Transient

WARNING

It has been a few weeks since the surprise dinner... Melv looked up the cove symbol later that night to find that the symbol is the logo for an organization over the Artificially Intelligent citizens. It "supplies the necessary tools for every AI to thrive". It also keeps the AI citizens in check. The organization works along with the actual manufacturing company, ArtILife. Melv doesn't understand why he hadn't heard about the organization around the time that he worked with ArtILife to get Eloney's artificial body. 

Ever since the dinner, Eloney has been more concerned about what Melv is up to and inquires more details. She wears makeup more often and will now occasionally display affection by pressing her hand to his back or gently patting his head. She's also been watching shows that she used to like. Melv isn't sure what to make of it, but he's sort of hoping that it's the real her in there.

He peers out the window at his wilting garden. It's already the end of November and has become abnormally cold. He had gotten so caught up in preparing to have Millie, Sheena, and Joe over for Thanksgiving that he forgot about his plants.

At the thanksgiving dinner, Sheena seemed much more normal. She didn't glitch at all. Eloney gave Millie attention as she used to, braiding her hair and talking to her about clothing brands and Millie's career. Of course, only Joe, Millie, and Melv ate the meal, but it was almost like old times.

Melv's therapist told him that he had improved tremendously within those few weeks.. so much so that they plan on meeting only twice a month instead of two to three times a week.

He moved onto doing chess in his free time with Eloney who only usually beats him within a few rounds. Still, he's beginning to have lasting games with her.

At work, Green still hasn't spoken a word to him. She doesn't speak to anyone. She walks around with shifty eyes. She's lost so much weight that her clothes look like they're eating her alive. Melv can't help but wonder if she's on something.

The boss finally downsized and got rid of five workers. Fortunately, Green and Melv were kept. However, the job still feels unstable. Many places have converted to only using robots. People are only really wanted for customer services, but even that is shaky when some AI are specifically being programmed to be cheerful and kind 24/7. More homeless folks are lining up outside in the city. A few began to live behind the dumpsters at Melv's work. Everyday they fight over the half empty boxes of doughnuts thrown out after lunch. The boss doesn't seem to mind this though and sometimes even gives them money.

This morning, Melv woke up at five instead of six. He woke up for once to Eloney still being "asleep", her eyes open and unmoving.. her cord plugged into her side.

He drinks coffee as he watches the sun rise from the horizon. The lawn glitters silvery with frost. Glorious beams of reds and yellows glow through the glass vase of decaying sneezeweeds. The shadow of the wilting flowers is cast far into the floor.

As he enjoys this scene, his phone rings. "Hello?"

"Hey, Melvin? Melvin Artecrus?" A shaky, wobbly voice muffles through the receiver.

"It's he." Melv declares a little too loudly. "Now who is this?"

"Oh it's uh Tim. Uh. From Peety's grass."

"Oh Tim. I remember. How are you?"

"Doin good. Just want to thank you for the day, well er actually bout a month ago..for bein nice to me."

"Of course."

"It's good to see there's still decent folks... Anyways," Tim lowers his voice. "A friend of mine was murdered. I really think it was an AI. It had been hovering around his house for some time."