Chapter Text
You have received an exciting position. Perhaps not as exciting as a supermodel or chief of police or even the president. But this position showed that your hard work paid off, countless papers and sleepless nights. It all leads to this, working in a passion you love along with like-minded individuals.
A cold void of an office is where you found yourself. A contrasting fuzzy orange seeped through the blinds, leaving fluorescents redundant. The gentle, rhythmic tick of the clock reads "8:03 am", and it seems your meeting is running late. Not a concern for you, sitting at the doctor's desk, which was clean of any contact. No papers, markings, just a gleaming desk plaque with "Dr Chandra" engraved.
You abruptly hear footsteps approaching the door behind you before it clicks open. Instinctively, you hop out of your chair to confront the mystery person. That being a man with dark skin and darker unruly hair that wrapped into a beard. Accompanying him was a folder with colourful notes jutting out.
"Ah, Dr L/N, thank you for your patience! Some colleagues had me caught up about the project we're going to discuss." He chirps.
You offer a warm smile as you greet, "Good morning, Dr Chandra! A pleasure to finally meet you in person. This meeting is about the research position, right?" You cock your head slightly as Chandra finds his way around the desk to sit down. Placing his folder on the desk in front of him. Along with him signalling for you to sit back down, which you obeyed.
Chandra nods. "But of course, now I must level with you. This job is essential. You see, I'm giving this position to you as I'm far too busy, and your studies of machine learning are impeccable." The professor sheepishly gestures about as he spoke. Almost as if testing your attentiveness by actions alone. The compliment made you grin a little; Chandra once again appreciated your work.
"You may be familiar with my AI, Hal 9000." Chandra hints.
"Your best work, no doubt."
He starts flicking through this folder at a rapid pace as he pulls out several concept plans for his latest project. Some are rougher than others. Some with words that devolved into smudged scribbles. Like the intelligent scribbles of a madman.
"I've attempted to compact my AI into a more portable form that could replace many technologies within the human household."
The doctor eventually retrieves a finalised page that he slides in front of you. You take it into your hand, scanning it with squinted eyes. It looked precisely like the visual and auditory components of the Hal 900.
The iconic rectangular shape with the bulbous red lens and speaker just below. The name tag found at the top stated "HAL MINI". However, two harsh lines swiped down the design's form—unused labels, perhaps.
"So, where do I come in?" You queried as you looked up from the paper.
"Well, as you may recall, the position required you to move temporarily." Chandra begins, anxiously grooming his beard. After all, leaving your home for a job was a big step in any industry. 'No place like home,' as they say.
"I have been able to accommodate you with a smart home. Where you will live with Hal, to perform various tests and challenges with the assistance of Hal."
"So I'm the guinea pig?"
Chandra stammers, "I wouldn't put it like that! I assure you that Hal is incapable of harm."
"So I'll be testing out Hal Mini by giving you my findings and personal critique?" You cock your head once more as you think of the idea. Living in a home with an AI that hypothetically can complete everyday tasks without your interference. But more importantly, It was a HAL AI. This AI is capable of interacting with humans on a more personal level. It had you sold, "That's an offer I can't refuse. When will I meet Hal Mini?"
"In a week. We're doing the final touch-ups, and I'm sure you'd appreciate the time to prepare." Chandra answers; he was right as you nod in agreement. You'd need to tell your family, friends and generally pack your belongings for this. A week was plenty of time to move between homes. It seems you were already planning this shift out in your head.
"It's best we leave it at that. I don't want to set too many expectations." The doctor rises from his seat, offering his hand to you, which you follow along by shaking his hand with an eager smile. "Thank you for taking the position. Your work is greatly appreciated." His tone softened. You could almost tell what he was thinking. He was trusting you with this task, almost like a parent entrusting the watchful eye of a babysitter on their child. That wouldn't be too far from the truth.
You concluded this encounter by taking you out of his office, guiding you down the spotless hallways. To retrieve some paperwork and a tablet for you to use on the job. There you would be able to learn about the robotics and programming of Hal Mini. Mainly a frame reference for when you create reports back to Dr Chandra.
With everything that, you were free to go. Saying farewell to the kind doctor with your new belonging that you paid extra attention to, heaven forbid you to break or ruin anything. You head outside with a near skip in your step. By then, it was 9:45 am—time flies.
Buzzing within your pocket causes you to fish your phone out. It was a friend, which you happily answered.
"Hello?"
…
"Hey, yeah! I got it! I got the job!"