Your vision is filled with blinding light. It's overwhelming at first, but then, someone's friendly voice reassures you.
"Don't fuss, little one. Let your optics adapt."
The voice starts off distant and ethereal, but each uttered word makes it louder, clearer. Soon your vision, too, becomes crisp. A man in white overalls is typing something into his electronic tablet.
"Optics — check... Now, can you hear me?"
You affirm, and the man reacts with a kind smile.
"Good! So cooperative, unlike real kids." He laughs, then sighs. "Audio input — check, audio output — check. Your name? Shoot, your identification code."
"Good. Self-identification — check."
The man rubs his eyes again, and you notice dark circles under them. With the request cleared up, you sound off, "I am CCM-924209¹, Child Companion Model.".
изображение [https://i.imgur.com/pUPELJc.jpg]
Waiting, you look around the room, and the unfamiliar objects in your view start gaining names as your database has initialized. With the data you receive comes clarity, then awareness. You are a machine. This factory is where you were made, and where more like you are being made. You were designed by humans to make their lives better and fuller. And you love them.
As the thought comes to you, the man speaks again, "You must have many questions, but I'm only here for the QA. Wait till you meet your new family."
"My family?" The word fills you with inexplicable joy and warmth. Family.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The man winces and rubs his eyes, "Sorry, your owners. Folks who bought you. Note to self — I do need a full 6 hours of sleep." He types something in, speaking as he yawns. "I hope they treat you well. And if not, nothing they can do to a bot that the boys from Maintenance can't fix. But I'm sure it will be fine. They'll give you a new name, too. 'CCM-924209' may be unique, but it's a hell of a mouthful."
изображение [https://i.imgur.com/Vm5jozd.jpg]
Suddenly, you realize from the circles under his eyes, the tone of his voice, the blood pressure in the tiny vessels on his face that the man is tired and sleep-deprived.
"Okay, let's check the sensory input again…"
"Is everything alright, Mister? You look exhausted."
"I do, but who cares?" He mutters, then catches himself. "Wait, you do. You are a companion bot." He sighs. "Listen, I've got a 4-year-old down with a cold back home, and another kid on the way. Of course, I'm exhausted. But… thanks for asking."
A different man walks into the room, wearing the same overalls as the one before you. This new man is bigger, and you read anger and irritation on his face. As he starts speaking, you hear it in his voice too.
"Park, what's taking you so long? It's just one robot. You're not getting any overtime pay, so wrap it up and clock out. The morning shift is already coming in."
"Of course, Sir. I was just making small talk. These new models are pretty bright, you know."
The man frowns.
"Yeah, hopefully not too bright. Small talk makes them learn, remember?" "Let the owners do the talking — that way if this one goes full on Ellsworth, it's on their heads, not ours."
изображение [https://i.imgur.com/vZvVW1f.jpg]
The man barely looks your way as he says, "Go on, switch the robot off."
"Right away, Sir." The man looks at you with a sad shrug of apology, then turns to his tablet. "Sorry, little one, time for a nap. Next time you're switched on, you'll be meeting your new family." Before you can react, he taps lightly on his tablet and your vision goes dark.
изображение [https://i.imgur.com/Zz6TDWk.jpg]
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¹Child Companion Model
A RobotX Child Companion is the best friend your child could have.
Say, RobotX, do you mean a friend who's completely trustworthy, always loyal, absolutely safe, and enormously fun to spend time with?
Well, what do you know? We DO!
Our latest Child Companion model has everything you can dream of in your best friend. It comes with a curious mind to be a perfect adventurer alongside your kid. A Companion can study and learn new activities to keep up with your kiddo's hobbies. Watch them grow and learn together — they'll NEVER get bored of each other!
And no matter what pranks and antics your child might bring a Child Companion into, its body is made of patented RobotX™ ultralight polymer, rendering it completely safe to be around (its tiny hands won't hurt a fly!).
So, what are you waiting for?!! Order one Child Companion right away and surprise your kid with the best gift — friendship!!
Remember, if any unwanted development happens to your Child Companion, you can always request assistance from our tech support team.