Free Friend Me by John Faubion Page A

ask you. May I?”
    â€œOf course you can. What is it?”
    â€œHave you considered opening a free checking account at Old National Bank? If you maintain a balance of fifteen hundred dollars, there is absolutely no charge for the account. Plus, it earns interest, the same interest you would get on a CD.”
    â€œWhat? What was that about?” asked Scott, chuckling. “Did she just ask you to open a checking account?”
    Rachel laughed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, that’s one of the things that happens. If you’re using the free service, like I am, you have to accept the advertising too. If you want to skip the advertising you have to sign up for their premium service.”
    â€œHow much is that?”
    â€œFifteen dollars a month.”
    Scott considered the cost and the apparent value. “Actually, that’s not very much money for what you’re getting. Especially in this case.”
    Rachel always talked about how lonely she was when hewas at work. He put his hand on hers and looked into her eyes. “Would having this every day be a big help to you?”
    â€œOh, Scott. I feel kind of embarrassed about the whole thing. But yes, I think it would. I know this isn’t really Suzanne. Not really , but she’s just so realistic, so lifelike, and it helps me during the day. At least it has so far.”
    â€œBesides no ads, what else do the fifteen dollars get you?”
    â€œAt the end of the month I won’t be able to see her face anymore. That’s also part of the premium service. But she’ll still send e-mails and still be a friend to me on Facebook.”
    â€œAmazing,” said Scott. “Absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. If you like it, and it’s a help to you, then just do it. I don’t care about the fifteen dollars.”
    Rachel threw her arms around Scott. “Oh, Scott, thank you so much. Even if this isn’t real, well, it’s just nice, know what I mean?”
    Scott hugged his wife back. “Sure, I understand, and it all seems harmless enough. What could go wrong?”

CHAPTER TEN
    Virtual Friend Me
    E veryone at the offices of Virtual Friend Me was in a festive mood. After five years of research and development the company was finally ready for its big Go-Live event.
    Melissa looked down and studied her hands. Did her own excitement show? She had been in on this since almost the very beginning. They were formally opening up their virtual friend technology to the world.
    Later, when they had their IPO, everyone with the company for four years or more would be given the opportunity to buy stock at a preferred price. They all anticipated they were about to become very rich people.
    Melissa joined Dan Hammersmith as he gathered his inner circle in the executive conference room. The press releases had already been prepared and the reporters were waiting in the first-floor amphitheater. He stood before them this morning reveling in the success that the company had already begun to enjoy.
    â€œThis is a big day for all of us.” He looked around the tableat his most trusted technicians and advisers. All were there.
    â€œThis has not been the success of one person, but of an entire group. We often use the word ‘team’ around here, and there’s never been an organization where the team concept has been more true than it has been among those of us in this room.”
    Melissa paid close attention as Dan spoke. His words, though formal and expected, were also true. The virtual friend prototype had been in beta testing for the past three months. It had already proven itself to be a major success. Praise from the early adopters and beta users overshadowed complaints and bug reports a hundred to one, something almost unheard of in software development.
    Without fanfare, VirtualFriendMe.com had rolled out its beta program to see who would discover what they were offering