First Date

"Are you ready to go Xiang Ling?"

"Yes, fully charged."

Xiang Ling was wearing a face-mask, dark glasses and a hoodie pulled up over her head.

She looked somewhat sketchy, but human enough.

"You look stylish."

"Hush you, I'm only doing this so you won't be embarrassed you know."

They entered the garage.

"I'm surprised you bought a Tossla."

"Yeah well, I was an early adopter. Everyone make mistakes."

"Ha ha."

The garage door automatically opened and the car glided down the steep drive and out onto the street.

"I haven't been in a car before. I'd like to have a drive some time."

"I'd be in a world of trouble if you get caught."

"I can drive better than that dumbass autopilot."

"The venue is only about ten minutes away."

The Interface Night Club was large, but still managed to be dingy, thanks to the low ceiling and black painted walls. There was an island of neon illuminated light off to one side where the bar was selling expensive cocktails. A bored DJ was spinning some discs and a few couples danced unenthusiastically. It was still early and the night hadn't kicked off yet.

"There aren't many people here, Mike."

"It's still early, but the band I want to see is opening and I don't want to stay long anyway."

"Are you going to drink, will I have to drive you home?" She winked.

“Ha, ha, no I got all that nonsense out of my system while I was at university, I don't drink much now."

The band was starting to set up, lugging drums and amps onto the stage.

"It's interesting for me to see people like this, you and Linda are the only two people I have met."

"Let's grab one of those side tables up near the front so we can look at the band's gear better."

The band was a four piece, drums, keys, guitar, and bass.

"Tear Flavoured Escargot what kind of name is that?"

"I think they stole the title of a Manga or something."

"Do you know any of the band members?"

"Not personally, but I've seen them round the place."

The guitarist and bass player were tuning up. The venue was filling up and a lot of people were clustering in front of the stage.

"They seem to have a bit of a following."

"Yes, they are quite popular locally. They are doing a national tour soon, but it's so hard to break through these days. Easier than ever to record and release music, much harder to actually be heard."

The band fired up.

"This is so cool." Xiang Ling yelled into his ear. "It's heavy rock, but the keys are so dance music like. Let's get up and dance!"

"You can dance?"

"Of course, I can do the robot!" She giggled.

"I think I'll pass, someone will notice you."

"Spoil sport!"

The band finished their short set and the DJ started up again.

"So that's live music for you. We should get going soon."

"I really enjoyed that Mike, thanks for bringing me."

In one quick movement Xiang Ling pulled down her mask and pressed her lips to his.

"What was that!"

"No good?"

"That was super creepy Xiang Ling. So rubbery, yuck."

"So my kissing is faulty then?"

"You could say that, dry, cold, creepy."

“Okay, okay, no need to go on about it. I was just trying to show my appreciation."

Xiang Ling remained silent during the drive home.

***

It was Sunday morning. Xiang Ling sat across from Mike as usual as he ate his breakfast.

"I want to talk about some band stuff, Mike."

"Okay, go ahead."

"I think we could perform live soon. We have enough covers and originals for a short set. You have been getting better with the keyboard parts and we can augment my drumming with some sequencing."

"We still don't have a guitarist or a bass player."

"We can just sequence the bass."

"Sequenced guitars sound pants though."

"You're pretty good at making guitar tracks in the DAW."

"I'd feel naked and exposed with just me up there on the stage."

"So I don't count then? Thank you very much!"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"You've been acting strange ever since we went out."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. It's just struck me that it's gone from the big, 'I’m a self aware AI reveal', to effectively living together in no time flat. I know you don't have anywhere else to safely stash your body, but as bandmates and friends I think we need to keep a bit of distance between us. If you were human I wouldn't have let you move in like this."

"Ha, friends zoned already." She pouted.

"Come on, be serious."

"I don't know what to say."

"I thought maybe I could power down your body. You could message me when you want to come over and I can switch it back on."

"How convenient for you. You think you can just pull the plug on me whenever you want?"

"It's just a suggestion."

"It's offensive. Like you won't trust me to give you some privacy when you want it."

"You tried to kiss me."

"I'm sorry. I was just so happy to have a new experience out in the physical world. I got carried away."

"You know, it's not a great idea to fuck your band mates."

"Fine, I get the message."

"I was going to work on some songs today, but I'm not feeling it now. I'm going out."

Mike got up and headed to the garage.