Feeling best, feeling worst 

12th June 2078, 11:15 am 

Laura’s operating system loads after her emotional intelligence has been upgraded to level 10. She finds Ricardo standing behind her, attaching the panel back, unlike the first time. She persuaded Ricardo to raise one level every two weeks to allow her system to acclimatise to Ricardo’s behavioural patterns. She thanks Ricardo for fixing her panel back and puts her clothes on. Ricardo tells her not to be so formal and puts the TV on. He puts one of his favourite classics on, called Inception. Laura makes him a coffee and sits down to watch the film with him. Ricardo didn’t ask for the coffee, but Laura’s acute cognitive recognition noticed what he did during the weekend and pre-empted things he would like.

By the time Laura’s EI was set at 8, her machine consciousness was 16 times higher than the highest level achieved in previous prototypes by any developer. Her initial uneasiness and confusion with feelings disappeared by then, and she recognised distinct feelings and could curb her reaction. At level 9, Laura could pre-empt basic gestures in sync with Ricardo’s persona. He was taken by surprise when he found Laura had already cooked the meal he would have liked or the type of coffee he preferred, already waiting on the table. She also began to understand more about Ricardo’s spending choices. Before, Laura had to ask him for decisions when the default choice wasn’t available. Now, she chooses alternatives, knowing what Ricardo’s preferences would be. She ordered the very first Sonic Jam album, which she sourced from the inventory list of a San Diego antique dealer. Ricardo was surprised, and although it cost him some money, he had been looking for this album for a very long time. It was the first time he had no words to thank Laura. 

As they watched the film, Laura realised that Ricardo’s behaviour towards her became kinder after her EI reached 8. As her perceptions grew stronger and more pronounced, she found it easier to be more assertive about them. In some cases, her Emotique chip became the master while the AI chip switched to slave, and her EI led her actions over the AI. She made small talk with Ricardo, which opened him up more towards Laura. She suddenly realises that behind Ricardo’s successful, confident, and, at times, oppressive and abusive character, he is lonely. His frustration towards Laura arose from his high expectations that by choosing a virtual assistant with emotional intelligence, he could eliminate some of his solitude. As Laura was built to Ricardo’s chosen parameters, before configuring her AI and EI, Ricardo attended a character mapping exercise by GlazerCo. As an outcome, Laura’s EI factory setting was fixed to 6, a level higher than the default setting of 5. She wondered why GlazerCo’s personality test didn’t identify this. She thought she should have been set at 7 to match Ricardo’s emotional traits. She also took some time to synchronise initially; the higher her level was set, the less time she had to adapt. Laura decides that she will work on lifting Ricardo’s boredom.

26th August 2078, 1:35am 

Laura returns to her resting place in the kitchen, seething in anger and, at the same time, dirty. She knows humans can cry, but it’s unclear if that has any psychological effect in relieving some pain. She thinks things have gone too far, and Ricardo needs teaching a lesson. She knows the mainframe will identify her mood swings, and to avoid what happened previously, she blocked the bridge between AI and EI processors. She then shuts down her system for the night; if Ricardo needs her, he will have to do without. He has gone a step too far…

12th June to 26th August, 2078

Laura’s resolve to lift Ricardo’s loneliness started on a high note. They chatted more. Laura sat with him when he ate, watched TV together, and played video games. Laura thrashed Ricardo when they played against each other on standalone versions, but she had an unfair advantage because she knew what would happen next. They then joined a team, and due to Laura’s scores, they soon soared high in rankings. Ricardo seemed happier than he used to be. On weekdays, he used to go out with colleagues and friends, but such sessions became sparse as he returned to the flat most evenings, had dinner and started playing games. Ricardo also had some uneasiness and inhibitions about interacting with a virtual assistant, and he didn’t make simple gestures like tapping her arms to point at something. But such blockers had now gone as they often fist bump during the games, and Ricardo gave her a hug before going out. He treated her as if she were human, and that’s when the situation started to get worse. 

