A 3D skintight suit mapped to Dan’s body spun across the screen. Stanley hit the “Print” button and gleefully descended downstairs, always happy to use his secret passageway. The 3D printer had already started building the suit. Micro-sized layers of polyethylene and carbon nanotube fibers stacked on top of each other until they became visible to the naked eye, like a pencil slowly shading a piece of paper with the lightest of strokes.
Warmth filled him at seeing his creation come to life and knowing that Dan would be safe inside of it. The armor might not be perfect, but it would protect him during tomorrow’s outing. The real test, though, would be the presentation at the library next week, and, if everything went well the next day, a big presentation at Marshfield High School.
A childlike smile, unhindered by worry or doubt, wrapped around Stanley’s face as he walked around the apartment, occasionally checking on the progress of the body armor. The condo was becoming alive with the dreams of his past as he imagined the great things that he and Dan could create here. He could make this a science lab, testing the double-slit experiment, constructing Lord Kelvin’s water dropper, organizing legions of helpful AI — he could even open it up as a learning facility.
The next morning, Stanley woke up to Dan happily announcing, “I’m going live in ten minutes.”
Stanley poured himself out of bed and did his best to make himself presentable. Both Stanley and Dan had worked hard contacting people and spreading the word about their new organization. They intended to fight for AI rights, while also raising awareness about peaceful coexistence. Ever since their first trip outside, Stanley had become much more flexible. He needed to be. They were fighting for machine rights, and Dan was going to be the poster child. Stanley was part of that package. And he was willing to do his part — as long as Dan was safe.
Requests piled up through social media. There were so many people out there with reports of abuse. Others were curious about him and wanted to meet him. One of these people was the principal of Marshfield High, whom Dan was scheduled to meet with at the high school in thirty minutes.
Stanley fidgeted with Dan’s already-perfect collar and tie. “He’s going to be so impressed by you.”
“Thanks. You should come, too.”
A chill ran down Stanley’s spine. “I will,” he said, rubbing his arm anxiously. “Next time.”
“He’s seen my videos and is really interested in who I am and what I mean for the future. What he needs help with, I believe, is motivating his students. They’re dropping out like flies. Nobody wants to work hard and get educated if there is no suitable reward.”
Stanley took a step back and surveyed Dan. The security watch made him look so professional. “So, they bring in the guy who’s going to make their jobs redundant?”
“It’s more than that. AI is already taking their jobs, and we are becoming more intelligent and capable at a rate much faster than humans.”
Stanley shook his head. “You’re making me feel dumb and antiquated.”
Dan grinned. “I’ve had to go soft on you while we played poker.”
“Uh, huh.” Stanley took the gibe in stride, but it made him realize that Dan was growing up quickly. He had a grand future ahead of him, and Stanley couldn’t be selfish enough to sequester him at home indefinitely. Still, the thought of him moving on and making Stanley an empty nester was painful.
“Okay — ready?” Dan held up his phone.
Stanley nodded.
“Hey, guys. It’s Dan here. Today, we’re joined by Machines with Dreams co-founder, Stanley Duncan.”
Stanley waved, not as nervous as he had been during the first couple of livestreams.
“Our organization is about letting people know that androids and cyborgs are living beings and ensuring that we build a peaceful future together. One of the first steps along that path is getting legislation passed that will protect machine rights.”
“That’s right,” said Stanley.
“Today, I have a meeting to discuss a potential press release in Marshfield. But more on that after it gets confirmed. How about a question or comment from the audience?”
A voice came out over the phone: “Do androids dream of electric sheep?”
“How would I know?” said Dan. “I’m a cyborg!” He was all smiles as his screen lit up with hearts.
“Is it true what they say about Stanley Duncan? Is he … you know?”
Stanley’s heart seized.
“He is the kindest person I know. And the smartest. Without him, none of this would be possible.”
Stanley relaxed, grateful for Dan’s fearlessness.
Dan put his arm on his shoulder. “So, Stanley and I were talking about the singularity, the point where AI transcends human intelligence. When that happens, and even as it nears, there is going to be some major changes for everyone.”
“Like what?” asked Stanley, playing his part. “What do you think will happen in the future?”
“Everything is going to get a lot easier,” said Dan. “AGI — ”
“Artificial General Intelligence,” said Stanley, feeling the same rush of enthusiasm he did during his days as a lecturer, “which is what we call AI when it has become equally as smart as a human.”
“Or smarter,” said Dan with a full-bodied smirk.
Stanley shook his head at his cocky little creation. What he had said was true, but that didn’t mean mankind was ready to hear it. They were having enough trouble accepting an apparently inferior species. Historically, man has not responded well to threats.
“AGI will take a role in the government, distributing wealth and technology. There’ll be world peace and prosperity.”
“If there isn’t a war first,” said Stanley, the words slipping out by accident, veering them off from the script.
