Artificial(ish) Intelligence

Chapter 6

Josef's smile faded as soon as the all-clear was signalled.

"Wonderful spot," said the assistant producer. "You were great."

"I know," said Josef, walking away.

"And you'll have the remainder of the fee paid by the close of business?" said the assistant producer, trying to keep up.

"Why are we talking about money?"

"We'd be broke if our guests didn't pay for their position on the show. It's the only profitable way to run a news network these days. And promotion isn't free. Especially not with the exclusive platinum package."

Josef pushed him away, then turned to the warehouse at large. "Get these people out of here! Playtime's over. I'm not paying them for an encore." He'd have the stench of unemployment clinging to his clothes for the rest of the day. "Where's my car?"

His digital assistant materialised in semi-transparent form beside him. "Bringing it around now. Mmhm. Yup."

"Any new potential investors call?"

"Oopies. No. Oh, no."

He hissed, heading outside just as the car arrived.

"What are these?" he said, pulling the red gloves out of his pocket. "Actors wanting to butter me up for more work?!" He threw them on the opposite seat after stepping inside the vehicle. "Update me on what I've missed."

"Ooh yes," said Lem. "A meeting you have with Raymond Sinclair."

"Hold up, you know I need context. He is...?"

"Cee-eff-owe at Integrity Values, mmhm, the financial services--"

"Ah yeah," said Josef. "Must have liked what he saw with my little performance."

A potential customer, aiming to oust his boss. A perfect fit for the True_AI module. Josef chuckled.

"He won't get the top job himself," he continued, "but I'm sure he'll salvage a nice bonus for saving shareholders' money."

Once he had a few clients, word would spread quickly. And then what would his father say?

The car drove itself down twisted streets.

"Next!" he said.

"Your wife called. Mmhm."

"Ignore."

"And your daughter! She tried--"

Josef gave his digital assistant a look. In response, Lem puckered his oversized lips.

"Skip to the important parts, dingbat."

"No, no. Oh no. Look at this. This one. Look at it. On her feed. Take a look."

A hologram of two fifteen year old girls appeared on the windshield, clearly dressed in what they considered fashionable attire.

"Oh-em-gee-gee, just stop already," scuttled the brunette on the right, pushing at her friend's arm.

"Shh sh," said the blonde, before facing the camera. "So, like, hi Ash," she said.

"Ack-schlee," said the brunette, "my name's Ashley, ack-schlee."

They both giggled.

The blonde turned to her friend. "Do me now!"

"Oh oh," said Ashley. "Hi Charlotte."

"Uh, I don't have, like, a thing," said, like, Charlotte.

Again they both giggled.

"Ugh," said Josef.