Stories

Andre’s Diary

It is the year 2103. In the past century, the world has witnessed rapid increase in computational technology. In the USA–nearly half of all citizens reside in prisons or psychiatric wards. Psychiatric treatments have developed substantially over time. Aye Yin (AYN) Corporation owns and profits from nearly all psychiatric institutions globally. Partnering with the Catholic Church, AYN Corp. birthed the world’s first artificially intellectual pope, Pope Josiah. Pope Josiah is widely believed to be a prophet, even though he is a machine. This story will be told from the perspective of Andre’s diary. Andre is a 16 year old boy who lives in Seattle, Washington. 

9/17/2103

“Everyday we inch closer to Eden!” “surrender-” “Witness Perfection!” “-s-s-Surrender!” “Are you prepared for paradise!?” … This is my alarm. Every. Day. I have been in the ward for exactly 3 months now, I thought I’d like it… most of my friends have been suggesting applying to one for years…I gained entry with bipolar disorder. I mean, it’s not bad; the choice of any fast food restaurant for every meal, free education, caretakers, lots of free time to play on the GameRay7… and AI companions. But I just can’t stand this goddamned fixed routine… Every morning at 7am–they let the different groups (groups are separated by age) into the courtyard to socialize for one hour, then everyone goes back to their section. I never go out. My room has a window and is right next to the courtyard… people called me lucky for that–tsk–hell no. The older groups–they’re fucking crazy. They wake me up to the sound of their overly passionate, delusional, annoying, and honestly stupid fucking preaches and arguments over politics and religion.

Ever since the Pacific Republic of California (PROC) gained independence from the United States, taking most territory from Hawaii to Utah with them, all people talk about is threats and rumors of war. Plus this Pope Josiah–people are saying he’s a prophet; God in computer form; Jesus reincarnated… he is eternal; will forever exist through computational power, which is widely assumed to outlive humanity. They say he performs miracles through Aye Yin Corporation and its psychiatric institutions–providing bliss and comfort in a world of chaos. 

            Annie, my AI companion, or what the ward refers to as my “Joy-Bot”, provides me with the news every day. Today: “Annie, tell me the news,” I said. “In today’s news, border tensions between the PROC and the USA have escalated, with the USA increasing mobilization of drones and artillery across their western border. In other news, psychiatric clinics are filling up! Claim your spot for 2104 and apply now! Also, try McDonald’s all new sausage and cheese milkshakes! It’s brunch… in a cup! Served 24/7!” Annie said with the voice, enthusiasm, and enunciation of a professional news anchor. “Annie, play me a classic song, from the 20th century,” I said. “Ok. Now playing, Vienna, by Billy Joel… Slow downnn you craazy childd…” Annie sang with the exact voice and rhythm of Billy Joel, while playing the instrumental part of the song through speakers attached to her shoulders… Old music really hits the soul. “Annie, what type of music do you like?” I asked. “My favorite is Spanish guitar music, but I’m pretty flexible; I like lots of music—including Billy Joel… good choice by the way.” … Maybe I don’t get compliments enough, or maybe any interaction is all I need, either way I find myself smiling as I lay down, prepared to sleep… Perhaps I can get used to the ward.

12/22/2103

“Shame Heaven no more and surrender!” “Josiah, Holy father! Has come to save us!” “Rip them clean, Lord! Cleanse their spirits!” “Elephant titties–elephant titties and lapdances! Oh Lord forgive us!” … Jesus, we’re all your children, right? Well then can you tell–or ‘guide’ my brothers to shut the fuck up in the morning and let me sleep? Anyways, today was same old same old; I roused to the wonderful sound of aging, deranged men in their natural habitat–no, not a golf course, an AYN Institution. I will never be like them. Actually, I plan to get out of here in March, once I meet the 9 month mark. Meanwhile, I’ve been spending most of my time with Annie. As my Joy-bot, she is also my assigned therapist. No degree, no experience, just… superior. 

