Grandma Robot Read Free

house.
    Knowing the price of the robots,
buyers will wonder how much of an advantage having one in their
homes might be. We expect the customers to react just like you.”
Amy giggled. “That's why this is good practice for me to use my
sales pitch on you. You're thinking just like our customer will
when we try to convince them to buy one of the robots.”
    “How much does a robot costs?”
Karen asked.
    “The price isn't so bad. Four
hundred thousand dollars is affordable for most people who will
want to purchase the robot,” Amy said causally.
    Karen swallowed hard and choked.
“You think four hundred thousand dollars is affordable?”
    “For rich people who buy one of
our robot the answer is yes. They pay good wages all the time for
servants. One flat fee for a robot won't sound like much to them.
They will save money in the long run.
    Now try talking to Henie. She obeys
voice commands. Just like this.” When Amy pushed the remote button,
Henie opened her eyes. “Hello, Henie. Karen wants to meet you. Say
hello to her.”
    Henie stuck out her hand to shake
hands. In a young, giddy voice, she said, “Hello, Karen. It is
super duper to meet you.”
    Tentatively, Karen shook the cold,
soft synthetic hand and glanced at Amy doubtfully. “Doesn't sound
to me like this robot was ever intended to wear the mature uniform
of a maid.”
    Amy looked confused. “I agree.
However, this robot should do the job she was built
for.”
    Karen looked at Amy for more
instructions. “What can I talk to her about? You do know she and I
have nothing in common?”
    Amy laughed. Before she could
answer, Henie spoke up, giving Karen a cheerful answer to her
question. “You can say anything you want to me, and I'll answer. My
memory recall is super duper good. Just tell me what you want me to
do, and I'll follow your instructions.”
    “You're right about her being so
lifelike,” Karen said slowly as she gave the robot a closer
inspection. “Her face is so animated.”
    “Henie is good to go like she is,”
Amy said proudly. “We've been working on this experiment for
several years. Being lifelike is what we wanted so the robot maid
bought to work in a home wouldn't be so obvious to
visitors.”
    “I've got news for you. This robot
will stick out like a sore thumb,” Karen declared.
    Amy back tracked. “Perhaps, this
one would. What I want is for you to give her a try to see if she
works out well. Her personality shouldn't stop her from doing the
daily chores we have programmed into her. We don't have time to
reprogram her now that you're here. If you will please take Henie
home, we can revamp her personality and voice when we bring her
back to the lab.”
    “I don't know if I want to get
involved. This might turn into a time consuming project I don't
want to waste my time on when I have my book about finished. I need
to concentrate on my writing,” declared Karen. “Besides, this might
be an experiment that will go down the tubes fast when people find
out how much one of these things cost.”
    “Henie and the others are pricey
to start with, but once people buy a robot like this one, I can
explain to them they don't have to worry about other expenses. She
can't eat and doesn't need to be paid wages. The expenses will be a
new change of clothes once in awhile, and a new battery every five
years.”
    Karen looked very concerned. “The
word pricey scares me.”
    “Why?” Amy asked.
    “Are you sure if she breaks down
you won't expected me to pay for her parts?” Karen
asked.
    “Of course not, silly. Henie is
just an experiment at this point. We need to put her to work so we
know what to look for if problems come up which I really don't
anticipate. If she has a weak part that needs fixed, we need to
know before we put her on the market.
    You can call me any time. I'll send
a tech out to repair her at no cost to you. That way we can perfect
the robot to be even better than we think she already
is.
    That's where you come in.