Artificial(ish) Intelligence

Chapter 60

"Are you sure?"

"No, I was looking," said Will, as they pulled up to Paige's. "No one followed us."

"Are you really sure?" said Libbi.

"I thought so at first. But it looked more like a deliverybot. And it didn't keep up for long, anyway."

Libbi's metallic body vibrated. The selfiebot version of shivering. "I don't want to be near them, again," she said.

Will nodded. There wasn't really much else to say. He certainly agreed with the sentiment.

They knocked on the door. OK, Will knocked on the door while Libbi provided moral support. There was no response. Will put his ear to the door. He might have heard the squeak of a floorboard, or the hum of some electronic device. Or it could have been nothing.

He checked his personal screen. "The hospital definitely said she was home," he said.

Suddenly the door flung open, revealing a blue blocky humanoid-ish helperbot.

"Yes?" said a stern woman's voice.

"Err," said Will.

A virtual roll-call of his primary school teachers paraded through his mind, each more curt and demoralising than the last. Especially Miss Landers, the bringer of burn, the engine of embarrassment. His organic body vibrated. Which is my inarticulate way of saying he shivered.

"We're here to see Paige," said Libbi, helping out.

"And how do you know the patient?" said the helperbot.

Will looked to Libbi. "Err," he said.

"Friends," said Libbi.

"Yeah, friends," said Will, regaining his wits.

"Names?" said the helperbot.

Libbi gave them.

"Hmm," said the helperbot, looking them up and down.

"Aren't you supposed to be human?" said Will.

"Will!" said Libbi.

"No offence."

"None taken," said the helperbot. "The patient really shouldn't be seeing anyone. Let me check if she's up to it."

"Thank you kindly, ma'am," said Will, without tipping his non-existent hat.

"But don't move!" said the helperbot. "I know kung fu and I'm not afraid to use it."

Will made an order while checking out the latest competition highlights. No word on any premature victories.

While he did, Libbi asked a question.

"So I've got a question," she said.

No, that wasn't the question. Stop being so impatient.

"A moment ago," she said, "when the robot asked how you were related to Paige, why did you--"

"Now," said the helperbot, interrupting, "she's to have no unapproved foods or drinks."

"We can see her?" said Will.

"For a short time. She's still recovering."

Before Will could fully enter, the helperbot stepped into his way, adding, "I will do all that is necessary to make sure that changes."

It was like a reverse threat, as if the bot wasn't capable of saying positive statements in a positive way. But Will was happy she was there.

Paige was in her bed, the covers pulled tight under the mattress. And she was awake, her cheeks flush, which was a great improvement over last time.