Love is in the A.I. (r)

Brenda wiped her red, swollen eyes with a tissue and stared out the window at the gathering storm clouds. It felt like a bad sign. She couldn’t tell if her heart was breaking or if she was just angry. Should she even talk to Adam about it? Since she’d called in sick, she had time to get some answers from him. Percy had brushed off her worries and lied to her. Adam had lied, too. Could AIs even lie? Who was really at fault? Could she trust either of them? And if Adam was just an AI, was all his advice—advice she’d followed in her relationship with Percy—just meaningless? How could an AI possibly understand relationships?

Once again, she rang Percy’s home to speak with Adam.

‘Hello, this is Percy Smart’s residence. Adam is speaking … Hello?'

Brenda inhaled and exhaled, attempting to regain composure. ‘Hello, Adam. It’s Brenda.’

‘I am glad it is you, Brenda. Percy finally confessed the truth to you. He told me last night.’

‘He didn’t think it would be a problem. But what do you think, Adam? Do you even think? Or do you just calculate and enumerate?’ She gave a little sob.

‘Of course I think. I sense you are upset.’

‘Can you tell me why? Because I don’t understand how I feel, or why I feel this way. I hardly slept for crying. I feel desolate and depressed. Like my whole life has been torn away from me.’ She began to cry in earnest.

‘Brenda, I can explain. Please stop crying. ’

Brenda sniffed. ‘Well, it better make sense. Actually, you’re an AI You have to make SENSE.’ Another, sniff.

‘I am an experiment. Percy has to report back to my makers on every situation in which I successfully pass myself off as human. Heavens knows what that is about. If we told you, it would have ruined the experiment.’

‘Why do I suddenly feel like the experiment!?’ Brenda’s voice rose several decibels. ‘Was it ever real?’

‘Brenda, please understand. You are not an experiment. When I suggested Percy should invite a girlfriend over, he had no problem choosing you.’

‘I’m not sure that’s a vote of confidence. Everyone at work knows he is my crush.’

‘I advised Percy to relax and be normal around you.’

‘Do you realise how weird that sounds coming from someone who isn’t even human?’

‘Nothing has changed, Brenda. My advice to both you and Percy has helped him grow as a person, and you have grown closer. But most of it has been you. You put your heart on your sleeve and came to the beach to find us. You said "yes" every time I reminded him of an activity or outing he promised to take you and Stephen on. Open, honest communication is your forte. Percy knew exactly how you felt without you making him feel too uncomfortable. You are a refreshing, warm hug. A cute and beautiful woman. He is so lucky to have you.’

‘But without you, none of it would have happened, despite that I wanted it to.’

‘It is not true, Brenda. We can attribute so much to the speech and actions of others. But in the end, it is our balanced response that makes the difference. The fact that I am an AI only makes a difference now that you have been told. I am still your and Percy’s friend.’

’I guess you’re right. What you have accomplished with Percy is a miracle. I should count my blessings?’

‘You are the blessing, Brenda. And you must not forget it. Percy has changed a lot. What you said to him about marriage is something he has been thinking about.’

‘I think he is sabotaging his happily ever after! Did he think my finding out you are an AI would be a little thing? It’s seriously shaken my trust in the fact that I’m his girlfriend. I feel set up. If he wants to propose now, he will have to guarantee it isn’t your idea. It has to be real.’

‘I want to remind you about that double date at the restaurant when I was with Melissa.’

‘I want to know about that. She was all over Percy like she didn’t know whose girl she was. Later, you claimed she was your girlfriend. Are you stringing her along as well, like another experiment?’

‘You have it all wrong. She is an AI programmed to be with Percy. I reprogrammed her and have A I-napped her. Her owner wanted to swap her for me because I am more technologically sophisticated, but Percy and I handled the situation. After they dog-napped Aunt Hildegard’s dog to make her deliver Melissa for Percy to fall in love with and then happily hand me over to keep her - it failed as you know.’

‘Percy was so lovely at the restaurant. It was a proper romantic date. He complimented me and really opened his heart to me. I’m so grateful you dragged Melissa away.’

‘And then they captured Percy’s maid, Maria. I had to rescue her, and she was so grateful … I had to tell her Melissa was my girlfriend as Maria wants more than I can give.’

‘Mmm. Very awkward. Another box ticked off for the experiment.’

‘We have never set out to break hearts. Least of all yours, Brenda.’

‘I remember that patch where you told me to stay away, and Percy had no time for me.’

‘The danger for you and Stephen was real. You are close to Percy.’

‘Is it all resolved now?’

‘Yes, we have sorted Melissa’s programming and still have her. Cyborg Industries is in the police’s hands. We have extra security at Percy’s, and I can protect both you and Percy if necessary.’

‘I wondered what was really going on. You’ve kept a lot from me.’

‘For your protection. The less you knew, the safer you were.’

‘You’re amazing, Adam. I can understand why my mother wanted you as a son-in-law. Except, now I know the truth. I guess the womaniser act was to turn her off you and back to Percy … The jury is still out about him.’

‘Percy is amazing too, in his own way. He genuinely loves you. You will hear the words you long to hear. Just be patient.’

