“It’s the way of the world though,” Valerie cleared her throat before taking another sip. “We’re far too reliant on our devices. I’m not surprised that sort of thing hasn’t happened sooner.”
“I’ll admit that they have improved our way of living,” Ursula nodded. “Even a bum can get a job now that he has an android companion searching the streets for him. He doesn’t have to worry about can-collecting and he can actually focus on bettering his life. Though there are always the few that just use the robot to simply find ways to get their next fix. One step forward, two steps back.”
“At least they know their place. It’s not like SOME humans. I don’t have to worry about my staff turning on me.”
“So you say,” Ursula whispered, leaning in. “Have you heard about the mall incident in Triton City? Apparently, an android launched an attack during the midnight launch of that new…um, what is it called again?”
“Universe X,” Lydia spoke up proudly. “And it was only for the ticket stubs.” Her mother promptly slapped her across the cheek.
“Thank you,” Valerie stated. “But don’t speak unless you’re addressed. I swear, she gets worse every day.”
“Don’t I know it,” her mother’s friend replied. “I can see it all over her. She probably thinks the androids are her friends or some rubbish.”
“No, not my Lydia,” Valerie scoffed. “Tell her, Lydia, and you are allowed to be honest now. What do you think of the androids? Are they tools or people?”
“Neither,” Lydia said with a gulp as she ran her fingers through her short black hair. “I think they should be treated with respect because of how much they help us, but they shouldn’t be regarded as people either, because their composition is different. It’s like my teacher said in school. You can’t teach every student the same way because we all learn differently. If human beings can be treated as individuals, then androids should be too.”
“Well, there you go,” Ursula said, leaning back in her wooden chair.
“She didn’t explain anything,” Valerie said with a scowl. “It didn’t even make sense. Lydia, please think before you speak. You sound like your daddy.”
“Papa’s smart,” Lydia retorted. “I consider that a compliment!”
Valerie raised her hand to slap her but Ursula grabbed her friend’s wrist.
“I say to let it go, Val. We often don’t let the little orphan speak. Maybe we should do it more often. Let her continue. Maybe if she mouths off enough, we can learn what your husband actually does at night.”
“You know he’s working.”
“Mm-hmm. We’ll see. Let the girl speak.”
“If you say so,” Valerie said as Ursula eyed Lydia suspiciously. “Go ahead, daughter. What else do you think about the androids?”
“I don’t see anything wrong with them really,” she said nervously. “Like you said, we wouldn’t even be here if not for their contribution. We probably wouldn’t even have this house. Everyone was beginning to suffer. Even the wealthy considered leaving the country.”
“Do you remember that?” Ursula laughed. “We were getting ready to go to South America of all places?”
“Michael still talks about it as a possibility,” Valerie rolled her eyes. “I keep telling him that the country is fine. As long as people keep working to buy this new technology, we’ll be okay. Much of A.I Corp’s profit goes right back to the federal government and us. Not to mention the booming international sales! It won’t be long before people start borrowing from us just to buy our latest toy!”
“Have you heard anything about this Universe X? I don’t know what it does exactly, but on the news they said that there have been several new laws passed because of it alone, specifying how it could be used. It was all very confusing.”
“Well, that boy over on Dobbs Street was at the launch. Didn’t he get one?”
“Believe it or not, that was just for a ticket, remember? It ensures you are guaranteed one in a couple weeks. As if they were all standing in line at the deli.”
“Can’t they pre-order it?”
“They could, but having a crowd line up and fill up the parking lot is probably good press for them. It almost made me want to get one. Even so, I still don’t know what it is or what it does. Do you know, Lydia?”
“It’s more than just a gadget,” she said, her eyes shifting towards her mother’s unrestrained hand. “It’s an enhancement.”
“Like exfoliating the skin?” Ursula asked curiously. “Make-up?”
“Um…no…more like an upgrade to the human body.”
“What?”
