01 | Darwin | Day 45 (video)

[evolv]

[The display opens on the cemetery. The only interesting thing is a pile of rock and ash in front of a gravestone. How long has that been there? The cemetery isn't a wholly popular place, it could have been days. For a long moment, nothing happens. Birds chirp, wine rustles the trees.

Then-- there, do you see it? A piece of the rubble twitches slightly, then begins to roll up the pile. Another joins it in motion. Pretty soon all the pieces are shaking and rolling over each other, reshaping into the vague form of a body. A line of stones reach out towards the camera, pulling it up and in. Finally, the round shape on top solidifies into a head, complete with a face, the eyes open wide and he gasps, taking in the first breath of life he's had for days.]

Wha-- [He breathes heavily, slowly becoming more human than statue. His clothes are tattered, singed, and dusty.] What the hell?

Comments

[evolv]

You won't be getting any master out of me, my man. I don't believe in any of that master, servant bunk.

[thezerothlaw]

You're not the first to express that opinion to me. I find that it requires some adjustment, but it's not unpleasant.

[evolv]

You don't mind being treated like you're less than everybody else just 'cause you were made not born? Or is it just 'cause they made you not to mind?

[thezerothlaw]

[This is unusually philosophical for him. Daneel is... not good at philosophy.]

Robots were created to assist humans. I can't change the nature of what I am. I would think it's better to fulfill my role to the best of my ability rather than fight it, which would be unpleasant. I can't say if I am truly less than human, but I'm certainly different.

[evolv]

[Darwin shrugs. He's no Reverend King himself.]

Fair enough. Different's fine by me.

[thezerothlaw]

As it is with me. How should I address you?

[evolv]

Damn, how rude. My name's Darwin.

[thezerothlaw]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darwin.

[evolv]

Good to meet you too, Dan my man. Can I call you Dan?

[thezerothlaw]

Several individuals here do call me that.

[Which is odd, if not unpleasant. He's not used to nicknames.]

You may certainly address me as "Dan" if you wish to.

[evolv]

Good. Dan it is. Nicknames are good, it humanizes you.

[thezerothlaw]

[This takes a moment to consider. He hadn't thought of it that way.]

I'm aware that nicknames are a way to create familiarity and express affection between individuals. I wasn't aware that they could have the effect of "humanizing" a non-human individual. I was designed to be as close to human in appearance and behaviour as possible, while remaining a robot, but if you feel that I need humanizing, I'm concerned that I might be failing at this.

[evolv]

Nah, man, don't worry about it. I just mean that if you're different from the rest of people they can look at you funny, but you give them something to call you, give them an in, and they'll accept you as one of them. I'm not tryin' to tell you you need to do something if you don't want to, I'm just sharing my own personal truths here.

[thezerothlaw]

I see.

[This is still something interesting to think about, new and peculiar, if nothing else.]

I already find myself accepted as "one of the community" to a greater extent here than I have previously experienced. Still, this is valuable information. Thank you, Darwin.

[evolv]

Any time, Dan. Any time. Glad to hear the people here are accepting.