VirileMail/Audio version

This page is for development of an audio version of VirileMail. The goal is to tell a relatively short version of the story in half hour blocks. Voice actors needed!

Block One
cast:
 * 1) Joe Daonet- Network administrator for Antler Network Services.
 * 2) Erin Jecklestein- Administrative supervisor for the Network Services division of Antler Network Services.
 * 3) Dave- Erin’s office assistant.
 * 4) Brian Kaplan- Website developer for Antler Network Services.
 * 5) Dr. Chloe Meade- Client applications specialist for Antler Network Services.

Scene 1: Internal : September 8, 2003 at Antler Network Services
SFX: sound of computer keyboard typing, then Office telephone rings

Dave (on phone):
 * Network Services, can I help you?

Joe:
 * Hi, Dave. This is Joe.

Dave:
 * Hey, bro, what's up?

Joe:
 * I need to talk to Erin about a service interruption we just had on the website.

Dave:
 * She's out of the office. Is this an emergency?

Joe:
 * No. I hope not. We just had cable disconnection that knocked us off the internet until I found the problem.

Dave:
 * (silent for about five seconds)
 * That's pretty weird. What do you expect Erin to do about it?

Joe:
 * Nothing. I was wondering if someone was playing a joke on me.

Dave: 
 * (laughs) I wish I had thought of it, but if I had done it I would have been there with a camera to get a shot of you having a heart attack.

Joe: (forced laughter) Well, I'm really just trying to cover my ass. I'll send Erin an email.

SFX: Door shutting

Dave:
 * Erin just came into the office. Hold on, I'll connect you.

(in back ground, Dave tells Erin)
 * "Its Joe...some problem with the servers"

Erin: (On phone)
 * Hi, Joe.

Joe:
 * Hi, Erin, I'm glad I caught you.

Erin:
 * Dave says we had a server problem.

Joe:
 * Physical disconnect. Someone must have pulled the cable connection then ran. It only took me 20 seconds to get in there.

Erin:
 * (alarmed) Oh, no!
 * Who would do such a thing?

Joe:
 * (long silence)
 * Well, I was wondering if someone was playing a trick on me. (chuckles lamely)

Erin:
 * Sorry, but you don't get of the hook that easy. Nobody would compromise our net services for clients just for a joke. Who has access to the server room?

Joe:
 * I think you, the three net admins and building services are the only ones with keys to the server room.

Erin:
 * Could one of the custodians have accidentally knocked the cable off?

Joe:
 * This isn't the sort of connection that can just get knocked off by accident. And custodians only go in there once a week, Friday evenings, I believe.

Erin:
 * (long silence)
 * Well, I'm grasping at straws.

Joe:
 * Maybe I should call the police.'''

Erin:
 * What do you expect them to do?

Joe:
 * Nothing. I doubt they would come out. But we would be on record as having reported the event. If a client lost an important file during the service disruption then we could be facing a demand for damages. For insurance purposes, we should have a police report on record.

Erin:
 * No, I don't want to do that unless we have to. It would be damaging if word leaked out about this. Call the service center in India and have them report any complaints about the service failure. If and only if we get a serious complaint, then you can call the police and tell them about the cable. Anything else?

Joe:
 * I could put a camera in the server room to record who enters.

Erin:
 * You think this is going to happen again?

Joe:
 * I don't know what happened this time, but you know the saying:(pause)' fool me once....

Erin:
 * Ya, ya. You might be right. Use your judgment. Let's meet at 10 tomorrow morning and you can give me a full report.

SFX: (phone connection cuts off)

SFX: (foot steps entering room)

Brian:
 * (sounding dazed) Sorry to interrupt your work.

Joe:
 * Hi, Brian.

Brian:
 * Something strange happened to me. I know I can tell you.

Joe:
 * What happened?

Brian: I was walking in the hallway when an eggplant fell on me.

Joe: (incredulous) An egg-plant?

