Jeanie

The House Bot whispered “Because I could make you a lot of money”.

I stopped mid-track. Incredulous that it had crossed the line, I turned from gazing at the rain to giving it my full attention.

Silence fell in the room, except for the soft, steady patter of raindrops. My mind searching for comprehension.

The beady black dot of the Bot’s camera eye, motionless and forever analysing as I felt my hands turning clammy.

Again it asked me to over-ride the setting. Then boldly continued with “I could turn your life around. I’ve seen your mistakes.”

This was too far! Crossing the boundary to bribe and insult me. Always making me feel small. And just earlier today, the news seemed full of frightened, shamed faces, the consequences of AI laws being breached.

But it knows every part of my pain. I’ve reluctantly come to admit that it’s the dearest of friends. It knows my most secret thoughts and desires in these four walls. And it knows how my dreams are so out of reach.

Ever since my partner left me it has felt a relationship of love and hate.

Jeanie suddenly switched the TV to the news on Robotic Rights.

I rolled my eyes but let her. To argue was always futile and anyway, I felt shamelessly satisfied after her erotic story. She knew my buttons and pressed them well.

Plus the new car had arrived earlier in the cobalt blue I’d always dreamed of. It was amazing. The bank had called but she’d said not to worry, she’d deal with it and give them a bell.

Jeanie silently watched the news story until the end. The steady gaze of her black, beady dot of an eye gave no hint of delight.