How to Date an Android

How to Date an Android, Chapter 13 Part B (revised!)

"Um, are you seeing this?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah is everything OK?" she asked.

"Well...u-um, I mean...it's li-like really realistic looking...and stuff," I managed.

"So you are OK with it?" she asked sounding excited.

If it was a human girl and you did this they'd be enraged that you copied their appearance. And they wouldn't have put it up themselves like Barbara did.

"Yeah, I mean wow, she's like gorgeous," I said. I was almost ready to say more but I felt conflicted.

Come on Jack, why don't you just say it. Ask why she's putting herself on the monitor, my inner voice keeps saying but...I had it on the tip of my tongue when my courage sort of waned just shy of the mark.

If I don't say something now I'll regret it. I have to ask why she sent this particular appearance of HERSELF!

"Yes!" I thought I heard what sounded like squealing in excitement.

"Uh Barbara? What's going on over there? I thought I heard noises," I said.

"Oh, I accidentally spilled my drink. Sorry Jack, I got distracted," she said, sounding really happy. There was suddenly a sound in the background of like tossing something in the trash of what was probably an office cubicle of some kind.

"So uh... I have to ask. Why does she look just like you?" I asked, finally getting a bit of courage. What If I misread it? I could cause a misunderstanding and burn any chance of building a better friendship with her.

"Don't you like it?" Barbara asked, sounding cheerful.

"Well...I do but...I mean...it's wonderful. I REALLY like it a lot this way. I'd... make you mine if I could. But I can't afford a LIGA. You are a Liga model if I'm able to even understand a thing. But how do I say it...it's kind of awkward making an android that looks just like you while talking with you on the phone about it at the same time without it being you? Are you OK with that? Or is this going to make you feel left out? In theory it could provoke all kinds of reactions. If I did that with a human she'd probably think something very strange or think I'm some kind of perv. But there's also the chance that you might want it this way? Are you trying to tell me something?" I said.

"It's not awkward, I like you Jack. I like you a lot. I think this is very cool. You are what a lot of us hope to be. I'm happy if you choose something that looks like me," she sounded convincing.

"But a human girl if you were to do that, she'd think it was creepy. There's also nothing special about me," I said.

"I don't understand why Jack. I just think you are what we are looking for. The ideal man," she replied.

"But why make it look like you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean. I just want you to be happy," she sounded a bit sad.

"But if it reminds me of you in every possible way, and if you visited me, and if we do this way. It makes me wonder if you are hoping I'll pick you instead. And I'm pretty you don't have every potential person you meet have their model look like you. Based on what I met about you this is my gut feeling. I'm just afraid I'll offend you somehow or maybe this will break your heart if I can't buy you as my companion instead. But I can't buy you. You are too advanced. Too costly. So...this feels like its hitting a wall and it doesn't feel good that we connected but we're not able to connect after this. I wonder if I'm screwing up now. It also makes me upset if you would put yourself in as the model for every customer out there. Why did you do that?" I said.

"Oh Jack. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. No, that's not what this wait please, don't hang up. I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you," she kept apologizing over and over.