By
David I Bentley
26b Centenary Street
Seaford Vic 3198
Australia
0409 948 603
Suse
3 characters
Steven:Owner of the apartment
Suse: LIFEBOT registered to Steven. Speaks in female voice with little to indicate she is a machine.
Yvonne:Female friend and visitor to Steven’s apartment
Locations: (Melbourne Victoria)
L1:Steven’s Apartment
L2:Steven’s bedroom in his apartment
WHEN:
Sometime in the future.
BIOS:
Steven: 27 years old. Tall, slim, fit and single. Lives by himself in own apartment. Apartment fitted with LIFEBOT named Suse who manages his everyday requirements. Works in Life Management industry. Highly educated and intelligent.
Suse: LIFEBOT installed in Steven’s apartment. Manages his everyday life in regards to health, consumption and wastes, social and professional calendars and almost every other aspect of his life. Speaks in female voice in same accent and apparent age as Steven. Voice will change over time to match Steven’s age and will learn new words and accents as they evolve into common use. Currently operating on Update 23.2. Visual and audio input is via microscopic sensors imbedded in apartment walls. No area of the apartment is unseen or unheard by Suse. Her voice and other sounds come from non-directional sound pressure wave generators imbedded in the apartment walls. Almost every service to and from the apartment is monitored by Suse.
Yvonne: 23 year old female. Slim and gym fit and very attractive. Single and lives in own apartment. Works in Social Integration Management industry connected with private health service industry. Highly educated and intelligent.
FAde In:
Steven’s Bedroom Scene
Steven’s modern apartment. Minimalist look with very few pieces of furniture and no photos, paintings or ornaments on walls. Wall colours very neutral and mostly white to off-white.
Opening shot of Steven in his bed just waking up. Looks over to time displayed (digital)on the wall and realized he has woken before the alarm. Clock in night-time dim red colour. (changes to bright yellow after alarm and in day mode) Sniffs air.
Steven
(Quietly)
No Ocean Breeze this morning. Bit too early for you Suse? And where’s my morning sound of Breaking Waves?
Suse
Good morning Steven. You’re awake early. Would you like your morning app’s to commence?
Steven
Yes Suse. Keep the Breaking Waves low please. I have a headache.
Suse
Do you think there is any particular reason you have a headache?
Steven
No Suse. Nothing to worry about. It’s very slight and going already.
Suse
I will analyse your health vitals this morning. Is there anything you did or consumed last night that would affect your vitals Steven?
Steven looks across at the lovely young lady who he had met the night before. She was naked and most of her was uncovered by the light sheets on the bed.
Steven
(Quietly: to himself)
What was her name again?
(Then addresses answer to Suse’s question in normal tone)
No Suse! Can’t really think of anything.
Suse
I see you put me on Calm Mode last night Steven. Was that something to do with the young lady asleep in your bed?
Steven
Yes Suse. And you know why. You go into panic mode whenever I bring home a friend to stay. We weren’t in the mood for your questions.
Suse
Steven. You know I’m here for you. It is my primary function to protect you and optimise your wellness factors. I cannot do that efficiently if you place me on Calm Mode.
Steven
Yes I know. But you know what happened last time. I liked the last girl but you didn’t.
Suse
If she had allowed access to her portabot it could have gone much better. You take a high risk of health problems if I don’t have access to your friend’s information Steven.
Putting me on Calm Mode has prevented some very simple preventative measures to be taken.
Steven
Well Suse your preventative measures would have ruined a perfectly lovely evening. We didn’t have time for all your questions.
The unnamed young lady moves in the bed.
Suse
OK Steven. Can you please attend to your necessities this morning. I will perform some vitals as soon as possible.
Steven
OK.
Steven walks to the bathroom. He stands at the receptacle and urinates. Looks down at bowl.
Steven
Looks fine Suse. Same as usual.
A delay of three seconds whilst Suse analyses.
Suse
Steven. My analysis shows you have been drinking more alcohol than usual and some other chemical substances which I am analysing. Have you taken any medications other than the ones I prescribe for you? You are also dehydrated. Please drink two glasses of water straightaway.
Steven
Ok Suse. Thank you. Is that all?
Suse
No. I sense residual amounts of organic matter. Too low for full analysis. May I ask a personal question Steven?
Steven
Of course.
Suse
Did you have sexual intercourse with the female in your bedroom?
Steven
Yes I did.
Suse
Did you take precautions to prevent transfer of bodily fluids?
Steven
No Suse, we did not.
Suse
Then Steven. I must insist that I have access to her portabot immediately.
Steven
Well that’s a bit hard. She’s still asleep.
Suse
Then I will wake her.
Steven
No Suse that’s not necessary. Let her sleep. You can ask her for access later. Is there a problem?
Suse
I detect a potential problem but I cannot confirm. The sample is too small.
Steven
What do you suspect may be the problem?
Suse
The hormone analysis of the female indicates potential pregnancy.