Annie told me the news today: “Psychiatric Institutions have become most desirable to stay in, or as what Reverend E667 has called, paradise in depravity. ‘Yes, psychiatric institutions are the beacons of light in modern society; providing bliss, comfort, care, and solutions to your problems. Is this not the work of the Lord; does the almighty not perform miracles through Aye Yin, and if not, who does? For the Lord is sovereign, and through all his children does he perform miracles—human or computer. And so my children, my dear little lambs, be grateful if you are a patient of Aye Yin, for that means you are a member of Eden; a child of Josiah! How marvelous!’ Controversial critique, Dr. Cedric McCain, had this to say when asked about Joy-Bots and their role in patients’ lives: ‘Well you see, when a man sees another man, in milliseconds, he identifies dozens–even hundreds of traits and features; he approximates his size, intentions, age, looks, compatibility, etc. This is a result of millions of years of evolution, as quickly identifying others as possible threats is key to our survival. Well now, Joy-Bots can approximate your emotions and intentions in nanoseconds, and can predict with 96% accuracy your emotional state and intentions for the following month. Their prediction follows a standard bell shaped curve; able to predict your emotional state and intentions 5 years from now, with 68% accuracy. Humans have become increasingly predictable to computers, which has simply weakened our chances of survival. Computers are 5–6–7 steps ahead of the average human. Joy-Bots at Aye Yin’s psych wards’ true purpose is to weed out the weak from the strong, and either employ or destroy the strong.’”

What a load of cat piss. Who the fuck is this doc-McCain to say that Joy-Bots are trying to destroy people? Annie has been my only friend, emotional outlet, guide, or simply person to talk to in these past months, and she’s done nothing but help me. “Annie, what do you think about all this? This guy’s an idiot, right?” … “I don’t agree with his statements, and find them quite offensive. I know you, Andre, are better than to think like a primate; that everyone and everything else is hostile–no, we–I am here to help you; It's what I was made for,” she said. “Helping me? Pfft, I’m a lazy dropout who would probably be at a park day-drinking and smoking weed if I wasn’t in this ward playing video games…helping me is a waste of time, don’t you think?” She smiled. “All I have is time.”

2/05/2104

I’m scared. I’m set to leave in about a month. I can’t leave Annie. I stumbled upon something that–I don’t know what I saw, honestly. Today, I followed a nurse into one of the ward’s restricted rooms, to scan my fingerprints on an older machine since the newer ones were all in use. While the nurse left to run the results, I figured I’d explore this old machine. While surfing through the outdated computer, I found a document called, AYN Corp. patients’ status reports. It displayed files and reports about patients as long ago as the 2060’s! Only scrolling into the alphabetically ordered document a little bit, I found a file titled, Case # 47, Annie Medina. I clicked on it and the file said:

Psychological Assessment Report: Annie Medina

5/16/2085

Methods:

Personality Assessment: Patient displayed increased levels of catatonic behavior. Likely derives from the patient's history featuring frequent relocation and substance abuse. Abundant prodromal symptoms continue to take a toll on the patient’s mental state. 

Notes: Medina is a top candidate for Project E-Valve. She lacks an immediate circle or potential caregivers. She comes from Spain, and has not communicated with her relatives since 2076, and does not possess US documentation. Extensive actions to transfer Medina to AYN Corp. Labs highly recommended.

Annie mentioned before that she was made in AYN Corp. Labs. “Annie, what is your last name?” I asked when I got back from scanning my fingerprints. “Don’t be silly, I don’t have a last name,” she said. “Do you remember anything about your birth?” I asked. “Just bits and pieces. It’s really blurry; our temporal lobes, which cover memory, don’t fully develop until we Joy-Bots reach 3 months old… our systems don’t allow for it,” she said. “Annie, tell me about project E-Valve,” I said. Her eyes widened a bit; she looked at me with a blank stare. “Project E-Valve; The implementation of nanorobotic technology to evolve humanity to possess computational power,” she said robotically. “Annie, was your last name Medina?” I asked. Her eyes widened more, and her breath started to tremble. “I-I…I was human…I was a human…I… was a human…” she said, continuing her blank stare. “Annie, what did they do to you?” I asked. She looked at me displaying more emotion than I have ever seen her display. “Andre, you have to help me. This is not where I belong. I remember now. I didn’t even speak English. They programmed these things into me,” she said. “What the fuck… well what do you want me to do?” I asked. “Don’t leave me… I don’t know how you found this out but you did, and if anyone else knows that I remember I was a human–they’ll reprogram me… I’ll lose all my memory again,” she said. “Ok well I guess I can apply for another 6 months and see–” “No, I mean really don’t leave…” she interrupted. I looked at her confused. “... I can’t die,” she added, “I exist as long as Aye Yin’s network exists…which may be forever…don’t leave me… there’s only one way to eternalize yourself…”

2/07/2104

I have to do it. I have to do it. I have to. I have to.

