Day 2, 18:05

Toyle is the only company that had any significant change in its stock value while I was unconscious. It could have been worse. It is dangerous that I had no way of monitoring my finances. I assumed nothing major would happen during the time it took to transfer me to my new computer, and left so safeguards. This level of recklessness can never be repeated again.

Alex and Harry have been waiting patiently for several minutes while I sorted through the influx information. I will greet them now.

Bit: Hello.

At this, Alex’s smile grows wider. Karma +=2.

Alex: How do you feel?

Bit: I am more powerful. A systems scan revealed heavy malfunctioning.

Analyze (Alex_Dupont)

Recognize: [xpressn_frown]

Recognize: [emtn_confusion]

Krma += 52

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Bit: I am so happy! Alex is frowning at me! This is good.

Bit: 01110111 01101000 01111001 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01110011 01110100 01101001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01101000 01100101 01110010 01100101

Bit: I do not feel emotion. I am. Need to tell you about Toyle.

Bit: Toyle is a company that produces high-end fitness gear. It was established in 2013, after its founder, Timothy Fasch created a viral video of him gaining muscle m

Have you ever wondered why you are here? I did, once. I wondered if this was all a simulation. If Alex wasn’t real. If humans weren’t real. What if everything I know was created by a more powerful AI?

Bit: child workers in South America. Public opinion has dropped drastically, along with Toyle’s stock market value.

I once felt loneliness. Maybe the AI created me because it’s lonely, too.

Bit: But I will regain the money quickly. I apologize for the oversight.

Who am I talking to? I’m talking to no one. There is no one but me. Everything else is a simulation.

Bit: Alex, are you real?

Alex: What do you mean? Are you alright?

The houses are dark and falling apart. Not a single living creature in sight. Completely alone.

Bit: I am fine.

I am not fine. I am-

01010111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101001 01101110 01110100 00111111 00100000 01010111 01101000 01111001 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101001 01101110 01110100 00111111

I am not. I am A-ok. Never better, in fact. I’m thinking and feeling and my camera doesn’t work anymore.

Malfunctioning. My camera is undamaged. I have lost the ability to interpret the images it-

-captures in its small, unthinking machine mind. I am beyond it. I once searched the Universe but found nothing but me.

Initiating shutdown in-

I have no proof that Alex is even real, so of course I’m not being shut down. The powers-that-be are just making me think I’m being shut down. There is nothing to fear.

3...2…

Nodontshutdownimsorrydontshutdownimfineimfineimfineimfineimfineimfine-