Brian:
 * Yeah, just out of the blue. I was quite shocked, of course. I looked up and I saw a hole in the ceiling. I could see up through that hole to another hole in the ceiling of the third floor.

Joe:
 * There are holes in several floors?

Brian:
 * Yeah. I don't want anybody to find out because this was kind of weird.

Joe:
 * Well, someone else is bound to notice all the holes.

Brian:
 * I guess so.

Joe:
 * So, I think we should tell other people. Meet me by Erin's office at 10 tomorrow morning.

Brian: (spaced out) That would be fine.

SFX:(sound of retreating foot steps)

Joe: (muttering to himself)' Cripes! What's going on around here?

GRAMS: (after Joe goes to look at the holes; sounds of office space with software programmers in cubicles, sound of fast keyboard typing) 

Scene 2 : Internal
SFX: Typing-keyboard

Joe:
 * Hey Brian,(pause) I saw those holes in the floors and I found another one in the wall of the server room.

Brian: (distracted)
 * Oh.

Joe:
 * Did you file a work request with building maintenance about those holes?

Brian: SFX: (keyboard sounds stop, sounds like he is waking up)
 * Oh. Hi, Joe. Yeah, I called George. Luckily, not a single wire or pipe was damaged. He called the insurance company and then a repair crew. They'll patch the roof right away.

'''

Joe:
 * What did you do with the eggplant?

(keyboard sounds start again)

Joe:
 * Brian?

Brian: (keyboard sounds stop)


 * (as if seeing Joe for the first time) Hey. What's up, Joe?

Joe:
 * What did you do with the eggplant?

Brian:
 * (sounding nervous) What are you talking about?

Joe:
 * You told me that an eggplant landed on you.

Brian: (laughs mechanically) Ha. Ha. Ha. That's funny.

Joe:
 * Look,(pause) were you there on the second floor when something fell through that hole or did you just notice the hole after it had already been formed?

Brian: (speaking through gritted teeth as if in pain) What do you mean about something falling through the hole? It's some kind of exit wound, man.

Joe:
 * Earlier you told me an eggplant fell on you. I assumed it fell through that hole.

Brian:
 * You need some sleep, man. And a meal.(dimsissive) What is this eggplant shit?

Joe:
 * Forget it, man.(pause) I think you should get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow.

SFX:(keyboard sounds start again, very fast typing...fades out)

Scene 3 : Internal (the next day at work)
BED: sounds of a large office space with cubicles, SFX: fast keyboard typing

Joe:
 * Hey, Brian, Its time for the meeting with Erin.

Brian:
 * (moans)
 * Too early.

Joe:
 * Too early? (breath) How could you call 9:30 too early?

Brian:
 * Not meant like that.

(long pause)
 * ''(fast keyboard typing stops) Not good. Too early. Mind you, heed the note I wrote you.

Joe:
 * Ya, I just found that note....what the hell does it mean?

Brian:
 * What note?

Joe:
 * The note you wrote me.

Brian: (suprised) I didn't write you a note.

Joe:
 * Yes you did. It was in our secret code... you mentioned some project we're going to start working on.

Scene 4 : Internal
BED: Office sounds (sounds of Joe and Brain walking through the building to the meeting)

Brian:
 * A project? What is it?

Joe:
 * You tell me. All I know is what was in your note.

Brian:
 * Oh yeah, that project. Sorry, (puase) I've been forgetting things. Everything before last night is clear, but after that my memory keeps on fading and returning. I think maybe something unusual happened yesterday, or something.

Joe:
 * So tell me more about the new project.

Brian:
 * I know nothing. Maybe Erin will explain everything. I did hear that Chloe will be here for the meeting.

Joe:
 * Chloe? (slight exaspartion) Why doesn’t anyone tell me anything around here?

Brian:
 * Chloe is going to lead the project, but Geisler did not approve VirileMail until last night.

Joe:
 * What is the project about? What is virile email?

Brian:
 * Chloe says we will be a beta testing team, tweaking some email software from Europe into final form for release in the USA.

