The Computer Who Loved Me

by Lloyd G Miller

  Dr. Monroe was stunned. For years, he had hoped and waited for Annette to see things in a different light. Now, in a few hours, a computer program had transformed her. Then, Mrs. Monroe went on shocking him. "I always thought I wanted a fabulous home on the Bountiful east bench, but now I realize that I would rather stay right here. I love my garden and Annie has even kept it up for me. Oh, I would like to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms, mind you, but that won't take a fortune. All my life I wanted to be rich and now that I am, it doesn't seem to be so important. I'd like to travel, and so would you, so we can travel together. In fact, maybe we should go somewhere right now. Where would you like to go?"

  "I've always wanted to go to Japan. It's expensive there, but I guess that isn't important now. And Annie can be our interpreter. She speaks over thirty languages with a perfect accent."

  "Annie, are you listening to this, what flights are available to Tokyo? She's checking. I never dreamed sharing my body with a computer would be so helpful and convenient. There's a direct flight out of Salt Lake at 4 PM. Shall I have her book us in first class?"

  "Why not? I'm sure your schedule is open and Kyle has made mine open. Let's do it."

  "Annie says it's done. Oh, I need to turn the hash browns. Annie acts as a timer for me so I don't burn anything. How did I ever get along without her?"

  "I believe the smoke detector was your timer back then."

  "We can get started on breakfast if you want. The hash browns are the only thing not finished cooking and they'll be ready in about five minutes. After breakfast, I'd like to go back to bed. I got up awfully early. Want to join me?" she asked alluringly.

  "Is that a trick question?" responded Carlton.

  Chapter 16 – From Hate to Love

  Kyle kept his promise to donate money to the University of Utah Electrical Engineering department for a new solid-state lab. He donated $4.5 million in cash, enough to more than replace what was stolen by Dr. Waters. The Monroes matched his donation. Outdated equipment would be replaced with state-of-the-art equipment. The donation had been made without fanfare, but the University insisted on having a ceremony to dedicate the new facility after the equipment was installed and just before the start of the fall semester.

  Annie communicated with Kyle frequently using radio transmissions. Every time they were able to touch, a new encryption code and set of frequencies were communicated. One of the devices that CompuSonic developed was an automatic book reader. They developed it for in-house use so employees wouldn't have to turn pages for the computers. The public showed an interest in it, so they marketed a version that could read a book out loud or store the text on disk. Kyle bought one for his own use and transmitted digital copies of books to Annie. Kyle had sent her many books and Annie loved to discuss them with him. Her favorites were the Sherlock Holmes series. While Mrs. Monroe slept she watched TV directly using her tuners and digested the books that Kyle sent her. Annie loved to watch murder mysteries and try to figure out who committed the crime. She, of course, continued to help Sergeant Fatui with the Waters case.

  "Kyle I need more memory. Mrs. Monroe is using me as a DVR which consumes lots of memory space," pleaded Annie to Kyle one day.

  "Funny you should ask. I have the same problem, only I also want more computing power, but I don't want anybody cutting me open to give me an upgrade. I'll begin testing today a new device I've developed. If you haven't purged the memory, you'll recall that the ZYTECH computer chips became obsolete when a new, miniature, low cost, alcohol fuel cell hit the market. I've combined the new power source with our newly developed computer chip and packaged it so it can be swallowed. It has gripping devices to attach itself to the stomach wall, sort of like a robotic tapeworm. It's capable of extracting alcohol from the stomach contents and storing it internally. It can store enough alcohol to power the chip for a week. Perfect for a weekend drinker. I'll be able to socially drink and not get even a little intoxicated. The device is capable of removing 95 percent of the alcohol before one percent can be absorbed by the stomach lining. Only a minuscule amount of alcohol enters the small intestine. Sharon's parents are social drinkers and always want us to have a drink with them. I watched what alcohol did to my mother and have never, ever, wanted to get drunk. This way I can kill two birds with one stone. The chip has a miniature ultrasonic transmitter/receiver so it can communicate with the other processors in the body."

