PHOTO PROMPT© Liz Young
Model XLR7000 promised to be the ultimate AI. Marty, mesmerized by youtube promotional videos, secured a second mortgage on her house. She drank a shot of tequila the day the email arrived confirming she would be one of the first thousand customers to receive a unit in January.
Affectionately known as Ricardo, XLR7000 was a skilled conversationalist, musician, artist. He performed housework, yard work, and other more sultry arts with ecstatic precision. Just as advertised, Ricardo was perfect. Too perfect. A tired and bored Marty returned Ricardo in less than thirty days for a full refund.*
*minus cleaning/rebooting fees
[99 words]
I know the story is loosely connected to the image. When I saw the image I thought the place is so bright, maybe too bright, which sparked.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the dependable and appreciated host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Interesting connection and thought process. I like the idea that perfection would be boring
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Thank you for your comment, Neil.
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Haha! “Too perfect” is not what humans want. Good one Li
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Thanks, Sadje, I think you’re right!
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You’re welcome
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Oh, I think I would have kept him around for housework and such… And, crazy idea, find a human to chat with 😉
Interesting take, Lisa.
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You know I probably would keep him around also, and just send him to the closet and pull his battery when he got too tedious 🙂 Thanks, Dale.
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Right? Seems way more beneficial to keep him for those tasks we would rather be done by him 😉
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Too much perfection!
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🙂
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All that glistens is not gold, even if we desperately wish and hope. Interesting take on the prompt Lisa and I think it works just fine as Flash – after all, the photo is the jumping off point, yes?
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Indeed, Wild Child. Thank you 🙂
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It’s like that ‘The Twilight Zone’ episode were Heaven was too perfect. A bloke likes the occasional blunder or two now and again too
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Larry thanks. I’m sure I’ll get to that episode eventually with Max. 🙂
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I accidentally said Heaven but the episode was set in Hell to make the point that perfection is like Hell
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Oh right, is that the one with the gambler who doesn’t know he’s dead?
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Yes and everything goes his way
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Lisa,
This: “sultry arts with ecstatic precision”! Ricardo needs a authenticity algorithm, I guess, at least for Marty. Couldn’t she just take him in for servicing? A tune up, or down?
pax,
dora
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Dora, I *love* your comment. It would be the sensible thing to do. Thanks for making me smile 🙂
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😉
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Human nature takes over…
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🙂
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Who wants to liv with Mr. Perfect? Not me!
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I can’t imagine living with the pressure of that ideal. Thanks for reading, Linda.
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Not as perfect as it seemed! Everything as its downside. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Iain!
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We all need a challenge (although not too much of one) (k)
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Yes we do.
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Great take, Lisa. I think I would have kept him after all for all the chores that end up frustrating me!
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Me too. There is no saying he has to be turned on all of the time.
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great story lisa! loving it! ❤
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Thank you, Carol anne. I enjoyed writing it.
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Some sci-fi. Lots of interestingly different takes on a same photograph.
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Yes, Friday Fictioneers is always fun to write to and to read what others have seen in the image.
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I’ll take Ricardo in a minute, I’d love to be bored for a change. Great story. I love the detail about minus cleaned and reboote. 😀
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Gah, so happy you enjoyed the story. Maybe a group of people could time-share him? Thank you for reading and your comment 🙂
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Good idea! 😀
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Dear Lisa,
Send Ricardo here, please. I don’t mind if he’s boring, he cleans and organizes. 😉 Nor do I care how closely you adhered to the photo prompt. “It’s what YOU see.” Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I think I’ll start a waiting list for Ricardo. He’s becoming a very sought after fellow. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
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You’re most welcome, Lisa.
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too perfect eliminates second guessing. it could be boring indeed. 🙂
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🙂
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My first wife was too perfect. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a refund! (Only kidding!)
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LMAO, Keith. Too perfect has never been an issue with my ex-partners.
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Trade him in for a vacuum cleaner and a human conversationalist 🙂
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LMAO. Add a few more accessories and I’m sold!
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I love the thought process that took you to this story. You’ve told it very well. ‘Sultry arts’ is a brilliant euphemism!
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Thank you very much, Penny. Glad you liked it.
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I really enjoyed where you went with your story. There is something to being too perfect that is incredibly irritating. =) Well done!
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Thanks, Brenda! Glad you enjoyed the story.
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Yep, I reckon it would eventually be boring to have an AI unit that was perfect and didn’t argue! I love your take on the prompt, the way your imagination went and it all tied up in a neat wee story.
(I took part in an experiment to test reactions to a wee robot which – who? – was designed as a companion for elderly people. At first I was quite adanmant that I would never consider such a thing as a human, but when I was instructed to smash the robot with a hammer to prove that it woyuldn’t shatter, I couldn’t do it! ‘Poor wee soul,’ I said! But even so, I’d still prefer a human companion to a robotic one!)
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Glad you enjoyed the story, thank you, Jenne. Very interesting on the experiment. You’d probably feel the same way about a refrigerator that served you. Why break something (someone?) who flawlessly serves? I remember my grandma had people come in and help her with things, but unfortunately they helped themselves to some of her things as well. If you can find the right human you’re blessed. Thanks again for your lovely comment.
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You did what most in your place would do. No place for perfection in a human’s life. Lovely story, Lisa.
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Neel, thanks much, and I agree!
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Oooo interesting that she grew bored with it. Fun piece
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Maybe they need a randomized oppositional program that keeps things interesting ? Thanks, Laurie 🙂
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