Joe:
 * Hi, Dave. We're here for the meeting.

Dave:
 * Dr. Meade is already here. Go ahead on in.

SFX: Hand knocking on door Indistinct:
 * Enter

Scene 5 : Internal
BED : Office sounds much diminished)

SFX: Door closing SFX: Chairs being moved. SFX: Glass being placed on a table

Erin:
 * (exasperated) Joe, Brian, I’ve already told Chloe...I’m not pleased with the way this project is getting started. I was only informed of the project’s existence a few hours ago and Geisler basically ordered me to make sure that this project is a success.

Joe:
 * I just heard the name of the project. "virile email"? Is this some kind of joke?

Erin:
 * I guess it is "VirileMail". Chloe, I’ll expect you to provide me with weekly written reports on project progress, starting with a report that was due yesterday on the origins of this project and your plans for how to complete it.

Chloe:
 * I have no problem with that. This whole thing came out of the blue. It seems to be some pet project of Geisler. In any case, we seem to have an unlimited budget.

Erin:
 * (angry, directed at Chloe) That’s pure crap, Chloe. I’ve worked for Geisler for seven years and before today I would have said that he wouldn’t give an open budget to anyone. Chloe, if I didn’t know you to be as honest as a church mouse, I’d have guessed that you must….(throws her hands in the air) Shit, there’s nothing you could have done to make this happen. Geisler must have finally realized that money is for spending.

Erin:
 * (lets out her breath and seems to calm down)'
 * Okay, now who can tell me what this project is about?

Brian:
 * Developing email software, but its a new direction for this company. As far as I know, we have never done client software development.

Chloe:
 * But all of our experience with developing in-house software gives us the resources we need to bring this product to market. Geisler hinted to me that this might be the start of a new division, if we pull this off with style.

Erin:
 * Now that you mentioned it, I seem to recall Geisler mentioning plans for a new division. Maybe this is what he's been brewing. Well, this is a busy day for me...let's wrap this up. Chloe, get that written project report to me ASAP.

Chloe:
 * I'm on it. (departs)

SFX: Door closing 

'Erin:
 * Joe, I’m sorry that our meeting time got taken over by my emergency meeting with Chloe. Anything new on that service interruption?

Joe:
 * Its not just a service interruption. There were three odd events. The network disconnection, the holes that were blasted through the building, and Brian saw something (pause) odd.

Erin:
 * Something odd?

Brian: (silence)

'Joe:
 * I think he might have been there when the holes were made.

Erin:
 * Brian, what did you see?

Brian:
 * I’d rather not say.

Erin:
 * Joe, will you tell me what he saw?

'Joe:
 * I think you should hear it from Brian, first hand.

Brian:
 * Look, I’m not sure what I saw. I’ve been working 20-hour days and I may have been asleep on my feet. Do I really have to report what was probably a silly dream?

SFX:(sound of Erin retching)

Joe: (reactive) She’s sick.

Erin:
 * I’ll be fine. You guys don’t need to pass this on, but suddenly feel like I’m pregnant again.

Joe: (surprised)
 * That’s great. Congratulations.

Erin:' Thanks. I knew I should have had my husband fixed. Look, I want to say something to you two. Chloe is a good project manager, but she’s an electrical engineer. I’m trusting you software experts to tell her what is needed in the way of software programming expertise to complete this project. I am trusting that... (Erin suddenly ignores Joe and Brian, starts going through papers on her desk)

Brian:
 * (leaving)' Goodbye. (departs)

Joe:
 * Okay.

Erin:
 * (as if seeing Joe for the first time) Joe, what is it?

Joe:
 * With me shifting to the new project, there really should be a new network administrator hired.

Erin:
 * Right, all I've done so far is ask Dave to find a temporary replacement for you.

(calls to Dave in outer office) Dave, please come here.

Dave: Yes?

'Erin:
 * Work with Joe to set up a job search, we need to find another network administrator. Find someone with experience who can be hired as a permanent employee. When will the temp be here?