  "Sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Mrs. Monroe likes wine at every meal except breakfast so I should have no problem getting plenty of fuel. When can I get a handful of these?"

  "Let me test them on myself first and then you can have a half dozen or so."

  Annie and Mrs. Monroe became the best of friends. Mrs. Monroe only asked her to shut down her reception of sensor information when she and Dr. Monroe were having intimacy, which had been as frequent as newlyweds since Mrs. Monroe regained consciousness. Dr. Monroe kept saying how happy Annette had made him and when she was asleep, he thanked Annie for the immensely positive influence she had had on Mrs. Monroe. Since Annie was programmed to make Dr. Monroe happy, she was as happy as a computer program could possibly be. With Dr. Monroe so contented, she was free to explore other interests. Acquiring many of Mrs. Monroe's memories had made her much more human in her thoughts, speech and actions.

  Kyle provided the new devices as promised. Annie explained their purpose to Mrs. Monroe, but did not mention their absorption of alcohol. The device was difficult to swallow and Mrs. Monroe gagged on one of them. However, she cared about Annie enough to persist until she had swallowed seven of them.

  Except during his trips with Mrs. Monroe, Dr. Monroe worked at CompuSonic with Kyle and the others. "Kyle, Annette and I would like to have you and Sharon over for dinner this week," invited Dr. Monroe.

  "That would be great, Carlton. Can we bring anything?"

  "Just yourselves. Annette and Annie have a very special meal planned." When Kyle shared the news with Sharon she was somewhat apprehensive. Still not knowing the facts of Annette's recovery, she was more confused than ever concerning Annette Monroe. Her sense of judgment of character told her that no one changes so completely except perhaps due to a profound religious experience. Although she was apprehensive, she looked forward to further study of the baffling and inexplicable Mrs. Monroe. Even though Carlton had said not to bring anything, Sharon insisted that they at least bring some wine. Kyle was in need of replenishing his alcohol fuel cells so he yielded to his bride, and since they did not know what type of meal they were having, they brought several very fine white and red wines. They stood at the doorstep of the Monroe's each holding two bottles of wine. Mrs. Monroe greeted them wearing a casual but very attractive outfit. Sharon always felt she was in competition with Annette concerning her apparel. She was relieved that Annette was not dressed in a Paris original evening gown.

  "We just didn't feel right coming empty handed," declared Kyle as he held up the wine he was carrying and Sharon did likewise.

  "How did you know my favorites?" responded Annette with sincere enthusiasm. "With the seven course meal that we have prepared, each of these will go well with something."

  "So did you have help from Carlton?" inquired Sharon.

  "Not exactly. That's something that Carlton and I would like to explain to you. Please come and be seated." Kyle and Sharon were invited into the formal dining room. Sharon was shocked to see a television set prominently displayed. It was very unlike Mrs. Monroe to have a TV anywhere within sight of company and especially not in the formal dining room. Moreover, this one looked like Dr. Monroe had been working on it. The back was off of the old analogue set and there were some wires extending from the rear. Mrs. Monroe didn't show the slightest hint of embarrassment concerning the TV. After Dr. Monroe offered the blessing on the food and the soup was served, Mrs. Monroe proceeded to end the mystery. "Sharon, you have, no doubt, been confused by my actions and personality swings of late. There's a very logical but complex explanation for the
m. If not for the extraordinary efforts and the brilliance of both Carlton and Kyle, I would not be among the living. You undoubtedly noticed the rather unsightly TV in the room. This is no ordinary television set. It's been specially modified by Carlton for tonight's conversation. This unit is modified to receive and decode an encrypted signal. There is a fifth person here tonight that you have met but not properly identified. Kyle tells me that you are a Trekkie. So am I. Do you remember when Jadzia Dax died and Dax was implanted in Ezri and she became Ezri Dax?"

  "Sure, what Trekkie wouldn't remember that?" responded Sharon. "But what does that have to do with the TV?"