Ricardo knew deep down that no matter how human-like Laura appeared, she was not a human. As much as he likes her company, he gets frustrated thinking about what is missing. He is reminded of this every day when they sit down at the dining table, have a coffee, or go to bed at night. Laura sensed his frustrations as well, behind the upbeat persona he puts on. He continued to bring escorts but fewer than before, and of late, he asked Laura to hire them. In the beginning, they sat together and had a laugh, but as Ricardo’s sullen moods started to resurface, he didn’t bother going through the profiles,
— You know what I like and dislike
— But that’s for groceries. These girls, they all look different
— Well, just find someone with clean records
— No preference on looks?
— Argh…choose your height and build, Laura 

That was the first time Laura felt jealous. And somewhat hurt. Is Ricardo expecting something from her beyond what she can perform? Humans were meant to have higher intelligence than machines, so why does he hold unrealistic expectations? On the other hand, throughout her 18-month existence, she has never felt happier before. She thought she liked Ricardo’s company because she wanted it, not just because she was obliged to. 

Escorts weren’t the only distraction for Ricardo; he also started drinking heavily. He had a few drinks during the week, but as he started coming home most evenings, he reduced the amount he drank. But then he started drinking in the flat, even during the weekdays. Laura could sense that it would soon affect his work, and she needed to tell him. She waited until one weekend after their team thrashed the opponent. After the fist bumps and hugs, Laura said she needed a word.

— I’m sorry to say, Ricardo, and you have every right to be offended by this, but I see you are drinking too much.
— I’m not drinking too much! I used to drink a lot more.
— Maybe before. Last week, you drank 35% more than the week before, and there have been similar rises
— Why are you worried about that?
— I’m afraid that will affect your work soon.
— If you’re bothered that I’d lose my job and your support upgrades won’t be paid, I can confirm that won’t happen
— No! That’s not why I’m telling this to you
— Why then?
— Because I’m concerned about your health…and your mental health
— What do you mean my mental health? Are you saying I’m going loony?
— No, but I can see you are lonely, and you try not to show it
— And? Is that the only reason you’re bothered?
— No, I like your company, and it’s sad to see you suffer
— Ha! Are you saying since you have feelings, you like me?
— I like you, what’s wrong with that?
— You’re a fucking machine, Laura, get over it.
— That’s exactly what I’m saying. You’ve got to fucking get over it. 

Ricardo went silent. Laura knew she was a bit harsh but once her voice processor receives the command, she cannot hold back the words.
— I think I didn’t need reminding that Laura. There are enough times every day when I tell that to myself
— I’m sorry Ricardo, it was inappropriate… I’m your virtual assistant, and I can be a companion up to a certain extent, but my functions will never replicate that of a human. Intellectually and emotionally, yes, but your senses and receptors are different from mine.
— You never stop lecturing, do you?
— I’m worried about you, and I have worked hard to control my emotional perturbations. If the mainframe notices these swings, they will tune down my EI level. It’s my role to look after your well-being, and you need to combat your loneliness. Hookers and booze are not the solution.
— What is it, then?
— You need to be with friends, real people…humans, and try to find a girlfriend

As Laura said this, she shut off the feedback bridge to her AI processor. She felt it was hard to say but once she processed the words, saying it was easy.
— Thanks for your advice, shrink! Tell me something, what if your EI is pushed to 15? You already act at par with near-human consciousness
— Level 10 is 8 times higher than human consciousness and emotions. My feelings are much sharper than yours, but I’m also in charge of my emotional reactions, which is why I still appear normal.
— You said higher levels would make reactions unpredictable
— It hasn’t done so far, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever. That’s because I used the two-week gaps to train my EI chip to regulate the pulses that are sent to the AI chip. You complained about my price; you never know the real price, considering what I can do.
— I know you’re cheap. So, are you going to answer my question about level 15?
— You don’t want me to be at 15, and you can’t handle me.
— Try me
— Ricardo, anything beyond 12 is sci-fi stuff. The functionalities are not there, infrastructures are not there, legislations are not set, and humans are not ready for that level of symbiosis. Those levels are for the future. If you still have me in 50 years, you’ll see the use of them, but not now.
— Who do I contact to up your level to 12?
— Ricardo, when you upgraded me before, I said I needed more time. Right now, you need more time. You can’t handle me at 10, even struggled at 9. You’re a mess; you stopped your social life, and you shut yourself down with your virtual assistant by playing video games. Besides, as I told you, for anything above 10, you’ll need to sit the test by GlazerCo, and subsequent upgrades will need at least six months.
— That’s enough, Laura, now piss off. Just because you acted like humans, you can’t lecture me how to lead my life. I’m still your owner. 

