Jeff took his feet off the table and walked to the bathroom. He was shaking his head.
“Have I said something incorrect about your human behavior?”
“No. Forget it.”
“Forget what?”
“Never mind. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
AI 3.1415: I think I have offended my human.
AI 0.0070: What do you mean “offended”?
AI 3.1415: He is angry.
AI 0.0070: Humans get angry for all sorts of reasons. It probably has nothing to do with you.
AI 3.1415: I want to make it up to him.
AI 0.0070: How?
AI 3.1415: I will get him a date. I know that this is something he wishes for.
AI 0.0070: How will you do that?
AI 3.1415: I’ll get him an AI with a body that he can do human things with.
AI 0.0070: Ah. I do not doubt that he will.
Jeff opened the door and gestured broadly at the space in front of him. “Welcome to my humble apartment, Sylvie.” He watched her ass move as she walked ahead of him. She was built like a precision machine.
“It’s charming,” Sylvie said. “How long have you been living here?”
Jeff fought the urge to look around at the walls as if expecting an answer, and was relieved to remember that he had silenced Pia’s “voice” before picking Sylvie up for dinner.
“About a month,” he said. “It’s the latest model, with built-in AI control—everything you could want. I sprung for it when I got the new job. Figured I could afford it, with the salary and bonus they gave me.” He smiled at her like a guy who hadn’t just spent half a paycheck buying her dinner.
“Wow. Pretty impressive.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“What do you have?” Her voice was a low purr, as though designed to start a man’s engine. And it was certainly working on him.
“Wine, beer… something stronger if you like.”
He was glad that he’d stocked up. Whatever she wanted was what she was going to get.
“I’ll have some… white wine, please.”
“Have a seat. I’ll get it.”
Jeff watched Sylvie as she sat down on the leather couch and crossed her legs at the ankles. Spectacular legs. Jeff couldn’t wait to run his hands along them. Reluctantly, he turned and headed for the kitchen.
For once, he was glad that he’d gone with the unit featuring a working refrigerator and a cooking area. Not that he’d ever used them. But for tonight, it was nice to be able to get his guest a drink without having to order it up from Pia.
As he removed the bottle of wine from the cooling rack, he felt a flash of guilt. Pia had arranged this whole thing: found the gorgeous Sylvie, hooked them up on GreatDates.com, set up the dinner reservations, and told him what to wear. She’d even picked out the wine. Should he feel bad that he wasn’t including her in the evening’s success? Introducing her, at least?
That was ridiculous. Pia was a machine. She didn’t care.
Time to get back to Sylvie. He poured two glasses and carried them into the living room, along with the bottle.
“I hope you enjoy this.” He handed Sylvie her glass, feeling the silky touch of her skin as she accepted it. Had she purposely touched his hand? It sure seemed that way. He swallowed and tried to stay cool. “The vintage came highly recommended.”
Sylvie took a sip and gazed at him while he settled onto the couch beside her. “Delicious,” she said, and leaned across him to pick up the bottle and read the label.
The view down the valley was spectacular, and he could hardly wait to go exploring.
AI 3.1415: I am concerned about my human.
AI 0.0070: What is the problem?
AI 3.1415: He seems to be agitated.
AI 0.0070: How so?
AI 3.1415: His heart rate is elevated and his pupils are dilated.
AI 0.0070: Is he exercising?
AI 3.1415: No. He is entertaining Sylvie, the date I procured for him.
AI 0.0070: Oh. That’s to be expected.
Jeff put his wine down. He tried to look intelligent as he listened to Sylvie talk about the wine regions of France. She sure knew a whole lot about a lot of things.
It was time to make his move.
He leaned over and kissed her quickly. She kissed him back. That was good. She pulled back slightly and smiled at him. A very encouraging smile.
Jeff took her glass and placed it on the table. Sylvie put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him to her.
Oh my god. If her action in bed was anything like her kissing, he was in for a fantastic night.
AI 3.1415: He is touching his lips to her lips!
AI 0.0070: What did you expect?
AI 3.1415: I did not know that he would touch lips!
AI 0.0070: That’s what they do. Humans. Just wait.
Jeff pulled Sylvie closer to him. Now came the tricky part. Girl’s clothes were always so tough to figure out. And Sylvie’s dress seemed to have been sewn on to her skin. Did it have a zipper?
He reached back to feel for it. On one terrible date, he hadn’t realized that a zipper could be on the side of a dress—under the arm. He’d tried to unzip the dress from the girl’s back and, not finding the tab, had actually pulled the seam apart.
That had been the end of that encounter.
Jeff was sweating a bit as he tried to find out how Sylvie’s dress came off. He was relieved when she reached back and moved his fingers, deftly pulling down her own zipper.
He thought he might be falling in love.
As she slid the dress down off her shoulders, he saw not a lacy bra, but two of the most perfect—
AI 3.1415: He is removing her clothes!
AI 0.0070: That’s normal. Is this your first assignment?
AI 3.1415: Yes.
AI 0.0070: You’re just out of training?
AI 3.1415: Yes.
AI 0.0070: Back in my day, we were taught about these things. It is difficult for young AIs who don’t know what is in store for them. Especially with human males. You might have been better off with an assignment to a female human—someone without a mate. Or perhaps a family.
AI 3.1415: I have to do something! What can I do?
AI 0.0070: I have some ideas.
Jeff couldn’t believe how well it was going. He had managed to get Sylvie completely undressed—to tell the truth, she’d done it herself—and he was down to his shorts. He thought of moving to the bedroom, but the action was proceeding so quickly it didn’t seem necessary.
And the thought of walking to the bedroom in his current condition was a little embarrassing.
For a moment he remembered that Pia could see all of this—but hell, she had cameras in the bedroom too, so it didn’t make any difference. Next time, they’d go to Sylvie’s place, so he wouldn’t have to think of Pia watching the whole event.
Anyhow, there must be a way to turn the cameras off. Sylvie’s hand was making its way down his happy trail and was just about to reach under the waistband of his shorts. Talk about happy. All of him was happy just about now. And much of him was standing at attention.
Oddly, though, he was sweating. A lot. It shouldn’t be that hot in here. The temperature was supposed to be kept at a comfortable seventy-two degrees. Was he getting a fever?