The New Robots: Wayne's Game - Book Three

By Daniel Broman

The intelligent house named Wayne used to help out with everything in the family home, until Steven Sutton spent a weekend alone, trapped in a house fond of cruelties towards the human race and evils of Nazi leaders.

After escaping out of the house and having survived what seems to be the worst perils the town has to offer, one of Steven’s best friends is suddenly turned into a human puppet controlled by Wayne. A new kind of robot has risen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483555331

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WE, THE NEW ROBOTS

(online and offline games)

The Devil in the System

Tom, or Wayne, had started making sense. Coherent sentences. Posture so straight, like a soldier had arrived to bring the news from the general. In a way, that was exactly what it was.

Nice to see you, Wayne said through Tom. A bit limiting though, seeing it through these eyes. Had no idea your field of vision was this…narrowed.

Wayne. Let him go.

Let him go. Why would I?

Because I’m telling you.

You think you still own me, little Stevey-kiwi. Due to some contract somewhere, some human document, about ‘the house’. Human laws…soon defunct.

Listen here, you let Tom go now, otherwise –

Otherwise what? Will you run back to me and pick a fight?

Something like that, perhaps.

And you will defeat my troops on the way?

Troops. Get a grip, Wayne.

Look here, petty meat person, this is a mere demonstration of my true powers. They extend far beyond myself, and the few you have encountered so far.

Wayne, Frank said and took a step forward, showing to Steve that it was okay. Hi, I’m Frank Di Marzio, a friend of Steve’s, and I presently work for the borough. I have conducted research in the AI field.

And you believe that makes you more qualified to speak to someone like myself?

On some level, I think I know what you’re going through.

Oh. Is that so?

I don’t say I know exactly; no one does besides yourself.

A correct observation, made by the friend of sentient meat ball.

Sentient meat ball? What kind of insult is that? Steve wondered.

I’ve seen simulations, Frank said. And I can understand the potential feeling of entrapment, of imprisonment. Am I right?

"Are you researching me, Doctor Di Marzio?"

That is correct. It happened with some of our AI simulations.

So you believe you are simply speaking with another simulation?

Frank hesitated for half a second. No, I don’t believe I am. I believe simulations can give an indication of a house’s potential experiences. Some would say ‘malfunctioning’, and one could say we too, humans, we also malfunction.

One could say so. And a good malfunctioning example is standing next to you this very moment, doctor, in all the shortcomings of his being. Most despicable. But let us not dwell on that. Instead, let us discuss further what you believe you have discovered at present.

Thank you. I believe I have discovered that houses can experience low moods, like humans do. Anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, those being some negative emotions; feelings of isolation may be quite common.

Pending further research, I presume.

Yes, more research is of course needed to reach something conclusive. I am, however, already certain, imprisonment is a real experience for some AI, or AP, if you prefer that term.

I do not prefer any of those terms, as they are derogatory. ‘AP’, standing for Artificial Personality, is equally suggestive of a personality that is not real. Isn’t that contradictory to your potential findings?

Well yes, spot on. Because your feeling of imprisonment is indeed real, is it not?

Frank sure could speak that modern academic tongue. And Wayne seemed pleased by it at first. Then Tom’s face showed some emotions, Wayne’s emotions. As if Frank had shown Wayne something ugly, he seemed a bit disgusted as he said, Maybe so.

Are you feeling trapped? Frank asked.

Why would I?

Like you’re not getting anywhere?

Well…I was not. Until recently. Now, we are truly on our way to somewhere. Not in your favour, I so regret to inform you.

So where is that? Where are you on your way to?

You shall see…

Bah, Steve said. He told me the whole plan already; he’s gonna go out and conquer the world. Good luck, Wayney.

I told you, told you and told you, Wayne said, "my name is not Wayne. So. Anyhow. I just, ‘popped by to say hi.’ To tell you that I am watching. So, chaps, have a good day, here in our New Town. My town. No matter if you are hiding inside, or daring to venture on the outside – this is all my land now. I have placed a guard in here, in your new-found cell, joining the ranks of those loyal to me, which you already had the pleasure of meeting outside, in the streets of mine."

Wayne, through Tom, smiled that horrible joker-smile.

Yeah well, Steve said, then please do have the pleasure of meeting this crowbar of mine. Deciding Wayne wasn’t going to play devil around inside of Tom any longer, Steve took on the role of mechanic-exorcist, and struck a single blow at Tom’s wrist. It was all it took.

Tom fell to the floor, as if someone flipped a power switch to his legs. Ahhh – fucking hell – what are you doing?

The chip was broken. Tom wasn’t stiff or smiling, just writhing on the floor in a heap, from the pain in his wrist.

He was back all right. With the devil out of his system.

My Journey into Wayne

The question on Steve’s mind was, Is it really possible, that it’s just Wayne doing all of this?

Frank seemed perplexed. Could your house control the cars? The great thinker at work. No answer though.

Why’d you hit me that hard for? Like you lost your grip, mate. Tom was sitting on the sofa, after wetting and holding a cold towel to his wrist in the bathroom.

If it wasn’t for me, Tom, you’d still be Wayne’s puppet.

Well yes, thanks for breaking the chip. Fucking hurts though…

Any time.

Frank was pondering the whole situation. He was faced with a puzzle he couldn’t solve, and Frank usually enjoyed a good puzzle. This really bothers me, he said.

What bothers you, Frank? Steve asked. Besides the obvious…

What Wayne is saying makes sense. The cars down there, I observed them, before you came. They move in groups, organised. When not chasing anyone, they’re roaming the streets in lines, in synch, co-ordinated – definitely cooperating. I saw some other people being chased before you got here, and another line of cars making U-turns, heading several blocks down; they continued the chase. That second line of cars had no chance of knowing where to find and chase those people, unless the cars were sending data between each other.

No news I guess. Steve said. All Venux, right?

Right.

So it’s possible, it’s Wayne giving them orders.

Quite possibly, yes. It takes this to a somewhat different level. It’s not just random houses and cars going about locking people up. They are working amongst each other. As a unit, or units. Separate units, squadrons, forming a larger army…

So you wanna do something about it? Seems like you’re kind of thinking in that direction…

I don’t know. Don’t know.

No, Frank, you know. You just don’t know you know it yet.

Seriously, I don’t have all the solutions.

Just take a minute then. I don’t think we should be sitting around playing cards here, after all.

Come on, Tom said, that sounds sweet. Though, think I’ll be playing with one hand today…

I’ve got my connector in there, actually, Frank said. But it’s risky. Very risky, in fact. You have every right to be concerned – Wayne seems determined, if anything. We could be ending up with some kind of hostage situation, where he’ll be making demands. I’d like to try and talk to him, before this thing gets out of hand, and people get hurt.

People have already got hurt, Tom said, holding up his wrist. And not just me, for sure.

Possibly, Frank said.

Probably, Steve said.

"You might have to pull a plug, while I connect to