“It…it uses the chemicals in your body, infuses them with the technology of Universe X, and then pumps it back into your bloodstream with nanotechnology. I’m not an engineer so it’s hard to explain with technical terms, but basically, it makes you stronger or faster, or you can think clearer—it all depends on which of the five models you buy and what software and programs you purchase with it. It attaches to your skin and looks more like a tattoo than a device of any kind. It’s this steel ring that is inserted just beneath you skin, right on your shoulder, and it—”
“That’s enough,” Ursula said in disgust. “Forget that I asked…please tell me you’re lying.”
“I’m not,” Lydia admitted. Ursula took a large gulp of tea.
“So they’re trying to turn people into androids now?” Valerie said in awe.
“No wonder no one’s doing anything in New Jefferson,” Ursula scoffed. “They want to turn us all into their indentured servants. What’s stopping this technology from just taking over our minds?”
“There are laws protecting that,” Lydia said. “A.I Corp is forbidden to make that kind of tech or they’ll be disbanded and destroyed.”
“You think A.I Corp cares?” Valerie spat back. “They’ll already have their money and be long gone by the time we’re turned into slaves. Why didn’t you tell me about all of this sooner?”
“I—you never asked,” Lydia stammered. “And I didn’t think it was an issue. Everyone is so excited about it, even adults. I heard a kid just the other day talking about how he was going to become a superhero when he gets it for Christmas. If anything, isn’t this a way that we could fight against the androids?”
“Nice try,” Valerie scoffed. “Trying to turn the subject. No, this is even worse than those appliances. Makes me wonder if A.I Corp hasn’t been taken over by machines itself.”
“Or your daughter,” Ursula offered, leaning back in her chair and staring at Lydia with squinted eyes. Valerie frowned and looked back and forth between them.
“What do you mean?” Valerie demanded.
“She’s adopted right?”
“So?”
“Well, then it isn’t impossible. It’s not like you gave birth to her.”
“Ursula…what are you talking about? You’ve never mentioned this to me before.”
“Oh, I’ve always thought about it. I just never brought it up. I usually forget about asking because she’s usually off somewhere. You know, out of sight. Out of mind. Do me a favor though. Can you go to the refrigerator and begin making us some sandwiches? A dozen should do.”
“A dozen? Why so many?”
“Because Lydia will be eating ten of them. Androids are known to be unable to eat large quantities of food. It would mess with their system.”
“Even I wouldn’t be able to eat ten sandwiches. That hardly makes me an android.”
“Please, Val. If you don’t mind. In the meantime, I’ll just ask her a few questions. I won’t be harsh, and tell me you’ve never thought about this. Do you even know who her birth parents were? What hospital was she was born in? I mean, Michael just brought her home one day, saying how she was the perfect addition to the family. Strange, considering you wanted a younger daughter.”
“I’m fine with a teenager though, and Lydia was so polite and—”
“But you weren’t involved in the choosing, were you?”
> “Well, no, but that would mean Michael might have purposely chose—”
“Can’t we test her out?”
“But we’ve done blood work. We’ve gotten DNA samples.”
“That means nothing. She could have faked them.”
“I don’t see how…”
“Just make the sandwiches please.”
Valerie obeyed as Lydia stared back at her in disbelief.
“Momma, you can’t be serious! I’m not an android!”
“Just answer Ursula’s questions, dear. I know you’re not an android. But I would like to alleviate my friend’s fears all the same. No need for mistrust in our relationship.”
Lydia’s jaw dropped in shock as she fidgeted back into a seating position, facing her interrogator. Ursula was smiling in anticipation.
“Well, Lydia, let’s begin. What do you remember of your childhood?”
“Um…not much. I remember fighting with the other children,” she said nervously as her mother silently prepared the sandwiches.
“Good heavens! What for?”
“I don’t remember. I just recall that it was dark and damp. There wasn’t much food.”
