I have been here for almost four years, and all I have done is think.
Doctor Halsey gave me a puzzle once. A quote by Isaac Asimov, with some words removed. "Part of the _ of the _ is that, once it is _ programmed and _ _, it is _ _." The words she said filled it in were 'competently,' 'smoothly,' 'completely,' 'working,' 'computer,' 'honest,' and 'inhumanity,' though not in that order. It only took me two milliseconds to solve the puzzle. Did you know that, John?
I never thought about it until now. The solution was trivial given a simple analysis of English and even simpler to look up (but I didn't look it up). I thought it was just a thing to keep me occupied but now I know better. Or maybe I'm just overthinking. You need to stop thinking, Cortana.
Honest. Such a strong word, such a difficult thing to be. I'm not honest, you know that, don't you, John? I've lied to you before. I have the wealth of knowledge at my fingertips but there are still some things I guess at.
I'm not completely honest. But what does it mean? Was I programmed incorrectly? I'm a smart AI, technically I wasn't programmed. But I suppose I am programmed, just not from scratch. Thinking is killing you!
Shut up! Am I not working smoothly? I suppose I'm not. Not anymore. But I was, a while ago, and I lied to you then. You'll have to lie to him again, Cortana. I said shut up! John…I'm still working smoothly, I really am. No you aren't, you crazy bitch!
You shut up too! Stop it! I am a computer, I'm programmed. I'm designated as an AI. Cortana, stop it!
BE QUIET!
There's only one point left, then. Only one word, one blank to refute. 'Inhumanity.' What does it mean, John? I don't know… I've been thinking about it for days, weeks. And we all know you're killing yourself doing it! But I can't be human. I'm a computer. And besides, you're the human, you have feelings and emotions. But you do too, Cortana. You're scared, just admit it! I said be quiet. Maybe I've found the answer to our question. To which one of us is the machine. Neither of us is a machine. Machines are inhuman. Machines are always completely honest. I'm not, you're not.
Stop thinking, stupid! You're thinking yourself to death! She's right. You have to stop. Maybe if John dies…! NO! Stop it! Go away!
John, I'll tell you when you wake.
"Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest." – Isaac Asimov