The breakthrough came in 2028-29, when the AI arms race led to the creation of low-level artificial general intelligence. In the next decade work continued apace, and following deep investment into quantum robotics, the Cybernetic Corporation was able to develop humanoids that could interact as if they were a real person.
Despite fierce opposition from human rights groups, governments and private companies invested heavily into this new market. However, each hit the same limitation – no matter how much training they invested in, or how large the dataset, they couldn’t produce intelligence that was truly original.
Rather than trying to create intelligence from nothing, they therefore pivoted to running through the literary canon and started work on the creation of lifelike versions of characters from books and novels.
Once again, the markets exploded and money was thrown at companies on the frontier of the technology, until one day an influential investor wondered aloud how it would all be monetised. This briefly gave pause to the markets and the share prices wobbled until a solution was found.
It was called Novella.
———
The lift screeched slowly to a stop in front of the three figures waiting patiently in the basement. Through the gaps in the cage, they could see the bell boy lift a large brass lever of the side of the lift before he stepped forward and slid open both internal and external doors. He waved them inside and one by one they sidled in, each taking a place in their own corner.
The bell boy took a quick look up and down the corridor, and satisfied that there was no-one else waiting, stepped back into the lift, closed the cage doors again, lifted the lever and pushed a button on the control panel. The lift groaned and started rising upwards, rattling as it went.
The small, enclosed nature of the lift gave the new occupants a chance to take in their surroundings and for the first time, to really look at each other.
In the corner, Carrie shivered and tried to retreat as far back as she could. A shy, teenage girl with auburn hair, she was covered in blood from head to toe that never seemed to stop running down her face and body. She looked down, noticing the trail of blood that had followed her into the lift and her stomach sank. Would this never end? The shame, and the smell. How could these people bear to be in the same room as her? They must hate her, she thought. She started feeling anger rise inside her at the unfairness of the situation. She hadn’t asked for this. This wasn’t her fault. Her hands trembled.
She looked up and to her left to try and take her mind off it and found herself staring into the eyes of an older, bearded figure dressed in white robes. He had a long face and a high forehead, and his dark eyes seemed to penetrate deep inside her soul.
She turned quickly, averting his gaze and alighted instead upon a warm, kindly look from the well-dressed lady on her right, who calmed her down at once with a sympathetic smile and a feeling of understanding. She relaxed a little, allowing herself to unclench her fists and stop the rage building further. She was thankful; she knew if she grew too angry, there would be consequences that didn’t end well for anyone.
Elinor Dashwood saw the girl relax her hands and was pleased that she seemed to have calmed down. She understood that it was a nervous time for all of them, but it was just good sense to remain cool and take each moment as it came. There was no need for impulsivity; they couldn’t change anything. They just needed to make the best of the situation.
Besides, if you wiped away all the blood coursing down her face, the girl was very pretty. She’d make a perfect wife for an officer or a clergyman – perhaps even the new headmaster at the local school. She’d heard he was still eligible.
Yes, she could do well for herself if she brushed up a little. And she would no doubt have a very reasonable level of life, which in this day and age, was all you could really ask for.
She turned her attention to the white-robed man. He was still staring intently at the girl. Dear, dear, that wasn’t good manners. She coughed lightly, just enough to get his attention. He whirled round to look at her, his eyes ablaze with anger.
Well, she thought, taken aback. He thinks rather a lot of himself. She set her shoulders back and decided to not engage.
Saruman the White sneered as he saw the woman look away. Who did she think she was, attempting to get his attention? Dressed so prim and proper in that corseted dress and flowery hat, did she not know him? Did she not understand his power?
He longed for the day that he could return to Isengard and once again command his legion of orcs. He would crush these little people like the ants that they were.
He turned back to the girl, still cowering in the corner. She, on the other hand, was more interesting. He could see her hands trembling and feel a dark power rising deep inside her. He could use that.
Suddenly, the lift came to a stop, forcing each of them out of their thoughts. The bell boy opened the cage doors, stepped outside and indicated for them to leave.
Hesitantly, they made their way out of the elevator and into a wide, vast atrium. Carrie stared. Everywhere she looked there were characters from books and novels and plays and poetry. There was a sign hanging in the air – “Welcome to Novella”.
“Carrie!” someone shouted. She turned around and two girls came running through the crowd, brandishing notebooks, pens and cameras. “Carrie! It’s you!” they squealed. “Now, now, girls, take your time,” Elinor admonished them gently, as they pushed the notebooks and pens into Carrie’s hands, hoping for autographs.
“You’re our hero!” one of the girls said. “We love you!” said the other.
“Well, er…okay” stammered Carrie, clearly unsure about she had done to inspire such devotion.
‘They were so mean to you,” the first girl said. “And it really wasn’t your fault what happened. But you were so brave.”
“And so powerful,” said the second wistfully. “I wish I could do what you did”.
“Yeeeessss” Carrie said slowly, trying to take it all in. Here she was, covered in blood, looking dreadful, full of angst, and yet there were two girls looking up to her as a hero. Could they not smell her?
Out of nowhere she felt a nudge in the back that pushed her off-balance. It was Saruman, muttering under his breath as he went past. He looked angry.
The girls stared at him as he strode away furiously. “Who was that awful man?” they asked. “He seems rude.”
“Oh, well, er, he’s…” Carrie started.
“He’s no-one, girls,” Elinor finished for her. “Now, come on, let’s get you a photograph together and I am sure Carrie will sign your book, and then we must get on. We’ve other people to see.”
The girls stood either side of Carrie as Elinor took their picture, and then they both signed their books and promised to say hello if she saw them again. Satisfied, the girls went on their way, giggling excitedly and heading towards a set of doors below a sign that read “Fantasyland”.
Carrie stood silently, looking around in a daze, not sure what to make of it all.
“Come on, time for us to explore our new home,” said Elinor breezily, wrapping her arm through Carrie’s and propelling her forward. “I think we’re going to like it here”.
Yes, thought Carrie. Maybe she would.