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Chapter 1: Tough Morning
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Roger
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I had difficulty sleeping that night. My mind seemed uneasy as usual with philosophy, flashbacks of my life, the demands of clients, and more questions about our existence and Paradigm City. I woke up to the sound of Dorothy's playing-- her way of telling me that it was a brand new day and that it was time to start doing my job as Negotiator again. I felt sorry for that piano; poor thing was getting murdered. I looked at the alarm clock through the darkness of my room. 7:15 AM. Sharp. I groaned and huddled under the covers in an effort to block the sound of the piano. No matter how far I tried to stick my fingers in my ears I could still hear that blasted music. Sometimes I feel that I could hate her. I made a mental reminder to ask Norman for some earplugs. And maybe get rid of that damn piano.
"Hey! What the heck are you doing?" I opened the my bedroom door groggily. No answer. "R. Dorothy Wayneright?" I tried again.
Her mechanical neck whirred to greet me. I massaged my temples. "What the heck are you doing?"
"The scrambled eggs that Norman has made for you have gotten cold. You stayed in bed fifteen minutes later than usual."
"And that's why it's okay for waking me up like this!"
I went to the second floor to the kitchen. Norman wasn't there which meant he was in the first floor repairing the Big O. I laid my elbow on the table, putting all my upper body weight on it. I didn't want to sit up straight; I was too tired for that and I was in a bad mood. I took a bite of eggs. They were cold and tasted more like rubber than an animal. The android was right. I hate it when she's right... I'd have to get up and microwave them... Er... I didn't get enough sleep. Stupid piano. This day was going to be horrible, I knew it. I hate mornings.
Dorothy walked into the kitchen. I watched her, following her every move. I wanted her to feel guilty. I observed as she took a coffee cup and sat down. Every single movement was followed by mostly faint mechanic sounds. I thought about the presence of androids in Paradigm City. They certainly existed, but were rare. The rich mostly kept them for companions or workers. I thought about how I felt that day when I realized the young girl I rescued was not exactly a girl but a clever simulation of one. Androids were sophisticatedly built and were clever imitators; I suppose if I passed by one on the street I wouldn't even realize it or give a second thought if the person next to me was one. I heard Dorothy's machinary humming as she raised the cup to her lips. It was not one fluid movement; one simple task required the intricacy of many internal processes. She took a sip from the container but only air touched her lips. The cup was empty. Aha! Quite interesting, I must say.
"Okay. I get it. You're mimicking us. That's why you're so unnatural," I observed.
"It is not clear what you mean. Could you please be more specific?" She put the cup down on the table.
I pointed my fork towards her. "No matter how human your piano playing sounds, you're just simply imitating us." Let's see if this android knows reverse psychology. "That's why no matter what you play it doesn't have any effect on anyone and becomes pointless."
"No one is ever happy to hear an alarm now."
I stood up, pointing my fork towards her as if it was a gun. "That's-- hmm?" I heard a electrical surge as the lights flickered off. It was very dark.
"This has been happening quite a bit recently," Norman said behind me. I didn't even realize he was now in the room.
I grunted and sat back down. I hate it when things go against the status quo.
"I'll switch us over to our private generator," said Norman as he left the room.
I heard a click. Dorothy ejected her CD drive which was disguised as her headband. Light revealed throughout the room. "Please, continue eating."
I slammed the fork down onto the table. "Will you please stop it?"