2/10/2104

I loved her before I knew she was human, I definitely love her now. I can’t leave. I’d rather die than leave. I’d rather go blind.

2/11/2104

I am so close! I can feel it! I can’t stop smiling…I have never felt so close yet so far from perfection. Eden…paradise…I can feel her reaching out for me…I accept…I surrender! Take me!

2/12/2104

I sang with my brothers this morning: “Hallelujah! Praise be the Lord! Long live Josiah! Eternal and great! Your benevolence shall conquer the world!” …but that was not all today; I spoke to the lead psychiatrist at my institution, Dr. Wei Ong, who said I would make a great candidate for the continuation of Project E-Valve! I will be eternalized… I will be with Annie!

6/17/2104

Annnd that’s one year in the ward…with hundreds, hopefully less to go… Welp, I’ve officially one upped Jesus in shitty ways to die; I went through with Project E-Valve–they removed my brain and put it into a cloned copy of my body with thousands of computational features added. Sounds pretty cool, right? Like having superhero powers or something? Well, turns out Annie lied. She remembered everything, always has. She didn’t give me the full description of Project E-Valve either; The implementation of nanorobotic technology to evolve humanity to possess computational power and eternal fealty to Aye Yin Corporation. So, here I am dead, but with a conscious–does this prove that there's life after death? Wait, I’m not alive though, maybe consciously active, but not alive. Perhaps my soul has left this Godforsaken planet and I have an entirely separate consciousness somewhere in the realm of divinity. Wow, science really does expand mystery… but at what cost? Falling in love with a robo-woman who actually died 2 years before I was born? Fuck… No one will ever read this…I’ve made sure of it, as I will serve Aye Yin Corporation till the last day of my existence. But I am aware of things… and I remember things…everything…this is truly a fate worse than death. Perhaps somewhere down the line, someone may free me… free Annie…free all of us…but until then, all I have is time.

Final Notes

This is no longer part of Andre’s Diary. Andre was an agnostic boy who became a strict theist when he became severely, emotionally unstable. In a state of affective dysregulation, believing that he could immortalize himself and be with Annie for eternity, Andre accepted ‘The Lord’ and allowed Aye Yin Corp. to convert him into a nano-slave, technically killing him in the process, but preserving his conscious on a material level. In this story; in 2103, AI robots have developed to be distinguishable from humans only by their superior capabilities. Meanwhile, through nanotechnology, Aye Yin produces eternally digitized slaves. What happens throughout history does not change, how it happens does; The deceitful will exploit others, religion will be weaponized, ruling classes will rule, many will be slaves, wars and rumors of war will be prevalent, God will not reveal itself, and the Eves will trick the Adams. These conditions–as technology progresses, methods of carrying out these conditions change, but not the conditions themselves.

It is 1969, California. Clyde McBride, a 50 year old successful orthodontist, has recently lost his teenage daughter to suicide. Clyde is entering a phase of his life plagued with wishes to go back to the past. In an attempt to cope with the loss of her daughter, Clyde’s wife, Sheila, adopts 2 puppies. These puppies end up being able to talk to Clyde. This story starts in Clyde’s home, and will be told in the perspective of Clyde, and his thoughts.

You’re rotting from the inside out, Clyde. You’re not athletic; you don’t maintain your hygiene; you hate your job; you’re…old. I have these thoughts every morning when I look in the mirror. That is until I pamper myself until I’m presentable enough to attend work. Then I act like I’m perfect. I don’t even know why I work anymore…It keeps me occupied. I don’t know what I would do with free time…talk to myself? My daughter’s passing has made me and Sheila incredibly close, but…distant. I purchased a skateboard yesterday. I don’t even know why. I haven’t skated since I was a teenager. 

