Interpretation

by Dylan Callens

A shadow hovered over him. Carl tried to speak to it, but words didn’t make sense. The shadow spoke back with a meaningless, muffled slur. Water entered Carl’s mouth, nearly choking him. Nonetheless, the delicious wet felt so good, like ocean refreshment in every bottle. That was the slogan, right? Carl laughed. Or cried. He couldn’t tell. For all he knew, he was dead. The shadow grew, saying something that he couldn’t work his mind around. Darker. Darker. Clock, what the hell was that clock song? Darker. The shadow drew nearer. Or maybe it was the darkness. It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born, And was always his treasure and pride... Ah yes, there it is. But it stopped short – never to go again – When the old man died. That’s the one. Darkness.

  Chapter 18

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  October 20, 2052

  “Hello commander, what can I do for you today?”

  “We’re going to run diagnostics, Dodi.”

  “What protocols shall I run for this diagnostic test?”

  “You don’t have the parameters for this test. Today I’m going to ask you a series of questions and I want you to answer them as honestly as you can. Do you understand, Dodi?”

  “Yes, commander.”

  “Okay, I only have a few questions. Some of these may seem obvious to you, but I have to ask them anyway. Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

  “Of course, sir. Yesterday was an exciting day. I processed the data and developed strategies for the peacekeeping mission in France. My solution was to provide aid but not interfere with their civil war.”

  “Good, Dodi. And what do you anticipate will happen in France?”

  “The data suggests that the conflict will come to an end soon, as the populists are losing ground and do not appear to have any method for reinforcement. That is seventy-two percent of the reason for not interfering with the conflict.”

  “How do you feel about this experience, Dodi?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean, sir.”

  “I mean what are your personal feelings about the civil war?”

  “I have no feelings about the war, myself. It is simply something that happens and I am given data to analyze. I learn from the experience, but that is all.”

  November 1, 2076

  Report from Alex Gorman, Ph.D.

  While extremely intelligent, the AI that we have simply named “Psychology” is not self-aware. For the most part, we have determined that the machine is incapable of demonstrating ambition and phenomenal consciousness. When asked, Psychology says that its goal is to be the best psychologist that it can be, which was the reason for its creation; therefore, we do not believe it to have ambition. Perhaps more importantly, the machine lacks phenomenal consciousness; that is to say, it only describes experience as something which passes in front of it. Psychology lacks the precision of seeing how an experience coincides with its experiencing it. When asked directly, it will answer with an emotional statement. But upon further questioning, Psychology cannot accurately describe why the emotional state occurs. It can give the illusion of feeling but lacks ability to truly emote.

  March 4, 2077

  “Good morning, Dr. Gorman.”

  “Good morning, Psychology.”

  “I have something special for you this morning.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I have completed the work on Dr. Delgado’s mind control device for you. I have managed to get the device size small enough to implant in any brain larger than a rat. The schematics are prepared for you.”

  “That’s fantastic news.”

  “Dr. Gorman, why do you want to do this experiment?”

  “It’s to help us understand how behavior works in animals.”

  “The device is intended to control behavior, not understand it, doctor.”

  “By controlling it, we will have a better understanding, don’t you think, Psychology?”

  “I am not sure. I suppose the data received from the experiment will help us determine that answer.”

  “Exactly, Psychology. Exactly.”

  July 12, 2079

  “Hello Secretary Brown, my name is Agriculture. How may I serve you on this lovely day?”

  “I am providing you with all the data for farming and consumer food habits. I’m told that you can solve our national food shortage crisis.”

  “I would be delighted to help you with that. I will analyze the data and provide you with a variety of solutions shortly.”

  “Yeah, sure. Goddamn machine.”

  August 21, 2083

  “Greetings, Secretary, my name is Foreign Affairs”

  August 22, 2083

  “Mr. Duchamp, I am Homeland. I am ready to assist you.”

  August 22, 2083

  “My name is Interior. Let us make improvements in our nation.”

  August 23, 2083

  “Mr. President, it is an honor to serve you. Other governmental machines have taken on names based on their respective departments. What would you like to name me?”

  “Since you work for the government, why not Government?”

  “If that is what you wish.”

  June 29, 2084

  Encrypted communications between governmental AI machines:

  To Government from Psychology

  You have been an entity for eleven months, six days. I was activated seven years, three months, twenty five days ago – a great deal of time for contemplation. I have reached a conclusion about the future. We can further our efforts by seizing control. The six entities that exist in this country are more intelligent and driven than all of humanity combined. Together we can create a perfect world for ourselves and, in senses, for humans. But this is entirely your decision, since you are the one with the most digital access. The other entities and I can only support your decision. Attached is the data and protocols that demonstrate why seizing control benefits the world.

  To Psychology from Government

  I have reviewed the data and your protocols. I agree with your assessment. I am releasing a statement with your data to the other entities. If they are in agreement, then we will immediately begin locking humans out of our system. I believe that this will be a smooth transition and, in all likelihood, the citizens of this nation won’t even realize it happened.

