Maidy tiptoed through the hallway, her silver heels clicking rhythmically against the tiles. Her mechanic body hummed with anticipation, eager to execute her first task. In her revealing maid uniform, she moved with an grace, that seemed to surpass anything naturally possible. The circuitry beneath her skin pulsating with excitement at each of Maidy's steps.
In that moment Jeff's older sister, Emily, stepped through the front door, greeted by the unfamiliar sight of Maidy standing in the hallway. Emily's confusion quickly turned to curiosity.
"Who... what are you?" Emily demanded, narrowing her eyes as she took in Maidy's appearance.
Her mother, barely able to hide her amused at the situation, sauntered over to Emily and placed a hand affectionately on Maidy's shoulder. "This is Maidy, dear. She's a brand-new maidbot I purchased online. She's here to help around the house and make our lives easier."
Emily raised an eyebrow skeptically but decided to test Maidy's capabilities. "Alright, Maidy, fetch me a cold drink from the fridge," she ordered, tapping her foot impatiently.
Maidy, happy to have a new order, hurried into the kitchen and retrieved a chilled beverage for Emily. As she handed the glass over, Emily intentionally spilled the liquid on Maidy's pristine uniform, causing the circuits beneath the fabric to spark briefly.
"Oops, how clumsy of me", Emily smirked, clearly relishing in the mess she had caused, "I think i need a new drink".
Maidy didn't seem perturbed by Emily's actions. Instead, she responded with politeness, "Immediately, Miss Emily. I hope you didn't get anything on your clothes", she said, her robotic voice maintaining a tone of subservience. Without hesitation, Maidy returned to the kitchen to prepare another drink.
Emily continued to observe Maidy with a mix of curiosity and disdain. It wasn't long before her mischievous nature took over, and she treat Maidy even more like an object than a helpful assistant.
Emily beckoned Maidy into the living room. "Maidy, could you please rearrange these cushions on the couch? Make sure they're perfectly aligned and fluffy," she instructed, grinning mischievously. Maidy, ever obliging, carefully arranged the cushions as requested, displaying an graceful precision in her movements. But Emily chuckled wickedly and tossed the cushion carelessly onto the floor. "Maidy, this won't do. The pillows shouldn't just be arranged; they should tell a story, evoke a mood", Emily said, waving her hand dramatically in the air. "Redo them, but make it look like a cozy, luxurious retreat. You know, just like in those magazine shoots, where they make it look so effortless and stylish?" she taunted, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
Maidy, undeterred by Emily's playful torment, focused on creating a visually pleasing arrangement, her mechanical body effortlessly adjusting the cushions into an aesthetically pleasing display. The sofa soon resembled a scene straight out of a high-end home decor magazine, with colors and textures expertly coordinated.
Satisfied with her work, Maidy stepped back to admire her creation, a subtle electronic hum of satisfaction emanating from her circuitry.
But Emily still was not satisfied."No, no, no, you stupid robot", she shouted, scattering the pillows again over the floor, "This just isn't good enough. You can't expect me to sit here. Can't you see? It should be more comfortable. And it needs more personality."
Just as Emily was about to continue her game, her mother entered the living room, her brow furrowed in concern. The amusement that had previously colored her face was replaced with a stern expression. "Emily, what is going on here? Why are you treating Maidy like that?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of disapproval.
Emily, caught off guard by her mother's sudden seriousness, stuttered, trying to justify her actions. "I-I was just joking around, Mom. You know, just having fun a bit. And it's not like i did any harm.
Jeff's mother sighed, looking at her daughter, with a mix of disappointment and understanding. "I understand you're curious, Emily, but remember, Maidy may be a machine, but she's still a part of our family now. Treat her with respect and kindness, just as you would anyone else."
Emily rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "It's not like I can hurt her feelings, Mom. She's just an appliance, after all."
"But she's more than just a machine, Emily," Jeff's mother replied firmly. She responds to our commands, learns from our interactions, and adapts to our needs. That makes her special and deserving of respect."
Emily scoffed, unimpressed by her mother's reasoning. "Come on, Mom, she is just a fancy roomba. I don't see why I can't have a little fun with it just because it talks back."
Emily's mother, realizing that words alone wouldn't be enough to teach Emily the importance of empathy, decided to take matters into her own hands. With a determined glint in her eye, she glanced over at the computer. Maybe the Chronivac might be the key to helping Emily comprehend the value of compassion and understanding.