Laboratory Coats and Artificial Hopes

Project Clementine's Story

Suddenly, I awoke, my beady eyes had opened for the first time. People in flawlessly cleaned, white laboratory coats surrounded me from left to right. They were making noises that I couldn't understand, until one of them- a woman- inserted a green chip into my head. She quickly stepped back and so did the rest of them. They all stared at me with hopeful smiles of triumph plastered all over their faces.

Oddly enough, I was able to part my lips, revealing a slight smile back. I then realized that just like them I could make those noises.

"Hello." I said monotonously, staring at them, just waiting for their reaction.

Screams of joy took over the room. They were jumping up and down rapidly and hugging each other. Once they finally calmed down, they greeted me as well.

And as soon as I heard the words, "Hello, Clementine" I felt as welcome as I could ever be. Just a few seconds in and I was already being the main source for somebody's happiness.

"Clementine, we are happy to present to you your first family, the Larkson's."

And as they said those words, a beautiful family appeared. They looked picture perfect. The woman had snow-white, fair skin and piercing red lips framed by blond, curls, which were all accessorized by deep ocean blue eyes. The man beside her was sharp with a tan glow and eyes that were as dark as the night. In between them was a chubby faced little fella. He had a tan glow much like his father and the blue eyes of his mother. He was short of stature, he was approximately 3 feet and 10 inches.

The woman looked right at me and told me, "Wow I told you guys to create artificial intelligence that will serve as a maid and a tutor for me and my family and you come up with this junk."

"Actually, m'am, this is our greatest technological advancement to date. Her name is Clementine and she can do anything from basic math to college calculus." A woman wearing a lab coat replied in an attempt to calm Mrs. Larkson down.

"So she can only do math? Pathetic." The blonde woman responded with her nose pointed up high.

"Mrs. Larkson, not only can she do mathematics, but she can read very well. She can even write her own stories. She is also useful because she can identify exactly who somebody is by simply looking at them."

"That's cute. I wanted something extraordinary. Not whatever tangerine she is."

"She is Project Clementine. Not only read and do math, but she can also teach students, perform basic commands such as cleaning, and help authorities catch suspects. If anything, she is a success."

"You know, as the President's wife, I thought you all would work a little harder, but I guess not. I show up and what do I find? A bunch of random parts from the junkyard staring directly at me."

    I shied away from her gaze and looked down at my hand. It was grey and metallic and had five thin fingers. Each finger was divided into three parts by a sky blue lining. Each and every part of my hand allowed a reflection to be visible and with that, I was able to see my face. I discovered that I had pitch black eyes and blue lined lips protruding from my silver head. I started to wonder, Was I really just parts and pieces of junk?

"Would you at least like to test her out. I mean what do you lose by trying?"

"Time, I lose time. Don't forget the old saying, 'time is money.' I'm not willing to lose money."