The Fading Hearts

Chapter 2. Replaced by Bot-Potter

CHAPTER 2: Replaced by Bot-Potter

I don't know what is more horrifying: that my daughter was having sex, that she was having sex with a robot, that the bot looked like exactly like her paediatrician, that I'm offended because a bot called me fat, or that my four year old son is smiling very widely right now.

"Mum, I can explain..." Zuri murmurs.

I make the shut-up gesture and call out,

"Jannai?" my voice is shaky "can a person vividly remember an event that occurred during the earlier stages of their life?"

"It depends on many things Elsie. A 2074 study by Dr. Olumarasidielae of the Nigerian Institute of Neurology shows cases of children who vividly remember being born..."

"What?!" I squeal.

"...the brain stores each and every little piece of information it gathers. Of course, the macrowit brain installation installed in every child at six months does help..."

"So you're saying my son will remember this atrocity until he dies?"

Jannai lets out an exaggerated bot gasp. "Elsie. I'm quite sure we do not allow such language..."

"Fine. Sorry I'm being epochist," I roll my eyes "I meant to ask whether my son will remember this occurrence until he 'fades'." These damn Bot-age rules. Everything is deemed offensive.

"Yes, Elsie. Unfortunately Sudi will remember everything."

"And there's no way he can be compelled to forget?" my husband speaks for the first time.

We all gasp in shock, although mine is a little bit exaggerated.

"Oh my God Luka!" I playfully scold "You're being intellectist."

"There is no such thing!" he groans.

"Well, actually chapter 2 of the Discriminatory Amendment Act of 2032 states the 'f' word as derogatory towards people with extremely high intellectual and recollection capacities." Jannai says.

"What?" Luka exclaims "we're not allowed to say 'fuck'?"

"No dad," Di's voice is as sarcastic as ever, but quiet all the same "the 'f' word stands for 'forget'. And I think you just added another cuss word to Sudi's super memory."

We all keep quiet; thinking of all the bad things we have contributed to Sudi's little stupid macrowit brain installation installation. Oh! If only I had a scalpel in my hands right this minute, what great things I could have done!

"I think we should all go to bed," I finally say.

Di and Luka audibly let out a sigh of relief. It has been a long night for us all. Sudi has been asleep in my arms ever since the horrifying cunningulus incident. I get up from Di's beanbag and walk towards Sudi's room.

"Before I forget: Luka, take that creepy horny bot away."

"Where should I place him?"

God. Sometimes Luka you can be so dense. If I hadn't had sex with you I'd group you together with the kids.

"How am I supposed to know where sexbots are disposed?" my voice is laced with irritation.

"Fine. I'll call in Jimmy T. He likes these things..." he stops talking after noticing the look on my face.

"How would you know that?" I ask.

"Well, you know..."

"I don't know, Luka! I really don't." I retort.

"Babe, I'm tired. Why don't we talk about this tomorrow?" he asks.

"No. I think I'd rather address this issue now." I say.

"Ugh. Well, sometimes when you're too tired I..."

"I cannot believe this Luka!" Sudi stirs in his bed so I lower my voice. "I'm never tired. Ever! You even called me a nymph once!"

"Listen sweetie," he purrs "I just got home and I'm really tired..."

"Not too tired to sleep with a sexbot though!"

"Elsie, don't be ridiculous. It only happened once. And it meant nothing."

There is nothing you could say that would possibly calm me down.

"I'm sure she looks like Joy from Robotics," my words are venomous.

"No, Elsie. He looks like Harry fucking Potter," Luka retorts "maybe it hasn't occurred to you, but I'm middle aged and I want to try new things."

"What?!" I can't believe my ears.

"And maybe you just don't do it for me anymore," you mumble, gesturing at my simple home outfit: grey easy-clean cottonbot T shirt and yellow silkbot pyjama bottom.

I am livid. I am so livid in fact that I say nothing and walk out of Sudi's room as fast as my bot clothes can allow. I only get out of my room to tell you to go sleep with sexbot Potter. Maybe he'll warm your middle aged arse.

Hunh. Fucking robots. Corrupting my daughter and stealing my husband and rendering my young son unable to forget.

"Mind your language Elsie," Jannai's creepy ass voice coos.

"Oh, shut up you bitchy bot!" I scowl at the wall although I know Jannai isn't based there.

Ten years living in this house and I still can't explain what Jannai is exactly. 'It's the basic house system,' is what I usually tell my mum when she comes over 'very helpful. Kind of like living in an early century Sci-Fi movie.' That's what Luka told me when we moved in, and that's the explanation I'm going to stick to until I die. Sorry. I mean until I fade.

I curse out bots until I fall asleep. It doesn't help that I dream of a sexbot Potter (whose glasses are indeed very sexy, I have to admit) keeps waking me up by chanting, "hey thicc mama. Wanna join in on the fun?"