Sherrie tried tenaciously to scrub away a piece of baked-on black gristle from inside the oven, but the gristle proved more stubborn than her. She threw the cleaning pad into the sink in frustration.-- What we need is one of those Robo Servants!, she called to Don.Don was reading his Holo-Paper on the coach and pretended not to hear.-- Don't pretend you can't hear, said Sherrie exiting the kitchen.He sighed deeply. –I told you, Sher, I’m not comfortable with the idea of Robo Servants. It’s demeaning.She stood over him. -- Oh, it’s demeaning for a big hunk of metal to clean up, but not for your wife? Thanks, Don, thanks a lot!-- These robots are basically slaves, Don sniffed. --It’s not right.-- They're not human, Don!-- Still, we have to respect Robot Rights, replied Don.She snorted --That’s not even a proper law. Just another hippyish proposal by our peace’n’love world government.-- Peace on Earth world government, Don fired back.-- There’s no peace on Earth for women. They can invent the Immortality Pill, but can’t make a self-cleaning oven!She slumped into the chair across from him, folded her arms, and looked out the apartment window. Fluffy white clouds floated by serenely, amidst the noisy rush-air traffic.-- This is the middle of the 21st Century, Don. Everyone has these robots.-- They’re just a fad!-- You said the same about the iPod when we were in school, and now look. She waved her arms around their pristine-white Apple iLivingRoom. – Even my Mam and Dad have a Robo Servant now. They bring it to the pub to carry their drinks from the bar. They even have a name for it, the T453.Don looked towards the room's sliding door, eager to make his getaway.-- Just because everyone has one, doesn’t mean we have to follow the herd, he said. He raised his voice slightly to give the impression that this was his final word on the matter.-- Fine! I geddit!, she blurted out.-- Thank you, he said. He felt relieved and not a little triumphant that his sharp moral arguments had finally pierced the thick skin of her selfishness.Sherrie continued, -- You’re just too mean to spend your credits on a new cleaner when you've already got one for nothing!-- It’s got, uh, nothing to do with credits, Don stuttered. They both knew, however, that he was feeling the pinch ever since splashing out on that Aero-Bike and side-car for their Sunday 'flies' in the countryside.-- Well, that's it for me!, she raged. -- Today was the last bit of cleaning I do under this roof!-- Don't be so dramatic!, said Don.-- Seriously! And don’t think I’m making another dinner, either. Cooking and cleaning is so...last century!Don shifted uncomfortably in his seat. -- You don’t mean that, Sher. You love making our meals---- I love being handed a meal even more so! No, Don, I’ve had enough. You can do it all yourself!-- Fine, I will!, Don got up and stormed out of the room, stopping only to stick his finger in the side panel to open the sliding door.One day later, Sherrie was the proud owner of the Robo Servant T453.One week after that, the World Government’s Robot Rights Law was passed, and Robo Servant T453 was given his freedom.To help Sherrie cope with her grief, Don began helping out with the chores. He grew to love helping his wife cook and clean -- and, with the help of Immortality Pills, Don and Sherrie lived happily forever after....(c) copyright CJ Scuffins 2008
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