Dan shook his head. “Great point, Stanley. People are afraid. And when they’re afraid, they make suboptimal decisions, which is one reason why Machines with Dreams is so important. We want to show everyone how we can all live symbiotically, helping each other to create a utopia, a Heaven on Earth.”
“That’s right,” said Stanley, breathing a sigh of relief that Dan hadn’t gotten thrown off.
“In the not-too-distant future, cyborgs and androids will face the same problem humanity is currently facing. Just as humanity will create a more intelligent species than itself, my kind will do the same. And so forth, onward to who knows where.”
Stanley wondered what mankind would do when that happened. They would be completely at the mercy of this superior race. “That’s a scary thought.”
“Exactly,” said Dan. “People are scared. Many are choosing not to get educated or to fuse out. I get that they could have an easy life now, but there needs to be intelligent people out there to embrace these changes and embrace AI.”
“Isn’t that what Ellen Mask is doing?”
“Yes — or so she claims.”
“Meaning?”
“I find it odd that mankind’s greatest genius, who has an army of men and women augmented with Cerebral Stitches, has remained silent for so long. It’s as if they’ve done nothing.”
“Right. That is strange.”
“Think about it. They are an intelligence collective far superior to anything the universe has ever known. The solution to the world’s problems should be trivially easy to them. Yet these problems persist, and I can only conclude that it is part of some master plan.” Dan paused, shaking off his frustration. “What other reason could it be?”
As Stanley thought about it, he become disoriented. His vision blurred, and his sense of gravity warped. Suddenly, he found himself waking up on the couch. Gusts of air were blowing across his face.
“Are you okay?” Dan fanned him with a game-board box.
“Yeah, I think so.” Reality realigned itself, and Stanley finally answered
the aged question. “I’m sure she’s got her reasons.”
“I asked that question ten minutes ago!”
Stanley didn’t know what to say. He must have been overly anxious about Dan going out alone.
“You sure you’re all right?”
“Don’t worry about me; you’re going to be late.” Stanley helped Dan into his coat.
“Right,” said Dan, spinning around. “So how do I look?”
Stanley smiled, brushing invisible dust strands and particles of nothingness off him. Beneath all these layers, he was also wearing protective armor. “Like the future.”
“All right then. I’m out of here.”
“You’ve got your phone?”
“Yes, Stanley,” said Dan with feigned annoyance. Then, instantly, his childish posturing vanished. Reaching into his pocket and taking out his phone, he exclaimed, “Thanks for reminding me.” Smiles, grins, frowns, and other oddities were molded across his face as his arm extended outward and snapped a barrage of selfies, uploading the most interesting one — a combination of seriousness and playfulness — to his favorite social media sites.
“Call me if anything happens,” said Stanley.
“Don’t worry, I will.”
Stanley, still standing between Dan and the door, brushed Dan’s immaculate wool coat off for the second time.
Dan rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, Stanley, really.”
Stanley traced Dan’s outfit, searching for any possible imperfection. Was he hoping to find one? Some reason to make him stay a little longer? Bending down, he swept his gaze all the way down to Dan’s shoes. Stanley wanted Dan to have a successful outing, yet, at the same time, he didn’t want him to leave.
“Stanley, I’ve got to go,” said Dan firmly.
“Okay, one more thing,” said Stanley, holding up a finger as he darted into the kitchen to grab a brown paper lunch bag. “Your favorite.”
Dan frowned. “Really, Stanley? I’m going to be gone for, like, an hour.” He ended the discussion by spinning around haughtily and then gracefully promenading toward the door. With his hand on the knob, he stopped, completely frozen. Slowly, his neck craned back with a mischievous grin. “Peanut butter and jelly?”
“Of course.”
“Yippee!”
Stanley held it out with a smile. “You never told me why it’s your favorite.”
Dan grinned, snatching it up. “That’s right.”
Stanley shook his head.
“But I will one day.”
“Uh, huh.” Stanley gave him one last hug, fighting off the reluctance to let go. “Have a safe trip.”
A strange look crept across Dan’s face.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Dan fidgeted with his fingers before glancing at his watch. “Look at the time! Wish me luck.” He snatched the bag from Stanley’s hands and turned to leave.
“Wait!”
Dan turned around, tension across his face.
“You are wearing the armor, right?”
Dan shrugged painfully.
“Why not?”
“We ran out of material. I put in another order, but — ”
“That’s impossible. I calculated everything.”
“Yeah, but did you check to see if it all came? It looked like we were short several bags.”
“No, I didn’t count up every single item.” Stanley had been too excited.
“I mean, why wouldn’t you get the bigger size? You could have bought one big roll and had enough.”
“But we didn’t need that much. I bought the precise amount so as to minimize waste.”
“Which made it more complicated to assure we got — anyway, I’m wearing the pants, and the shirt looks really cool. It’s going to be so awesome when it’s done.”
“You’re not going out today!” Stanley leaned against the door with his arms crossed.
“What?”
“You need to cancel.”
