This story was written for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by wonderful writer, Rochelle, on her website, Addicted to Purple. Each week, she provides us with a photo prompt and her own story, and we have 100 words to respond with out take. Anyone is welcome to participate–just give credit to the provider of the photo prompt (this week, thanks to Liz Young!), write your own story, and click on the blue frog below to read others’ work and add a link to your own.
Photo Prompt – Copyright Liz Young
Reason
(99 words)
“I wish you’d known her,” Paul said. “I mean—the way she was.”
Amy sighed. Since they started uploading personalities to robotic simulacra, everyone blamed “the process” for their loved ones’ shortcomings.
“Honey—don’t hate her. She loves you—she always—“
“She must’ve been an alcoholic before,” Amy said. “They say the bodies don’t crave—it’s the memories.”
“She—“
“And there’s a reason she keeps doing this.”
Paul was still cradling the familiar head. This time, when Mom had destroyed herself, part of the face came off.
“We’ll get her fixed,” Paul said.
“We can’t,” Amy said.
Unmapped Country within Us 
No good can come from this…
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No. I think Amy’s right, and it’s time to let go (or it was time awhile ago).
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Yep!
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The thought of this made me shudder, people uploading dead love ones to androids over and over, trying to get an idealised version, never succeeding…
Nice one!
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Yeah…me too. I was imagining a reality where people have come up with another excuse not to accept..well…reality. Thanks for reading!
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This is what happens when we try to turn real human beings into make believe androids. Very well crafted story.
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Yes, it does seem like a bad idea! Paul and others are just desperate enough to try it, ignoring better instincts. Thanks!
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Nice twist on the theme at the end. There are some relatives it might be best to let slip away peacefully rather than clinging on to. Good work.
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Yes, I think that we don’t get to decide big things like life or death for other people. Thanks!
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Wow, great ideas here and well executed. 😀
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Thank you! : )
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You made it sci-fi but kept the human touch. Nicely done.
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Thank you very much! : )
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This is spooky… Well written. Good comes only with acceptance, don’t you agree?
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Thanks! Acceptance is definitely needed here! I’m not sure I’d say that good only comes from acceptance generally. Acceptance is often good, but, as living in the U.S. at the moment constantly reminds me, resistance can be equally important! Thanks again!
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That’s true. Acceptance shouldn’t cross the threshold and enter surrender/obedience (to not so good things). Resistance is very important, there. I guess, a balance is what is ultimately good.
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Very creative! 🙂
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Thanks, Sandra! I have a friend who’s very interested in this type of technology in her own writing, and this prompt definitely recalled it for me!
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I was talking this week to a little boy whose Mum gets drunk – not a cheerful conversation.
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No–that’s more common than it should be, and very harmful. Thanks for reading and for the prompt. I also read yours, though I’m still having trouble commenting on blogger and blogspot blogs. Your story has a familiarity to it too–the downward spiral of someone who had seemed destined for greatness.
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This is great, very imaginative. Neither cloning nor uploading a personality will bring back the people we have in our memories. Reality kills them really fast.
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“Reality kills them really fast” – well put, and thanks for reading!
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Dear Emily,
Imaginative slice of sci-fi served up with humanity and pathos. Skillfully done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle! I miss Friday Fictioneers when I don’t have time to read and write here!
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That’s such a novel idea, uploading personalities. 🙂 But no happy outcome can be forseen ….
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Thanks! It’s not my idea–there are people out there discussing it–a friend of mine who’s also a writer is very interested in it, and this prompt recalled some of our conversations! Certainly, it’s a bit frightening!
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Yes, very frightening!
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Oh what a sad thought. Let’s hope it never comes to this!
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It is not a happy thought! Thanks for coming by, Louise!
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darn, the future is upon us.
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Yeah…this story doesn’t present a very positive piece of future! But I’m still optimistic, most days.
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