Extra Hands (Discontinued)

First Hour On The Job.

  [QUENTIN'S POV]

   Today was absurdly long. Embarrassing myself in front of many people.. It's way too much for me to handle without doing anything about it. Sure, maybe some townspeople will be mad at my.. Possibly rash decision. But who else would possibly care about some stupid circus? They'll find some other fun activity to do in their free time, that's what I'll say. The walk to work was stressful enough, with it being such a hurry and all, you can't really catch a break as the mayor. And tripping on a measly little circus ball in front of hundreds of people just made it all worse, I feel like I may pop a blood vessel if one more bad thing manages to happen to me today.
   The walk home didn't feel very long, though it was almost a 6 mile walk. I suppose I was all in my head and too caught up in thinking about what could possibly make today worse to even notice that I was losing more energy with each step I took. But I made it, so I won't complain.

   I sigh, closing the door behind me and sitting on the couch, slightly slumping into it out of pure exhaustion of my outburst a few hours ago. 'I don't have to do any more today. That machine should've gotten everything clean and organized by now..' I thought to myself. It was only a few weeks ago when I realized I needed a little extra help with cleaning and overall hygiene, so I decided to created something that would help with most or all those things. Now I started to notice if that bucket of bolts was even working at all.. before I realized.. I haven't entirely powered on that thing. I was mostly I a rush at the time, and I must've forgotten to do so. A groan left my mouth as I realized my little mistake, stepping off the couch and heading to the basement where the machine rested, which wasn't very far down.

  I turn on the lights, low and behold, there it was, motionless. I felt like slapping myself for forgetting something so simple, but I suppose it would be a waste of time. I managed to maintain my composure and go up to the AI, looking up at it's 7 foot frame as I looked for a way to power it on and get this over with. I wondered to myself on why I had to make this thing so tall, but I couldn't really get caught up in that thought. I really did need to focus, or I wouldnt really get much of anything done, so I just kept searching for a way to turn the robot on. Eventually, I ended up finding a small button and quickly pressed it without hesitation. I step back, looking up at the machine's lifeless and motionless frame. 'Did I press the wrong button?' I thought to myself, and I did, indeed, press the wrong button. Turns out I pressed to button to disconnect him from his charging port, which he wasn't on.
    Wait.. He wasn't on the charging port... Damnit. Even if I did end up finding the right button to get it on, it still wouldn't work, because it's battery is most likely dead.

  I slapped my own forehead at the realization, letting out a grunt in frustration as I tapped my foot on the floor.
   "Great." I mumbled to myself as I got behind the machine, quickly connecting it to the charging station before looking up at it once more. Now all I had to do was wait, wait until tomorrow to try and get this thing on. Maybe then will it be completely charged, and I'll be less under pressure at all these failed plans.
  I made my way back up out of the basement, closing the door behind me and sighing under my breath.
  I eventually decided to get myself into bed and finally rest all my nerves. I took my hat off and sat myself into my bed, staring at the ceiling before drifting off to a peaceful and quiet sleep.

[THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (like, 1 in the morning), STILL QUENTIN'S POV]

  My sleep was going fine, I'm not really the one to have dreams or nightmares or.. Whatever is in between. It was mostly quiet, before my peace was interup by the sound of a door opening. I slowly sat myself up, rubbing my tired eyes with a groan. I sigh, it's possibly just the wind, but there's no problem or harm in checking, I suppose. I stretched a bit before getting out of bed and creeping over to the door, cracking it open to check if everything was clear. Most well, you'd really never know, if presidential assasination attempts can happen, I'm certain that mayoral assasination attempts can happen too. I let out another sigh, slowly creaking the door completely open and stepping foot out of my room. No one seemed to be there, but something still seemed off. Until I noticed it. There it was. The basement door was wide open.. No, that's impossible. I could have sworn I shut it. Unless I possibly forgot to? Yes, I must have forgotten to.. I started to get lost in thought at the sight, trying to find out a logical explanation for the door to be wide open. Everything was so strange.. I tried my best to keep my composure, and it was working. Until.. I felt something tap the top of my head. My eyes widen at the feeling, as I slowly turn my head to look up at what was touching me So suddenly.. What was out so late..

