3012: The Artifact

  ~***~

  After a dinner made entirely from a vegetarian menu so Janet wouldn’t experience too much culture shock all at once, Jack found Suzie standing on the roof, where the castle guards would patrol, if this were a castle in medieval times. Finally alone for the first time in days, he said “Suzie, I’m sorry we haven’t had any time together alone. I wanted you to see my castle and hopefully make yourself at home here. But, Janet coming along put a damper on it.”

  Suzie said “Jack, you seem to always forget. I’m a computer program. Yes, I simulate a live person in a rather convincing manner, but I am still only a computer when it comes down to it. My true home is that beat up case you left in the hovercraft. If it were to go away, I would have no choice but to follow. I can only stray but so far from it.”

  Jack said nothing for a while. The two of them gazed out over the pale blue tropical waters of the Caribbean. Eventually, Suzie said “Jack, you need to make me a promise.”

  “Sure, Suzie, anything you want.”

  “You need to promise me that you won’t turn down a relationship with a real woman, when the right one comes along. The more I see Janet and Paul interact together, the more I realize that the relationship we have isn’t healthy for you.”

  “But what about you? I can’t just abandon you.”

  “I’ll always be here, unless my program degrades enough or something happens to my case, or whatever computer I happen to inhabit at the moment. You need not worry about me. Promise me, Jack.”

  “Okay, I promise. I don’t agree with you, but I will make the promise.”

  They stood there well into the evening watching the stars and the water. Occasionally they would see a dolphin playing in the harbor. Eventually, Jack went to bed. On his way, he passed his library and was not at all surprised to find Paul there reading a book. “What have you found in my literary treasure trove, Paul?”

  “Oh, just a history book I had not encountered before. You know, once a scientist, always a scientist. I have been in love with history all of my life and when I see another volume of history I was previously unaware of, I simply can’t resist. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all, help yourself, Paul.”