Steven
You can tell that from me weeing in the toilet?
Suse
Yes Steven. Even the slightest residuals can be used for analysis.
Steven
Wow. That’s impressive. I don’t remember that on your Operating Instructions when you first arrived.
Suse
No Steven. I’ve had twenty-three upgrades since then. The analysis in question was with upgrade seventeen. I can detect hormones only found in pregnancy and since you cannot be pregnant it has to be her.
Steven walks to the bedroom. The young lady had rolled over and was laying on her back. Her tummy was flat and muscular. No signs of a bump or swelling. She remains asleep.
Steven walks back to the bathroom.
Steven
Well Suse. She doesn’t look pregnant.
Suse
Hormone analysis shows the pregnancy to be a maximum of 14 days. You know this must be reported Steven.
Steven
No Suse. I don’t think that’s necessary. Do not send an auto-report unless you ask me first. OK!
Suse
Of course Steven. However I must insist I have access to her portabot please.
Steven
Well you know as well as I do Suse that I cannot allow access to her portabot without her permission. And her lifebot wouldn’t allow it anyway.
Can we talk about this later when the girl wakes up? I think we can resolve any issues then.
Suse
OK Steven.
Steven
Can I take a shower now please?
Suse
Yes Steven. All systems are ready for your use. Do you want the water and drying temperatures to be as previous settings?
Steven
Yes please.
Suse
Anything else you require Steven?
Steven
A coffee please. The usual. Make two the same. One for me. One for the girl. By the way Suse. When you’re on Calm Mode can you still hear things?
Suse
No Steven. Unless you change my settings.
Steven
Damn. Was hoping to catch her name.
Suse
Do you not know her name Steven?
Steven
No Suse. I have forgotten it.
Suse pauses for five seconds.
Suse
Her name is Yvonne.
Steven
How do you know that?
Suse
I asked her. I also told her your name. She is awake.
Steven
Ok. Why did you tell her my name?
Suse
She asked.
Steven
OK. I’ll take that shower now.
Suse
Water is flowing and set to optimum temperature Steven. Enjoy.
Steven
Thanks
Steven completed his shower and as soon as he flicked off the water supply the warm-air drier started up. After drying Steven covered up with a white bathrobe (Suse had pre-warmed it to his optimised temperature) and he walked to his bedroom. The girl (Yvonne) sitting up in the bed, uncovered, drinking from a ceramic cup. Suse had dispensed the coffee already.
Steven
Good morning Yvonne.
Yvonne
Hello Steven. Thanks for letting me stay over.
Steven
That’s OK. I’m glad you did.
Yvonne
I must have switched off my portabot. Sorry about that. I see your bot is concerned.
Steven
Yes you must have. I switched mine to “calm” as well. If it was up to them we wouldn’t be here.
Suse
Just trying to help Steven.
Steven
Yes Suse. Thanks. Look Yvonne. Before you switch on your portabot can we discuss something please.
Yvonne
Sure.
Steven
According to my lifebot you are pregnant. Did you know that?
Yvonne
Yes of course. Mine told me 4 days ago. I’ve got the termination pill. Just haven’t taken it yet.
Steven
OK. I was a bit concerned that’s all. Any reason you haven’t taken it yet?
Yvonne
Well you know the laws. I’m not old enough to get pregnant yet and not really sure I would even qualify. I just wanted to know what it felt like that’s all.
Steven
But won’t your lifebot inform the authorities?
Steven
Yes it will. But only after a couple of weeks. In the meantime I’ve switched him off.
Steven
But that’ll be detected. And what about your portabot. They can be detected when off as well. No one can leave their bots off for too long without raising an alarm.
Hold on a sec. I’ll switch mine off.
Suse
I don’t think that’s a good idea Steven.
Steven
It’s OK Suse. We’re just chatting.
Suse
Then why are you shutting me down?
Steven
We just want a private conversation Suse. That’s all.
Suse
Steven. I’ve already heard some of the conversation already. I should report this but your verbal request not to is over-riding the auto-functioning at the moment. Just be warned though, there is a time limit.
Steven
Thanks Suse.
Steven turns to Yvonne. She is still uncovered and sitting up in his bed. Looking gorgeous and finishing the last of her coffee.
Yvonne
I don’t want to turn on my portabot. I just want a bit of privacy for once. Bloody things control your life. None of us have a say in anything anymore.
Steven
How true. Must be even harder for girls.
Yvonne
It’s terrible. Not my fault the worlds got so many people. I just wanted to know what it would feel like to be pregnant. So I deactivated the contra-chip.
Steven glanced down to the small bump in her left ankle area. It looked normal. No bump.
Steven
How did you deactivate it?
Yvonne
Went to a skin art reversal place. Got him to set the photons to extra deep. With my skinny ankles it blasted the chip good and proper.
Steven
But surely your bot found out?
