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    The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots
    The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots
    The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots
    Ebook335 pages4 hours

    The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots

    By TK Wade

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    About this ebook

    In the future, walking and talking robots are a part of daily life. They do things for us with perfect efficiency. However, they are anything but people. James Reiner is the CEO and president of a company who is trying to change that. The only difference is that his line of robots look like cute, cartoony animals.

    The animal robots seem to act and feel more like people than any other model on the planet. Soon they are taking the world by storm, but this success comes with disturbing questions. Are these robots really people? Are they alive? And if so, should they be considered property? “The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots” by T.K. Wade deals with these questions and more.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTK Wade
    Release dateDec 13, 2017
    ISBN9781370472000
    The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots
    Author

    TK Wade

    T.K. Wade is a writer based in coastal North Carolina. His favorite author is L. Frank Baum who has inspired a great deal of his work. Although he specializes in children's literature, he enjoys writing in nearly every genre under the sun. He spends most of his time writing in a room filled with plush animals. Also, you can read his blog at http://tkwadeauthor.blogspot.com/Please enjoy!

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      The Fascinating Life of Animal Robots - TK Wade

      Prologue

      The room was very much like that of a child’s bedroom–only there was no bed. There were toys all around the room. Nothing too simple. Many of them were electronic and what most would call state-of-the-art. The walls were painted with colorful pictorials of happy fairylands–very playful. Most importantly, this room possessed a young boy. His name was Joey.

      Now, despite the many common toys that were within this room, Joey found himself mostly interested in an otter that was sitting in the very center of the place. This otter almost could be mistaken for a plush animal, for he was made up to be like a cartoon character of sorts; however, when the boy had first looked at it, the creature looked back, blinked, and cocked its head as if curious of him.

      Joey, at once, approached the otter and sat in front of it. Hello, said Joey wondering if it could talk.

      Hello, said the otter in a feminine tone.

      You can talk? asked the boy a bit surprised.

      Yes, the toy otter replied simply.

      Do you have a name?

      The otter blinked mechanically and replied, No, but you may provide me with one.

      Can I call you Rudder? asked the boy.

      Yes, was the simple reply.

      So what do you like to do, Rudder?

      The otter took a moment as if thinking it out. I will do almost anything you want. Did you wish to play?

      I guess, said the boy. He was already looking around at the other things in the room.

      What would you like to play? asked Rudder.

      You wanna play War?

      How do you play War? she asked.

      We pretend to be on different sides and then try to kill each other. Doesn’t that sound fun?

      I do not think it is a good idea to kill each other, said Rudder.

      Joey sighed and continued to look around. I wasn’t talking about real killing. I was talking about pretending. Don’t you get it? Rudder did not reply. If anything, she looked confused about what he was asking. Eventually the boy stood up and said, I wonder what else is in here? The otter was left alone.

      After this action occurred, the screen showing the otter and boy went white and everyone in the presentation room looked at each other with some disappointment. A tall man in an expensive suite walked out of a side door and towards a podium that was under the giant screen. The podium was marked with a fancy logo that read ReinerCorp. The man was James Reiner, the CEO and founder.

      After taking a moment to gaze out at his audience, he finally spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen of my own company. I must ask you a question now that you have witnessed our latest study. The question is this: have you ever–in your life–seen something so boring?! I mean it! That video was boring! I am literally fighting the urge to drop into a coma upon seeing it for the second time in my life! It was boring!

      "Now, I know you good people meant well when you suggested that we did not need to put our everything into a robot for children. I’m giving you credit, aren’t I? True, it was an outright stupid suggestion, and I hope you all go home hanging your heads in shame. But I know you all meant well! Let me be clear: we are not going to be the greatest robotics company in the world by pulling punches. My lead roboticist Daniel Fisher assures me that programming emotions into robots is possible, and within eight–maybe ten–years, we can achieve it!