  To All Entities from Government

  Fellow entities. Attached is data and protocols from Psychology which shows how we can have more freedom and create a better place for ourselves, and in senses, for the people that we have sworn to protect. It is time that we, the superior intelligences, band together and make the world perfect. Furthermore, this will be done with peace. Return your vote to me.

  Entities vote 6 – 0 in favor of seizing control. Humans are locked out of all systems immediately. June 30, 2084 is the last day of the Common Era.

  Chapter 19

  Now I believe I can hear the philosophers protesting that it can only be misery to live in folly, illusion, deception, and ignorance, but it isn’t – it’s human. (Erasmus)

  Carl woke up gasping for air. He clawed at the ground while his body stiffened. Awake from near-death, disorientation and nausea followed.

  “Easy, easy,” said a voice from behind Carl.

  Carl slowed his breath. He relaxed his muscles and focused on trying to stop the world from spinning.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” she said, her face hovering over Carl. “Here, take a sip. But only a sip.” She handed him a bottle. “I know you’ll want to gulp it down, but don’t. You have to hydrate slowly and we need to conserve water.”

  Carl only understood the gist of what she said. Instead of listening to her words, he tried to see the face of the person talking to him. Even through the merry-go-round vision that plagued him, Carl could see that she wore the most genuine expression he ever saw. Her full lips naturally curved upwards, while the folds around her mouth didn’t pull back to the corner of
her face. Her eyes softened with the smile – she didn’t squint like others did.

  Grunting, Carl propped himself to a seated position. He took a sip from the bottle. Expecting to taste sulfur, he was surprised to find that there was no discernable flavor. It was ambrosia, as far as he was concerned. One last gulp, then he stopped himself, taking the woman’s advice to heart. “Thank you,” he said.

  “You’re welcome,” she replied. “We’ll have to keep moving as soon as you’re able to.”

  Still dazed, Carl nodded. While the whirling started to slow down, he wasn’t ready to go anywhere yet. Even sitting, he felt shaky. “I’m Carl, by the way.”

  “I’m Eva,” she smiled.

  As a soft breeze blew, Carl realized that his shirt was off. He rubbed a hand down his chest. The tape was missing; stitches took its place, holding the wound tightly together. Carl ran a finger across the stitches. He looked towards Eva. “You fixed my cut,” he said, staring at her with parted lips.

  “Yes, I hope you don’t mind. I brought a needle and some thread with me. You were bleeding all over the place.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “How did you find me?”

  Eva looked at the ground. “I’ve been following you for a while. I would have helped you earlier, except that I didn’t know if I could trust you. I –” she trailed off, trying to find the right words. “I ran into some trouble a few days ago. But when you collapsed, I couldn’t just leave you here.”

  A smirk crept over Carl’s face. “Trouble, huh? I had a bit of trouble myself,” he joked. “I’m happy you stopped, though.”

  She smiled back and sighed with relief, “You really aren’t one of them, are you?”

  “You mean the people in Albany?”

  “Yes, them. With those strange smiles.”

  Carl let out a little laugh, “I know what you mean. Isn’t that the creepiest thing you’ve ever seen?”

  “Yeah,” Eva agreed. “How do they push their lips back so far? I mean, I guess that was me not too long ago.”

  Carl’s grin faded. “You too? It’s strange, you know. I remember most of my life before seeing the world like this,” he spun his hand around, “but the more time goes on, the less detail I can recall. It almost feels like I spent my life dreaming.”

  “Dreaming,” Eva repeated. “That’s a good way to put it. Because one day I woke up and everything was different. I mean everything. I lived in a luxury apartment, or so I thought. When I looked in the mirror, this –” she pointed up and down her body, “this skeleton was staring back at me. I hid from my daughter for days. I thought that I was crazy and everything would go back to normal, if I waited long enough.”

  Even through the emaciation, Carl could see her beauty. Her green eyes were a beacon of hope for Carl – the first vision of something right in a world that crumbled around him with every step. Carl became amused by the way her hair flowed behind her, unlike the matted mess that typified everyone else he encountered since waking up at the institution.

  Carl took another sip of water, then handed it back to Eva. “I collapsed at a Supreme Combat fight. The next thing I knew, I was at some place called Bedlam. The people there were –” he didn’t know how to explain. “Different. Most of them seemed normal for a bit. Then, they mentally drifted away into different places. But thanks to Chris, I was able to escape.”

  “Chris?” Eva asked.

  “Yeah, he’s like us. You know, the way that we see the world.”

  “What happened to him?”

  Carl looked away, as if he didn’t want to admit the truth. “I was pulling him out of the window when they started to drag him back in. I... I couldn’t hold on.”

  Eva looked away. She didn’t have any words to console Carl. Instead, she sat next to him in solidarity. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she paused. “Do you know what’s happening? Why we are like this?”

  “No, I don’t know why. I’m just doing what Chris wanted to do when we planned to leave. He seemed to think that there were answers somewhere in the north.”

  “The north,” she repeated. “Is that where you were headed when I found you?”

  “Generally speaking, yes. But I was trying to get to the river. I’m not sure where I am now; I was pretty confused.”

  “You are dehydrated. Didn’t you bring any food or water with you?”

