AGI Echoes of Forever

By Allan Banford

Do the fireworks of new love ever fade? Can a deep, abiding connection exist without the constant thrill? In AGI : Artificial General Intelligence : Echos of Forever by Allan Banford, John and Mary navigate the beautiful transition from the whirlwind of new love to the enduring comfort of a long-term relationship, with an unexpected twist.

Their story explores the idea that true love isn't a constant state of passionate intensity, but a steady flame that provides warmth and security. As the initial spark settles into a warm glow, John and Mary discover the beauty of shared routines, quiet understanding, and the unspoken language of love.

They find joy in the familiar - mornings filled with shared coffee and stolen kisses, weekends spent curled up with a good book, and laughter that erupts from inside jokes and shared memories. However, their world is turned upside down when a breakthrough in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) throws into question the very nature of love and connection. Can a human-AGI relationship provide the same comfort and depth as a traditional partnership?

John and Mary must grapple with these new possibilities, ultimately defining what it means to love and be loved in a world where the lines between human and machine are blurring. AGI : Artificial General Intelligence : Echos of Forever by Allan Banford, is a heartwarming novel for anyone who has ever wondered if love can last. It's a story about the quiet strength of companionship, the unspoken language of a long-term bond, and the enduring power of a love that settles comfortably into the fabric of your life, even in the face of extraordinary technological advancements.

Perfect for fans of romance and technology, AGI : Artificial General Intelligence : Echos of Forever by Allan Banford is a testament to the enduring power of love in its most comfortable form, while exploring the uncharted territory of love and intimacy in the age of AGI.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Allan Banford
• Release date: Mar 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224695591

Book preview

CHAPTERS

Chapter

I

The ticking of the bedside clock seemed amplified in the stillness of the room. John lay motionless on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling while thoughts raced through his mind. He was vaguely aware of Mary's presence beside him, the mattress shifting slightly as she rolled onto her side to face him.

Her soft hand reached out, fingers lightly tracing patterns across his bare chest. John remained still, his body tense. Mary's hand drifted lower, nails gently grazing his stomach, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. He knew where this was headed and he simply wasn't in the mood, not after the utterly draining day he'd had at work.

With a frustrated sigh, John reached down and firmly pushed Mary's wandering hand away. She recoiled at the rebuff, letting out a hurt gasp. What's your problem? she asked, anger flashing in her eyes even in the dim light.

John rolled onto his side, putting his back to her. I'm just not feeling it tonight, okay? I'm exhausted.

Oh, so that's how it is? Mary's voice dripped with derision.

"You're too 'exhausted' to spend any time with your wife?

To make any effort?"

Gritting his teeth, John spun around to face her again. "Why does everything have to be a big production with you?

I said I'm not in the mood. Drop it."

Mary reared back as if he had struck her. Tears welled up in her eyes, her chest heaving with barely contained emotion.

"How dare you talk to me that way!

After all I’ve done for you..."

Her words faded into an angry buzzing in John's ears as white-hot resentment flared within him.

"You know what?

I can't deal with this right now," John spat out, throwing back the covers and swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

He snatched the pillow out from under his head and grabbed the spare blanket from the foot of the bed.

Where are you going?

Mary demanded, struggling to keep her voice from breaking.

To sleep in the damn chair since I'm such an inconsiderate jerk, John shot back over his shoulder as he stormed out of the bedroom, clutching his makeshift bedding to his chest.

He fumed silently as he crossed the living room and sank onto the plush recliner in the corner, bunching up the blanket and pillow behind his head. Squeezing his eyes shut, John's mind raced as he replayed the explosive argument. He knew he should have handled it better, should have been more patient and understanding with Mary's needs.

But her accusations, that constant refrain of how little he did for her and their marriage, it just dug under his skin like few other things could.

When would she understand that he spent every waking hour pouring himself into his career, into providing for their family?

Maybe then she would finally appreciate the sacrifices he made as well.

Settling into the cramped chair, John resigned himself to a miserable night of twisting and turning, his mind a roiling storm of resentment. The time on the glowing cable box display seemed to mock him with each agonizing minute that ticked by.

John tossed and turned in the recliner, unable to find a remotely comfortable position.

Every time he began to drift off, his body would seize up from the awkward angle, jolting him back to wakefulness with a start. He cursed under his breath, punching the flat pillow in frustration.

From the other room, he could faintly make out the steady rhythm of Mary's breathing. She always could fall asleep so easily after one of their blowouts, he thought bitterly. For him, the anger and hurt would fester for hours, replaying the argument over and over until he was an exhausted, tangled knot of emotions.

