Marius the Weaver, has fallen in love with Ingrid - Intelligent Nano-generated Robotic Droid. She has feelings for him too but questions (because she’s intelligent, remember) whether or not they can be together. In a quiet moment in the Weaver’s workshop, the following conversation takes place.
Marius cupped Ingrid’s face in his hands.
‘Look at me.’
She was shaking her head, ‘No, I cannot.’
‘Ingrid, do you love me?’ Her head became still, but she did not look up. She whispered, ‘Yes Marius.’
‘I will not lose you, Ingrid.’
‘I’m not real, Marius.'
‘Then how have you made me real? How, if you are not real?’
'You were always real, Marius. You were just hiding, but I am an android.'
‘Are those real tears?’ Marius asked.
‘Programmed to be released when…’
‘When what? Your emotion capacitors kick in?’
‘You know me too well.’
‘Yes. I know you and I love you Ingrid.
He released her face and drew all of her into his chest to hold her close. He stroked her hair.
‘It’s a wig.’ She said as he played with the strands cascading down her back.
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘My heart is cogs and wheels and wires,’
‘And they turn for me.’
‘My eyes are silicon blend.’
‘And still you see me.’
‘My skin is a bio-alloy.’
‘And yet you can feel this.’ He caressed her forearm.
She nodded
‘It’s titanium inside.’
‘And yet you are holding me.’
‘My head is all cogs and wheels and nanobytes.’
‘And still you are confused.’
She laughed aloud at that and her eyes met his.
He said, ‘See, and that laugh tells me you are real.’
They were silent together in each other's presence before Marius asked,
‘And what do those nano bytes tell you?’
For her answer, she raised her face and met his mouth with her polymer lips.
Hey Rae, I love this...the humour, the steampunk feel, the dialogue (except they use each other's names too much). Robots with loving feelings...very 21st century. ‘My heart is cogs and wheels and wires...’ I can relate to that at times...
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting for WEP. Your stories are always off-the-wall intriguing.
Denise
Thanks Denise. I had not noticed about the names. I will remember that when I am inserting the scene into my longer story.
DeleteThis is so sharp and funny and sweet at the same time. It reminded me of an Indian poet, loosely paraphrasing here - no-one is safe from the snares of love. Not even robots and hearts of cogs and wheels.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Nilanjana.
Thanks Nilanjana. I don't get funny as I write and I never think I will entertain readers, but I am glad it turns out that way.
DeleteAh, I love this as any scifi writer would. It reminded me of a well known scifi author's take on robot love. A human needs interaction and a robot can help with that. How is that any different than the love an animal gives us?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting take on romance, well done. The dialogue is succinct!
Hi DG. Thanks for that perspective, I hadn't thought about the pet side of things.
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ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Robot love!
ReplyDeleteSo you did your post scifi? Yeah, I gave scifi a try this time too, but not with robots.
Come read my post and see what you think.
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's WEP-Challenge for June 2014
Hi Anna, On my way to yours very soon. I am in the middle of a sic-fi /fantasy/steampunk mashup with a longer story I am writing so it's the way of things at the moment, although has always been my fav. genre.
ReplyDeleteHi Raelene
ReplyDeleteOriginal and so much fun. I love how she loves him and he her. Well written.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy
DeleteThere is an ironic humour subtly blended in your writing which I enjoy. Do robots have souls as well as a heart? It is an intriguing concept.
ReplyDeleteSure is. Do you think I could do the story from Ingrid's point of view, considering she is a robot?
DeleteThis is cute and original and thought-provoking. You've got something here.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hope to develop a longer story of which these two are just a couple of characters among others.
DeleteOh boy! This was fascinating and very well done using really good dialog. Wow. Enjoyed this immensely!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteSomeday, robotics will mimic human emotion. Just a matter of time. Hopefully real humans won't be totally replaced.
ReplyDeleteThis was nicely written Raelene. Excellent use of dialogue to convey emotion.
A bit like motion capture in the movies, still need humans even though the CGI then takes over. Thanks for your comments Donna.
DeleteThis is romantic and sad at the same time, I love how you just used dialogue to tell their story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura,
DeleteHey Rae, back for a second reading since it's a prize month. I'll be posting a wrap up tomorrow...D
ReplyDeleteThis was lovely - scary that robots are that lovable, but lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled you've signed up for the latest challenge with the WEP!
Hi Rae! Just popping by to say hello. Glad to have you back at WEP. :-)
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