"Automaton" drabbles by Isaac Grant
Awful Words
Pre-Automaton #1
Of all people, why me?
Max shoved his earbuds further into his ears, listening to the beating of the drums and the riffs of the guitar. He just wanted to be alone, but he also wanted to be with people, to be comforted. Cancer. That awful word had made what little of his life he had miserable.
Cancer, why me?
The doctors had told him that he only had about a year to live. What the heck was he going to do? His life was literally ending and he was only eighteen! He didn’t know what to do with himself.
Journey to Humanity
Automaton #2
Max was puzzled. How did I gain sentience? Who made me? Who can help me? A little boy walked up and said, "wook mommy, a wobot!" His mom called to him and he wandered back. Max got up and walked around the small meadow/park. He took in the new sights of massive trees and the scents of yellow and red flowers. What an amazing place! he thought. He enjoyed seeing the little children as they ran and jumped around the meadow. He felt another new thing. Emotion. The tears that joy brings came down his metal cheeks. He was happy.
Machine
Automaton #1
Max awoke to sound, smell, taste, hearing, and sight. He explored sound first. He listened to the sound of birds and bees. Next, Max explored smell. He smelled the grass and flowers. Then he tasted his saliva, thought it was weird and continued to explore his sentience once more. He looked around and saw people in the meadow. He saw the color of the flowers. He saw the beauty of the world. He looked down. He did not look like a person. He didn't look human. He was a robot. He sat and thought about his realization.
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To Be Continued