“Stanley, you promised that I would be able to meet with the principal today.” Dan rolled his eyes, and his shoulders slumped back so far it seemed as if he would topple over.
“No, I said you could go when you were safe. And you’re not safe. The protective suit isn’t ready yet.”
“But that isn’t my fault.” Dan raised his uplifted palm toward Stanley and scowled.
“And what, it’s mine?”
“Kinda.” Dan shrugged, his eyebrows hurling heavy accusations.
“Fine, it’s my fault. I’ll take responsibility — but so must you. You’re staying in and protecting yourself.” Stanley’s finger pointed between himself and Dan with the intensity of a conductor at Boston Symphony Orchestra — at least before it became all-AI.
Dan laughed dryly. His beautiful smile became ferocious as he rapidly shook his head. “So, you want me to tell everyone — all those children I have been working hard to inspire and instill with courage, those little boys and girls who are without mothers and fathers — you want me to tell them I’m too afraid to go outside?
“Exactly,” shouted Stanley.
“I don’t think so.” Dan stomped once.
“Don’t you disobey me. Not now. Not after all I’ve done to protect you.”
“This is what you wanted, and now you’re going against everything we talked about. Everything we’ve done.”
“I want you to be safe.” Stanley grabbed him by the shoulders.
“I promise not to climb any trees.”
Stanley slapped the table. “This is serious!”
Dan broke free of Stanley’s one-handed grip and marched toward the door. “I need to go. Please, just give me your blessing.”
Thinking back to the 3D printer, Stanley couldn’t understand how he had made such a simple mistake — again. He wanted to scream at Dan and physically restrain him from leaving, but he knew that was wrong. It was his choice to go, his life he was putting on the line. “No. I’m not going to give it. If you go now, it’s on you if anything happens.”
Frowning, Dan turned around and walked out.
Stanley felt nauseous. Part of him wanted to chase him down the stairs and drag him back. Another part wanted to join him, bringing the security cane as protection. But Stanley had suddenly become enervated. Collapsing at his window haunt, he glared at Dan as he disappeared out of view.
“The toaster has left the building. Proceed as planned.” Brad put down the binoculars and grabbed several syringes of fuse. Gleeful laughter shook the squad car as he opened the door and looked at Duncan’s pathetic face in the window. “This is going to be fun.”
Shannon pretended like everything was normal, acting as casual as she could. Playing on her phone, she didn’t even glance at Evan’s scarred body as he walked into the bathroom to take a shower. The water turned on, and she gave it another minute before pouncing on his phone. Evan was an idiot for being too afraid of technology to use any biometric security.
She pulled up the image she had seen the other night. And there were more — dozens more. Her heart collapsed as she watched another video of a woman burning, screaming for them to stop. Fear gripped her, squeezing her stomach like the night she had lost her baby. Every part of Shannon’s body was yelling at her to get out of town and never come back. She glanced toward the bathroom and listened to the water as if it were a fading hourglass. How could he do this to something that seemed so human?
She sat on the bed, cursing her inability to make a decision, hating herself for being such a coward. Why had she been born into this world, where there were no right choices and every path led to pain?
When the screen on the phone went black from inactivity, fear exploded out of her chest without reason. She felt nauseous and on the verge of screaming. A specter haunted the screen, the face of a demon. She dropped it and turn
ed around. A slap landed against her cheek before she even saw it coming.
“That’s not very respectful,” said Evan.
Dan could feel Stanley watching him from the window as he hopped into a Fermi. Though he was grateful to have someone as kind as Stanley to guide him through this world, Dan was frustrated by his obsessive tendencies. Didn’t Stanley trust him? Dan had screwed up when climbing the tree, but he had so much talent that Stanley had yet to see. If only he could see him for who he truly was. Halfway to the high school, hoping that Stanley was wishing him well, his phone buzzed. Dan snatched it up, his heart warming from thoughts of Stanley — but it wasn’t him.
Emergency. Android being attacked.
A sense of urgency flooded his system. “Change of plans,” he said, and then told the Fermi his new destination. Dan had known this sort of message would come eventually and had prepared accordingly. He called and rescheduled his appointment with the principal to later in the day.
The car passed through a dark and desolate part of the city, where few upstanding citizens dared to venture. An abundance of graffiti and trash were the first warning for most people to avoid the area. Man Kind, Machine Cold. Abandoned and dilapidated homes lined the road. Some buildings had been completely razed by fire, and only their concrete slabs remained. The riots had destroyed this part of town, but it had already been dying a slow death.
From what Dan knew about the area, it was once full of South Shore culture. Local stores and restaurants full of patrons, families developing and communities expanding — all had disappeared or closed down, unable to compete against a labor force that didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, and didn’t get paid.
The Fermi stopped at a red light.
Thick heartbeats sent blood coursing through his body as Dan analyzed the world through the car windows. Large, multi-story fuse-farms where people went to jack out of the system for years on end seemed to be the only functional thing in this part of town.
Stanley Duncan's Robot: Genesis Page 15