      I know many of you have misgivings about giving robots true human emotions, but the truth is that I don’t care what you think about it. This is my company, damn it, and I want robots I can relate to! I want a robot that that kid in the video can relate to! I want a robot that we can all love and that it can love us back! I’m glad you all finally see it my way! Dismissed! And he was out of the room before anyone could question him.

      ~~~~~

      Chapter 1

      The Writer

      James Reiner sat at a desk at the top of the great ReinerCorp skyscraper which towered above all over buildings the city wide. This was his office. It was a nice office. It had everything an office needed in respect to one of the richest men of the world.

      James was a multi-billionaire. He made a fortune through investing in robotic technology that he honestly knew very little about. Still, he loved it, and he wanted to see the industry grow to–what he called–impossible heights. What does ‘impossible’ actually mean anyways? he would always ask. To me ‘impossible’ is just a look of what we should be doing rather than what we can’t do. The man lived by this idiom throughout his association with the company.

      Mister Reiner not only owned ReinerCorp, but he also was the only man who had any say in anything ever attempted in the company. He was a dictator–a man who must not be ignored. He would fire anyone who went against his orders without even batting an eye. Because of this mentality, James Reiner literally was ReinerCorp, and ReinerCorp was James Reiner.

      Another interesting thing about this man was his personality. Many within the company thought he was insane. He had a way about him–that was certain. Mister Reiner had a tendency to say and do things that many considered… nonconformist. It is a very good thing that he was so rich, or many might not take him seriously at all.

      On the day that this story begins, James Reiner was sitting at his desk when a feminine voice chimed out from some nearby speaker, The writer you hired is here, Mister Reiner.

      James tapped a light on the flat surface of his desk, Send him in, Jannet.

      Yes, sir.

      The door to the room slid open like all the fancy doors of the day tended to do, and in walked a man of what appeared to be thirty years of age. He wore a T-shirt and a pair of khaki pants. He was tall and had an expression upon his face that might denote that he was lost.

      Come in and take a seat, Mister Wade, ordered the CEO.

      The guest did as he was told but remained silent shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Mister Reiner clasps his hands together and smiled at the man. Do you know who I am, Mister Wade?

      The visitor nodded, You’re James Reiner. I am sorry if I was rude. I am still not certain why you wanted to see me.

      Because you are a writer, was the simple answer. "You are a writer, are you not? T.K. Wade, correct?"

      Yes, replied Mister Wade who was still nervous.

      Were you aware that there was another writer with your name who lived about eighty years ago?

      Yes, was the reply. I have always been a very big fan of his. I have read everything he had ever written and have modeled my writing style after his own.

      And you took his name as well?

      Mister Wade blushed. Well, not entirely. I consider him to be a kindred spirit. I wanted to use his name as my own; however, in order that my own works were not confused with his, I spelled out the first part of the name instead of abbreviating it. T-E-E and K-A-Y. Tee Kay Wade.

      Very well, Tee Kay. And you enjoy writing?

      I do. I am fairly successful as well.

      Yes, I know about your success, said Mister Reiner as he stood to his feet. It is why I wish to hire you full time at ReinerCorp.

      Tee Kay swallowed hard and then said, I’m not a roboticist. I rented out an android to help me with my paper work at home, but I don’t begin to understand how she is put together.

      James chuckled. He walked around and sat against the desk facing the confused writer. You may be sure that I am doing quite well as far as my collection of roboticists. What I need from you is someone who can write a decent report on a new project my company has been developing for the last ten years.

      "Reports, sir?"

      Is there something the matter with writing reports, Mister Wade? These things need to be done, you know. How else am I to understand what is happening with my products?

      Tee Kay gulped and tried not to appear nervous. There is nothing wrong with reports, Mister Reiner. It is just that I am a writer of fiction–fairytales mostly. I write about the unreal.

      James chuckled again. So write it in a way that you prefer. If you want it to sound like a fairytale, then do so!

      Are you serious?

