"Coming Attractions," by Vinnie Hansen, in Invasive Species: Stories by Northern California Crime Writers, edited by Josh Pachter, Sinc NorCal, 2024.
Something different this week, science fiction, but crime as well.
Bill and Sara bought a maid. Ester is a human-appearing robot with a certain uncanny-valley creepiness, but extremely efficient.
Until she starts reading mystery novels. And, as it turns out, she is reading other kinds of books as well.
"We're not a story, Ester. We're real life."
"I'M not real life."
The story manages to be creepy, funny, and thought-provoking at once.
Thank you for the shout out, Robert. I enjoyed writing this story even though it has its roots in deep-seated fear of AI. But then, most of my writing has a cathartic element to it.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Vinnie. Catharsis is an undervalued motive for writing, isn't it? Also, vengeance, and redemption.
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