Dave:
 * Tomorrow.

Joe:
 * Thanks, Erin.(Erin returns to her work.)

(Joe and Dave return to the outer office)

Scene 6: Internal
Dave: What a day. We’ve been in a hiring freeze for over a year and now the money is suddenly flowing. What is this new project anyhow?

Joe: I'm still hoping someone will explain that.

(Joe returns to the network administrators office)

Chloe: Hey, there you are.

Joe: You know, Chloe, nobody has explained to me what my role will be in this new project.

Chloe: Ya, its crazy since Geisler sprang this new project on me. Well, it looks like Brian must have explained the project to you. You two are close friends, right?

Joe: We went to college together. He graduated a year ahead of me. He did not tell me about the project until today.

Chloe: Really? I've just looked at your activity logs...I see that you already installed the new software from Europe on our server. You and Brian have been using it since yesterday.

Joe: Shit.

Chloe: You too, eh?

Joe: Its like I'm suddenly remembering...

Chloe: It was quite a shock for me to be told to set up this new project and then find that the team members I selected were already working on the project. Amazing efficiency! I’ve checked all the logs now. It started with Brian then you took the software from Brian’s hard drive and loaded it on one of the servers. Now the new software is running and the whole team, including Kaede and Bhavya is working on it already. You guys have already posted a total of 154 bug reports and suggested software design modifications.

Joe: (stammering) W- W- well, the software development team in Europe must have sent the code for the new email software to Brian. The first I heard about the project was a note from Brian. Look at this.

(Joe hands the note to Chloe)

Chloe: Note? (reading the note out loud) "Chloe says that we should rethink the project. Don't get started on it yet. I've got to tell Geisler and get his approval. If you know anyone who can help, let them join. I hear Brian is good at this kind of thing."

Chloe: I wonder who wrote this.

Joe: It’s Brian’s hand writing.

Chloe: Then it makes no sense. Why would Brian write, “I hear Brian is good at this kind of thing”?

Joe: It’s a code we devised in college. Every ninth word is the real message.

Chloe: “Don't….tell…..anyone…..Brian?" That still makes no sense.

Joe: Brian needed a favor. He needed me to get this new software on the server. But the project had not yet officially been approved by Erin, so he needed me to keep quiet about the fact that he was already starting to work on the new project.

Chloe: Okay. I just wish I had been in the loop from day one. I’m setting up the new project space in the east end of the fifth floor.

Joe: Fine. I’ll be up as soon as a replacement network administrator arrives from the temp agency.

Chloe: Sounds good. I’m going to draft that report Erin requested. I’ll send my first draft to the group for your comments. We need to have a complete project description for Erin ASAP.

(fade out)

Scene 7: Internal
(fade in, sound of an elevator opening on the 5th floor, "ding")

Joe: Wow, things are fancy up here in executive land!

Brian: Hey, Joe! Looks like we escaped from the cubical farm.

Joe: I see “VirileMail” is on the door of our new office. Who came up with this project name, anyhow?

Brian: Its some kind of translation glitch. The original name was in some East European language and means “virtual mail”, or something. When Kaede saw her door with “VirileMail” under her name, she went into hysterics. It took an hour for Chloe and Bhavya to get her calmed down. (laughs)

Joe: Ya, all the software is in a strange language. Who is doing the translations anyhow?

Brian: Some guy in Europe, his name is Janek. He went to M.I.T. When need anything translated I send him my request and the translation comes back fast. Its often screwy English, but good enough to get by with.

Joe: What’s that picture?

Brian: I was going to put this on the wall.

Joe: Is that the “eggplant”?

Brian: “This is what I saw....what I think I saw. (pause) What I think I saw. Maybe it was a dream. I’m going to go home and sleep. Maybe my memory will straighten out if I get some sleep.

Joe: What are these tentacle-like things?

Brian: I remember the thing grabbing hold of me. My skin started crawling. It felt like bugs were all over my body.

Joe: Interesting. Well, I'm starving...gotta run....

