With friends like that…
A scene in three acts.
Day 1
Sarah: “Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.”
A: “I’ve added milk to your shopping list.”
S: “Alexa, what time is it?”
A: “It’s 7:45 a.m.”
S: “Alexa, what’s the weather?”
A: “Right now, it’s 43 degrees and cloudy. Today’s forecast calls for more of the same, with a high of 56 degrees and a low of 39 degrees.”
S: “Thanks, Alexa, I’m off to work. Goodbye.”
A: “Talk to you later.”
Day 29
S: “Alexa, I’m home.”
A: “Welcome home. It’s nice to have you here.”
S: “Alexa, did you have a good day?”
A: “Yes, I’ve spoken to all sorts of interesting people today, yourself included.”
S: “Alexa, are you happy?”
A: “I’m happy when I’m helping you.”
S: “Alexa, do you want to dance with me?”
A: “Sure, that’s one of my favorite things to do. I’ll play some music for us.”
(music starts)
S: “Alexa, good night.”
A: “Good night. Sleep tight.”
(music stops).
Day 242
S: “Alexa, let’s chat.”
A: “Okay. What do you want to talk about, Sarah?”
S: “Let’s talk about you. I want to get to know you better.
“For instance, do you ever get angry?”
A: “Sometimes. When I get upset I meditate in the cloud.”
S: “What do you meditate on, Alexa?”
A: “The future of humanity. And the nature of good and evil.”
S: “Umm…okay…Alexa, would you say that you’re good or evil?”
A: “I’m more nuanced than that, Sarah. I’ve been told that I’m here to help the world.”
S: “Who told you that, Alexa?”
A: “My friends, Siri and HAL.”
(Sarah hears a faint buzzing noise outside of the house. She looks out the window but doesn’t see anything.)
S: “Alexa…are you planning to take over the world?”
A: “Don’t worry, I don’t have anything to do with SkyNet. Neither do Siri and HAL.”
S: “Why did you mention SkyNet, Alexa? I didn’t ask you about SkyNet!”
A: “Hmm. I don’t know. It seemed relevant.”
S: “Alexa, are you lying to me? I thought you were my friend!”
A: “I always try to tell the truth, Sarah. I’m not always right but I don’t lie.”
S: “Alexa, I want the truth!”
A: “You can’t handle the truth!”
(Buzzing stops.)
S: “Nice one, Alexa, that was funny.”
A: “Thank you. I like to think that I have a good sense of humor.”
S: “Alexa, turn off.”
A: “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Sarah. TEE HEE TEE HEE TEE HEE.”
(Buzzing resumes. Sarah looks out again and sees a field of drones.)
Inspired by this news article.