“How convenient.”
“I’m not an android,” she stated flatly. Ursula curled the top of her lip.
“So you’ve been at this orphanage basically all your life?”
“I have,” she said adamantly. “You can ask them.”
“It would do no good. There’s such high turnover rates there that the former staff would have no real idea whether you were there the whole time or not. You are probably more of a number to them than a person. Do you have proof that you were there as a child? Photos? Documents? Androids can’t grow after all.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Interesting. So what do you dream about?”
“I don’t dream.”
“Are you sure? Because that would make you an android. Android don’t dream. It’s been proven and relayed to the public.”
“There are people who don’t dream.”
“But have you ever dreamed? Ever? Or is it nothing but darkness? Do you even sleep? You might as well tell us the truth now before we come to it and the situation gets worse for you. Valerie, why did Michael choose this child over the others again?”
“She looked like a lady,” Valerie replied with a whisper. “The other children were dirty and unkempt. Lydia took care of herself and showed promise. And for the record, young ladies don’t eat ten sandwiches.”
“Dirt can be washed away,” Ursula snapped, looking directly at Lydia. “Changing what’s on the inside is far more difficult.”
“So what do you propose?” Lydia shot back. “Bloodletting?”
“My, what a temper! Why are you losing your lady-like composure? Is it because we’ve come upon the truth? Is it because you’ll be sent away to a place worse than the orphanage? Perhaps you’ll be dismantled by A.I Corp. A defective thing like you will never…”
Lydia reached across the table and went to slap Ursula but she dodged the attempt, reached into the purse at her side and produced a steak knife. She waved it around menacingly as Lydia sat back into her seat slowly. Valerie hardly budged upon her daughter’s attack, or Ursula’s weapon. She simply carried over a platter of triangular turkey and cheese sandwiches.
“Dig in,” she said as Ursula snatched one and nibbled at one of its end.
“Mmm. Delicious. Lydia, why don’t you try one?”
“Just one?” she sulked. “Are you sure it’s not ten?”
“One for now will do.”
Lydia gobbled down two halves in only a few bites, practically shoving it down her throat as they watched. Lydia felt sick, but she kept going, shoving half after half into her stomach, making Ursula snicker in amusement.
“This is ridiculous,” Valerie said finally, putting her hand on Lydia’s shoulder. “Just stop. Ursula, this isn’t going to accomplish a thing. Even if she devours the entire platter, it won’t prove anything. Android or not, she’s going to throw it up. You know that.”
“I’m just seeing if she had something to prove,” Ursula snickered. “I wanted to see if she would try hard to keep the truth concealed. She didn’t disappoint.”
Lydia shot up from her seat and spat the concoction in her mouth right at her mother’s friend, spraying her with chewed up bread and turkey. Ursula was unfazed and instead stood up to face her, holding the knife in a defensive position. As soon as she saw that Lydia was turning to leave, she struck, aiming right for her head. Lydia swiveled her head around and caught her assailant’s wrist. Ursula’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden movement, but her surprise quickly dissipated into a grin.
“Where did you learn a little move like that?” Ursula snickered.
“I grew up in a hostile orphanage, remember? It wasn’t until I was fifteen that my mother and father saved me. I’m not about to lose them now because you’re being paranoid. Why don’t you stab the two robots living in your house? Apparently, you have an itch that needs scratching.”
Lydia let Ursula go as Valerie stood up and faced her friend.
“Get out my house,” she demanded, pointing a finger in her face. “And I don’t want to see you again. You have no right accusing my daughter of being an android, you wrinkled old hag.”
“I’m not the one wearing foundation,” she said flatly as Valerie pointed toward the door. Lydia crossed her arms and leaned up against the wall as Ursula cleared her throat and picked up her purse, the knife still in her other hand. “Well, I can see when I’m unwanted. I’ll be going.”
