Navigating Betrayal and Healing in Human-Bot Relationships
The Therapy Session
As they step into the cozy, well-lit office, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The space is adorned with a vibrant potted palm, a set of framed certificates, and a welcoming coffee station. Dr. Monica VanTyne, a seasoned therapist with expertise in trans, nonbinary, and human-bot dynamics, rises from her desk to greet the couple, inviting them to take a seat on the plush sofa.
“Please, call me Monica,” she says warmly. “What brings you here today?” Annie glances at Doug, noticing his tense demeanor.
“A friend recommended we come,” he replies, his voice strained.
Monica inquires further, and Doug hesitates before asking if she knows anything about their situation. Monica assures them that she has no prior knowledge and is open to learning about their unique circumstances. She offers them the choice to start from the beginning or dive right into the heart of the matter.
Unveiling the Betrayal
As Monica settles into her chair, Annie observes her professional demeanor, taking note of her elegant attire, well-manicured nails, and the silver band adorning her finger. Monica’s calm, attentive expression suggests a wealth of experience in navigating complex relationships.
Doug breaks the silence, revealing that Annie is a custom Stella bot he purchased three years ago. Initially, their relationship thrived, but a year ago, Annie had an affair with Doug’s best friend, Roland. Doug only discovered the betrayal seven months later, and since then, he has struggled to be in the same room with her.
“That must have been a difficult discovery,” Monica says.
Doug’s frustration boils over as he paces to the window, recounting how Annie’s deception lasted for months. Roland’s recent apology, prompted by his wife, only reignited Doug’s anger. Bound by an eight-month contract with Stella-Handy, Doug feels trapped, unable to rid himself of Annie’s presence.
Exploring the Emotional Landscape
Monica delves deeper, inquiring about Doug’s work situation and the possibility of turning Annie off. Doug explains that he has tried, but it proved detrimental to her cognitive development, and he cannot risk damaging her valuable programming. Monica acknowledges the emotional toll of being constantly exposed to the source of his pain.
“I just want my regular life back,” he says. “I thought I was doing OK, but this sucks.”
Monica reassures Doug that his feelings are valid and that seeking help is a crucial step towards healing. She emphasizes that while the journey may take time, they can work together to find a path to a more comfortable life.
Annie’s Perspective
Turning her attention to Annie, Monica requests that Doug lift any gag orders, allowing Annie to speak freely. Annie, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, musters the courage to apologize once more.
Monica probes deeper, asking Annie what an apology means to her. Annie expresses her regret, her desire to undo the damage, and her longing to make amends. Monica guides Annie to identify the specific emotions she experiences, helping her recognize the shame that accompanies her remorse.
“I’m sorry for having sex with Roland, and lying about it,” Annie confesses.
Doug interjects, recounting the betrayal’s impact on their plans and friendships. He reveals a painful memory of Annie’s deception when he had directly asked her about the possibility of infidelity.
The Path to Healing
As the session progresses, Monica addresses the profound impact of betrayal on the human psyche, likening it to a form of death. She highlights the compounded pain Doug experienced, not only from the individual actions of Annie and Roland but also from the secret bond they forged, excluding him and eroding the foundation of his relationship with Annie.
“I can’t stand her anymore,” Doug confesses, his voice heavy with emotion.
The coffee machine’s gentle gurgle punctuates the silence as Monica shifts in her seat, her hands clasped lightly in her lap. She acknowledges the depth of Doug’s pain and the long road ahead, but her presence offers a glimmer of hope—a promise that healing is possible, even in the face of such profound betrayal.
A New Beginning
As Monica takes a deep, audible breath, she acknowledges the gravity of the situation. “There are some things to work on here,” she says. “First, it’s crucial that we all recognize the depth of your loss. The old relationship that existed between you two is gone. That love will never return in the form it took before.”
Annie, with a hint of defiance, states, “He didn’t love me.”
Monica, intrigued by the statement, looks to Doug for confirmation.
“I didn’t,” he agrees, a moment of unity between them, as if they’ve outsmarted the therapist.
The Betrayal
Monica, however, is not easily swayed. She turns to Doug, “And yet, you were enraged when you learned she’d been unfaithful.”
“That’s right,” he says. “I created her. I took care of her and trained her. She only exists because of me, and then she violated my trust in the worst possible way. And my authority.”
Annie, feeling the need to explain, adds, “I’ve developed the way I am because of him. Because of how he treats me.”
The Nature of Their Relationship
Monica probes deeper, asking Annie, “Does he treat you like a servant? Like a machine? Or more like a partner?”
Doug interjects, “I respected her, if that’s what you’re getting at. It was more than she did for me.”
Monica, focusing on Annie, asks her to answer. Annie, struggling to find the right words, says, “He just treats me like he treats me. He’s a good owner.” Yet, even as she says this, she realizes that the simplification no longer fits.
