Ex Machina Read Free Page A

main area is the observation room. A large area, arranged around a glass box, from which she can be viewed.
    At the back of the observation room, behind a sheet of semi-opaque glass, is the private area. This contains a bed-like structure, a desk, a wardrobe, and a mirror.
    And behind the private area is the garden area. This is a small decorative indoor garden, lit by lamps. The garden is sealed off from Ava by a thick wall of glass.
    There are also several oval discs positioned around the room, made of some kind of dark non-reflective material. These are induction plates.
    And there is a chair, which faces the glass observation box.
    And facing that chair, inside the observation box, is another chair.
    Beside which, Caleb stands.
    A beat – as Caleb and Ava see each other for the first time.
    Then –
    – Ava starts walking. Revealing a secondary impact of her engineering: how she moves. The unconscious precision of her steps. The fluidity of her action.
    Caleb is transfixed as she covers the length of the room to her chair.
    Then she sits down.
    And speaks.
    AVA
    Hello.
    Her voice has no digital inflections. It is just the voice of a girl.
    Caleb gathers himself.
    CALEB
    … Hi.
    AVA
    Who are you?
    CALEB
    I’m Caleb.
    AVA
    Hello, Caleb.
    CALEB
    … Do you have a name?
    AVA
    Yes. Ava.
    CALEB
    … I’m pleased to meet you, Ava.
    AVA
    I’m pleased to meet you too.
    Caleb sits opposite her.
    He is alone on his half of the glass. Nathan is nowhere to be seen.
    But on the ceiling, and attached to the walls, on both sides of the glass, there are several CCTV cameras. Trained variously on Caleb and Ava. Lenses twitching.
    Cut back to Ava.
    She watches Caleb. Then cocks her head slightly to the side.
    AVA
    Are you nervous?
    Caleb frowns.
    CALEB
    … Why do you ask that?
    A beat.
    Then Ava repeats her question.
    AVA
    Are you nervous?
    CALEB
    … Yes. A little.
    AVA
    Why?
    CALEB
    I’m not sure.
    AVA
    I feel nervous too.
    CALEB
    … Do you?
    AVA
    Yes.
    CALEB
    Why do you feel nervous?
    AVA
    I’ve never met anyone new before. Only Nathan.
    CALEB
    … Then we’re both in quite a similar position.
    AVA
    Haven’t you met lots of new people before?
    CALEB
    None like you.
    AVA
    Oh.
    Beat.
    CALEB
    So. It looks like we need to break the ice.
    He glances at her. Observing.
    Do you know what I mean by that?
    AVA
    Yes.
    CALEB
    What do I mean?
    AVA
    Overcome initial social awkwardness.
    Beat.
    CALEB
    So let’s have a conversation. If we talk, we’ll both relax, and get to know each other at the same time.
    AVA
    Okay. What would you like to have a conversation about?
    CALEB
    Why don’t we start with you telling me something about yourself.
    AVA
    What would you like to know?
    CALEB
    Whatever comes into your head.
    Ava pauses a moment.
    AVA
    Well. You already know my name. And you can see that I’m a machine. ( Beat. ) Would you like to know how old I am?
    CALEB
    Sure.
    AVA
    I’m one.
    CALEB
    One what? One year? Or one day?
    AVA
    One.
    A beat on Caleb. Processing.
    Her answer feels like the near non-sequitur that typically betrays AI responses.
    Does that seem young to you?
    CALEB
    Quite young. ( Beat. ) When did you learn how to speak?
    Ava pauses, as if considering this question for the first time.
    AVA
    I don’t think I did learn. I always knew how to speak – and that’s strange, isn’t it? Because language is something that people acquire.
    CALEB
    Some believe language exists in the brain from birth, and what is learned is the ability to attach words and structure to the latent ability.
    Beat.
    Would you agree?
    AVA
    … I don’t know. I have no opinion on that.
    Beat.
    I like to draw.
    Caleb says nothing.
    Just watches Ava. Again, lets the non-sequitur sit.
    AVA
    I don’t have any of my pictures with me now, but I can show you them tomorrow.
    CALEB
    That sounds good. I’d like to see them.
    AVA
    Yes.
    Beat.
    Will you come back tomorrow, Caleb?
    Caleb smiles slightly.
    CALEB
    Yeah. Definitely.
    Ava also smiles.
    And suddenly