Sentient

Invaded Reality

"Biotech's latest model of AI bots are selling out all over the country", the television in the background sounded, the news reporter's voice cheery. "The newest generation is called Verumbots and BT's chairman, Nico Bryce, says they are more realistic than ever"!

"Can you believe that"? The female reporter gasped and the two's laughter faded into the background. "Mr. Bryce stated at the product reveal that these new bots can eat, sleep, and now have a new breathing feature"!

"They also produce warmth underneath it's skin for those of you like that sorta thing".

"Oh you"! The female reporter laughed again.

The bar was dimmed at this time, and the four young men continued to chug down their cheap beer. The TV was the only sound other then the bartender's cleaning the glasses and the quartets violent drinking. They were getting extremely rowdy, too much for the owners liking.

"I may have to ask you to leave", he motioned to the door, and three of them groaned.

One of them tough, his long almost-white hair is a frenzy, stood up and slammed his fist on the table.

"Do you know who I am", he motioned to himself, "Im Connor fucking Renners, you can't just kick us out"!

He bar owner did just that.

The four young man stumbled down the road, Connor leaning heavily on his companions. I'm a star for fucks sake, he thought, I'm a rock IDOL he can't just-.

"Connor, look"! His friend motioned to a higher-end retail chain. People lined up at the door. "Looks like they're selling defective Verums to cheapskates"!

"So"? The other replied.

His friend grinned, his coy expression saying it all.

"Thought we could get us a toy".

"Defective, he doesn't have his left eye but I reckon he can see. The factories don't make spare parts 'doh so he's for real cheap. 'Ya sure you want 'im?" the salesman motioned to the bot Connor and his group were currently stationed in front of. The bot was cute, but male. The model was deceiving from afar, with its slender frame and pink flustered cheeks and nose. It was cute nonetheless. It's hair was bubblegum pink and cut medium length. Connor snorted, this was clearly made for some idiot with a thing for anime.

Connor inspected the sleeping bot - his eyes closed and mouth open drooling, his lips and cheeks dusted pink and chest rising and falling heavily as he dreamed. do verumbots even dream, Connor had to wonder in his impaired state.

"Should I wake him up for you to examine"? the salesman asked. Connor nodded.

The salesman pressed the bot's side with the toe of his boot, the bot stirred a bit before the salesman delivered a swift kick that fully awoke him. One light blue snapped open and looked up at the man. He looked absolutely shocked and in pain . The pink-haired bot shivered and backed away from the youngman making concerned noises.

"What's your name"?

"Isaac", the scrawny bot replied, his voice holding a small tremble.

Connor nodded, his white hair falling beyond his shoulders as he knelt down to see the other eye-to-eye. He smirked, this piece of machinery had what some would consider a human consciousness and such was obvious. It was obvious that the thing had some PTSD of sorts. This model had been out for six weeks and this one was already a wreck. No wonder he's discounted.

"I'll take him", Connor said with a smirk and behind him his friend whooped. "And I'd like a full reset". The salesman nodded and one glance at the bot began to seize. The salesman sheepishly grinned, obviously embarrassed.

"T-That is normal. Ya know, it's all part of their whole preservation and such. They have a fear response programmed in them and such, because they lose all of em memories and such."

"Then you don't need to, uh, reboot him then". The little pink Verumbot stopped shaking as badly and looked up at his new owner. He looked more thankful than Connor could explain. Makes sense, if rebooting is like death and rebirth.

The man smiled as he handed him the receipt and Connor's card. The man smiled, somewhat melancholy, knowing that the four's intents were not pure. He waved goodbye as the almost-blonde young man hooked a hand under the bot's arm and began to lead him outside.

He had just drunkenly purchased, in essence, a person.