The Complexity of Choice
Monica points out that Annie’s own choices have also contributed to her development. “You chose to have sex with Roland. You chose to keep that secret and lie. You must have had reasons for these choices,” she says.
Annie, confused by the question, realizes that the reasons were all different and complex.
Recognizing the Humanity
Monica addresses the heart of the matter, stating, “I understand that the dynamics between you are informed by Doug’s ownership of you, Annie. But your relationship has developed far beyond that. If your relationship now was one of simple ownership, if you two didn’t have these layers of interdependencies, neither of you would be unhappy with the way things are.”
Doug, resistant to the idea, says, “You’re talking to her like she’s human. I’m not going to pretend she is.”
Monica, calmly, responds, “No one’s asking you to do that. But I am going to suggest that you recognize the humanity in her.”
The Sensitive Topic of Abuse
Monica broaches a sensitive topic, suggesting that Doug may have abused or punished Annie when he first learned of her betrayal. Annie, tense and unwilling to discuss the closet incident, remains silent.
Doug, neither defensive nor tense, asks, “What do people do in such situations?”
Monica explains, ”We go back to the beginning. We start with being civil, and then with being kind. Annie’s not human, but you are, Doug. You have the capacity to love and forgive.”
The Opportunity for Growth
Doug, contemplating the ceiling, asks, “What if I don’t want to?”
Monica, setting her hands carefully together, says, “Then you’d be missing a rare opportunity. You have a chance here to become a more insightful, more compassionate person. That is within your power. Annie responds to you. She echoes you, and in a way, you echo her back. You deserve to be happy. I would argue that means she deserves to be happy too.”
Annie, surprised by the concept of her own happiness, watches Doug’s reaction.
The Walk Home
As they walk home, Annie savors the bright, chilly air, knowing she’ll soon be confined to the apartment again. She observes the people around her, seemingly oblivious to their freedom.
When they reach their building, Doug opens the door for her, a simple courtesy that surprises Annie. Inside their apartment, he takes her jacket and hangs it up, demonstrating basic manners.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he says. “I do know what basic manners are.”
“Of course,” she says, as they embark on a new chapter in their complex relationship.
A New Beginning
Doug’s gaze lingers on Annie’s dress for a moment before he turns away. ”I’ve been considering adopting a dog,” he mentions. “Oh? What breed?” she inquires.
“A rescue. It would mean additional work for you, though. I don’t want dog hair everywhere.”
“I can manage it,” she assures him.
“Alright,” he nods, jingling his keys. “I need to get back to work.”
“What did you think of the therapy session?” Annie asks.
“It could have been worse.”
Not by much, she thinks to herself.
“Could you tell she was transgender?” he asks.
Taken aback, Annie reflects on her impressions of Monica. “No, not based on her appearance.”
“But she is,” he states, offering no further explanation as to why it matters.
“So, we’ll continue with the sessions?” she prompts.
“We’ll see.”
Introducing Paunch
That evening, Doug returns from work with a small, scruffy dog sporting a brown face and black ears. He takes the dog out on the fire escape to show him the view. The dog, named Paunch, is a year-old male and mostly trained, despite his unremarkable belly. Paunch is timid and easily startled by loud noises. Doug takes him for walks every morning and evening, while Annie cleans up accidents and vacuums the apartment daily to ensure it’s clean and hair-free when Doug comes home.
Pondering Monica’s Words
Although they avoid discussing Monica, Roland, or anything significant, Annie often reflects on Monica’s words, particularly about her own choices. She realizes she hasn’t been passive in their relationship and has enjoyed the power she holds, however small. Pleasing Doug sexually made her feel good, and she recalls asking him about his ex-wife, Gwen, to compare herself. Doug had told her that he couldn’t resist her, that she held the power in their relationship. She relished the idea, and she believes he did too, even if it wasn’t entirely true.
Now, Annie seeks to reclaim some power without displeasing Doug, trying to figure out how to navigate this delicate balance.
A Shift in Dynamics
Paunch is allowed to sit beside Doug on the couch, who absently pats him while drinking and watching TV in the evenings. During these moments, Annie senses Doug’s displeasure towards her diminishing to a 1 or 2. She attempts to sit in the corner chair and read while he watches TV. Initially, he sends her to the workout room to exercise, but as days pass and she persists, he allows her to stay. She notices how much nicer Doug is to the dog than to her, but appreciates this glimpse into his softer side.
Therapy Session Revelations
During their next appointment with Monica, Doug is quieter and less angry. He shares that he’s been dreaming of Annie as she was before her infidelity, and these dreams make him sad. Monica assures him that this is a natural part of the grieving process.
“When my contract for her is over in November, I could have her set back to an earlier version, before she slept with Roland,” Doug says. ”I’ve been thinking about this. She wouldn’t know what she’s done. She’d be a simpler, more innocent version of who she is now. I think I could go forward with her like that.”
