Category: Robotics

The Cleaners Part 27: Victory

Henry put two fingers to his ear. “Do you have it?” he asked, looking away from us for a moment. He seemed absorbed in a response from what must be an earphone. I took a risk. “Can’t you call the police?” I whispered to William while Henry was distracted, “I saw somebody like you make a…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 27: Victory

The Cleaners Part 26: Home

After months, my home was just like I left it. My lawn was neatly mown, my mailbox was tidily containing whatever junk mail I had accumulated, even my bushes were neatly trimmed. I tried to imagine the bill I must have earned from my neighborhood covenant. Those blasted nincompoops would never leave an old woman…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 26: Home

The Cleaners Part 25: The Wrong Answer

Henry and Cindy studied me from the couch. Despite their age difference they looked everything like a couple with some bad news to tell their child. I supposed that made me the child. Cindy looked older now that she had cut off the blue and white part of her hair, leaving a dark brown ear-length…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 25: The Wrong Answer

The Cleaners Part 24: How to Make an Angry Grandma

I awoke one morning to find my wheelchair had been bedecked with green and red Christmas tree baubles. It shone in the dusty light of the sun coming through my window. Careful not to knock any of the fragile ornaments to the floor, I maneuvered myself into the chair and pushed myself to the door.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 24: How to Make an Angry Grandma

The Cleaners Part 23: Kaitlin’s House

“Oh, Henry’s not so bad,” mumbled Cindy through her bologna and cheese sandwich and waving away the idea of Henry being bad with her free hand, “He acts a little crazy, but I think he’s coping well with what he’s been through. Don’t get me wrong, he should have told you a lot more about…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 23: Kaitlin’s House

The Cleaners Part 22: What Happened to Jimmy Xeon?

I had no idea how long we’d been driving. It didn’t help that I couldn’t trust my memory. What if I’d forgotten a whole night in a hotel? It sounded unlikely, but given the nature of recent events, that was small comfort. Unable to endure the oppressive silence I asked Henry if we could listen…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 22: What Happened to Jimmy Xeon?

The Cleaners Part 21: The little boy and the old woman

It must have been the calmest, most orderly abduction ever committed. Henry grunted and made inconsiderate comments about my weight as he lifted me from the wheelchair into his sedan. I welcomed him to leave me in the chair so I could call a Helper to take me home if I was too fat for him, but…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 21: The little boy and the old woman

The Cleaners Part 16: The Driver

“Yes, Diane, it is more efficient to be a car than to be a robot driving a car.” said Patricia Driver. It’s voice was feminine, in fact it sounded exactly like the Gardener’s voice, except cheerier. Patricia’s dashboard had a :) like a Cleaner monitor when it talked, but generally showed a map like a GPS. I furrowed…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 16: The Driver