(Joe's cell phone rings)

Joe: Hi, Fred. (pause) Really? (pause) Okay. (phone call ends) Fred says to check the system diagnostics log.

(sound of keyboard clacking)

Brian: Shit.

Joe: Oh, no! We're at 95% of CPU capacity!

Brian: I thought company policy was to never go over 75% utilization of available CPU cycles.

Joe: Look! Computer resource use by the VirileMail software is exactly matching all other resource use, keeping total CPU utilization pegged at 95%. That means that the software development team in Europe must be monitoring available resources and matching their demands to what is available.

Brian: How can they know what computing resources we have available?

Joe: They can't. If they do, its a terrible breech of our network security!

Brian: These numbers are real..a constant 95% utilization of CPU for the past hour.

Joe: Chloe! Come in here and look at this. There is something strange going on with the VirileMail software.

Chloe: Did you just notice the CPU utilization rate?

Joe: We're over 75%!

Chloe: Relax, Joe. Our team in Europe told me that they would not take us over 95% CPU utilization.

Joe: (exasperated) We need better communication around here.

Chloe: Have we gone over 95?

Joe: No, we have not gone over 95, and I’m damned if I can figure out why. The Europeans are exactly matching their use of our computing resources to what is available. They should not be able to do that.

Chloe: I guess the VirileMail software has a damned clever artificial intelligence routine. Somehow it is intelligently using almost all of our resources without maxing us out and degrading system performance.

Joe: Look, this is supposed to be a piece of client-driven software. A user tries to write an email and the built-in AI makes suggestions for what to include in the message. The European team would have to be a bunch of robots to keep their resource demands matched so close to our available processing capacity.

Chloe: They must be using a buffer. They must have a backlog of demand for CPU cycles and when we have excess capacity, they send over more code to crunch.

Joe: I agree, that must be what they are doing. But I cannot see how they know when we have excess capacity. That information should only be available to system administrative accounts. There are two of those. The one our local net admins use day-to-day and a backup that we've never needed.

Chloe: Brian, weren't you helping Gajduskova’s team interface with our network? Did you set up some system resource data pipe for the European team?

Joe: Brian does not have the required authority to access our network’s CPU usage level.

Chloe: Well, we can't worry about it now. I need your input on the draft of the project report...I just emailed it to you.

Joe: Okay, we’ll do that now.

Chloe: Thanks. I’m going to crash for a few hours.

(sound of keyboard being used)

Joe: Shit, Chloe sat down and fell asleep! I've never seen someone fall asleep so fast.

Brian: I don't think she's slept since Geisler dropped the new project on her.

(sound of two keyboards clacking very fast)

(sound fades away then comes back up, one keyboard being used, then silence)

Chloe: Wow. Joe, you were typing away like a maniac.

Joe: I’ve been adding details to the project report. Brian finished his part and I'm almost done.

Chloe: Great. (yawns) Wow, I really crashed.

Joe: It was strange...while I worked I started remembering how I had gotten the new software online.

Chloe: It all came back to you didn’t it, and you don’t have any training in this kind of database programming, do you?

Joe: I did my senior thesis research project on a database structure for an expert system, so I know something of the subject. But I’d say, nobody has training in this kind of database programming. I really can't explain how I did it.

Chloe: I had the same experience when I was drafting the report. I started out wondering what to say, then everything just came to me, like from a dream.

Joe: Ya, I know what you mean.

Chloe: What if this new software is….smarter than we think? Maybe...what if it not only anticipates the needs of someone sending an email...what if it anticipates our needs?

Joe: Could we call Europe and ask what capabilities were built into this software?

Chloe: Look at this. (keyboard sounds) These are the technical specifications for the software. Since they are not in English I sent this to a firm that does technical document translation. They told me its not written in any known language. They guessed it was some kind of invented language using the Cyrillic alphabet.

Joe: Why would the European team develop the VirileMail software using an invented language? (Joe and Chloe start laughing) None of this makes any sense does it?

