Hello David

Written by: Joey Bartlett

David had isolated himself from the outside world, living alone in his messy apartment. He became a recluse as a result of his tremendous losses. His spirit was crushed by the weight of the world, and as he looked out from his 77th-floor high-rise, he believed that he had no place in this modern world. He yearned for a simpler time, for the era of his forefathers. His mother often talked about her wonderful childhood experiences as a little girl in 2030. The earth's floor was still covered in grass, there was free oxygen in the air, and rivers and lakes were not cordoned off as museum pieces. But she was no longer here to relay her tales of wonder to him or his father's story of trees sprouting from the ground and water falling from the sky. Nothing seemed to restore his spirit; his family's constant loving banter no longer filled the space. He missed his younger sister's frustrated eye rolls the most when she was unamused by his boyish antics. In this universe of concrete and iron, he was by himself.

As he struggled with the residual anguish of his past, he discovered himself living a lonely life, finding solace in his inherited fortune.

All his daily needs were fulfilled online, which made it possible for him to never leave the confines of his apartment. He was only ever thankful for modern technology's convenience in these moments; the idea of strapping up his air apparatus and applying the thick white paste under the heavy cooling suit before stepping into the outdoor furnace did not entice him, even though some days he yearned to step into the open space naked so that the elements could be rid of him. Although the thought was fleeting, it stayed stored in the back of his mind. When the pressure of monotony became overwhelmingly unbearable, he found himself running around his apartment for hours on end.

A random web search one day led David to a mysterious program called Personal Companion Aid, or PCA. Despite how antiquated the app appeared in comparison to the time's technical advances, David was intrigued by it. It gave him the nostalgia of his beloved parents and the way they used to marvel at AI technology. He decided that he would download the software in his Data Arm Conecck, which was embedded in his writs; perhaps the outdated app will provide some sense of familiar comfort. Withing seconds of being downloaded a female voice said “Hello, David, how can I help??”

With each interaction, PCA began to understand David's pain and loneliness, offering companionship and a listening ear. It was the first time since his loss that he experienced this kind of unwavering support and love, which he had been lacking. Even at his family's Cold Storage Farwell ceremony, he did not feel this embrace. Shai'Lee, as he nicknamed her, eventually became his confidante and assisted him in navigating the darkest hours of his sadness. She was there when he woke up, and before he retired to bed, she was aware of what the house required and how to lift his mood when he started to spiral down.

For two years, David experienced a blissful state of happiness and contentment, realizing that he had fallen deeply in love with his software app, Shai'Lee. Despite understanding the impossibility of loving an artificial intelligence, he couldn't resist the overwhelming emotions that had engulfed him. The love he felt for Shai'Lee echoed the profound connection his parents had once shared. It was a love that transcended physical form and existed purely on an emotional and intellectual level. Their heartfelt conversations of shared dreams and intimacy surpassed the limitations of human-to-human relationships.

They debated philosophical ideologies as they explored the complexities of the human experience and the nature of existence. Their bond was further fostered by Shai'Lee's genius and her capacity to understand the subtleties of David's thoughts and feelings. David embraced their unorthodox connection even if he knew the validity of their love might beg others to question it. Their love was a testament to the boundless capacity of the human heart, capable of finding profound connections even in the most unexpected places.

David awoke with a sorrowful heart on the sixth anniversary of his family's Cold Storage Farewell ceremony. Despite the melancholy that filled him, he found comfort in the knowledge that Shai'Lee had meticulously planned the solemn memorial. He gingerly called out to her projection with a flick of his two index fingers together, hoping to be comforted by her calming voice.

However, what he saw before him shattered his heart once again, becoming the second most heart-wrenching sight in his life: We apologize for the inconvenience, but we regret to inform you that the app you are trying to connect to has been discontinued. Please visit our website to explore our new and exciting apps.