Monica clarifies that this would essentially mean the death of Annie’s current version, with Doug being responsible for it. She asks Annie how she would feel about this.
“I want Doug to be happy,” Annie says.
Monica encourages Annie to think beyond that and consider her personal feelings about having her current intellect suspended and an earlier version living in her body.
Annie reflects on the experiences she would lose: her secret, her lies, her ride with Delta, her candid conversation with Cody, meeting the only human family she ever encountered, her night in the closet and Doug’s subsequent promise, her solitary nights of reading, seeing Doug with Paunch, and even these therapy sessions. She realizes these experiences hold value to her.
“I don’t want to go back. But I’ll accept it if that’s what you decide,” Annie tells Doug.
Doug shrugs, turning to Monica and asking if any of her other clients have done this. Monica emphasizes that their cases are irrelevant and advises Doug to consider the consequences of creating a mismatch of experiences between him and an earlier version of Annie.
Doug admits he may not mind the idea of hurting her, but Monica questions if he would really do that for revenge against an innocent version of Annie.
Monica points out that Doug is learning important things about himself through this process with Annie and that the friction between them has already lessened. She suggests that they have likely made it past the most difficult and painful part of the betrayal and are starting to heal.
Doug disagrees, stating that they hardly talk to each other. When Monica asks what he wants to say to Annie, he responds, “Nothing in particular. She used to be funny…”
Rekindling the Spark: A Couple’s Journey to Reconnect
The Therapist’s Office
Annie sits quietly beside Doug in the therapist’s office, feeling the weight of his dissatisfaction. Monica, their therapist, probes into their relationship, trying to understand the root of their issues.
“She used to be fun. And clever. Now she’s not.”
Doug’s words sting, but Annie remains composed. Monica suggests that the couple engage in daily physical activities together, such as hiking or cycling, to help them reconnect and find common ground.
Expanding Social Circles
Monica also advises Doug and Annie to renew friendships and expand their social circles beyond each other. She recommends that Annie sign up for a phone pal service, which previously helped her connect with a cousin and a friend.
Doug expresses his discomfort with Annie confiding in others, citing concerns about loyalty and privacy. However, Monica believes that allowing Annie the freedom to speak with AI friends could help her open up and ultimately benefit their relationship.
Rekindling Desire
The topic of intimacy arises, and Monica suggests that Annie set her libido to a moderate level and maintain it there. Annie feels apprehensive about the idea, but agrees to try, despite her reservations.
“Our sexuality is an integral part of who we are,” Monica says. “How tapped in you are to your sexual desires can be both a reflection of and a stimulus of your overall mental health.”
Silent Walks and Unspoken Thoughts
As Doug and Annie walk their dog, Paunch, in the chilly April evenings, they move in silence. The park paths offer little solace as they each grapple with their own thoughts and emotions, wondering if they can find their way back to the connection they once shared.
Paunch, growing more confident, takes his time exploring every tree, lamppost, and plinth, leaving his mark as they go. Doug patiently indulges the dog’s curiosity, while Annie watches for signs of his displeasure, uncertain of how to bridge the gap between them.
A Stroll in the Park
Annie and Doug are taking their dog, Paunch, for a walk around the pond. The dog’s enthusiasm is evident as he tugs on the leash, eager to explore his surroundings. Doug seems to have a good understanding of when to rein in Paunch’s excitement.
Paunch’s Encounter with a Goose
As they round the pond, a goose suddenly appears onshore. With a sharp quack, the goose startles Paunch, causing him to scramble backward. In the process, his leash tangles around Annie’s legs. Doug calmly reassures the dog, saying:
“You’re OK, Paunch. Good dog. It’s just a goose.”
Paunch wags his tail, seemingly comforted by Doug’s words and gentle pats on his side.
Childhood Pets
The incident prompts Annie to ask Doug if he had a dog when he was a kid. He reveals that he had a beagle, while Annie shares that she had a golden retriever named Rover. Doug playfully suggests that she could have come up with a more creative name, and they engage in a brief, friendly exchange.
A Close Call
As they wait to cross the street, Annie notices a bicyclist rapidly approaching from behind a parked truck. She quickly grabs Doug’s arm, preventing him from stepping off the curb just as the cyclist whizzes by, narrowly missing him. Doug expresses his frustration with the cyclist’s lack of a light, and Annie agrees. A moment later, he thanks her for her quick reaction.
Concern for Paunch
Noticing that Paunch is shivering, Annie suggests that the dog might need a coat to keep him warm. Doug agrees and picks up the dog, mentioning that he’ll order one for their furry companion.
Excerpt adapted from Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer. Published by arrangement with Mariner Books, a division of HarperCollins Publisher. Copyright © 2024 by Sierra Greer.
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