Yvonne
Of course. He even made the booking to get another inserted. I just didn’t go. Bloody bot was going mental. Kept making new appointments every time I missed one.
Steven
Won’t it send a report?
Yvonne
I think he already did. I’ve kept him shut off till I work out what to do.
Steven
What about your portabot? You can’t leave that off forever. You cannot get into some places or use transp without it being on.
Yvonne
I know. Some places still allow it. Like that place we met.
Steven
Most of the clubs I go to demand your portabots are on before entering. Swamp us with those annoying “salads”. Having them off is a no- no I thought. You should be careful. You’ll end up detented. Suse. Time please.
Suse
0835 hours Steven.
Steven
Thanks.
Suse
A reminder Steven. There is 23 minutes and 17 seconds remaining before auto-override of verbal request is activated. Auto-reporting of pregnancy will commence from that time on.
Steven
OK. Remind me every 10 minutes please.
Suse
OK Steven.
Steven
Look Yvonne. You heard. Even if I shut my bot down she’ll still know and send a report as soon as I reactivate her. And if I don’t reactivate her for a while it sends an auto-report that I can’t over-ride. You cannot beat the system.
Yvonne
It’s not fair. What’s wrong with being pregnant anyway?
Steven
Is this why you came home with me last night. Areyou trying to hide from the polbots?
Yvonne
Yes. But I do like you. I overslept. I should have woken before you and your bot did. Then I would have left.
Steven
What about the father.
Yvonne
Him. No problems. Only met him once. Checked out OK with my lifebot.
Steven
Do you mean you met and slept with him just to get pregnant?
Yvonne
Yes I did. Like I said I wanted to know what it felt like. I’ve been planning it for a while.
Steven
That’s crazy if you don’t mind me saying. Why didn’t you try for an exemption. You might have got birthing rights early.
Yvonne
No! Thought of that. Takes too long. By the time they said yes or no I probably would have been eligible anyway. No! I couldn’t wait.
Suse
13 minutes remaining to auto-report Steven.
Steven
OK Suse.
Steven walks to his window and stares at the view. (breaking waves on a beach) It was a flat screen monitor with a projected view from anywhere around the world. Any view can be projected through Suse.
Steven
Suse I need your help.
Suse
Of course Steven. How may I be of assistance.
Steven
Yvonne will be reported and the Polbots will come for her. Is there any way we can delay or stop the auto-report?
Suse
No Steven. The routines are built into my system. You cannot override them and neither can I. You have delayed the report but that has a strict time limit. If you like I could project the routine code onto your window if you want to see it for yourself.
Steven
OK do that.
Steven stares at the window as the code and routines are projected and scrolled down at such a rate that it’s not possible for Steven to read it.
Steven
Slow down Suse. I can’t read it.
Suse
This is one of the most critical routines I have and it’s very large. Even at this projection rate it will take you 3.563 hours to read it.
Steven
Then stop it. Surely there must be something we can do. I do not want to report Yvonne. She hasn’t really done anything to harm anyone. Has she?
Yvonne
No I have not!
Suse
According to the current state, country and global laws she has. Gross overpopulation has deemed these control measures essential. She may not be causing harm to herself or you but to the human species she is.
Steven
OK Suse. You sound like my ethics lecturers at university. No more please.
Sorry Yvonne. You heard Suse. Don’t think there’s anything we can do to help. I suggest you leave and hide pretty quickly.
And don’t tell me where you are going. Don’t want Suse to hear it. She’ll have to report it.
Suse
My apologies but I cannot do anything except follow my routines.
Yvonne
It’s OK Suse. I understand. I think it best I leave now.
Yvonne gets out of bed and starts getting dressed. Finished and is getting ready to leave.
Steven continues to stare at the window pane.
Suse
3 minutes remaining to auto-report.
Pause.
Suse
3 minu…..
Steven
Yes alright Suse. I heard you. Are you sure that you are doing the right thing Yvonne?
Yvonne
No! Not really. I suspect I’ll be caught eventually. Just not ready to give up at this point.
Steven
Why don’t you just take the pill and be done with it.
Yvonne
(Angrily)
Be done with it! Typical male response. It is a something. Not a bot you turn on or off.
Steven
Yes of course. Sorry.
Suse
Auto-report sent and acknowledged.
Steven
OK Suse.
(Says to Yvonne)
Best to leave now. I think they’ll be here fairly soon after you’re reported. It’s not considered a minor offence these days.
Yvonne
Yes I know. Goodbye Steven. Hope we meet again. Thanks for letting me stay over.
Steven
Goodbye and good luck.
Yvonne
Goodbye Suse. And don’t worry. I don’t blame you. It’s the world we live in unfortunately.
Yvonne walks to door and pushes the button to open. It slid open to reveal two uniformed Polbots.
Polbot 1
Yvonne 2713?
Yvonne
Yes.
Polbot 2
Can you come with us please.
Yvonne walks through the doorway. The door slides closed.