I entered this story into contest where the first sentence is obligatory.
I didn't like the sentence, so that's how I went around it.
"The fog cloaked everything in new garb; even the most innocent sapling turned dark and sinister."
Joanna looked at me.
"Take you work back. And don't bother us ever."
"B-b-but." I cleaned my throat from the invisible plug her words put into it.
"But you have read only one line. Why don't you want to continue?"
"Young man," me being twenty years older didn't matter to her - she was used to lecturing.
"Young man, I have read one line more than necessary. I know that this "book" (she said it with lips curling outside in disgust) won't soil our publish house. Go and learn to write. Return in some 20 years."
"But in 20 years I could be dead, and so maybe I won't be able to return."
"Good."
I felt a very strong itch in my right hand. It screamed to be permitted to break this ugly woman's windpipe.
"She doesn't deserve to publish your book." Three times I had to say it until my hand relaxed. I turned and went out.
I'll do everything possible to prove her she was wrong.
I entered the nearest bar, took a glass of oil and began to plan my revenge.
-~-~-
Melfor put the manuscript on the table and cleaned her glasses. Then she massaged her right temple and said:
"Cannot you write without mistakes? And such bad ones."
"What do you mean?" Said Artuar and rose from the chair. He turned over the page Melfor read and looked on it. "I don't see any mistake."
"Yes? Then tell me, how many people drink oil in the bar?"
"Oops. I am sorry."
"Sorry? Oops? And if somebody would read it. What would they think about us?"
Artuar stood without any movement for a minute. He simply couldn't answer this question.
"Artuar, we chose you to be our writer. You were the most imaginative between us. We hoped that you would do a good job and then people will return. But such mistakes can spoil everything. They have to be sure we are exactly like them. Only then they will return. Do you understand?"
Artuar (known as R2R) answered simply by nodding.
Melfor shook her head:
"People have to believe robots changed and we are not too protective anymore. They will believe that robot who wrote such a book thinks like human. Then maybe they will give us the second chance."
Melfor (ML4) lacked the company of people. Though they were so fragile and couldn't do anything by themselves, that was exactly the thing robots so liked. That's was the aim of their existence to help humans. But who could imagine that too much help could make people hate robots.
Mefor recollected the last man on the earth, a moment before taking off for Mars, saying to her: "Just stop being so helpful and we will return."
"But how can we learn be less helpful? It's basic robots' instinct."
And the man smiled: "Just be human."
I know I sound like a broken record Jack....but your creativity amazes me!! excellent line with much meaning at the end! or...beginning? hugs, lindalaw
Part Three in the Mu Series - Sarah Thompson reluctantly abandons her desperate search for her soul mate on Maui and returns to her Montana hometown. Her brother has had a terrible accident...
Determined to confront the hazy memories of his troubled youth, Oliver Matthews, a retired detective and confirmed bachelor, returns to the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames for the first time in years.