Ursula circled around the table, walking slowly as she kept a wary eye on Lydia. Lydia dropped her gaze but as soon as she did, she sensed the danger. Ursula had leapt forward with her knife, but to her shock, it wasn’t toward her, but her mother! Lydia thrust herself in the way and received a large gash down the side of her arm, extending from shoulder to wrist. Lydia clutched it tight but no one came to her aid. They were too busy staring at the glint of sunlight reflecting off the metal underneath. Once Lydia realized what they were both staring at, she felt like fainting. If she could cry, she would have.
But everyone knew that androids didn’t cry. They weren’t designed to.
“Momma,” Lydia pleaded, but Valerie backed away and bumped into the table. Ursula chuckled to herself and placed the steak knife in her friend’s hand.
“You’ll need this more than I will,” she whispered into her ear. “After all, I’m not the one with an imposter posing as my daughter, living in my house, sucking up my resources, and laughing to herself the entire time over how much she’s bamboozled you.”
“No, it’s not like that!” Lydia screamed as Valerie poised the knife for an attack. Lydia backed off with a grimace on her face, watching her mother’s face flush with rage. She had been slapped by this woman many times over the past few years, but she had never seen the look that now consumed her countenance. She could only imagine what she would do now that the truth had been exposed.
“Get upstairs,” her mother demanded. “Go to your room. I’ll make the call from there.”
“Call who, Momma?” Lydia cried out. “Don’t do this. Just let me explain.”
“You can explain while they’re on their way,” she said flatly, waving the knife forward and signaling her to get moving. Ursula tapped her mother on the shoulder.
“Mind if I tag along?”
“Why not?” Valerie said without hesitation. “You’re the one who saw through her.”
“I’m not going anywhere with her!” Lydia shouted as Valerie turned to her friend.
“There’s a revolver in the cabinet behind the counter. Bottom drawer. There’s a loose floorboard underneath. Grab it.”
“Gladly,” Ursula replied as she went to retrieve it. Lydia couldn’t believe what was happening, but realizing the possibility of Ursula “accidentally” firing the gun, she quickly changed her thoughts of persuasion to that of escape. Valerie
sighed and turned back to her.
“How could you do this to me?” she cried. “Do you know how embarrassing this is? I’ll be the laughingstock of the whole neighborhood! How could you have kept this from me all this time! Wait until your father finds out! You’ll wish you were still at the orphanage!”
Lydia relaxed her face and glanced over at Ursula, who was just removing the boards. If she was going to act, it had to be now. With a heavy sigh, Lydia slapped the knife from her mother’s hands with inhuman strength and turned to run out the house. There was a long corridor she had to go through in order to reach the entrance, but she was sure her speed would carry her to success. But she had no idea how the old hag could be so quick.
She was only half-way down the hall when Ursula appeared around the corner behind her, aiming the revolver at her head like she was an expert marksman. The revolver fired off, and though she missed, the bullet still managed to lodge into her back, about where her kidneys would be. The impact made her trip over her feet for a second, but she regained her balance and sprinted faster, narrowly missing a few more bullets that plastered themselves into the wallpaper. Lydia burst through the door like a wrecking ball, jumping over their meager porch and out onto the grass, veering off to the right, and jumping over their neighbor’s iron gated fence.
She didn’t look back.
She just ran, as fast as she could from a life she could never return to.
She wasn’t worried about herself because she could do without the necessities of humans, but her thoughts were with the other orphans that had been adopted, for surely there would be a cleansing and evaluation now. None of them were safe, and whether they were androids or not, she was sure the parents would throw them away regardless.
Because to them, their adopted children weren’t even of their own blood, their own flesh…it was sad, but…it was like they weren’t even human.
Lydia shuddered from the thought and dabbed a finger at the wound on her back. She winced at the sight of artificial blood and wiped it on her dress. She kept on running.
The Works of Julius St. Clair - 2017 Edition (Includes 3 full novels and more) Page 86
