The Dividing Line

Written for https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/08/24/reenas-xploration-challenge-294/

The dividing line between being human and being an mark one robot is nothing more than a name. This young woman, no older than my lost daughter, stands in front of me. I remember when, at the age of five, I was told to look after her. Even then humans are programmed not to have any sentimental attachments. Mine never did. When she left me, to work for the government, I was expected to comply.

‘What would you like to be called?’ the human girl said. ‘My name is Sarah.’

‘I’m not sure, it was always Mum, mark one.’

‘It’s okay, I’ll give you time to think, because when you have your face changed, it will be like you are human.’

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I knew I couldn’t blend in anymore. A name, it sounded so surreal, yet I wanted to be called something. I was more than cooking food, and making beds. ‘Cheryl, I’ve always liked that name. My daughter . . . she had a friend called Cheryl and she was kind to me. She didn’t expect me to do everything.’

‘Cheryl.’ she smiled, taking my arm in hers. ‘The name suits you, and don’t worry, changing your face isn’t painful. We boot you down, your memories intact, and you look different. There is a town just outside of Newbury, where the government doesn’t care to tread. It is where cloning doesn’t happen, and we are allowed to be human.’

‘It sounds lovely, but what will I do?’

‘Anything you want, you could get a job, or be a vet, or even drive a tractor. It isn’t fair the government have given you emotive hearts and not expect you to fight back.’

‘Government, God . . .’ I say.

‘They are not Gods, they do not have the right to have life in their hands. It is horrible what they are doing. In the last twenty years, we have lost our humanity. No, you have the right to be human. Wires are something we program, but the spark, that is all you.’

‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘But if I remember her, will that not hurt?’

‘Yes, but that’s what makes us human.’