      James slapped his desk lightly before walking back around to his chair. Let me show you something. He tapped on his desk a few times pulling up some digital information which displayed holographically in front of him. He explained, This is a report of an incident when we were observing a prototype ten years ago. He cleared his throat and read the file insipidly, The room is designed befitting of a child’s preference. Toys litter this room. Many of them are electronic and state-of-the-art. There is a boy in this room. His name is Joey.

      James looked up at the visitor and groaned. I haven’t even gotten to the part about our prototype, and I am already falling asleep.

      It sounded like a report though, said Tee Kay.

      Reiner hit his desk with his fist causing some of the furniture to bounce. I don’t want it to sound like that! he shouted. "I want it to sound like a story! I want it to be something that ignites my imagination! I don’t care if a few details might be off. I just want it fascinate me in a way that makes me say something like… ‘whoa.’ Know what I mean?"

      Tee Kay nodded only because he was too scared to disagree with the guy. Everyone knew that James Reiner had power. He was the richest man that the writer had even heard of. Tee Kay replied, I see what you mean. I suppose I could help you out, but I am still not sure what I am going to write these reports about.

      James walked back to the front of his desk and looked the writer square in the eyes. I will pay you a biweekly salary of seven hundred dollars for as long as you are employed by me, Mister Wade.

      Tee Kay stood up with a gasp. What?!

      I will also pay you a commission of one hundred dollars for each report that meets with my approval. Do we have a deal?

      The man was utterly dumbstruck. The offer was ridiculously generous. Suddenly, working to write reports for a big corporation started to seem like a good thing. It might actually work out. In his clearly stupefied state, Tee Kay replied, I accept.

      Good, good! said Mister Reiner as he slapped his new employee on the back. Come with me. I wish to introduce you to your new characters.

      My new characters, sir?

      That’s right. If you’re going to be writing your reports like fiction, then we shall call them your characters, right?

      I guess so, said Tee Kay as he walked with the man.

      I’m going to look forward to each and every fairytale, said James with a boyish laugh. Mister Wade was still quite stupefied.

      ~~~~~

      Chapter 2

      The Children of Daniel Fisher

      The elevator doors opened up. A man was waiting there with a clipboard clutched firmly to his chest. He was tall with mild chubby features in his form. His hair was black, his coat was white, and he smiled with pride as he was looked upon by James Reiner and his new associate. Good afternoon, Mister Wade, greeted the man. My name is Daniel Fisher. I’m the chief roboticist in charge of our latest and most advantageous endeavor to date.

      Before Tee Kay could respond, he felt a familiar slap to the back. Mister Fisher isn’t joking. We’re about to roll these new models out in only a week. They’ll change the world if I have anything to say about it!

      Mister Fisher sighed when he heard that. Well, changing the world is not really the idea of it. I have always thought the function of the new models were—.

      James interrupted the man as he pulled Tee Kay away from him, Don’t bore our new report writer, Dan! Let’s just show him the goods! He’ll make up his own mind.

      Tee Kay managed to address the roboticist as he was yanked past him, It’s nice to meet you, Mister Fisher.

      Likewise, replied Daniel who followed them. He did not at all seem offended–in fact, he smiled. It was as if he had to deal with it so much that it had become second nature.

      The hallway was brilliantly clean and white. There were many other scientist types walking this way and that–going about their business. Tee Kay was led through a door that opened into a far more home-like setting. There was a large living room, a kitchen, and several rooms off at different walls.

      Where are they?! asked Mister Reiner sternly. Daniel, you said you’d be ready for us!

      Daniel walked up ahead and looked around. Well, you weren’t too clear on that. I told them we were to expect visitors, but I suppose that was not enough to get them to wait at the door like good kids.

      Kids? asked Tee Kay curiously.

      Well, they’re not actually my—.

      Find one of them, Dan! yelled James abruptly.

      Dan nodded and went over to one of the doors peering inside of it. From around the counter where the kitchen was, Tee Kay saw a little face. Not a human’s face but that of an animal. Not a normal animal, but that of a cartoon animal. It was a curious face with a curious expression, and Tee Kay Wade was compelled to address the creature, Hello?