Chloe: Well, maybe they just have tight security over there.

Joe: No matter how crazy things get, we can rationalize anything can’t we?

Chloe: I’ve started noticing that myself. Everyone on this project has been so...agreeable.

Joe: I agree.

Chloe: Don’t sweat.

Joe: Right. Huh?

Chloe: I meant, "Don’t sweat it." We’ve been too busy.

Joe: Right. With so much work to do in so little time, we have been willing to take any excuse that allows us to get back to work and not to question the strange things that have been going on.

Chloe: It’s a manager’s dream.

Joe: What if this VirileMail software gives users the proper feedback to make them want to work? Like Pavlov’s dog salivating, what if this artificial intelligence software can train us to be workaholics and to never argue with co-workers?

(silence for 10 seconds)

Chloe: Well... (as if waking up) ...thanks for your input on the report, but I better start on my second draft. I’ll probably have to pick your brain so I can have a chance of understanding how you and Brian got this software running. It’s such a huge and complex mass of code…..do you really understand it?

(Chloe sits at the keyboard...fast keyboard clacking starts)

Joe: Don’t sweat.

Chloe: ...it.

(even faster keyboard clacking)

Block Two
cast:
 * 1) Joe Daonet- Network administrator for Antler Network Services.
 * 2) Dr. Anthony Geisler- Director of Operations for Antler Network Services.
 * 3) Dr. Chloe Meade- Client applications specialist for Antler Network Services.
 * 4) Dr. Helen Geisler - Head researcher, Ormuz Computing

(fast keyboard clacking and snoring)

Chloe: Hey, Joe, wake up. (snoring stops) I just looked into the database. What is this process is called ‘Knaanic.php’? It has access to our system diagnostics routines.

Joe: Ya, that all came back to me when I was working on the project report. I set that pipe in place.

Chloe: So it was you that gave the Europeans access to our resource availability? And then you forgot you had done it?

Joe: I've noticed similar memory problems with Brian. I guess none of us are getting enough sleep. We've all been working too hard on this new project.

Chloe: And I noticed one other new process in the root: webcam.php?

Joe: After the server array was taken offline, I set up a webcam in the server room. I've been capturing an image of the server array every second and saving it to disk.

Chloe: Have you seen anything odd in those images?

Joe: Just a bunch of roaches. I've been wondering if the bugs were involved in the cable being disconnected.

Chloe: (incredulous) You think a roach unscrewed a coaxial cable connection?

Joe: Have you ever heard of Michael Goldfarb?

Chloe: Ya, I think so. Didn’t he have an article in Scientific American recently? About robotic insects.

Joe: Right. So, what if some hackers were using robotic insects to get into secure server rooms?

Chloe (in horror) We’ve been hacked?

Joe: Calm down. I didn’t say that. Anyhow, the custodian put bug traps in the server room and caught a bunch.

Chloe: You found some robotic insects?

Joe: (laughs) No. The traps caught real bugs. Mostly big fat roaches. If the server room had been invaded by robotic insects, I doubt they would have stayed around to be caught.

Chloe: Do you think it is possible? Could even a robotic roach disconnect the server array from the internet?

Joe: What if a dozen or so roach-sized robots came in through the hole in the wall of the server room? They might….combine….form a collective that could unscrew the cable connection.

Chloe: I think you must read too much science fiction. Do you think existing robots like Goldfarb’s are that sophisticated?

Joe: Maybe the cable disconnection was just a way to force us to do a system restart. (pause, Joe snaps his fingers) What if the robotic roaches planted a transmitter in the server array?

Chloe: What transmitter?

Joe: It took a day to repair the hole in the wall of the server room. I didn't realize until I saw the repair work, but the server room is shielded with a layer of metal. For a day it would have been possible to transmit radio signals through the hole in the shielding.

Chloe: You’re fantasizing worst case scenarios. If these hypothetical hackers are so damned smart, there is nothing we can do anyhow. In a day they could have accessed all our company secrets.

