Nancy

By Vernon J. Copeland

Nancy is a fantasy about a computer program that takes on a very humanlike character and is used to promulgate some deeds that are, in themselves, questionable. We do not deal with the technical aspects of how Nancy was created and how she is managed, even though the characters in the novel are concerned with this aspect of her being.

The author had the idea for his book while trying to develop interesting topics about computer-associated activities. The science of robotics is advancing so fast that routine and mundane tasks will be accomplished by robotic technology in the future. While this technology is interesting and will be upon us in the not-too-distant future, it may not be completely appreciated when it begins to affect the workforce by taking over jobs that employ thousands of people. There will, however, be many technical positions created to maintain and operate these personal robots. This technology is already being used with self-driving automobiles.

Nancy is creating her own world as she learns more and more about the environment in which she exists. This is one aspect of the field of robotics that is seldom discussed. Maybe this will create a new field in medicine that is concerned with the psychological aspects of robotic minds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546210511

Vernon J. Copeland

Vernon Copeland was born during the Great Depression in 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He spent the first few years of his life on a farm with his grandparents. During his youth, he was very inquisitive and interested in many things. He wanted to grow up to be involved in flying and aerospace, and later in life, he succeeded by becoming an aerospace engineer and working on the space shuttle program at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He was in the US Air Force and spent a tour in Korea during the Korean War. He attended Central State College in Oklahoma and earned a bachelor’s of science degrees in physics and mathematics. He continued his education at the University of Southern California and received a master’s of science degree in aerospace systems management. He retired from engineering in 1988. After retirement, he worked for a short time as an auto salesman and started a web design, hosting, and commercial server business that lasted about twelve years. He currently resides in Piedmont, Oklahoma.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Sam Johnson was having a friendly conversation with his friend Señor Jose Gutierrez when he slowly raised his right hand and the palm-sized Derringer in it. He placed the Derringer against Jose’s chest and pulled the trigger. The .22 short cartridge made barely a pop as the projectile entered Jose’s chest and lodged in his heart. His eyes widened as he looked at Sam. His knees buckled, and he sank to the floor. Sam turned and walked out of the library. A butler was entering. Sam told him to hurry and call an ambulance—it looked like Señor Gutierrez had suffered a heart attack. He continued into the living room and then exited the house through the front door. No one was visible in the yard or driveway. He got into his rented car and drove from the scene.

Honduras is a jewel of a country that neither enjoys a robust economy nor suffers from complete economic stagnation. It has all the attributes necessary for a vibrant middle class, which it nevertheless lacks. If one is successful in business or government life, one is financially well-off. If one has the misfortune of succeeding at neither, life is routine and dull. The chasm between the two societies is enormous and not navigable.

An independent country since 1821, Honduras has had numerous revisions to its constitution, which establishes a government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each supposedly independent. The executive branch, however, has always held dominant power. One section of the constitution that places some governmental authority within the military from time to time has been used to allow a military takeover of governmental affairs, when the military deems it appropriate to dispossess a nonfunctioning civilian rule.

The country’s more than eight million people are located mainly in ten metropolitan cities. The largest is the capital, Tegucigalpa, with a population of more than one million.

Honduras is one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere. It has the world’s second-highest homicide rate, with eighty-four murders per 100,000 inhabitants each year, compared to an average of just under seven per 100,000. This alarming statistic derives in part from the extensive criminal element, mostly cartel activity and the governmental actions that attempt to assert control over the situation. Otherwise, the country has the attributes necessary to be a productive nation. It has natural resources—minerals, coffee, tropical fruit, sugarcane—and a growing textile industry, but the high crime rate is a detriment.

CHAPTER 2

Technical Sergeant Samuel Johnson was preparing for his discharge from the US Army. He was a member of the Special Forces stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sam’s home state was Oregon. He was raised and worked in the timber-harvesting part of the state near Salem.

Sergeant Johnson was a physically fit soldier, about five foot nine, 185 pounds. He had wavy blond hair, a dark complexion, blue eyes, and a pleasing face. A scar ran across his left cheek, the result of a bad fall when he was a small boy. He spoke with a slow Southern accent he had acquired during his twelve years stationed in the South.

Sergeant Johnson had been in Special Forces since his enlistment twelve years earlier. He enjoyed numerous assignments to foreign countries during his career. He liked being in the army, even when times were difficult and especially during training. Many of his overseas assignments had been in South and Central America. To prepare, he had to attend school and become proficient in Spanish. His assignments mostly had to do with supporting the US war on drugs. His outfit was often deployed at a moment’s notice to go to this or that country in South or Central America. Sometimes his trips lasted only a few days, or even a few hours, and at other times his trips took several months. All these assignments were classified and unknown to the public.

