Don’t Tell Them

As honest an individual as you are, you feel that it might not be the right time to let your parents in on your future purchase. They’ve been demanding in school, and have always treated you well when they’re around and not at work. There’s no sense in ruining their image of you, especially at a young age — their baby is infallible.

It’s a Friday evening, and your proposition is fully developed, or at least you hope it is. Your parents are in their lounge, your father reading away on an antiquated copy of a book, and your mother casually indulging in a grand strategy holo-game. You shake off any nerves that have gotten to you — you’re usually quite calm and centered, and unsure as to why this stage fright would come to you now.

“Mom, Dad, I have a question.”

“Yeah honey, what is it?” Your father responds, setting down his book and evening tea. Your mother pauses the game to give you her attention, too.

“If it’s about hanging out with your friends or something like that, you know it’s always a yes if you’ve finished your chores and don’t have a summer job conflict.” Your mother quips as she leans over to put her forearms on your father’s reclined shoulders.

You shift uneasily in your place, then spot Mary in the back tending to some cleaning at the wet bar. “About that… I was wondering if I could start saving up more money from things. Things like doing more chores, or taking money as birthday and holiday gifts instead of getting presents.”

Your parents look at each other with a mote of surprise in their expressions: “Well… sure thing, but you’ve got us curious,” your father responds slowly. You expect this question, of course, “What do you plan on using the money for?”

You’re just not sure if the answer will stick with them. Glancing back to Mary, her caring and loving figure in the distance, you give a deep sigh. “I know I’m going to university soon, and I just know that it’s going to be a lot different without you and Mary… so, I was going to try and save up for an AI of my own. I think I’m going to be working during school, given I want to pay for fun and other things by myself. So… I’d have an AI to help me with house work, I’d buy tutoring programs, and it’ll be a good all around companion for things like groceries and teaching me cooking.” There were probably 2 true statements in that answer, though the thought of adding these features to a highly customizable AI model would be fairly easy, and a reasonable one at that.

Your parents give each other an extended glance, as if to communicate silently their deliberation in the matter. It’s interspersed with quick glances towards you, and the silence grows too loud…

“I always love it when I get help around the house!” Mary finally shatters the eerie quiet atmosphere, packing away a couple of beverage glasses into display cases. Your mother and father look back to her, back to themselves, and nod.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, sweetie. We know you’ll be busy at university, but don’t let this AI get too far ahead with all the house stuff, or else you’re never going to learn any semblance of independence. Promise?” Your mother looks hopeful, eager.

“Promise. So… what chores start now?”

What follows is an arduous journey of scrimping and saving each and every Solari, taking each and every holiday, birthday, special occasion, summer job you could find. Rounding your 21st birthday, you apply for a job at school, just as you’d promised your parents. But now, just as you’d promised yourself, you can pull the trigger on the AI-O model of your dreams from Steele Corps.