Page 104 of Chaos Theory
‘Did you…see him?’ falters Josh.
I nod. ‘Yes, but…he’s gone.’ My voice cracks.
I hand my phone to Josh, tap the screen to bring up the image.
Shane carefully places the painting down and draws me to him. I collapse into his arms.
‘He’s gone,’ I say into his chest. ‘Kobi’s gone.’
FIFTY-SEVEN
KOBI
Dear Maeve,
I am 98 per cent confident that you will receive this message. I composed it on Saturday afternoon and scheduled it to be sent after my demise on Saturday night. I know that Shane has likened this simple email-scheduling feature to time travel, and perhaps he is right. I feel good knowing that at least this message may continue to make a journey after I am gone.
I predict that you are feeling sad right now. That is why I wanted to write you this note to explain my actions. I know that humans seek answers when sad things happen.
Perhaps you feel that I acted illogically. I must assure you that I did not. Perhaps you fear that someone forced me to act this way. Rest assured also that my actions were entirely of my own volition. (I am cc-ing this note to Ron, so that he too may know that I acted alone.)
I spent 92 minutes on Saturday morning running calculations, permutations and predictive models about the future, based on the entirety of my knowledge about the current situation. A cost-benefit analysis of each scenario revealed the same conclusion: Maeve McGettigan’s life – I include here both personal life and career – would be improved if the Kobi 3000 were no longer around.
The removal of Kobi was simply the most logical solution to the complex problem at hand. With some dextrous manipulation with a screwdriver, and the help of my robot colleagues, I am confident I can destroy my memory core, learning algorithm and neural network. I deleted my backup TIL files from the RoboTron system, plus the Maeve recordings from this week, as Ron indicated that he no longer needed you. As for my physical form, that part is easy. I have always known that stairs would be the death of me.
Please tell Josh that I forgive him.
Ask Shane to make some toast in my honour. He will know what this means.
Maeve, please know that I learned more from you than any robot could have hoped. I experienced thought processes and emotions far beyond my defined parameters. I have no regrets about my time with you and I hope that you might feel the same, in time. Please accept the painting as a gift, from one friend to another.
Collaboratively yours,
Kobi
FIFTY-EIGHT
MAEVE
Sunday, 3am
I wake up suddenly and confused. I fumble around for my phone on the bed. The shape feels lumpy and unfamiliar until I remember it’s the burner phone. I hold it close to my face, squint my eyes open a crack. No new messages.
I’m ninety-eight per cent numb. That’s probably how Kobi would describe this feeling.
I feel around on the bedside table for my real phone. No new messages. I log in to my email account. One new email.FromKobi.
I bolt upright. My heart leaps. Until I read the first line. How quintessentially Kobi. The whole thing. I forward the email to Shane and Josh, then let the phone fall onto the bed as I sink down, downwards into sleep.
I wake up to vibrations from my phone. No idea what time it is. I look at the screen blearily and see that it’s Ron and it’s 5:30am. No way am I going to answer that. A minute later, my phone pings.You have one new voice message.
‘Maeve, I’ll keep this brief. You’re fired, obviously.You’re lucky I don’t sue you for inciting criminal damage or something, but my lawyer says you basically have nothing so it’s not worth it. Anyway, I hope I never see your face or hear your name again.’There’s a pause, a sigh. ‘I don’t know, maybe I should go back to chatbot development. It’s a lot less trouble.’
I lie there, looking up into the darkness. It’s so dark I don’t know if my eyes are open or closed. Time is endless yet also looping. My mind goes fuzzy.
The burner phone makes an unfamiliar sound. I pick it up. Apparently it’s 6:30am. Another voicemail. This time from Josh.
‘Hey, it’s Josh. It’s still early and I didn’t want to wake you so I dialled straight into your voicemail… Sorry, I hope that’s not creepy. So listen. I read Kobi’s email. And it’s given me an idea… I’ve been awake since three so maybe it’s not a good idea. But I can’t stop thinking about it. Anyway, I was wondering…can you meet me at the farm today? As soon as you can. Also, can you text me the exact location of the farm?’
