Page 31 of The Dis-Graced

“No, not like Duck Duck Goose. I hate that game. Something fun!”

“Humans are rather strange when it comes to what they think is fun.”

“We are going to play a game called Two Truths and a Lie.”

“Two Truths and a Lie? This will be easy.”

I cock a brow. “You’ve played the game before?”

“No, but its description is programmed into my database, and with my ability to track micro-movements, I am surely going to know when you are lying.”

“Way to take the fun out of it.”

“Go ahead and begin.”

I rack my brain, trying to think of something interesting to share, and a way to present it without him guessing.

“Okay, here we go. I don’t know how to swim. I can play the piano. I’ve eaten poisonous pufferfish.”

“It is quite obvious that you do not know how to play the piano.”

“How was that obvious?”

“There were many tells, but the most obvious was that you said that quicker than the other two phrases. You clearly do not like lying and wanted to get it over with.”

“Good to know. Now it’s your turn.”

“My core is twelve inches tall. I can process data at the speed of light. I know every possible playable game of chess.”

His tone remains the same throughout the three statements, making it impossible to detect the lie vocally, and to be honest, I don’t even know the first thing about AI and its capabilities.

“Hmmm, I’m gonna go with you cannot process at the speed of light.”

“Then you would be wrong. My processor is only ten inches.”

“Ten inches? Not bad, still a tower of power.”

“Your turn.”

I pinch my nose this time, to alter my voice. “My favorite color is pink. Strawberry ice cream is my favorite flavor. I like shooting bow.”

“You’ve never shot a bow before, have you?”

I grip the golden statue in my hand and yell, “Dammit, how are you so good?”

“Would you like me to go again.”

“Not really. You’re just too technical.”

“You should go again.”

“I should? Do you want me to go? Are you able to want?”

“It’s not so much that I want it as much as I’m programmed to seek knowledge.”

This time, I start jogging in place, getting my heart rate up a little first. When I begin to pant, I say, “I used to be obsessed with Justin Bieber. I modeled footwear in college. I’ve never seen any of the Star Wars movies.”

“You were never obsessed with Justin Bieber.”