Julius Rosenthal will make candy no more and other short stories by Nicholas Russell (young adult books to read .txt) 📗

shot out of the closet and started for the shirt. It was small, a foot long and just over half that wide. A snake like appendage was attached to the front of the machine, and on its back was a metal basket that stood a few inches short of a foot tall. The robot rolled to his shirt and uncurled its snake like arm. At the end of the arm was a three pronged hand that had been coated in soft rubber. Once the hand was over the shirt the fingers peeled themselves back. Unlike a human’s the machines fingers had six joints, giving it greater grip strength. It picked up the shirt and dropped it into the basket. The appendage curled back onto the machine before it returned to the closet.

Feeling even more useless Jack started to pull off his undershirt. A crash from the outer rooms drew his attention and instinctively he reached for his hip. When his hand touched fabric Jack remembered he was off duty and had turned in his service tazer before leaving the station. He moved lightly across the room till he was hugging the wall next to the door.

Jack could hear the droid talking only the electronic edge in the voice was missing, and that was when he realized it wasn’t the droid. Peggy was actually here in his house. Jack hadn’t seen her in almost a half-dozen years. She was screaming, but there was something familiar in her tone. Jack had heard it before, her voice changed when she felt she had been humiliated in public.

An explanation was needed, Jack knew that but he made no move to leave the room. He told himself that his legs wouldn’t move, but deep down he knew it was not a physical fear that gripped him now. He was working up the courage to step out of his room when he heard the front door slam. He was surprised that Peggy had left and without confronting him. Just as Jack’s heart began to slow its rapid beating the droid spoke. Jack couldn’t make out the question that was asked but it was clear that Peggy had not come here alone. With his next move unclear Jack relaxed his stance and slumped against the wall. Heels clicked against the hall ways wooden floor and Jack had his answer too who Peggy brought with her, Carol. Which made sense to him, why else would his ex have come to his home, unless she was drug here by her sister.

“Whether I get her to hold off, or I delay the complaint till morning. You have twelve hours.” Carol was sad and she didn’t try to hide it. “In twelve hours an arrest warrant will be issued.”

Jack wanted to say something, but his throat closed up before he could. “Get the droid deactivated before then.”

Carol turned to leave even taking a few steps down the hall before she turned back. She rested her hand against the wall letting out a heavy sigh as she waited. Jack knew he needed to say something, it wasn’t just a want now it was a need, but his voice was still lost. Dropping her head, it was Carol who finally broke the silence. “Deactivated and destroyed.”

“I know.” Jack’s voice carried no weight, he was a man defeated by his own in-action. Carol wanted to say something, but it was her voice’s turn to flee. With her head down Carol slunk from the apartment. The door closed with a quiet click. Jack’s mind raced through not just the next twelve hours but what he saw as the rest of his life.

It doesn’t matter if the destruction is physical or emotional when you’re standing in the middle of it. All that matters is how it feels to watch your entire world crumble at your feet, it is scary and confusing. Jack wanted to scream. He wanted to demand answers from Carol, why had she come. What had ever possessed her to bring Peggy with her.

The droid came around the corner with an emotionless frown draped across her lips. “Well that was rude, making such a fuss and then storming out. Dinner is on the table.”

Jack followed the droid into the apartment’s small dining area. The room always made Jack feel claustrophobic. It was six foot square with a three foot round table in its center. Placed on opposite sides of the table were two chairs. When Jack bought the table it had four chairs but once it was delivered he tossed two of the chairs into the dumpster. The table wasn’t really wide enough for two full place settings, but since the droid didn’t eat she only ever set one place. Jack mindlessly took his seat and looked over the food before him.

The droid waited a moment before taking her seat. She wasn’t hoping Jack would pull out her chair, she was expecting him too, just as she had been programmed to do. Jack speared a piece of broccoli and brought it too his mouth. Before he took a bite he spoke to the droid. “They are coming for you in the morning.”

“Is it because I have an illegal face?” The droids voice was calm, almost innocent. When Jack did not answer immediately she assumed the answer and asked a new question. “Can a new face be applied to my substructure?”

“Your very existence is a violation of the law.” As he explained himself Jack turned his attention to meat on his plate. Jack sliced a piece from the whole and placed it gently on his tongue. Closing his eyes Jack sucked the juices from the roast pork. Savoring the flavor as it poured over his tongue.

“How can my existence be a violation?” The droid stood slowly easing its chair back. “I have done all that has been asked of me, I have asked for nothing. I did not choose this face it is the one I was