The Robot Translator (Flash Fiction Part 6)

Image by kiquebg from Pixaba

This is the 6th part of the story. The previous 5 parts are here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Ayun ponders on her strategy–how to get rid of Fifi? Her husband Tram has already declined her request for help, but she could press him to do what he doesn’t want to do. He will do it, with a grudge of course, which can be soothed by some gestures or amenities Ayun has long reserved to dispel domestic disquietude.

However Ayun has a better strategy to get Tram to do what she wants him to do without getting him to feel like he is forced. She can “lure” her husband Tram to her office one weekend when she is certain her boss will not be there. Once inside the office, she is sure that Tram would take an interest in the robot–as an engineer, he has a weakness for gadgets. And then she can work her charm on him and press some buttons that can wake up his vanity–she will see how far she can go.

The problem is that Ayun’s office is in Manhattan. Whenever a location in NYC is concerned, the traffic issue and the travel logistics have to be worked out beforehand. Ayun and Tram live in Edison, New Jersey, which is 35 miles for Ayun to commute by train to Manhattan each morning, and 17 miles for Tram to commute to the Staten Island campus of the city university by car. Although Staten Island is a borough of New York City, it is so much easier to go there from New Jersey than from other parts of NYC.

Tram has a little insecurity about becoming middle aged and getting old. One evening, Ayun says to her husband,

“Remember that new hairdresser in Maison, the Korean hair salon, in Manhattan? He cuts my boss’ hair like no other. Now he practically looks like a young Korean movie star if you just look at his hair.”

“Yes, but you said he is all booked up. I wonder if I will ever be able to …” Tram says.

“But I get you booked up for Sunday afternoon. I promised to give him some free legal advice if he is willing to give you an appointment. You can have a haircut that makes you look 15 years younger.” Ayun says.

So Tram and Ayun come to Manhattan the very next Saturday, and Tram gets his cute haircut. Then the couple goes to a crowded but popular dumpling restaurant to have dinner, which has no wait staff. One has to order at the counter, get the food, and squeeze one’s way across people standing shoulder to shoulder to find a seat. The food is so delicious that it makes you forget that you are sitting sandwiched between two strangers.

“I need to pick up some documents in the office before we go for grocery shopping.” Ayun says to Tram about her imaginary files.

“Sure.” Tram replies. He is in very good spirit–the new haircut really energizes him.

Just as Ayun has expected, Tram is completely engrossed by Fifi as soon as they step in the empty office. He immediately starts to check out Fifi’s various functionalities, and type in command to challenge its capacity.

“Amazing. I can type in the name of the dumpling restaurant and it would show me the menu, the best hours to visit, and the best entries to order, with a pile of photos. Let me see. It is also a learning robot. Let me see. I am going to add our photos to google and the trip advice website, with my comments of being too crowded, without waiters or waitresses, no drinks available. Can you believe that a restaurant that doesn’t offer any drinks? I mean you have the foresight to bring our own bottled water. Otherwise…” Tram says to Ayun while staring at Fifi’s screen, which is the part of its body from the pelvis to shoulders.

“I saw at least two people bringing in their own beers.” Ayun says.

“And look. Fifi learns it immediately. Now Fifi is telling you that it is crowded, without service, without water or soda. It even pick up the two photos I uploaded to google. Fifi is a quick learner. I can’t believe you wanted me to sabotage this machine.” Tram says.

“I’ve already changed my opinion. I love this machine now.” Ayun feigns agreement.

“Really? That’s my girl. I knew you would agree with me eventually.” Tram says proudly. “Look, let me show you Fifi’s abilities, which are amazing. If you learn it, you will love it more.”

“It is really clever. Thanks to you, I understand its learning capacity now. You are so clever and informative, Tram.” Ayun says.

Learning is Fifi’s strength, which is paradoxically also its weakness. Now Ayun knows how to destroy Fifi and remove it from this office once for all.

(To Be Continued Here)