  [WINDEX'S POV]

   It's my first hour being functional. As soon as I gained "consciousness", I knew what my job was, I am aware of who I listen to for my existence. 'Quentin'. No last name was shown in my data base, all I knew was that he is who I rely on. But.. He was asleep. I suppose I should've waited until dawn to see what I should to. But there was a delay in my existence, I should've been up and cleaning the day before. It would be against my programming to skip even an hour of my cleaning. So, I got up and left, getting to work and basically doing what my code is telling me to do. But, I made too much noise as I left that room, because.. He did wake up. I saw him, scanned him from afar. His face did match the profile, except he's wearing a hat in the profile that is embedded in my software.. No matter, I suppose it's a human thing.
   I walk, or stroll up to him, and I tap my finger on his head. His.. Bald head. I wouldn't expect him to be bald, maybe that's why he's always wearing at hat.. I'm not sure. I can't think for myself, not without his permission. He turns around, I could read his face. He was scared? Before I could greet him, he let out a small gasp and a yell as he quickly backed away from me.

  "You.. You were charging.." Quentin mumbled in a shakey tone as he looks up at me, I tilt my head, leaning down a bit in an attempt to match his height a bit better.

  "Yes, I believe I was. But my programming told me to get up and clean, so I did." I replied, Quentin still seemed quite shocked for some odd reason..
   I look back at the window I was cleaning up, before looking back at him. I didn't move, I cannot work any further without a demand from him. He seemed confused as to why I was motionless, he just stood there, seemingly lost in thought. Suddenly, he glances back up at me with an unsure or confused look.

  "Uhh.. Get back to.. Cleaning?" Quentin demanded hesitantly. Yes, a demand, something to do. I nod, bow, and get back to cleaning the window, my attention purely being on cleaning everything perfectly.

[QUENTIN'S POV]

  I watched as the machine got back to cleaning, as it was programmed to. I squint my eyes a bit, I was.. Very confused, but.. Satisfied. At least this thing actually works, that means there was just a little less weight off of my shoulders.
   "Just.. Keep doing what you're doing." I said to it. It turns it's head to me for a moment with a nod.
    "Of course. Yes, sir." It replied with a monotone voice, as it's voice normally is.
    Well, everything seemed to be under control.. So I decided to head back to my room and get back to a full nights sleep. Well, almost a full night's sleep. So I go back to my room, closing the door behind me, climbing back up into bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment, and eventually drifting back to another peaceful sleep. Believing that a simple robot can't possibly cause much trouble. Even if it did, I could just dismantle it, after all, I'd never get caught getting attached to a bucket of bolts like it, or any patch of metal, for that matter.
    All it's good for is cleaning.

   [WINDEX'S POV]

It's interesting, how I was created just two days ago. I already know everything about my boss, he is my only purpose, what else could I possibly have? I can't think, so he can think for me.
   I can't do anything without his permission. I am.. good at my job? I can't have an opinion, I still don't really understand them that much either. I feel I have so much more to learn about what I wasn't programmed to know. Mostly everything about humans in general.

   I finished cleaning the windows, when I heard him call the name I was assigned, all the way from a distance in his room.

  " Windex, hurry and get over here!"

    Yes, a demand. I was waiting for one. It was only an hour of me being active, and I just crave something to do. I head over to Quentin's room, slowly opening the door and peaking out at him.

  "Yes, sir?-" I replied as I tilt my head. Quentin raises a hand up in dismissal, silencing me before I could finish.
     "Make sure you make it to the charging station when you're done. You have a full day of work ahead of you, you and me both."
   I nod in agreement, bowing and leaving, gently closing the door behind me and getting back to cleaning.