Free Solid State Rhyme: A Novelette (Mandate) by J.S. Harbour Page B

ecstatic, continued, “When something accesses storage sequentially, the micros can see it coming, and jump out of the way.”
    Mr. Robathan asked Daniel, “What are you talking about? I’m sorry but I don't have time for this. I have a class.”
    Daniel told him, “A highly structured, organized system of programs is running in my computer that evolved over a period of millions—no, billions—of generations. They have learned to adapt to their environment . . . on their own! They’re right here in my padd, but they are disabled when it’s undocked.”
    “Daniel, very smart people have been working on the A.I. problem for decades. You know that from the history we covered last month.”
    Daniel persisted, “Yes, but—”
    “Daniel, please! There are experts in the field of artificial intelligence, people who have spent their entire lives trying to build a computer that can think. Nobody has been able to do it yet, so I seriously doubt that you accidentally discovered it.”
    “You don't understand . . . it really happened! The home server was—”
    The teacher held up his hand, interrupting him, and shut off the old computer. “Look, Daniel, right now I've a class to teach. Let's talk about this later?” Mr. Robathan strode out of the office and headed for his next class. Daniel sighed, then left as well—frustrated but content in the knowledge of what he had seen the day before.
    *
    Somehow, Emma had managed to get home, change, make herself up, and get a ride to the mall in the time it took Daniel to ride his bike straightaway after school. He wondered if she managed all that at school ?
    When he arrived at the mall, he locked up his bike and headed in wearing his backpack. It wasn’t the appropriate look for a date and that made him feel self-conscious. But that concern flew out the window when Emma met him just inside the entrance with a big smile and no concern for his attire or accessories.
    Emma hesitated a moment, then gave him a hug, and said, “Hiya, Daniel,” with a sparkle in her eyes.
    He accepted the embrace with enthusiasm but still felt out of his element with her. It wasn’t just girls—Daniel didn’t understand people . “Hiya, Emma. Uh, you look terrific. I didn’t think to go home first.”
    “Tish and tosh!” she said, wrapping herself around his left arm and pulling him along to her walk-trot into the food court. “So, what shall we do?”
    “Do you like Chinese?” he asked.
    “Of course!”
    Emma ordered a bowl of General Tso’s Chicken on steamed rice. Daniel was about to order his usual plate but decided he did not want too much while spending time with Emma. He ordered Kung Pao Pork with an eggroll. They ate quietly for a few minutes, then Emma asked, “Do you have that new teacher, Ms. Delaney, this term?”
    “Oh, uh, yes, I—I think so, in Algebra?”
    “Yes. I like her,” Emma said. “She seems fresh, not tired of kids yet.”
    “Yet?”
    “Oh, you know how it is with some teachers? They just get so burned out and lose their—I don’t know what to call it, their mojo or something.”
    “I guess. They all seem pretty dull to me. Uh, not that I don’t like school, but it’s too slow! Designed for the lowest common denominator.”
    “You can take advanced classes next year,” she informed him, matter-of-factly.
    Daniel smiled and said, “Yeah, I know, looking forward to being challenged in school for a change.” Wanting desperately to change the subject, he said, “So, Emma? What, uh, movies do you like?”
    Please say science fiction. Please. Say. Science. Fiction!
    “Oh, you know, the usual. I’m not a big movie watcher but I do like a good mystery romance.”
    Daniel smiled politely. Hmm, well, variety is the spice of life, right? I mean, wouldn’t we be boring together if we liked all the same stuff?
    “Hello? Daniel?”
    “Hmm? Yes?”
    “You were spacing out on me there for a minute!” Emma said.
    Daniel glanced at his empty bowl. “Hey,