"Michael, am I old?" Kitt's voice is soft. He is currently on AUTO CRUISE while Michael settles in his seat, ready to sleep. It's 10 p.m., and instead of staying in a motel room for the night, Michael chooses for Kitt and him to continue driving. Both he and Kitt are anxious to get back home. It's been two weeks on an assignment they just completed.
"What brought this on, pal? You're not old." Michael raises his right eyebrow and curious about why his best friend would choose this time to ask such a question.
The both of them have been best friends for over twenty years now. The pair have been through thick and thin working for FLAG.
One is a human still in fine physical condition for a man his age.
The other is a technological wonder - a wholly sentient computer with emotions - still ahead of today's technology. Right now, Kitt feels inadequate.
"I don't know, Michael. I feel I'm out of touch with time. There's been so many changes over the past two decades." The AI is nostalgic. "When my CPU was created by Wilton, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, the Internet, Google, and more didn't exist." Kitt lights up his monitor, and there are all the inventions of the past twenty years. "Now you access various sources of information, I alone could do at one point. I feel useless." The AI's voice becomes even quieter.
'Time to nip this in the bud.' Michael thought and tried to find what else to say to the most important person. Yes! Person in his life. "Kitt, to me, you're ageless. As far as I know, you are still the only wholly sentient computer in the world." Michael pauses to think about more things to say to reassure his best friend. "You never will be useless, especially to me. You saved my sorry ass more times than I can think of." He jokingly said, "Only you can turbo boost."
"Really, Michael." Kitt's voice is quiet with disapproval. He's still feeling down.
"Bad joke. I'm sorry, pal. You're the best. Never forget it." Michael explains, "It's not only about the things you can do. It's also how you learn to accept anything new. You adapted to new technology on your own. Pre-programming was not required. You have unlimited capabilities as well as your vast knowledge and emotions. You're not just a mere machine." Michael looks straight at Kitt's voice modulator and smiles, "To me, you're a person."
"Thank you, Michael." Kitt is feeling better.
Michael continues to smile, "You're the most human-like personality I've ever known, pal." He pats the dash. "You're also my best friend, and I love you." More pats. "No more feeling useless. I will always need you."
The AI accepts Michael's explanation and is relieved that he's still useful, especially for his best friend. "Get some sleep, Michael. I'll wake you up at the usual time." Kitt's voice is gentle, "Even Michael Knight needs an alarm clock." The computer laughs at his joke with static within the cabin.
"Har har, pal. Good one." Michael closes his eyes, happy to know his best friend will remain by his side.