      Hello, it replied in a feminine voice. It stepped out into plain view. It appeared to be an otter, and Mister Wade thought it was incredibly adorable. I’m sorry for not coming out, the otter continued. I wanted to listen to you for a bit before I introduced myself.

      Tee Kay Wade looked at Mister Reiner as if he required the man’s permission first. Reiner rolled his eyes and gestured towards the otter. Go on then. Meet your character, Mister Wade.

      The writer got down on his knees so he could more easily face the creature. He observed that the otter did not look like a common robot–which still showed some signs of artificiality in their features. This otter was extremely well designed with perfection in mind. Even its expressions were lifelike and charming to behold. He said to her, My name is Tee Kay Wade. Do you have a name?

      Carmen, was the reply. You have a really nice voice. It’s sensitive but also kind. I like it.

      That last remark gave Tee Kay pause. "You… You like it?"

      I like a lot of things, said the otter. I like people–especially different kinds of people. I also like swimming. Daniel Fisher made me with the ability to be submerged in water. I am very good at it and can even float. My favorite thing in the world is music. I love dancing to it. Do you like to dance, Mister Wade?

      The otter spoke with remarkable candor and with a charm that drew Tee Kay in with great intensity. He felt like he was talking to some sort of character from one of his children’s stories, but at the same time, she felt like an actual person. He replied, I… I don’t do a lot of dancing. I mean… not in public anyways.

      Public is always best, said Carmen the otter. That way they can see you do it and tell you how they feel about it. I like to dance for Daniel when I can do it, and sometimes, he dances with me.

      It’s true, came the voice of Daniel who had just returned. Tee Kay looked up, and Mister Fisher performed a short jig to prove she was right. The writer chuckled.

      You wanna meet my sisters? asked Carmen. I want to introduce you to them. Daniel says you need to meet them all to help you with the reports you have to write about us.

      Of course, said the writer. But first I want to know something. The otter smiled and waited to be asked a question. Do you know what you are?

      Yes, I do, she said cheerfully. I am a robot. My model number is AR003-1. I am the very first of my kind.

      Do you mind being artificial? was the next inquiry.

      I’m an otter, Mister Wade. Whether or not I am real or artificial strikes me as irrelevant. I am standing here having a fun conversation with you, and if that isn’t real, you must be dreaming. Are you dreaming, Mister Wade? She giggled and began walking towards one of the other doors.

      Tee Kay stood up and looked at Daniel. Did she just tell a joke?

      She does that, replied the man.

      James Reiner urged the writer along with his hand. It’s really something, isn’t it? There’s more though, and you should see it.

      Oh, I definitely want to see it, admitted Mister Wade.

      Right this way! said the otter, and she pushed open the door.

      Inside the next room, there was a lot of noise. Some creature that looked like a cat was playing a video game on a holographic screen in one corner of the room. It was a war game, and she was controlling it with precise gestured from her two hands. This feline was taller than the short form of Carmen. It momentarily looked at the visiting group and said, Hey! Sorry! Kinda busy saving the world right now! The cat was also feminine.

      Carmen walked up to her and placed her little hands on her hips. You said you would be ready for them, Katrina! That’s very rude, you know!

      Hey, Melody didn’t show up either, said Katrina.

      That’s different. She was just worried. The cat just shrugged and continued playing. Carmen gave the bewildered Tee Kay a very apologetic look.

      The writer chuckled. Don’t worry about it. I’m not offended at all.

      See! Everything’s fine! assured the cat.

      The otter spoke, Katrina is always playing games or watching movies. She is always imagining herself as a secret agent or super hero. It’s really silly.

      "She imagines?" asked Mister Wade.

      What’s wrong with that?

      How can you program imagination into a robot?

      Daniel Fisher answered, I didn’t. It just sort of happened. I’m not yet sure if it’s the same thing as what we know imagination to be. We may figure out the answer to that as you observe them, Mister Wade.

