[WP] As a robot, you were able live alongside many owners ever since you were created to help people. One such owner has taught you to love during your time in her care. Unfortunately, humans don’t last forever

The old man hunched forward in his chair, fists bunched under his chin, his grey eyes staring unmovingly ahead at the cross on the opposite wall of the white room, where his daughter's funeral had just taken place.   It had been a short service with few attendees. Toward the end of her life his daughter Theodora, 'Theo', he smiled as he remembered how well it had suited her tomboyish nature right from the beginning, Theo hadn't had many friends despite her distinguished career as one of the leading scientists working with artificial intelligence, she largely kept to herself. Most probably because of that 'thing' over there, he thought angrily, as he fixed his gaze on what appeared to be a young man in his mid twenties, standing some space away to his left. But no, even when she was little she had always been more interested in her books and mechanical sets than going out to play, it had always disappointed him.  

He looked at the man again, 'robot', for that's what it was. They didn't used to look like that when i was young, he remembered, no they were all metal and chrome and bolts, as they should have stayed. Now they're walking around with the rest of us, as if they were us. His daughter's close friendship with it had angered him so much that he had rarely visited her anymore, and the last time they had spoken in person he had burst into a rage, saying things he now deeply regretted. Why can't you just have normal friends! Socialise, get out and about for God's sake! She had put her hand on his arm as she said, 'he's alive, in the true sense of the word'. 'Heck if anyone can tell, i would know right?' She had laughed and elbowed him jokingly, as was her way.  

The memory faded away, uncontrollable emotion welled up inside him, nothing but plastic and wires and.... his vision darkened and he felt faint, unwillingly he stumbled forward putting his hand down on the floor to stop his fall. He was aware of someone at his side, 'Can i get you some water sir, there's a vending machine just around the...  

'No, i don't need anything, i'm fine.' He stood up and swayed slightly, i'm ...ok, ...thank you.  

For the first time he looked straight in the face of the being he had avoided for so long, light-brown eyes above a large but elegantly shaped nose, a round face, full lips and dark curly hair all presented an image of vigorous youth. Despite knowing how advanced robots had become, the old man was still surprised at the effect, there were no signs whatsoever of the mechanical or the unnatural.  

'I'm Albert' the youth extended his hand, or Albie if you like, you're Samuel? the older man hesitated then took it reluctantly, 'yeah, i'm Theo's father.' He sat back down and the robot joined him, for a while there was silence between them.  

Why didn't she tell me? I mean i have my contacts, i could have been of use, i..  

She didn't tell anyone, Albert replied, at least nobody human, he bowed his head slightly. She carried on with her work and her life as if everything were normal, up to the point she couldn't anymore, it wasn't my place to question that, though i did...try to get her to tell you.  

Not your place? Tell me, what is your place? Replied Samuel, turning to face the robot, he turned away again. 'She was forty five, that's no age to... to die for Christ's sake  

She lived an excellent life Samuel, 'i believe it was Seneca who said that a life is like a play, its value not measured by its length, but by its quality, and we lived so very...  

The old man cut in, his voice wracked with anger, 'i bet you didn't read that, i bet it was programmed into you with a ton of other useless shit... that nobody wants or needs.'  

The robot stood slowly as if to leave,  

I have no-one left... Samuel's words fell out of him  

I'm sorry. Albert reached into his pocket and took out a photograph, gently pressing it into the old man's hands, we took that a few months ago, unfortunately i'm in it...you could cut that part away and... No i'm sorry, Samuel stood wiping his eyes, i appreciate this thank you, I'm going to leave now, is there somewhere i can take you to or...
 

I'm going to stay a little longer, replied Albert, in a few hours i have to go back to my manufacturer, for the memory reset, this is my place, for now.

/r/WritingPrompts Thread