"FWLS56" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

I cradled the cup in my hands, feeling its warmth. I took
an experimental sip... for someone who had not eaten or drank in
the last few days, it was like nectar. I drank some more.

"Pretty thirsty, huh?" Help asked, as I downed the last of
it. "'fraid that's all there is. Two packets only."

"It is alright, miss," I said.

"Please, call me Help. It's what my students call me."

"Students?"

"I'm a substitute teacher now," she said. "Got the job very
recently. It's quite fun because I happen to know a lot, and the
kids always are expecting a sub that has no idea what the class
is about so they can goof off. Sometimes when I'm feeling
especially mean I issue pop quizzes and grade them on spot.
Horrible Help, those classes call me."

"The name... Help... is it foreign?"

"No, it's a computer term. Long story."

"Why haven't you changed it? Doesn't it peg you as an AI?"

"Yeah, it does. I don't mind, though. It's the name I've
used since I was created, so I'm hanging on to it."

"What about your glasses? Don't AI's have perfect vision?"

"I took a blow to the head from some F.A.ST. punks, and it
seemed to throw my optics out of whack," she said, taking a
moment to polish her glasses with a portion of her dress.
"Instead of finding someone who repairs androids, I just bought
glasses. Simple solutions work wonders and cost less."

"What's... eff ay est?" I asked, sounding out each letter.

"F.A.ST," she corrected, putting the glasses back on. "Just
some locals who don't like AIs. Flesh Against STeel. They're
not evil people, but have some misplaced notions about what
constitutes a person nowadays. Living in the past, all of them."

I nodded, soaking in the knowledge. Figuring she didn't
mind all these questions, I continued.

"Miss, if you don't mind me asking... do you have a family?"