[11/13/2036 – 11:34 PM]
[START RECORDING]
The first thing on screen is a man adjusting the camera.
"Alright... this should do."
He takes a few steps back and the rest of the room becomes visible, it's completely white and he is not the only one in the room.
A woman with long dark hair sits on one of the folding chairs.
"[REDACTED], have you never held a camera before?" she says, visibly annoyed.
When she said the man's name sounded distorted. Most likely censored.
"Oh, come on [REDACTED] . I'm a scientist, not a camera guy."
He turns to face her.
"I already know that." She bites back.
"Guys, guys, please."
An older man enters the screen: "Please don't fight, we've got something to celebrate."
"We don't know that yet."
"Right, but we will know soon."
Both men take seat in the other two folding seats.
"Hello I'm [REDACTED]." Says the first man cheerfully.
"I'm [REDACTED]." Says the lady.
"And I am [REDACTED], today we are here to show you what we have been working on for a while." He smiles into the camera and continues: "At the moment it's still a bit of a secret, but we are making a humanoid android. That of course might not sound all that interesting, it has been done before after all, but we are... or have made one almost exactly like a human. The movement, pattern of speech and mind are advanced in such a way, you won't see the difference."
"Well, we will still see about that." Mumbles the first man.
"Well that is what the experiment is going to be all about, this experiment will show how advanced our new technology is."
The first man suddenly looks a bit sad: "Unfortunately not the whole team is here." he adds softly.
"Yeah, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] are busy with other things."
"Not just them..."
"Oh, please, don't start talking about [REDACTED] again. We have been over this, it's unfortunate, but we have to keep going."
The second man speaks up: "[REDACTED], please understand that he is still in mourning. Give him some space."
"He is not the only one."
All three stare gloomy to the ground for a moment.
After a few minutes the second man continues: "So hereby we will introduce to you PROJECT [REDACTED]-"
The video stops playing normally and fast forwards, making the people move and talk fast like mostly seen in an old tape. The words they speak are too fast to properly understand.
The video gets paused, and then turned to play again at normal speed.
"Wait, did you hear that?" the lady says with obvious panic in her voice.
"Shit, is there someone inside?" The second man asks.
"There shouldn't be anyone, I know I talked with the guards before."
"Maybe one of them dropped something?" the lady offers carefully.
"We should check it out!"
The sound of running can be heard in the background alarming the three.
"Fuck! It escaped!"
They run out of frame.
The sound of something breaking can be heard and then screaming.
People talk loudly, more than just them, but from the distance it is inaudible.
[END OF VIDEO]
A bright screen shows a dark figure holding the device in hand: "So... that's how it is." The figure says in a voice that is impossible to come from a human being.
YOU ARE READING
Artificial Tears
Science FictionIn the year 2037, Edith, a recent university graduate, starts working at the place of her dreams. She makes new friends and learns more about the world. Unfortunately also about what a dark place it can be, as she gets the feeling of someone followi...
