Lucy signs up to be a tester for a personal android. This story is an exploration of human loneliness, connection and the unintended consequences of the ‘move fast and break things’ approach. Heuler’s writing is so absorbing, the story grabbed me right away.

It felt a little like a prequel to Annie Bot.

I spent the next week describing things to Eliot. I showed him how to open windows and how to recognize keys. I took him to pet shops and explained about dogs and cats and birds and fish. I took him to supermarkets and clothing stores and pharmacies. He said there was a lot of maintenance involved with being human and I agreed, after a pensive moment.

He was tiring me out with his remoteness. I came home and he wanted to enlarge his understanding. He wanted to watch TV so I could explain it to him. I began to dread his questions. Why couldn’t I just come home, grab a glass of wine, and relax? Why was he so much work? And then I noticed that when I was away from him I kept thinking of him. He was in my head.