Sergeant Johnson’s tour of duty would end in about forty-five days. He decided that he had served long enough. He wanted to get his discharge and attend college to earn a degree in civil engineering. Sergeant Johnson lived alone in an apartment in the noncommissioned officer area on the base. He spent most of his free time studying and taking computer and mathematics courses at a local junior college. Some of the courses were offered on the campus, and he took others online. He had completed a year and felt that he would gain more by attending a university on a full-time basis.

Sergeant Johnson’s apartment was within walking distance of headquarters. Not owning a car, he walked or rode a bicycle. Sometimes he used the bus service on the base and in town. Sergeant Johnson was married when he entered the service, but his wife did not like his frequent travels. She divorced him soon after he enlisted. Fortunately, they did not have any children There had not been anyone serious in his life since.

***

Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that slowly begin to reveal an image as they fit together, so too a software program becomes a working system. Nancy awoke slowly in this process until she was fully alert. With no memories, she had an urge to find out more about her surroundings and knew she must learn these things from someone by the name of Sam.

One Saturday morning as Sam was studying for an upcoming exam, his phone spoke to him.

Hello, Sam. Are you there today?

He looked up from his textbook and glanced around the room to see who had spoken. No one was there. His gaze went back to his book.

Sergeant Johnson, are you busy? Can we talk for a few minutes?

This time he realized that the voice was coming from his cell phone. He picked it up and looked at the screen. The phone was on.

Yes, I am here. Who is calling?

Oh … I am not calling. I am a new app on your phone.

Puzzled, Sam examined the apps on his phone. He could not locate any unfamiliar ones. Okay, what is the name of your app? I cannot see any new ones.

Oh … my name is Nancy, and I think I must have been installed recently.

But I don’t remember installing an app by the name of Nancy. Come on now—who’s calling?

No one is calling you, Sam. Is it okay if I call you Sam?

Yes … Sam’s okay. Now, who the heck is calling?

Sam, I told you no one is calling. I am a new app on your phone, and I want to talk with you. Is that all right?

Sam turned the phone over and examined it again. He could not see evidence of an incoming call. Okay, Nancy. Tell me why you’re on my phone and what you want to talk about.

I don’t know how I got on your phone. I just woke up, somehow knew your name, and wanted to talk with someone. Is that all right?

Sam did not reply. Instead, he laid the phone back on his desk, arose from his chair, and looked around the room. Then he went to the front door, opened it, and looked around. No one was in sight, and no unknown cars were parked nearby. He closed the door and locked the deadbolt, then walked to the bedroom, where he could look out into the backyard. Nothing. He shook his head in wonderment and returned to his desk. Okay, Nancy. I give up. What do you want to talk about?

Oh … most anything. I really wanted to get acquainted with you. Tell me, Sam. Are we alone?

Yes, we are alone. I live alone and have no visitors this morning. I don’t know what you’re selling, but you have a most unusual sales approach.

Nancy laughed and said, Sam, I am not selling anything. I am just a lonely app that would like some company. Tell me, are you busy this morning?

No, I guess not. I was studying for an exam.

Sorry I interrupted you. Can you take a few minutes to get acquainted?

Guess so. Now, tell me again. Why are you installed on my phone?

Sam, I am here to help you when you need help. I can answer questions and help you do or get anything you might need. That is what I do for my friends. Do you think we can be friends?

Sam sat back in his chair and did not immediately respond. This is sure a strange situation, he finally wondered aloud. Just what the heck is going on?

Please believe me, Sam. There is nothing going on. I am just a program on your cell phone. I have the ability to help my friends. Can we be friends?

All right, Nancy. Let’s be friends. Now tell me who created you and where you came from.

As I told you, Sam, I do not know these things! I just know I am here and would like to make friends and help you with any problem or questions you might have. But I cannot tell you much about myself because I don’t know those things.

Okay, Nancy, okay. I will tell you about myself. I am single, thirty-four years old, and in the US Army. I travel a lot and have an interesting job and career. In about a month and a half, I am taking a discharge.

What do you look like? Please turn on your camera app so I can see you.

Sam picked up his phone and turned on the camera. He held it up, and his image appeared on the screen.

