The Wolf

Documentaries and pop music

Carl looked around as he entered the living room.

Pop music played low in the background and the tv was on, showing some documentary about snow leopards.

On the table stood an empty bottle of whine and a half full glass with red lipstick on it.

Amanda slept heavy on the sofa, covered in blankets.

"Looks like I missed the party." He snickered.

"Did you know the snow leopards tail is almost as long as the entire animal?"

Carl looked amused at his android "no, I did not."

"It needs it to keep its balance as it climbs on steep mountains."

"I see." He chuckled "so I'm guessing she chose the music and you chose the documentary channel?"

"No."

Carl raised an eyebrow and Markus explained himself "According to your daughter, cleaning is more fun with music playing in the background."

"I see." The old man chuckled.

"I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not Marcus. I'm happy that your exploring the many pleasures of the world."

"I thought humans found cleaning a boring chore."

He stated as he placed the wheelchair by the table to bring Carl his breakfast.

"Some of us do, others find it relaxing."

"Mmmm.. that coffee smells like heaven." A tired voice called from the couch.

Without a word Markus poured her a mug and placed it in her outstretched hands.

"Good morning."

She gave him a wide, bright smile "good morning Sweetheart."

A line appeared between his eyebrows as it always did when he was processing something new. She found it adorable and she patiently awaited his reaction.

But he simply gave her a smile and left to take the bread out of the toaster.

Covered in a big blanket Amanda made herself comfortable and turned on the news as she sipped on the hot beverage. "So the Russians are creating their own androids." She concluded.

"Looks like it." Her father agreed.

"I don't understand why it's such a big deal. Everyone wants to take a chance to make their own money."

"Not everyone." Carl studied his daughter for a while "you should eat something."

"I'm never hungry in the morning."

Markus placed a plate of freshly made eggs and toast in front of Carl, pouring him coffee and handing him cream.

Walking in and out of the kitchen he carried a small tray filled with different pastries.

"Not even these?" He said with a new kind of smile, she knew he'd never smiled like that before and she instantly liked it.

"Oh.. my.. god ... Markus did you buy these for me?"

"After last night I thought you needed a steady breakfast."

Amanda nodded and she quickly stuffed her mouth full.

"Not hungry in the morning, huh?" Carl snickered.

"This is my cup of tea" she mumbled with her mouth full of warm, chocolate filled croissants.

"So what's today's plans?" Her father asked as he continued to eat his breakfast.

"I need to prepare for my job interview."

"They already booked you a meeting?" He asked, quite surprised.

"No." She snickered "but I'm confident they want me."

Her father chuckled "I see."

"She's unique, why wouldn't they want her?"

Markus words made them both stop eating and look up at him.

"Your quite right. She is unique, and some companies values that while others want more mainstream workers."

Amanda jumped out of the sofa "time for a shower" she leaped up to Markus and gave him a light kiss on the cheek "thank you for buying me breakfast."

The android gave her a small nod "my pleasure Amanda."

Carl studied them both for a while "I'll be in the study all day. I need to finish my latest commission." He muttered. "Markus, you have a few hours to yourself." He concluded and rolled out of the dining area and into the study.

Amanda went upstairs to get ready and Markus was left alone. He finished the dishes and looked around the room. It was clean. The refrigerator was full of food, the books where in place. He walked over to the sofa and folded the blankets and arranged the cushions.

He could sense the fragrance of her perfume on them. Sweet vanilla and a hint of cherry blossoms.

Her tablet was placed on the side table and he reached out for it.

He could continue to read her blog, he thought. All his chores where done and Carl clearly didn't want his help right now.

He sat down on the soft cushions and started to scroll down to one of the older posts.

•Are we human?•

By Amanda Manfred

Feminist and equal rights activist.

Blog entry 104- What is humanity?

There is only one humanity. But we still love to place ourselves in groups that we ourselves invented.

We drew our national borders, created different cultures and traditions which are nothing but different interpretations and expressions of being human.

Of course there are differences between us, we are a beautiful diversity of unique individuals who all paint their own nuance of what humanity is to them.

Everyone is equally different.

The public conversation about humanity is increasingly characterized by fear of "the others". Those who are not like me, does not share my experiences, these are the ones we have a hard time understanding.

We live in a complicated world that is difficult to understand, where sad and horrible things happen all the time. Feeling scared is human. But fear is a symptom, not a tool and never a solution.

To create a safe world for all of us, we must not act in fear and neglect - but always with wise, constructive and loving tools.

[...]

-----

He was amazed. Her words where strong, direct and fearless.

That's the word that would describe her, he thought. Fearless.

She was full of emotions and Her words created conflict inside him. He read the words and understood them, but something inside him was telling him to understand these emotions she felt. He wanted to understand. He wanted to feel.

He looked down at his hands. He was programmed to copy emotions in some ways. He could change expressions. He understood when to use them. But he couldn't feel.

Or could he?

Something was changing inside him. And he felt the struggle within. He looked at the tablet again, read her words but he skipped the comments. They where often full of confusing reactions. He still struggled to understand why people read her blog only to be hateful.

"What do you think?" He looked up at the young woman standing next to him.

"It's interesting."

"Which part?"

"That humans fear the unknown."

"Have you ever read human history? There's a lot of evidence about our fears driving us mad."

"Yes." He scrolled through the blog with his head tilted to the side. "Does this mean that you fear us?"

"Me?"

"Humans."

"Some of us, yes."

"Why?"

"You are stronger, really hard workers, more intelligent. Superior to us in so many ways."

"But that is how you created us to be."

"Yes... Do we scare you?" She peered at him.

"You will never stop, will you?"

"No." She giggled.

"If I ever feel scared, you will be the first person to know." He assured her.

"I'm honoured." She smiled placing her hand on his.

"So, did you enjoy the dancing?"

"I did."

"Next time I'll chose a happier song." She smiled and made some dance moves with her upper body.

"I am not sure I am built to move like that."

"There it is!" She laughed "that amazing sarcastic humour you've developed." She gave him a wink as she rose from the couch. "It suits you."

"Thank you."

"You know why people fear you? Because they never bother talk to you, I mean more then just giving orders."

"Maybe they don't feel the need to. We are just machines in their eyes."

"They must be crazy comparing you to a toaster."

He shook his head "Maybe you are the crazy one."

"Probably" she giggled "but I enjoy it."

She took the tablet from his hands and placed it in her bag. "I'll be home for dinner."

"Good luck."

"Thank you Sweetheart ." She called as she left the house leaving Marcus alone again.

He stared at the doors leading to the studio but knew Carl wanted to work alone. Walking upstairs he realised there was nothing for him to do. Everything was in order.

He looked around and decided he could dust the shelves again. And his hand moved the cloth across the dark wood for the third time this week.