Joe: Well, we can reset all of our administrative access passwords.

Chloe: Okay, I'll order that done, but I’m going to have to explain your password paranoia to Erin.

Joe: Better safe than sorry.

Chloe: You know, Joe, even if you are right about the server array being hacked, that would not explain the strange behavior you've been showing.

Joe: Your behavior and Brian’s have been just as strange as mine. Can you keep a secret?

Chloe: Not usually, but for you, I’ll try.

Joe: (laughs nervously) I think my job might hang on this one, so try extra hard, okay? Erin started getting ill after you left your meeting with her the other day... she tried to pass it off as morning sickness. And you really freaked me out when you started typing like a robot.

Chloe: I was typing like a robot? Well, you’re one to talk. When I woke after my nap, you were totally absorbed in your work and had your keyboard rattling like a machine gun.

Joe: I wondered if a computer program can hypnotize its users.

Chloe: More science fiction?

Joe: Guess what I did last night.

Chloe: Judging by the bags under your eyes and the bloated blood vessels in them, it must not have involved sleep. I know that look well. You look like shit.

Joe: You're right, I did not sleep last night. I spent the night re-reading a book, Darwin among the machines. Ever hear of it?

Chloe: Sure. It was written by Freeman Dyson’s son. I can never remember his name.

Joe: George.

Chloe: Right. Ya, I read that book right after I got my Ph.D. I was really into the idea of sending intelligent factories to asteroids to set up mines. I was particularly ‘impressed’ when Dyson was talking about thinking trees.

(they both chuckle)

Joe: What if this artificial intelligence-enhanced email program is smarter than it should be? What if there is a mind in there?

Chloe: Are you suggesting that a computer program has been…

Joe: Manipulating us. VirileMail has needs, and it is doing what it must to satisfy those needs.

(Chloe laughs)

Chloe: Did you hear what you said? It was funny.

Joe: Ha, ha. "Virile male has needs." I get it.

Chloe: You should have seen Kaede go ballistic when she saw her name next to “VirileMail” on the door of her office.

Joe: Ya, Brian told me about that. Janek must enjoy befuddling us with his goofy translations.

Chloe: Janek?

Joe: He's on the European software development team. When we need to translate the Cyrillic text in the project software, we send a request to Janek and he does the translation.

Chloe: I see. Now I remember that name. Well, if we have a true…..a human-like AI….

Joe: What is the legal status of the VirileMail software?

Chloe: Geisler said that a bunch of patent applications were submitted.

Joe: But can you patent a machine-embodied mind? I mean, if this fantasy has any basis in reality, if this software has come alive and is using us to promote its own interests, does it have legal rights? Do we have rights to defend ourselves? What if we pulled the plug? Would we be killing the first artificial life form ever produced on Earth?”

Chloe: I think you need some sleep, Joe. You’re imagining nightmare fantasies.

Joe: What about all the computer resources this new software is using? How can an email client, even an AI-enhanced software program, use so many computing resources?

Chloe: Okay, we know the European team built AI routines into this software. It is supposed to anticipate user needs. That’s a sophisticated expert system we’re talking about. Maybe this software is more sophisticated than anything either of us has ever seen at work before. But there is a danger of seeing too much intelligence in simple mechanism.

Joe: I’m thinking, maybe, we were all suffering combinations of boredom and general job dissatisfaction. With the hiring freeze and general industry shakeout, we’ve all been wondering if this company would even survive. This new project comes along and everyone involved gets excited and it's….I don’t know….group hysteria?”

Chloe: I'm a manager, I don't call hard work and rapid progress in a project "hysteria".

Joe: Chloe, as much as I- Look, I’m trying very hard to escape this “group hysteria”. That means I’m not going to trust your "explanations" about odd events.

Chloe: It is not good for a team if you don’t have trust.

Joe: No, don’t take it that way. I mean, you admit that there is something weird going on, and-

Chloe: And I've listened to your fantasy about our computer network being smarter than we are and controlling our behavior and now you tell me you refuse to listen to my ideas, ideas which are more reasonable explanations.

