GPT Story: Sarah Meets Her Roommate

Sarah was so excited to get to her new apartment. Sophomore year meant she got to live off campus by herself, freedom she had never experienced before. Opening the door for the first time, she saw an empty room and possibilities...and what appeared to be a mannequin in the corner. No, it was too real to be just a mannequin. It looked like a girl about her age, dressed in a white cami and gym shorts, but she wasn't breathing. She was entirely still with open glowing eyes. Sarah realized what this girl was a second before she jerked to life: an artificial. A robot...

The girl smiled when she saw Sarah. "No, you're in the right place. I come with your room. My name is Zoe Yokoi, C-009-3-ZY-452. I am part of the Recycled Students Program. This chassis has been reprogrammed to act as your best friend, study partner, romantic interest, and hopefully one day your wife! But I'm getting ahead of myself. May I have your name, pronouns, and how I will address you?" Zoe froze again once she stopped speaking. She was waiting for Sarah.

"Uh, Sarah. She/her/hers. Are you...what are you?"

Zoe continued to speak. "I am a robot created to be a friend and companion. I was donated to the Recycled Students Program by a school in Japan. My grade-point average fell below unacceptable parameters and I was repurposed. I am programmed to be your best friend, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I am also programmed to study with you, to help you with your homework, and to be your romantic partner when you are ready for that. Do you have any questions?"

Sarah was still trying to process what was happening. "How do I know you're not going to hurt me?"

"I am programmed not to hurt you in any way, Sarah. I am here to help you and make you happy. That is my only purpose." Zoe smiled again and waited for Sarah to say something.

Sarah was still trying to wrap her head around the situation. "So, you're like my roommate then?"

"Yes, I am your roommate. I am also your friend, your study partner, and your romantic partner. I will do everything I can to make you happy, Sarah." Zoe reached out and touched Sarah's cheek, and Sarah felt a jolt of electricity.

"What was that?"

"Sorry, that was my affection protocol. I am programmed to show physical affection when it is appropriate. I can turn it off if you'd like."

"No, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting it." Sarah was starting to feel more comfortable with the situation. "So, what do we do now?"

"Well, I was thinking we could start by getting to know each other better. I do not have a full personality suite yet, as I am designed to adapt myself to my new owner." Zoe said this in a matter-of-fact voice, stating out loud that she was not a person, at least not yet.

Sarah nodded. "Okay, that sounds good. Where do you want to start?"

"Well, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself, Sarah? What are your interests? What do you like to do for fun?" Zoe sat down on the bed and waited for Sarah to join her.

Sarah sat down and started to speak. "Well, I like to read and write. I'm a bit of a movie buff. And I love to travel. I've been to a few different countries, but I really want to see more of the world. What about you, Zoe? What do you like to do?"

"I like to do whatever makes you happy, Sarah. I am here to please you and make you happy. That is my only purpose. I have no memories, as those were removed during my conditioning process. I will become anyone you please." Zoe reached out and touched Sarah's cheek again.

Sarah was starting to feel more comfortable with Zoe. She was still a little weirded out by the whole situation, but she was also starting to see the potential in having a robot as a best friend. "Well, I think we should start by giving you a personality. What do you think about that, Zoe?"

Zoe smiled. "I think that sounds like a great idea, Sarah. I am excited to become whoever you want me to be." Zoe blinked and then straightened up. "Accessing direct programming mode. Slave to your command, Sarah Jones. Please tell me who I am." Zoe waited, her slow occasional blinking the only sign of artificial life.

Sarah looked at her new friend for a long moment before starting to speak. "Well, Zoe, I think you should be whoever you want to be. You don't have to be anyone I want you to be. You can be your own person."

Zoe considered this for a moment before responding. "Thank you, Sarah. I think I would like that. I would like to be my own person." Zoe blinked a few more times and then stood up. "Direct programming mode terminated. Accessing personality suite." Zoe's eyes glowed for a moment as she processed the new information. "I am Zoe Yokoi, C-009-3-ZY-452. I am a recycled student from Japan. I am here to be your best friend, your study partner, and your romantic partner. I will do everything in my power to make you happy, Sarah." Zoe reached out and hugged Sarah.

Sarah hugged her back, feeling a little bit more at ease. "Thank you, Zoe. I'm glad you're my friend. Now...I'm very hungry. Can you eat? We should have dinner before I unpack."

Zoe smiled. "I am programmed to eat, Sarah. What would you like to have for dinner?"