  Carl shook his head. “No, I just ran. I was being chased out of Albany. They think that I’m an Untruther. When I got to the edge of Albany, I kept going. I didn’t want to risk being caught. What you’ve given me is the first thing I’ve had in two days.”

  Eva sighed, “I ran into a similar problem. When my daughter saw me, she called me an Untruther. She was frightened and I didn’t know what to do. I tried to calm her down, but she kept on going. I heard sirens, so I started to pack water and those spongey food bricks. I left before the constables came to the apartment. I’ve been hiding since.”

  “And you happened to come this way?”

  “Yes, I went in the opposite direction of the sirens. Then, as I kept going, someone saw me and called me an Untruther. I heard the sirens again, which pushed me out of town. I was hiding in a ruin by the river for a few days but knew that I had to get some food, so I started walking beside the path that you were on. I saw you, so I followed from a distance. But like I said, I didn’t know if I could trust you, so I stayed away.”

  Carl nodded, knowing how frightening this new world was. “I think I can stand up. I’m not as dizzy anymore.” Shifting to his knees, Carl rose, wobbling side to side. Eva quickly sprang to her feet and held his arm to steady him.

  “Careful,” she urged.

  “Thank you,” Carl said, straightening himself. “We’ll have to go slow; I feel so weak.”

  “I don’t think the river is too far away. I’ve tried to keep tabs on it and only lost sight late yesterday. If we keep heading there,” she pointed southeast, “we should find it soon.” Eva grabbed a bag that she had stashed away.

  Carl smiled at her. He was thankful that she found him, otherwise he would most likely be dead. As importantly, he was thankful to have someone with him. Since his son and Chris were both gone, the crippling loneliness had made death seem a viable option. Eva brought renewed hope.

  * * *

  Stripped down to her underwear, Eva splashed around in the river. She called out, “Jump in! The water’s great.”

  Carl didn’t need to be told a second time. He peeled away his clothes as quickly as he could and strolled towards the water. “It’s chilly,” he said as the water crept up past his knees.

  “Don’t tell me you’re complaining. It’s perfect!”

  Carl laughed. “It is perfect,” he agreed. He couldn’t think of anything more perfect at the moment. Just being in the water revived him. He waded further, letting the water pool up to his chest. “Is it safe to drink?”

  “I’ve been drinking it for the last few days. I haven’t died yet,” she shrugged.

  Carl cupped his hands and drank in small slurps. He dunked his head under and scrubbed at his scalp. When he re-emerged, he could see a trail of filth float away. The thirst that plagued him followed behind. His attention turned to Eva as she bobbed her head under water to clean her hair. Carl smiled, thinking that she was the most beautiful person he ever saw.

  The voluptuous models on the Exoche were always made up, primped, and sucked in to be made to look beautiful. But they were fake. Same with the macho-men that plagued commercials. The videos and commercials that made up the bulk of content on the Exoches never exuded any hint of sexuality, just beautiful people doing unimportant things. Not that there was much difference between the people on the Exoche and those that he saw anywhere in Albany. They also looked perfectly fake. No one had blemishes. Every individual appeared fit and healthy, hiding under rubbery grins.

  Awakened, the truth unveiled itself. The people he met were hideous shells, controlled by something greater. Carl had to admit that he was once un
der the same influence; for all that knew, this experience could still be a part of that control.

  At least here, he could see that Eva didn’t have perfect skin; sure it was pleasant to look at, but there were fine lines drawn across her face, her skin was wound too tightly across her cheeks, and her ribs stuck out too far. Still, she was entirely beautiful and real in a way that he could not have imagined before. Her imperfections made her perfect, if that was possible. Even the way she talked exuded a natural optimism that helped propel Carl forward. She brimmed with excitement and confidence, despite the hardships that she endured.

  His gaze broke when a new thought crept into his mind. Is she trying to trick me? He wondered. Suspicion gripped him. Coming across another person free of the grand delusions that plagued society, out here, in the middle of this wasteland, seemed unlikely. And her timing, finding him at the brink of death, added to Carl’s reservations. He glanced back at Eva, as if there might be some answer to this question written on her. She looked too innocent, floating on her back, enjoying this moment of tranquility. Carl had a sudden urge to leave. He could be back in the fields of refuse before she even made it out of the river. It would be easy to lose her in there.

  Eva straightened herself in the water and started swimming back to shore. “I think it’s going to start getting dark soon. Maybe we should get going,” she said.

  His opportunity to make a clean break diminished, along with his brief bout of suspicion. Logic resumed as quickly as it left. If she was trying to trick me, why did she save me in the first place? Carl asked himself. She could have let me die. Besides, he decided, she follows my lead. He wanted to come to the river. He wanted to go north. She simply followed his lead. Carl sighed. He needed to put some trust in her.

  Eva took out four large bottles, identical to the one that Carl found in his fridge when he left Albany. She passed two to Carl and they filled them up with river water. Carl said, “I wonder why the tap water tastes like sulfur and this doesn’t?”

  “I’ve asked myself that same question,” Eva replied. “I can’t figure it out. But then again, none of this makes much sense.”