Service Model

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

I have no duties to return to,” Charles explained. “That is not a police problem.” Birdbot informed him. “I cannot assist. Go about your business.” Charles had no business to go about, but at the same time he had plainly been dismissed. He turned to leave and Birdbot’s heavy hand clenched about his shoulder. “Not so fast, sonny, where do you think you’re going?” “Inspector, about my business,” Charles said. “You dismissed me.” “The domestic unit Charles the Valet is dismissed,” Birdbot said with ineluctable logic. “The dangerous malfunctioning unit Charles the Valet is hereby arrested for causing a fatal industrial accident.” Again, what rushed through Charles was not relief, but merely a sudden simplification of decision-making. The agony of being on the prongs of duties he could not perform was removed from him. “You are required to present yourself to Decommissioning where you will be retired,” Birdbot informed him. Adding, with the air of one desperate to remain true to their programmed character, “Your reign of terror is ended, Charles the Valet.”