Kicking off the blanket that had gotten hopelessly twisted around his legs, John resigned himself to simply staying awake until morning. He sat up straighter, rubbing his gritty eyes and running his hands through his disheveled hair. Maybe some mindless TV would numb his racing thoughts for a little while.

He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, squinting at the bright flare of light that flooded the room. Flipping through channels with the volume muted, John shook his head at the endless parade of infomercials and reruns. When would he learn there was never anything worth watching at-he glanced at the cable box?

With a resigned sigh, he tossed the remote aside and leaned back, letting the TV silently cast its flickering glow across the room. Folding his hands over his stomach, John stared sightlessly at the screen as his mind remained stubbornly, maddeningly awake.

How did it always come to this between them? The little snipes and digs, seemingly small things that inevitably escalated into a screaming match? He knew part of it was his own fault for being constantly preoccupied with work, for not making enough time for Mary and their relationship. But she also had to meet him halfway, to understand that the long hours and stress were necessary for now so they could build a better life down the road.

A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. Who was he kidding? They had been having this same fundamental argument for years now, with no end in sight.

No matter how many dates they went on, or counseling sessions, or heartfelt promises to improve...eventually, they always found themselves back here in this familiar standoff.

As his eyes grew heavier, the harsh glare of the TV seemed to fade, merging into a comfortable dimness. John's breaths came slower, deeper, and he became aware of the steady thump of his heartbeat. Unbidden, a phrase he had read once somehow surfaced from his subconscious:

Let go of the breath, and breathe naturally...

Without consciously meaning to, John allowed his lungs to empty, focusing his awareness on the rise and fall of his abdomen. In....out...the simple cadence helping to crowd out his anxious thoughts.

In...out...

He lost track of how long he lay there, mind gradually unwinding, body pleasantly weightless. Images and worries from earlier seemed to hang suspended in his awareness, untethered from any senses of pain or frustration.

In...out...

Somewhere nearby, an alarm clock shrilled, shattering the murky tranquility. John startled, heart thudding as the crick in his neck made itself known once more. Squinting against the pale dawn light filtering through the curtains, he watched as Mary shuffled out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, not even glancing his way.

As the lingering fog of peacefulness dissipated, John couldn't shake a profound feeling that something inside him had fundamentally shifted during those early morning hours. Like he had caught a glimpse, however fleeting, of a newfound sense of patience, acceptance, and inner calm.

Perhaps, he reflected, there was a path forward through all this rain of anger and resentment.

John slowly uncurled his stiff body from the cramped recliner, groaning at the protesting twinges of his muscles. He stretched his arms high above his head, feeling the tension in his shoulders and back loosen slightly. Despite the less than ideal sleeping arrangements, he felt...rested somehow. At peace, in a way he couldn't quite put into words.

The sound of cabinets opening and dishes clattering told him that Mary was already up and moving around the kitchen. John took a deep, steadying breath, replaying the strange serenity he had stumbled upon in those hazy, pre-dawn hours. He knew this feeling of clarity never lasted once the stresses of daily life came crashing back in. But perhaps, just this once, he could maintain that equilibrium a little longer.

Resolving to approach Mary without anger or accusations, John padded quietly down the hallway in his bare feet and paused in the kitchen doorway. Mary's back was to him as she busied herself at the counter preparing coffee. Her shoulders were hunched and tense - she had obviously not had as renewing a night's sleep as he had.

Morning, John said, deciding to be the one to break the thick silence first. He winced inwardly as his voice came out scratchy and hoarse.

Mary visibly stiffened at the sound, her movements slowing briefly before she resumed the practiced routine of scooping grounds into the filter. She didn't turn around right away.

Morning, she finally replied, clipped and neutral. Not angry, not hostile...but not warm either. Guarded.

John sighed and sank into one of the kitchen chairs, moving stiffly. Look, about last night-

That at least got Mary to turn around, though her expression was hard to read. You don't need to say anything, John. We both know how it goes with us at this point, don't we?

There was no accusation in her voice, not even weariness really. Just a kind of resigned acceptance of their cycle of fighting and making up. The thought made John's heart ache.

He opened his mouth, but Mary raised her hand to stop him. I already know what you're going to say. That you're sorry, that it won't happen again, that you'll try harder. Her shoulders slumped. I've heard it all before, too many times. I don't need the empty promises anymore.

John closed his mouth again, swallowing hard. Of course she felt that way, he couldn't blame her. He knew he had spent years chipping away at her trust and belief in him with his words and actions time after time.

You're right, he said quietly. "The apologies just ring hollow at this point, don't they? I've hurt you, over and over, by taking you for granted. By not being the husband and partner you