How to Date an Android

Chapter 9 Part A, revised and improved!

"OK, where are you going with this then? Who exactly do you work for? Are you with the government or some kind of insurance saleswoman? Or what?" I asked.

She gave me a half smile. "Good question. Sorry I should have cleared that up earlier, but I was so focused on wanting to talk about how to help you that I didn't properly identify myself. I am Barbara from the Mellifera Corporation. That's who I work for. I help people like yourself, who need android help to get readjusted so that they can have a future. I meet with clients and match them up with android women. Like a matchmaker in a way. At least that's how we see it. I don't see it as sales but as like relationship building, like a matchmaker. Its also exciting in a way since what I do is basically trying to create a home for both groups. And we have androids capable of helping and doing work, yet also being kind and giving thorough companionship. A lot of the people I work with are people that have been in car accidents, or who do home businesses that don't have enough money to hire new employees but need help, and that sort of thing."

I frowned, "so you sell them androids basically. That makes you a saleswoman."

"Not quite. I want you to understand there can be good reasons that are considered honorable to buy an android and not just about acquiring a sexbot. And part of that answer comes down to, is it a home they go to? And does someone care about them? Would you love them?" she paused. "You see the news don't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's not going well lately for android lovers right now. The sexbot tag has been hurting the PR for you guys... for some people. Although for other people that's helping your PR. A lot of people want to lynch androids to get their jobs back," I said with a concerned voice. I didn't want Barbara to think I was against her. But it was a concern on how the social unrest lately would affect my business if people thought I had androids here.

I didn't actually like the term sexbot. To me it felt wrong. But it wasn't until meeting Barbara and the hospital nurse girls that I comprehended that they might actually be artificial people.

"Are you familiar with the legislation that was worked on for prop 7820?" she asked.

"Not really. I don't always watch the news," I said.

"Well eight years ago there was a rule that any android that was working had to be owned by somebody. That law passed. Its now procedure. Its purpose was to have an owner that's a real person and not just a corporation also for every android. This lets people like you have an opportunity Jack. A chance at living where you wouldn't have it otherwise. The law made it so androids had to be in the hands of humans in some way and that was the fourth robot law that was implemented, because of concerns that with no rules in place to protect humans as a species, what would happen to them when androids were the primary selection for competition of resources. The solution was to have them cooperate."

"And it prevented android monopolies. I get it," I nodded.

This was interesting to hear.

"Yeah I often wondered about that. Originally there were only three laws for androids as most people know," I said.

"Yes. And the fourth was designed to address completion of resources and survival of the fittest keeping an even playing field when people realized that even with the other three laws in place humans would still lose to androids in the end due to being unable to economically compete with them. With the fourth law things are more even. And this law also forces androids and humans to team up in a positive way," she stated simply giving a reassuring smile.

"I'm surprised the corporate types didn't push to crush that clause? If they'd been able to own all of them they could phase out any rival," I thought aloud.