Saving Skott with a K.

"You have the right to remain silent...anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one...one will be appointed for you".

I cannot remember the last time I had a good cry...although the end of the story was both cry-able and kind of laughable...Still - well, you decide.

It is 2162...and couples were only allowed to have one child. Marta and I, Sheff, had a son named Godwin. Now thinking back, we probably should have named him Devillose, on account of he was the devil's child in behavior and manner.

Godwin was the bane of his momma's existence. He never helped around the house and was never home when needed, he was quite rude, never listened and mostly skipped school. The boy was always up to heaven knows what trouble he would concoct.

But to me, his poppa, I was as proud of him as ever a father of a robust son could be. He was strong and he knew exactly what he wanted...nobody could get the better of my Godwin...he took what he wanted and no one could stop him...a born winner in my book...Maybe even a bit of a bully.

In short, he may have been seen as a wicked child, a willful child...which made what his momma did, a little bit understandable. And what I did even more acceptable. If you can see my point of view, that is.

If Godwin had been born with infirmities, if he had any kind of disability, rendering him unable to take care of himself, they would have allowed us to have a second child...so he or she could be of assistance in place of the first one.

But as the devil must have his way...the boy was as healthy as a horse, big as s a mountain and a bully to boot.

"I went to look at them today Sheff, the mechanical children...they look so real, you can barely tell the difference".

"Uh huh, that's nice dear". - Sheff sat watching sports in front of the TV, a shimmering holographic veil that unfurls in midair, responding to gestures, voice, and even emotional cues. He was not paying attention to what Marta was saying.

"They are a bit expensive, but I will pay for it from my own savings. We are allowed a second child if we get a mechanical one".

"You want to have a second child, aren't you a bit too old for that". Sheff replied, his attention caught between the screen and only hearing a half of what Marta was saying.

"I don't want to find out what they do to people who have another child without permission...it's a wonder they let people get second children, but they have to be robot children". He muttered...still caught up in his own world.

They never see her anymore...Marta muttered to herself. Its as if I am invisible...far away...and they barely notice me.

Exasperated, Marta grabbed her coat and left the house. She placed an order for a kind, obedient and helpful son, at least Godwin will have some company...even if he was made from titanium or tin or whatever they make robot people from these days.

Next day being Saturday, everybody was home when there was a knock at the door. Marta dashed to open it.

Two men asked her to sign the acceptance form...and a brand spanking new teenage son walked into the house.

"Egad, what's this"? Sputtered Sheff, jumping from the sofa.

Godwin, standing in the kitchen, chewing on the latter half of a sandwich, paused mid bite to stare at the newcomer.

"Hello. My name is Skott, with a k. I am pleased to meet you all".

"This is so not cool, Mom". The teenager said, glaring at the young robotic teen.

"Marta...what have you done. We never talked about this, and you didn't even ask Godwin if it was ok".

Marta ignored them completely.

"What can I do for you today, Marta. I can assist you in any way you wish". Skott with a K offered...completely disregarding the confusion buzzing all around him.

A broad smile lit up Marta's face. Sheff couldn't remember the last time he saw her laugh like that...actually having a good laugh!

"This is Sheff, my husband and Godwin, our son".

"Hello Sheff, hello Godwin, pleased to meet you". Skott intoned.

"I don't care what they say". Marta said to Skott, you can accompany me to the grocery store today".

"Ok, Marta".

"Call me Mom, Skott".

"Ok, Mom".

The men of the house watched as weeks, months passed by and Skott became Marta's helper in everything that she needed done. He showered her with praises and behaved like the son she always wanted. She even allowed Godwin to play games with Skott. He could be a bit abusive at times. But when she complained to Sheff, he shrugged it off, saying that Skott was not a real person, but aluminum or tin or whatever.

Sheff was determined to get rid of Skott...Much to Marta's surprise, he got up off the couch, went out and got himself a job. He would rather work, he thought, than stay and watch the mechanical child getting all the affection - yet, if he were to be honest...he had never seen Marta so happy, and Godwin seemed to like the thing, even though he could be mean to it.

Skott endured Godwin's tyranny...smiling through it all.

Life went on as life did...Everyone plotting, scheming and misbehaving. But Marta and her new son were as happy as could be.

One day, while Sheff was at his job, which he endured but not enjoyed, doing as little as possible to pass the time, his personal phone rang. It was an emergency call from his neighbor...his house was on fire. Godwin had a holiday from school, everyone was home.

He sped home as fast as he could, wading through the crowd gathered to wonder, empathize or to be inquisitive - Sheff saw Marta and one of his sons on the ground. A great relief flooded his being as he realized they had escaped the flames.

Rushing over he shouted for Marta and Godwin..."I'm so glad you both are ok". Happiness in his voice.

But shock suddenly rooted him to the spot.

By Marta's side was the robot child. There was no sign of his real son.

"Marta, where is Godwin". His voice was barely audible.

"I could only save one of our sons, Sheff". She replied, holding on to Skott.

Sheff sped off towards the burning house, but the firemen held him back, they sent him to the comfort of his family after a great struggle.

Sheff stood over the woman and fake child, rage tore through his body, blinding him to sanity. He knelt down, grabbed Marta by the throat and squeezed.

Skott considered the three rules of Asimov's robotics...

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Again...for the second time in one day...He had no idea what to do.

Godwin had tried to set him on fire, but had slipped on banana peels he had previously thrown carelessly in the backyard as he lunged for Skott. He fell down spilling gasoline on himself, dropped the lighter and blazed like a lit torch instead. He ran into the kitchen in terror, Skott tried to stop him, to help him...but Godwin had pushed him away - he was by now a huge mountain of fire, grabbing the kitchen curtains on his way to the bathroom...That did not help as it too caught the flames. He probably meant to immerse himself in the bathtub or something...but his wild flailing only made matters worse.

The bathroom erupted in flames as poor Skott spun around in confusion -everything started to burn. By the time Marta saw and smelled the smoke, came rushing down the stairs and met Skott standing confused...saving Godwin was maybe too late.

She grabbed Skott and ran outside. Luckily the neighbor had called the authorities.

Humans are very confusing.

Marta had grabbed him and run out of the house. She never checked on Godwin...even when Skott pointed out that he was in the bathroom.

It took three men to get Sheff's hands free of Marta. But it may have been too late.

"She...she chose to save the metal instead of her own flesh and blood". Sheff wept, as 'robotic policepeople' detained him.

With her final breath before her eyes closed for the last time, Marta whispered....

"I saved him because he loved me, Sheff. Because he made me laugh again".

The sadly ominous thing Sheff saw before the cuffs were put on, was the face of his robot son and the burning house forming a backdrop to his lost life.

He now wonders if things would have been different if he had been a little more present in the lives of his wife and child.