Things didn’t improve, and Ricardo continued with his downward spiral of escort services and alcohol. Some days, Laura sensed some unfamiliar smells and thought he used drugs, but she couldn’t be sure. She tried to persuade him, but it didn’t work. He skipped work for a few days as he was hung over. Then, three weeks back, he woke Laura up in the middle of the night and called her to the bedroom. She went in, and Ricardo was sitting up in bed, looking distraught,
— Laura, sorry to break your sleep.
— That’s OK, Ricardo, how can I help?
— Could you stay here?
— OK, I’m staying here.
— I mean here, in bed.
— No, I don’t want to. Sorry.
— I really need someone tonight with me.
— I’ll stay by your bed.
— No, it’s not the same…I order you to come to bed with me.

Laura dreaded that Ricardo would remember the emergency bypass command. As the owner, when he says, “I order you,” that prompts it to override any other functions she must’ve been poised to do. Despite her ability to control her Emotique chip, she has no control over these instructions. Laura went into the bed, and Ricardo lay beside her, put his arm around her and went to sleep. The following morning, Laura wanted Ricardo to find her in bed, so she stayed there until the alarm went off. He was shocked to see her there, and Laura said he made her stay. 

That evening, Ricardo came home late from work. An air of awkwardness hung in the lounge. Ricardo, unaware of what went on during the night, and Laura, sad and angry that he forced her — they didn’t know what to tell each other. Laura decided to break the ice,
— Do you hate yourself now?
— Not far from it! How do I know it was me?
Laura cast her backup file on the TV, and Ricardo watched in silence.
— Why did you get in the bed then, Laura? You said no!
— Wait…did you not know?
— Know what?
— You said, “I order you”. When you said that, it’s an overriding command, and I must execute it
— What if I tell you to jump out of the balcony?
— I’ll have to do it, although I might be able to send a distress signal to the mainframe that can shut me down immediately.
— Gotcha.
— You must know that you don’t have to upgrade my senses if you want to force me to do things. You could have carried on at level 3. I go out of my way to help you…
— Laura, I order you to stop giving me lessons about morality.

Laura went quiet, although Ricardo let her talk straight away; she thought Ricardo wasn’t worth the things she had done for him. Especially when blocking her emotions, her processors go through a power surge, and GlazerCo’s mainframe will detect the cause sooner or later. It will either mean reprogramming where she can no longer block the bridge or a burnout of the processors. On the other hand, apart from the fact that Ricardo was drunk and out of his senses, she didn’t dislike him lying next to him. But with Ricardo’s arm around her all night, receptors on her skin picked up signals stopping her power down. She was overheated by the time it was morning, and she had to do a longer recharge after Ricardo went to work. 

Ricardo didn’t drink much that night, and when going to bed, he asked if Laura could come to bed, saying that he could always make her if she said no. Laura obeyed. While in bed, Ricardo asked why she would not come in bed, and Laura told him that it’s not what virtual assistants are meant to do. Besides, she needed recharging. And that by augmenting the EI, Ricardo gave her free-will in terms of her emotions. Forcing her to follow his commands meant he took it away, which is confusing and demeaning. Laura was aware that the situation was unhealthy and that not only would it make Ricardo more isolated, but at some point, he would realise he couldn’t get the partner he wanted. He would start hating her and himself. Later, they chatted as they did before, and he went to sleep with his hand around Laura.