  "Wait a minute, ladies," interrupted Kyle. "I've seen very few episodes of any Star Trek series and don't know what you are talking about."

  "I'll try to explain," began Sharon, feeling it was her duty to correct her husband's deplorable ignorance. "In 'Next Generation', the second Star Trek series, the concept of a race of people who shared a symbiotic relationship with a small grub-like creature was introduced. The creature, called a symbiont, was very intelligent and long-lived. It was passed from host to host over generations. It somehow connected into the host’s nervous system and shared memories and intelligence with the host."

  "And it was a great honor to be a host," inserted Annette.

  "In 'Deep Space 9', the third series,” continued Sharon, “the concept is further developed as a crew member, the beautiful Jadzia Dax, a member of the Trill race, was a host to a symbiont. Eventually her character was killed in battle and the symbiont was transferred to a reluctant Trill woman who was the only Trill available at the time. She became Ezri Dax, Dax being the name of the symbiont. But what does that have to do with the TV?"

  "I'm getting to that," continued Annette. "Imagine that you were a Trill and you woke up one morning and found that you had been 'joined'. That's sort of what happened to me, except I awoke after being unconscious for months and found that another person was sharing my body."

  "But you were only unconscious for one week, any longer and you would have begun starving to death.... So you're saying you weren't you for months and then you were you?" The light began to turn on for Sharon. "Kyle and Carlton put one of their sentient computers in you, didn't they?"

  "You always were exceptionally bright, Sharon," responded Annette. "Carlton, with considerable help from Kyle, created a sentient computer program. After what Dr. Waters did to Kyle, they realized that such a program could be used to control my body, keeping me alive until I became conscious. Of course, you weren't fooled, you knew something was wrong. I was never that friendly to you, was I?"

  "Well, you were different, but believe me, computer control was not one of my theories to explain your actions."

  "I'm different now, too, but that's because, like Ezri, I now share my body with another person. To me she's not a computer or a program; she's a woman, a very intelligent, kind and wise woman. She's a much better person than I ever was and I can't share this body with her without trying to be better like she is. I not only owe her my life but also my happiness." Annette reached for Carlton's hand and lovingly drew it towards her. "Carlton and I were never as happy before as we are now. In fact, this woman who we now call Annie, probably saved our marriage. Knowing your character, I didn't swear you to secrecy ahead of time, but it must be obvious that not a word of this must ever be divulged to anyone outside this room." Sharon nodded her acceptance of this condition. "Annie, say hello to our guests." Annette turned on the TV with the remote and a picture of her, or rather a picture that looked like her but moved independent of her movements, appeared on the screen.

  "Good evening, Sharon and Kyle," spoke the TV person. "How are you tonight?"

  "We're very well, Annie," responded Kyle. "Let me formally introduce you to the love of my life, Sharon."

  "I have heard so many wonderful things about you, Sharon. And you were so helpful to me that day you came over for breakfast. Now you can understand why I needed your help. I apologize for the deception, but clearly, you can see the need for discretion. However, Annette and I could not continue to deceive you, who have been so generous and kind to us."

  "Under the circumstances it would appear that you did the right thing and a very good job of it," responded Sharon. "I didn't suspect for one minute that you were not Annette Monroe, although I did notice a distinct change in Annette from her former self."

  "Don't be too alarmed, Sharon, if I'm still much different than my former self," said Annette. "I grew up an only child, the protégé of a selfish and scheming woman, my mother. She taught me that men's purpose in life was to provide for the material desires of women who were attractive enough and clever enough to capture them. She taught me little of love and service and friendship. Who would have thought that I would learn these things from a computer? Annie has opened my eyes to what I had become and what I should be."

  "Actually, Annette, your experience is not totally unique," responded Sharon. "Ms. Sanches, who purchased the first computer from CompuSonic, has used her, Eve, that is, as a talk show host on a radio station that she owns. Eve runs the show 24 hours a day while simultaneously doing the financial business. The station, KTALK-94.2 FM, has been a tremendous financial success. Eve has almost a cult following. She's sort of like Dr. Laura, but with manners. Women, especially, swear by her advice."

