Page 98 of The Genius
“That’s one person, Shelly. What about Rochelle? She’s your sister and she said that she never hears from you.”
“I get caught up in my work and then I forget time. It is what it is.”
“All your life I’ve seen people circle you and try to become your friend. I wish you’d prioritize that part of your life, honey. Social connections are important.”
“I know, but I’m fine.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.” I looked down for a second. “Mom, I’m thinking about extending my stay in the Northlands.”
Her head jerked back, “Why?”
“Because I’m on to something with this project and I’m getting a ton done.”
“You could get a ton done here.”
“It’s more isolated up there.”
My mom folded her arms across her chest. “If you want ‘isolated’ then go to Granny’s village. You love it there.”
She was right. My grandmother lived down south in a small village overlooking a beautiful bay where all the houses were tucked into the hillside. It was a brilliant way to let the earth keep the dwellings cool in the summer. Not only did the houses have a magnificent view through the panorama windows facing the sea, but the overhead windows nestled in between the wildflowers on the hillside provided natural daylight to the rooms positioned in the back of the house.
“It’s not a bad idea,” I said in a polite manner, “but I have everything I need in the Northlands and I already spoke to Charlie about it.”
“What did he say?”
“That he wants me to be happy.”
My mom chewed on her lips. “Yes, of course he would say that.”
“He should. My inventions can benefit a lot of people.”
“Creating advanced sex-toys for Nmen isn’t on the top ten list of what this world needs.” Her tone was hard for a Motlander.
“Maybe not, but my robot would be the best-made robot in history and the technology could be applied to all other robots after that.”
“Robots are already amazing. The sex-bots I use look very authentic.”
“Only until you look closer.” I paused and waited for her to meet my eyes. “Mom, mine would be a companion and not just a sex-toy. She’ll be able to converse, share humor, and if the man doesn’t treat her nicely, she’ll be grumpy like a normal woman.”
“That’s all very fine, Shelly, but just because you can replicate a human doesn’t mean you should.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out.
My mom got up, taking her cup of tea to the sink. “We lost billions of people once because humankind was blinded by optimizing the human experience. All those brain implants making people speak different languages and having access to endless data. What good did it do them?”
“Mom, that was a long time ago. We’re wiser now.”
“Are we?” She swung around, leaning against the sink and pinning me with her eyes. “Brain implants are back. I heard you even helped improve them. Now you want to create the perfect woman for Nmen. Why this obsession about perfecting what is already perfect?”
“You misunderstand. I’m doing the opposite. Sex-bots are a mockery of real women, with their fake curves. I’m bringing back the focus to the beauty of the natural woman. That’s my motivation.”
My mom looked thoughtful and drew a sigh before she spoke. “There’s something you’re not telling me. Why do you care what sex-bots the Nmen play with? The rest of us couldn’t care less and it’s none of our business anyway. If the men of the North want sex-bots with four breasts and two vaginas then we should give it to them. As long as it makes them happy who are we to judge?”
“I care.”
“But why, Shelly?” Sheana was throwing her hands in the air, frustration showing on her face. “Why?”