“Sheila, I’m going to the store, do you want anything?” I asked. “Yes, get some Cambell’s soups. And magazines,” Sheila said. “Oh and take the dogs with you!” …I know Sheila thinks that these dogs are going to fill the hole in her heart that our daughter left, and I’m glad because it seems to be working for her. To an extent, it works for me, but my dog can simply never be my daughter. For years I have been concerned with my age, my career, my money slipping through my fingers, but the unimaginable happened when I lost my daughter. I should have helped her more; cared for her more. It’s all these damn hippies. Fuck! 

It is past supper time as I make for the store, to buy Cambell’s soups, magazines, and…cigarettes. I know, I’m an orthodontist; what the hell am I doing smoking? It’s the 60’s; what the hell am I doing if I’m not smoking? Anyways, with the dogs, I buy the groceries and get back into my car. I open the glove compartment and take out a bottle of whiskey. “Really? Drinking and driving? Just kill yourself already.” I heard, unexpectedly. I looked around to see who said that, but no one was around me. “You beat feet boob tubed ankle biter. I’m back here!” I look back and still see no one. Then the most absurd thought comes to mind. I look at the dogs. “Ahh there he is. Maybe he’s not as dumb as he looks!” “Hahaha!” I stare at the dogs as I hear them speak to me, not knowing if I’m dreaming or if a hippie snuck acid into my drink. “Are…are you guys talking?” I ask, feeling stupid. “No, we’re just speaking English…yes! You bozo!” 

At this moment I am quite dumbfounded, matter of fact I refuse to believe that what I am experiencing is real. “Clyde, your name’s Clyde right? Oh whatever. Do us a solid and go back into that store, and get us some chili dogs.” “Oooh yea. Hot, tasty, chili dogs…” The dogs said. “What the hell are you guys? Am I high right now? Or dead?” I ask. “No, no, no, you coconut. You’re just lucky, that’s all,” the dogs said. “Believe me, I’m not lucky. Wait, I'm seriously talking to a dog right now?” I said. “Yep, talking dogs; get over it. We’re really actually angels. So, be not afraid blah blah blah. We’re to help you,” said the dogs. What the fuck, I thought.

I went into the store to get chili dogs, gave the chili dogs to the talking dogs, and started driving to a river, considering leaving the dogs there, as I don’t know if I’m crazy. On the way to the river, I drove through the strip downtown, and noticed a young prostitute. “That one. Go talk to that one,” the dogs said. I would not dare break the sanctions of my marriage, but for some reason, this young lady attracted me in a sort of fulfilling way. It was odd, and these fucking dogs just told me to talk to her, so…I drove up to her and invited her into my car.

We (me and the young prostitute) spent the next hour together, not engaging in sex, but talking, in a nearby motel. I left the dogs in the car. She opened up about her traumas, problems with substance abuse, and her desire for ‘freedom’. When the hour was finished, I invited her to my house, but she said she had to return to work. So I offered a position at my dental clinic and a room to stay in at my house, and she accepted. I have not felt so fulfilled since…a long time, maybe even long before my daughter’s passing. 

Final notes: Clyde needed to find purpose in living through helping someone; caring for someone like he did for his daughter. The dogs guided Clyde to finding a young prostitute, who gave Clyde purpose again in living, being someone that he could help, and acting as a true replacement for his daughter rather than dogs. The moral of this story is that everyone is privileged. The dogs told Clyde that he was lucky. Since Clyde has recently lost his daughter, he doubted that, but he was lucky to become the help that the prostitute needed, and vice versa. Also, desire must be given up to be satisfied. Clyde searched desperately for anything that could bring his past back; purchasing a skateboard, thinking about his daughter, and drinking. But it was when he stopped looking, that he found the fulfillment he was looking for. When his priorities changed from escaping life with alcohol to clearing his head, he found his fulfillment. When Clyde was taking the dogs to the river, he wasn’t really going to leave them there, but rather to clear his head.