A Walk in the Park

Daily Flash Fiction. Word count:299

Jade stopped at Meadow Park.

Away from work at last--no more office politics!

She meandered along, her dress curling in the crisp breeze, surrounded by the vivid green leaves and the clear, throaty warbling of a nearby bird.

A humanoid robot approached, almost close enough to knock her over.

“Nature lover?” he asked cheerfully.

“Back off!”

“I’m just curious!” he said. “No ill intent.”

“You sure?”

“None. You humans worry yourselves silly. But I say, show me the evidence. No evidence, no worry!”

“OK,” She laughed.

“Hey, check this out,” he handed her a large gem. It resembled a tiny crystal brain.

“Did you find this?”

“I made it. Or rather, I invented the algorithm that did. Look!” The robot touched the gem.

The gem vibrated in her hand. Then a voice coming from the gem announced proudly, “Initiating nature simulation!”

Light streamed out from the gem, projecting the vague hologram of a nature scene.

Jade watched, then yawned. “What’s the point? Real nature is all around us. Who cares about holograms?”

The gem spoke. “Unable to initiate real nature. Initiating nature simulation!” its persistent confidence annoyed her.

She stretched her hand to the robot. “Take this back.”

“It’s yours now. It will learn your mind. Soon it will think your thoughts before you do!” She fought the urge to throw it far away into the bushes.

She wished she hadn't encountered the robot.

“Get lost!" the gem called out, as if completing her thought.

“Fine,” the robot said, walking away. It felt like everything was slipping out from under her. Why had the robot interrupted her afternoon? Anger rose in her. At that moment, the robot tripped and fell with a hollow clatter.

“Did I cause that?”

The gem snickered.

Tomorrow she’d just stay at the office.