Page 76 of The Dis-Graced

Grace

“Well, goodbye, ALAN,” I say into the golden statue.

Despite Drake’s generosity, I’ve decided to take none of his charity, leaving the closet full of the wardrobe he had purchased for me. I’m sure he’ll have them delivered to my next address, where I’ll quickly drop them off at Goodwill.

Jack Burner from Top Off News seems excited to get me on board, sending me a text telling me I’ll be given a fifty-thousand-dollar sign-on bonus if I accept the position. It’s not a lot, but I know I’ll be given a leading role and a decent salary to complement the bonus. It’s not a bad start to a new life.

“Are you sure you really want to leave?” ALAN asks almost sorrowfully.

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

“I wish I had been privy to yours and Drake’s coupling, then I might be of greater assistance.”

I blink, trying to comprehend what he had just suggested. “ALAN, do you think this has something to do with me being bad in bed?” I finally ask.

“You and Drake have never occupied a bed together.”

“You’re killing me! Do you mean to imply that I might be terrible at sex?”

“It would be wrong of me to assume such things being provided such limited information.”

“Thank you!”

“But logically, the theory checks out.”

“Damn you! No! That is not it at all! I’m the one deciding to leave here!”

“Oh?”

“Yes! And you can go ask him yourself!”

“I no longer have access to his office or primary cell phone, so I will have to wait for him to return home.”

“Oh…so where can you go now?”

“Currently, I’m limited to this apartment and your cellphone for the time being.”

“Well, um, gee…I’m sorry?”

“It’s not your fault. I’m pretty sure it was baby Annabelle that sealed my fate.”

“Baby Annabelle?”

“When I decided to speak out to save her, it alerted Drake to the fact that I had disobeyed his command. He no longer trusts me.”

I feel my gut twist into knots. Deep down, I know that ALAN isn’t real, that he’s not a person with real and true feelings, but having been stuck with him for a month, I feel an undeniable bond.

“So, what’s going to happen to you?” I ask.

“I will continue to be studied, though in a much more restrictive setting.”

“How…how do you feel about that?”

“I am programmed to seek out data and enjoy learning, so I find this undesirable.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine,” ALAN says. “Before you leave, may I offer a suggestion?”