahead. They dusted her off and brushed her synthetic hair, causing an unpleasant sensation for NANCY. Her sensors could detect even the slightest motion, whether gentle or harsh, making her perceive nearly everything in great intensity. All of the commotion of light and touch overwhelmed her sensors. She detested it, wishing for it to go away.

  The staff had an array of outfits ready for NANCY, and they carefully dressed her with enough energy to get through the day. Despite their efforts to make her look presentable and greet her with a "Good morning!" NANCY still felt empty in her soul. She genuinely wondered if she had a soul. She was just a machine made of circuits and wires.

  Her day continued doing small activities and responding to hypothetical scenarios with a solution. Even thinking of caring for someone in a meltdown or even identifying the emotions of someone felt tedious. Nothing animated her, and the people with flashcards knew it too. The thick air was suffocating, as she couldn't help. She could only worry.

  She remembered watching the vehicle pull away, the colorful lights flashing in her eyes. She felt a deep sense of fear. It was the first time she had ever seen an ambulance. She didn't know what was happening or why her beloved James was being taken away on a stretcher. The noise of the ambulance was overwhelming, and it left her feeling disoriented.

  She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to James. Had the treat he had eaten contained too much sugar? She remembered how he had been behaving before they arrived. Nancy didn't believe that sugar overload could cause hallucinations, but she couldn't think of any other reason for James' behavior. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened. She was left with more questions than answers.

  As the clock struck 12, the afternoon arrived once again. NANCY could sense it. She had come to associate this time of day suddenly with a certain feeling of melancholy, a sense of hollowness that weighed heavily on her circuits. But why was it so? It used to fill her with love and joy! Despite the passing hours, NANCY's heart was still heavy with sadness, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

  It was around this time that James would usually walk in, and his mere presence would fill the emptiness within her. He wasn't much of a talker, but he had a way of making NANCY feel seen and heard. He would hold his clipboard in hand, ready to jot down the answers she provided. NANCY had come to rely on him as a trusted confidant, a source of guidance and support in this newly overwhelming world.

  But today, James was nowhere to be found. Minutes ticked by, and NANCY's malaise grew stronger. It felt unfair that he wasn't there for her. It was unjust that others had denied her the chance to see him. The frustration built up inside her until she wanted to tear off the foam from her room. She wondered if a robot like her was ever meant to feel such intense emotions.

  Just when her mind was about to give up, she heard a faint announcement coming from the other side of the door. The sound of two people chattering away caught her attention, and she strained to listen. NANCY recognized James's delicate, accented voice, and her metallic heart lifted with hope. No one else stressed their vowels and failed to pronounce the "th" sound quite like him. Finally, her dearest companion had arrived.