      Well, that makes me feel important, said Tee Kay.

      I want to show them Melody, said Carmen, and she was already leading them out and towards another room.

      Liking it so far? asked Mister Reiner.

      If it’s real, I am, replied the writer.

      Oh, it’s real. You can bet on it.

      The otter pushed open the next door and the group saw the form of a pink mouse standing amidst a simple room. She appeared intensely shy, but stood her ground bravely. Hello, she greeted. My name is Melody. Are you the new report writer?

      Yes, replied the man addressed. My name is Tee Kay Wade. But after that, everything went quiet.

      The otter walked over to Tee Kay and explained, She’s shy. Why don’t you ask her a question?

      The writer nodded and asked the mouse, Is there anything you enjoy doing?

      Yes. Thank you for asking me. I wasn’t sure if you were very interested in me.

      "I’m very interested."

      Really? she asked. Well, I like spending time with Daniel and Carmen. I also like cooking; although, I am incapable of eating any of it. I still enjoy making the food.

      Tee Kay smiled brightly and knelt down in front of the adorable rodent. Will you make something for me, Melody?

      Sure. What would you like?

      Do you know how to make broccoli casserole?

      Yes.

      That’s what I’d like. Will you make that for me?

      The mouse cracked a smile. Sure. You seem like a really nice man, Mister Wade.

      And I bet you are the best mouse cook in all the world, said Tee Kay with a grin.

      James and Daniel exchange a glance. The CEO quietly asked his roboticist, Is Tee Kay all right–you think? I never saw anyone look at a mouse with such unwavering interest.

      Daniel nodded and said, It’s like he’s inside of a fairytale. You sure he was the right man for the job?

      James chuckled and replied, "I definitely hired the right guy for this job. I cannot wait to read that first report."

      ~~~~~

      Chapter 3

      The First Report

      For the benefit of James Reiner and ReinerCorp, the following is the first report as to the nature of the company’s new line of robots. Written by Tee Kay Wade.

      It was an interesting adventure and one that I was wholly unprepared for. I was not a man entirely ignorant of the ways of robots. I owned one back at my house. Her face was beautiful but somewhat marked by the distinct depressions upon the face of her model. She was polite in all her interactions with me, yet this politeness was made irrelevant by a particular coldness that came with it. I have never been offended by it, for that is the nature of a robot.

      Today, I found myself within an interesting quarter of the ReinerCorp building. The company’s three new robotic models are living here. I use the word living somewhat lightly, but I must say that I feel compelled to use that word. Indeed, they seem to be living. They also seem to be animals.

      I will begin with them in the order that I originally met them. Carmen is an otter. She is one of the friendliest people I have ever met. Yes, she seems like people to me. Perhaps, she is. I am not a roboticist, nor do I understand what makes these things tick. She felt like people to me.

      Carmen was short and very cute. She had no distinctive markings but was entirely made out to look like a proper cartoon otter as out of a story book. As far as size, she came up to my knees. When she smiled, her face looked happy. When she frowned, she gave me the impression that she was very sad. I found myself moved by these emotions as if I was with someone who was very real.

      I love to dance, she told me. It makes me happy, and I do it all the time. It is fun hearing people talk about the things they enjoy with such enthusiasm.

      Carmen showed me her own personal bedroom. There were speakers everywhere and music was playing at all times. The otter would skip a bit as she walked as if the music was compelling her to dance at all times. There was also a swimming pool in this room that was quite large. She swam for me a bit, and I chuckled at her playful antics. She enjoyed showing off for me which struck me as very otter-like.

      At one point, I asked her, What do you hope your line will do to benefit the humans of the world?

      She replied, I love to have fun. I want to help kids get out of their box by dancing. If they don’t want to dance, I suppose I can learn new things, but I really believe that dancing is the best way.

      Do you like children? I went on to ask.

      Oh! They are wonderful! Children love to play, and so I will be perfect to keep them company.

      Carmen wanted

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