How to Date an Android

Chapter 11, revised

Chapter 11

Continued...

"I won't lie to you Jack. Making an android costs a lot of money. We have to also interact and 'exchange' resources through money with other companies in order to be able to produce an android. So that's why people will often leave or pull out at this part of the conversation," she said apologetically.

Was it just me or did she just try to make her breasts stick out a bit in her blouse just now. Her legs seemed to be trying to get the optimum posture too. She wanted this to work.

"Hmm."

"But without resources we can't build androids Jack," she reminded me.

I didn't say anything to that.

"Do you know that not all androids are created equal?" she asked me.

"I will always promote the concept of equality because if we don't have an even footing for all people society begins to have a lot of problems. So I disagree. It's not that we're equal or not equal but the treatment of equality or ...I suppose you androids would say simulating equality even though one cpu is still faster than the other," I stated flatly, knowing she was going show me some credible proof otherwise. She was right. But people still have to emulate treating each other equally even though we aren't equal.

She gave me a puzzled look. "I hadn't expected that a human would teach me something useful and wise," she said.

I shrugged in response.

"I can see you are going to argue or not believe me, judging by your facial reaction and body posture. I didn't mean it like that but just let me say that there's a reason why some features cost extra," she said.

"Eh? Like?" I was getting nervous.

"Well you can get a normal A.I. platform that's a budget version. You could also get a low life after market battery, aftermarket parts, and things like that though we know how that will affect things in the end. But even if she looks amazing it will come out in her performance. That becomes especially true once you leave Mellifera to look at other android companies," she said.

"Hmm, what happens if you get a low life battery?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Fuel cells are amazing technology. We've been building them for years. But the longer the battery lasts, the more expensive it gets. Battery life is one of the things that will cost the most unfortunately."

"Hmm that doesn't sound good," I said.

"Well, it can't be helped. I'm just being a realist," she said.

"Well I haven't followed the news lately or been involved with other people much," I said. She smiled in response. It's almost like there's this vibe and connection. How is that possible with an android when I can't even make sense of humans?

I hoped any android I picked up was good enough to be able to look a bit like Barbara...she was like...wow you know?

OK, but about the hospital models. They looked pretty good? Weren't they customizable?" I asked.

"That's really the key, Jack. The more customized an android is the better the chance of having a quality companion. But it is true you wouldn't have noticed they were androids. They looked human until they talked too much right?" she asked.

"Yeah, they kept using mechanical vocabulary. But overall they were very good looking. It was just that one flaw visible," I said.

"That's the Mellifera 2B and 2C series. There are others. Take a look?" she hit the datapad's program hotkey buttons and another program activated.