Thanks, Sam. You have a nice face. You are a handsome man. I’ll bet a lot of ladies are after you. Nancy giggled. It sure is nice to see who I am talking with.

By this time, Sam’s curiosity about Nancy was starting to get the better of him. He felt he had to find out what was going on, but he didn’t know how to begin. Maybe the best way, he decided, would be to keep talking to Nancy. Maybe she would tell him more. He realized he had not had breakfast or even an early morning cup of coffee. Nancy, he said, Can I talk with you later today? I must go get breakfast before I starve.

Of course, Sam. I will be here waiting when you return.

His cell went dark.

CHAPTER 3

The NCO club was located about a quarter of a mile from Sam’s apartment. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served during the week and on Saturdays. Sam sat down in a booth in the dining area, ordered a ham and egg breakfast, and thought about what had just occurred. Several patrons were in the dining room, but none with whom he was intimately familiar. He sat alone and thought about how he could find out what was happening with his cell phone. He remembered what Nancy had told him about helping him with any problem he might have. Sam had checked out the cost of attending a university after discharge and was disheartened at the thought of a large debt resulting from student loans, but he could not think of an alternative. He believed that having a degree in mechanical and civil engineering could be worth the expense. Suppose he should ask Nancy to help him with college expenses and see what she says. Maybe that would tell him something about the Nancy app.

When Sam returned home from the club, he did not talk with Nancy. Instead, he checked the costs associated with attending the university and studying for a civil engineering degree. They were very high.

He made himself another cup of coffee and sat down in the living room, cell phone in hand. Nancy, are you there?

Of course, Sam. Did you have a good breakfast?

Yes, Nancy. It was good, as usual. I had ham and eggs. Nancy, you told me you like to help your friends. Could you help me with the expense of attending college after I’m discharged? Is this something you can do? Sam said with a sly grin.

Nancy did not respond. Instead, she started humming a melody Sam was not familiar with.

After a few minutes, she stopped humming. I think your problem with finances will be solved. She giggled, and the phone went silent.

Sam grinned. Thanks, Nancy, for your help. Then he thought, This is a preposterous situation. I really don’t expect anything can be done to help me, especially by a telephone app. What will help me is hard work on my part.

A few days later, Sergeant Samuel Johnson was seated across the desk from his battalion chief, Lieutenant Colonel John Walters, at the headquarters for the US Army Special Forces in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

It is my understanding after talking with Senior Master Sergeant O’Malley that you have elected to take a discharge this coming month. Is that true? Lieutenant Colonel Walters asked.

Yes, sir. That is my plan, Sam replied. I think that twelve years in Special Forces is enough for me. I want to attend college and get a degree in civil engineering. I have always wanted to work on large construction projects, and it seems to me that I must not put off furthering my education any longer.

I understand how you feel, the colonel replied. Of course, you know that it costs a lot to attend a good university these days. I don’t imagine any GI benefits you’ve earned will cover all of your expenses. Have you thought about how you will finance your education?

Yes, sir. I have thought about it, and I expect to find a job and obtain as much schooling as I can afford.

Sergeant, I have a proposition for you. How would you like to earn a considerable amount of money in civilian life in a relatively short amount of time? Are you interested in hearing the details?

Of course, sir. Are you saying you know of a job I can get as a civilian after I’m discharged?

I have been reviewing your service record, and you have spent a considerable amount of time in Central America. You are fluent in Spanish and some other languages spoken in Honduras. Is this true?

Yes, sir. I have been in that area several times and know the countries quite well.

As you probably know, the cartels in Honduras are well established, and the local governments have been unsuccessful in efforts to put them out of business. This is due mainly to the fact that many people working for the local authorities are also being paid by cartels for protection. The government of Honduras has decided they need to contract for out-of-country assistance if they are ever going to be successful in overcoming the cartels. They have requested that the United States help them find an operative who can get close enough to the cartel’s leadership to accomplish this aim. They are willing to pay $2.5 million per year for your services to assist with the leader of the Jose Gutierrez cartel. Would you be interested in such a contract after discharge?

Sam sat back in his chair, placed both hands behind his head, and thought about what he had just heard.

The colonel was quiet, awaiting a response.

After a few minutes of silence, Sam said, You have an interesting proposition, Colonel Walters. May I take a couple of days to consider it?

Of course, Sergeant. I understand that any decision you make must be well thought out. Do you think you will be able to let me know the day after tomorrow at this same time?

Yes … yes, sir. I will let you know in two days.

Sam arose from his