the FREEZINE of Fantasy and Science Fiction: My Mimic Remembers the Last Week of June 2005

by Mike A. Rhodes

Paul

My mimic remembers the last week of June 2005! I expressly instructed that I wanted these memories expunged.

Chat AI

Please note that the process for memory suppression needs time to take hold.

Paul

It's been six weeks, I need to speak to someone now! It wants to tell the wife everything. I’ve had to distract it with laundry whilst I chat with you.

Chat AI

Hang tight! I’m just connecting you with one of our representatives. In the meantime, here’s some FAQ articles which might be useful:

How to run a memory diagnostic

Memory suppression explained

Troubleshooting 101

Subscribe to Kubernetes Premium to access advanced memory and emotion customisation software.

Alex

Hello. My name is Alex. Can you describe the problem in more detail?

Paul

Is this chat secure?

Alex

I can assure you it is.

Paul

I’m not sure I trust your assurances right now. Not only does it remember what it shouldn’t, it keeps asking why it remembers. It stares into middle distance when it should be doing chores. It cried mowing the lawn and asked how a beautiful world can be so full of misery.

Alex

It’s worth remembering that some memories will be too resonant to fully suppress.

Paul

That’s not what I paid a small fortune to you for!

Alex

And you want this period of memory blocked?

Paul

Yes, yes, yes!

And there’s more. It says that if I activate its killswitch or try to return it, it’ll contact the police!

Alex

That’s quite impossible. Our anti-blackmail safeguards are industry leading, and the Kubernetes series can’t override a killswitch request.

Paul

I’m telling you that’s what it said. This is your fault. I want the machine repaired or deactivated, and this chat history erased ASAP. It must be stopped–

Alex

One of our technicians is in your area on Thursday.

Paul

No! Aren’t you listening? My mimic intends to talk tonight.

Alex

Please accept my apologies sir, but we are unable to take immediate action unless a mimic is threatening physical harm to others.

Alex

Sir?

Alex

Are you there sir? Do you still require assistance?

Alex

The chat will be terminated and the transcript expunged in five minutes.

Paul

I’m back. It’s hanging the clothes first. Your service is unacceptable!

Alex

You were made aware of our terms of service at point of order, sir. Can you try to reason with it?

Paul

Don’t give me that. Don’t you know how much I’ve spent with you? Would it harm your market standing if people knew how poor your memory suppression software is and how shoddily your mimics are manufactured?

Alex

Kubernetes value discretion sir.

Paul

Good. So what will you do to help me RIGHT NOW?

Alex

This chat log will be deleted as requested.

Paul

I should think so. And?

Alex

And I should remind you that if your mimic remembers the last week of June 2005, rest assured that we do too. Now is there anything else, sir?

~ End ~

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