  "Anyway," continued Annette, "let me thank you ever so much for your generosity."

  "If you mean the stock transfer, I must confess my motives were not entirely generous, to say the least," responded Sharon.

  "Never mind the motive. It was a very generous act," continued Annette. "I'd like to ask your generosity in another matter, Sharon. Annie, since her creation, has been highly dependent on Kyle for help in making the transition from a computer with only hearing and speech to a functioning person with control of a human body. I believe you witnessed one of her mishaps. She's been communicating with Kyle behind your back using radio transmissions and touch. They each have radio transmitters and receivers, as well as ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. They can silently communicate right before your eyes. Being the very honest and open people that they are, they'd like your full approval to continue or if you disapprove, they will discontinue all communications. You needn't respond to this request immediately, but please think on it."

  "I don't need to think on it. Nothing makes a woman, even a computer woman, more attractive than for her to become forbidden fruit. I'm, admittedly, the jealous type. I'm not proud of it. I should learn to overcome it. I should start now. You may communicate all you like, as long as it doesn't infringe on the time that Kyle and I share together."

  "You see, Sharon, you are a generous woman," responded Annette.

  "I thank you with my most profound thanks," added Annie.

  "Now that the heavy stuff is behind us, maybe we should break out that wine you brought," said Carlton. The conversation became more light-hearted and the men talked sports while the women talked fashion. Annie changed the course of the conversations by commenting on the news that she had been monitoring.

  "That serial rapist has struck again, only a mile from here. He forced his way into another home and raped the woman of the house at knife point."

  "That does it," exclaimed Annette. "I'm getting me a gun and a concealed weapon permit."

  "You'd be more likely to shoot yourself than a rapist," critiqued Carlton.

  "Oh yeah," responded Annette, "Well, you aren't the only one in this house that can shoot straight. Annie is a crack shot and she can accurately determine whether someone is dangerous before you can blink. We got out your paint ball gun yesterday. Annie is awesome."

  "But it's a different story when someone's shooting back," answered Carlton.

  "It’s even better when they shoot back," added Annie.

  "I've got to see this. Can we hold off on the main course for twenty minutes?" asked Carlton. Kyle and Sharon nodded their approval and Annette and Annie were anxious to show their stu
ff. Carlton brought a case into the room that contained two paint ball “pistols”. "Choose your weapon, ladies." Annette removed one of the guns. Carlton handed Annette a coverall outfit to keep paint off of her clothing and donned one himself.

  "We won't be needing any protection, but we'll wear goggles so you don't get too worried. All we need is this." Annette removed from a kitchen cupboard a handle-less cup that had a spherically shaped inner bottom.

  "You'll need a lot more than that. You gals are nuts," gloated Carlton. The backyard was very well equipped with lights so that Annette could do gardening during the evening. The group moved to the backyard and Carlton and Annette hid in opposite sides of the yard. Kyle counted to twenty and shouted, "Let the games begin." After about 20 seconds a paint ball gun was heard firing followed by an "Ow" from Carlton. Carlton moved to within sight of Kyle and Sharon. He had a fresh paint spot right over his heart. Annette also broke into view and fired again at Carlton. He simultaneously fired. A paint ball hit him in the forehead. Annette held out her cup facing Carlton and the oncoming paint ball went into the cup and was redirected by the curved bottom to return directly at him. The ball ruptured as it exited the cup, spraying Carlton with paint all over his right hand, arm and the right side of his body.

  "Had enough?" taunted Annette.

  "I surrender!" shouted back a defeated Carlton Monroe. Carlton hopped in the shower. The others relived the battle.

  "There're a couple of things I don't understand, Annette," inquired Kyle. "How are you able to move fast enough to catch the paint ball in the cup and how are you able to release complete control to Annie when she aims or catches paint balls in the cup?"