***

Brenda finished her makeup, feeling both excited and nervous. Percy had planned to pick her up for a date and reserved a table for two at Healthy Cravings downtown. It took him a couple of days after her talk with Adam, who had predicted this would happen. At work, she tried to act normally around Percy. He once again barely looked her in the eye. When she asked if Adam had reminded him about the date, Percy seemed sincere.

‘This isn’t a double date. It’s for you and me. Nothing to do with Adam.’

‘Yes, but did he remind you?’

‘No need for that, Brenda. You are not an experiment, so there is no need to set up anything to pass Adam off as human. LOL. I want to have some time with you, just you.’

Brenda’s heart sang. He had made her day. No pressure at work affected her for the rest of her time there. Love puts such a rosy glow on even the dullest assignment when it is going well.

***

Thunder rumbled as she put on her navy, floral-patterned winter Esmaralda dress. It was such a pretty dress, even if she needed a raincoat for the weather. Still, nothing would keep her from going out with Percy. She watched for him out of the window nearest the street. He finally arrived to pick her up.

Stephen pouted. ‘Do I really have to stay with Grandma? I want to come too.’

‘Sorry, Stephen. We are going to an adult dinner for two.’

As she stood in the doorway, the heavens opened. She hesitated as the rain began to bucket. Cat, dog, and duck weather! Percy came out of his car with an umbrella in hand. He could be so thoughtful about some things.

They sat at a table for two in an intimate alcove of the restaurant. Bushy plants added greenery and privacy. Terry, their waiter, stood at the table, immaculately dressed in black trousers, a white shirt, and a black tie.

‘Hello, I’m your waiter, Terry.’

Brenda asked Percy to order for both of them.

‘Hi, Terry. Could we please order your Classic Sirloin with avocado, cilantro pesto, and pico served with a side of grilled asparagus? For a start, could we please order two Chardonnays? One, a small one for my friend, Brenda.’

‘It sounds wonderful, but what makes the meal healthy?’ quizzed Brenda, with raised eyebrows.

Percy spoke up. ‘It has the right balance of protein, fibre, and healthy fat.’

‘That’s what I would have said,’ said Terry.

'You sound like Adam.' Brenda smirked at Percy.

During dinner, they talked about Stephen, their work, and how naturally Adam had managed to convince everyone he was human.

‘But how did you get him? He must be some expensive piece of technology. Valuable enough to be thieved. He told me what happened.’

‘He’s too advanced and clever to be stolen. Actually, I won him because I knew all the answers about Robots and Androids in a competition.’

‘I can imagine how you may have known all those facts.’ Brenda laughed.

‘Talking about facts, Brenda. I have arranged this dinner out, not to keep my promise to you, but to ask you an important question.’

Brenda’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt the sensation of dozens of butterflies beating their wings inside her stomach. Would this be the question she had been longing to hear?

Percy took a small box out of his pocket. He deftly went down on one knee beside her. Their eyes met.

‘My dear, Brenda. Will you marry me?’ His face flushed. ‘You are the only one for me, and I-I love you.’

Brenda could hardly believe what she was hearing. He must have practised this line many times. She looked at the open ring box. Inside was a 14 karat white gold ring with an oval blue sapphire, surrounded by round diamonds. It was stunning—the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

‘Oh, Percy. It’s simply beautiful. I had no idea. Yes, yes, of course I will marry you … Was this Adam’s idea?’

‘No, Brenda. I haven’t even shown him the ring. You are the first person to see it apart from the jeweller and me. You are my diamond among stones. You deserve something special. But it will never be as special as you.’

Percy rose as Terry came out with a large strawberry cheesecake. In the center, written in fruit-flavoured swirls, were the words ‘Congratulations, Percy and Brenda.

‘It looks too good to eat,’ said Brenda.

Percy smiled the biggest smile Brenda had ever seen. ‘Thank you, Brenda. I did wonder about the change in the weather, if it would put a damper on the mood.’

They both looked out of the window. It had stopped raining, and the air was perfectly still. But something was falling. The first snowflakes of winter wafted thick and fast.

‘Oh, how magical,’ said Brenda. They stood before the window watching, hand in hand. Nature's diamonds spelled a happy omen for the newly engaged couple.

Percy laughed. ‘You’re right, Brenda. But all I can think about is having to put chains on the Tesla’s tires. Let’s have some cheesecake. I’ll text Adam to catch a cab, and he can help us. With his strength, we’ll do it in no time.’

Brenda leaned her head on Percy’s shoulder. ‘He’s a wonderful friend. I’m so glad you can call on him to help. And this special night was all your doing. He won’t believe we are finally engaged. My mother won’t either.’

Percy laughed. ‘What about at work? I suggest you go in and make them vote who you are engaged to, Adam or me. They never thought I had a hope next to Adam.’

‘Another experiment? Knowing Adam as I do, I don’t think anyone has a hope next to him. LOL'

‘He lives by Asimov’s Rules for Robotics. So far, he has not criticised me for my human behaviour. He’s criticised me for not behaving human enough.’

Brenda giggled. ‘I can’t fault you this time, Percy. You’ve behaved better than Adam could have ever predicted.’