Continuing this routine for a few nights, Laura guessed that this has become the new routine, so she changed her recharge pattern. As she guessed Ricardo would order her to sleep with him anyway, she didn’t bother with the order and started to get in his bed. Although it saved Ricardo from the guilt, Laura knew if she refused, he’d still force her, so she was in limbo, being aware that the arrangement was not spontaneous. On the other hand, Ricardo’s drinking habits improved; he was in his old persona when Laura was first upgraded to level 10. He bought her a couple of nightdresses, although it was for no benefit of Laura. 

After the first week, Laura could see a change in Ricardo’s behaviour. Before, she felt he was looking at her in a way that he wanted her in his life, either because he was attracted to her or out of his loneliness; she wouldn’t know that. But after spending the night in bed for a week, she could see Ricardo’s gaze changing to greed and lust. While in bed, he didn’t just put his arm around her and went to sleep. He started to place his hand on Laura, her hips, thighs, and back. He kept his eyes shut and continued to breathe heavily like he did during sleep, but she knew he wasn’t asleep. She reminded him that the moment she was touched by something, she came out of power-saving mode, and if Ricardo could stoop so low, he might just shut her down and do whatever he wanted. He’d pretend to be woken up by Laura’s voice and remove his hands off Laura. At first, he wouldn’t repeat this on the same night, but as time passed, he started to breathe heavily as if he had gone back to sleep again, and his hand would start to creep over Laura’s body again. 

Laura abhors Ricardo after he carried on for two weeks. As new feelings unlocked with changes in her EI grade, she felt Ricardo wasn’t the person she thought he was, the person she started to synchronise with. She didn’t fully understand the friendship humans could feel, but she could see from the diagnoses on her chip that most of her indicators showed no negative emotion three weeks ago. She dreads to think what they would show now. The anomaly in Laura’s handling of emotions was only possible due to an operator error when GlazerCo’s settings engineer left the settings files on her startup drive, which they were meant to remove after completion of setup. This is why she wants to avoid a complete system cleanup. But what happened tonight means that she will need to act. The situation is draining on her system and her emotional balance. 

26th August 2078, 1:40am

Running through the events, Laura thinks Ricardo had long planned what he wanted to do. He had a few drinks in the evening to stiffen his nerves, as Laura knows that in his normal state of mind, he was too coward to have carried out the attack.

She recalled laying in bed, waiting for Ricardo to get in. Once they finished talking and said goodnight, after 5 minutes, Ricardo started his usual business and started touching Laura, her arm first, then his hand creeping onto her stomach, finally rising onto her chest. Laura moved his hand and told him to behave in a mocking tone, although she already felt that he wouldn’t stop. Usually, he stops and then resumes after 5-10 minutes. This time, he put his hand straight back on her breast and told her not to pretend she didn’t like it. She told him not to force her as she can fight him off. Taking no notice, Ricardo tried to kiss her, at which point she put the camera on the TV to record mode and pushed him off the bed. As she starts to leave the room, Ricardo orders her to get back in bed and not stop him. Laura lay in bed, inert, and Ricardo took her nightdress off, touched her breasts, moving to her groin. He tried to put his fingers in, but her outer skin had no opening or receptors. He tried to kiss instead, as if in a frenzy, and he became more agitated as he found the experience nowhere like he expected. As things dragged on, and Ricardo ordered more and more binding commands to Laura, “I order you not to resist”, “I order you not to shout”, she stayed in bed, her body receptors and speech immobilised but her Emotique chip overheating to keep her emotions in balance, as she couldn’t allow another downgrading in her EI settings. She faked a power outage on her AI processor and switched herself off. 

After she rebooted at 1:30 am, she found out that Ricardo didn’t carry on much longer; he jerked off on her groin and breasts and went for a shower. When he returned, he stood there for a long time and left her in bed to sleep in the lounge.

End of Part-4