I remember the day my whole world changed. It was one of those days where you wanted to be inside. The sky was gray and gloomy and if looked out a window at the crowded streets below you saw the colorful tops of umbrellas. The clouds were threating to burst while light drizzle already was coming down. If the clouds did decide to just pop, then there could be a potential flood. Many people knew that a flood happening was very slim. There was never enough rain to ever cause a flood. The most rain we ever got was about five inches. That may seem like a lot, but it was barley any.
On a sunny day, or a dreary one, I worked at Top Star Records, which was a record label company. Often I would have to explain that to people. I admit the company was not most popular and did not have the artists that claimed the top of the charts. I did not take anything personally though, unlike some of the other people who worked here. I was just an assistant to Mr. Harley, who was the founder, owner and pretty much any other position that needed to be filled at Top Star Records. There were the other employees, but none of them worked as hard as Mr. Harley, for he rather wants something done right the first time. I was one his assistant, which meant that I most have gotten things right from the start and it was what also earned me a promotion.
Getting a promotion was never one of my goals - even so, I thought it was great. It meant my paycheck would be bigger. I would also have an office of my very own and not just some desk outside of Mr. Harley’s office. The vacation time that I had now would be doubled and that meant more time to relax and forget about work for a few weeks. Then there was what I was being promoted too.
Mr. Harley just said that I would become the manager of the new group he signed. I was a bit confused. I did not see how I qualified to be the manager of anyone. All I ever did as his assistant was make coffee runs, copy papers, answer calls and emails and from time to time help out in the meetings. None of that was even close to what a manger was assigned to do. I think maybe I got things right the first time because the tasks were easy and not time consuming. If I was to become some manger, then I was sure I would screw up within the first forty-eight hours.
Slipping into his office he asked me to sit down. After he talked for a bit, he slowly pushed over a photo. Taking it, I glanced at it with my crystal blue orbs known as eyes. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the picture, other than the people in the picture seemed to look oddly familiar. Racking my brain I tried to think of where I had seen them, or who they were.
I guess Mr. Harley figured that I recognized them but could not name them. Setting his hands on his desk, he looked at me. His eyes were almost black and made it difficult to make eye contact with him. If you looked at them long enough it was like looking into a soulless monster and that was terrifying. Yet, if you truly knew him you knew he was the total opposite. He was one of the nicest people that I have ever known to roam the face of the Earth. Being understanding about emergencies outside of work was a plus, for when someone in the family had a freak accident you just explained the situation and he would grant you some time off. Even if it was a work related problem he was there to help. Boss of the year was what he was.
As boss of the year, he looked me in the eyes and began. “I know you think you have seen them before. It is because you have, just not in person.” For a moment there was just silence. It was like he wanted to drag this conversation on forever. “The thing is those boys are the members of One Direction.”
Right then and there I wanted to burst into laughter. One Direction had been a popular British and Irish boy band such a long time ago. In fact, it had been such a long time that they were now all deceased. There was no way that I could be the manager of a group of guys who were dead.
Like Mr. Harley could read my mind, he cleared his throat. “You won’t be their manger,” he said, indicting to the people in the picture, who were the group of guys that had died. “You will the manager of the new One Direction.”
A new One Direction? That did not make any sense. Did they scour the planet for five guys who looked, acted and sang the original five? Kudos to them if that was the case, but it was also not possible. No two people were exactly the same, even if you had the same genes. There would always be something that made the people different.
“Trust me I know that it a little insane, but you will get used to the change. After all, this is now your new position here at Top Star Records and on the bright side you no longer have to make coffee runs.”
It was great the Mr. Harley was trying to make this entire conversation somewhat humorous, but it was answering any of the questions that I had.
Parting my lips, I dared to ask one of the questions that was circling my mind. “What do you mean by new? You did not bring them back to life and now they are zombies who will just want eat out my brain.”
The idea of a zombie boy band was not half bad. There were enough eccentric people on the Earth to create a fan base for that. I could also imagine it as a TV or movie that if not done right would be a huge flop.
Mr. Harley shook his head and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he laughed. “No, they are not zombies. What I meant by new was that they are recreated to be like the boys that the people decades ago knew and loved and obsessed with.”
“Wait a minute, they? Who the hell are they?” I asked, confused by the pro-noun game. There was no way that he could expect me to know who ‘they’ were just because he said it.
“Oh, yes, I should have maybe mentioned this sooner, but 'they' as in artificial intelligence,” Mr. Harley cleared up. “You know how far technology has come and the fact that artificial intelligence does not have to look like a robot even more is fantastic. We have the AI’s looking just like the boys did, and they are pre-programed with emotions, some memories and responses. Of course as time passes they will just learn more, they are smart, but still not smart enough to take over the world quite yet."
I sat there uncomfortably now. I was not sure how I should respond to what he had just said. The fact that real humans were being replaced by AI’s scared me more than it should have. Then he went on and added how they were not ready to take over the world – yet.
Swallowing back any fears that I had about this, I just decided to accept the offer and let what happened happen. After all, what was the worst five AI’s that were programmed to be like and look like the five guys from the past possibly do?
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This was a fanfic that I had the idea for, but was never able to get further then the prologue/first chapter. Clearly it took place in the far, far, far future also in case you did not pick up that hint. I am just a fan of the future and what could happen. I know that it may be a little scrambled/rushed, but it was a lot worse before I went ahead and edited it.
If you want to know more about the plot and characters and what not, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment. I am happy to tell you all about the idea that is not going to happen for a long time, if ever.
This short story is dedicated to mythological_me becuase she always leaves the sweetest comments ever that make me smile from ear to ear. c: I also know that she had 1D fanfics of her own, so it just seemed fitting that I dedicated this to someone who is a fan of 1D. ^^ If she happens to not be a fan this is just going to be awkward.
Also I felt like dedicating this chapter - well, story - to someone.
Vote, comment, follow. c:
Thanks