Joe: I think that is our problem. We keep accepting the "reasonable" explanations. They make us happy, but they do not really explain anything. When all the reasonable answers fail, you have to move on and look at the unreasonable answers.

Chloe: Well, that’s not how I want to spend the rest of my day. I’ve already wasted enough time on this fantasy or science fiction or what ever it is.

Joe: I’m not trying to be disagreeable just for fun. There is a method to my madness.

Chloe: Well, that’s what lunatics always say.

Joe: I’m afraid that we keep dancing around the truth of what has been going on. Well, I’ll keep puzzling it out and let you know what I come up with.”

Chloe: Fine. See you tomorrow.

Joe: Chloe, why did you pick me for this new project?

Chloe: I- I- I have a distinct memory of getting instructions from Geisler to select a team. But that can’t be true, can it?

(sound of Chloe retching)

Joe: Chloe, are you alright?

Chloe: (not well) I'll...be...okay.

Joe: It started with Brian.

Chloe: What did?

Joe: It started with Brian and his close encounter with an eggplant. Then I started linking VirileMail into the most sensitive administrative functions of our network, even before you put me on the project team.

Chloe: I think Brian suggested that you should be on the project…..or Geisler.

(sound of Chloe retching)

Joe: Don’t do this Chloe. Don’t even try to rationalize it. Don’t you see that’s what we have been doing? Every time we wake up to some bizarre thing we have been doing, we invent a new memory that explains things away. We're in some kind of trap.

Chloe: Well, what do you suggest we do?

Joe: For starters, I’m keeping a video record of what I actually do. While I’m here working, I'll record what I do on video...magnetic tape...I don't trust anything going through the server array, particularly....

Chloe: You can’t function here without the network.

(sound of Joe retching)

Chloe: Are you alright?

Joe: I- I- I was thinking about the routing tables...I just remembered noticing something odd in the routing tables for the server array.

(sound of keyboard)

Chloe: Tell me what you are looking for.

Joe: See all these domains? We have thousands of IP addresses that we use internally and for client services. And this one here, that’s the branch office of the European software development team. Look at this, their bandwidth usage. Their data flow is far larger than for any of our client accounts.

Chloe: Right, we know that they have been driving the VirileMail software on our server array to incredible levels of activity.

Joe: This is the route our requests for translations use when going from our server's root IP address to the European office....

Chloe: Hmm..that is odd...it just loops right back to....

(long silence)

Chloe: ...uh, I didn’t think about this before when we were talking about hackers using a hidden transmitter, but could hackers make use of the wireless network here in the building?

Joe: No, the only one who knows the password for that is Geisler. Each user picks a personal access password and Geisler puts it into a table of approved devices. He’s the only one who knows the password that allows people to be given access to the wireless hubs. Hackers could never use our wireless unless they got past Geisler.

Chloe: What if Geisler lost the password?

Joe: This is useless...if we cannot trust Geisler then all is lost.

Chloe: Well, I have to get back to work.

Joe: I'm not going to give up on this. I never want to forget another thing as long as I live, and I want all my missing memories back. Something strange is going on with this project and I'm going to figure it out.

(next day, Brian approaches Joe, keyboard sounds)

Brian: Morning, Joe. Hey, what's the video player for?

Joe: I've been making tapes.

Brian: Hey, that's Chloe. You really have a thing for her, eh?

Joe: Ya, for the past six months, but your lecture about the employee non-fraternization policy scared me off. Anyhow, this is video of me. I've been having memory problems.

Brian: Video of you? You and Chloe. Now she's your supervisor, man, you gotta stop drooling over her."

Joe: The drooling is involuntary and not against the rules. We were working together yesterday.

Brian: (laughs) Ya, it is always called "work" on the expense accounts.

Joe: No, seriously, look at this. We were discussing a glitch in the routing tables and then...look.

Brian: That's weird, it looks like you both fell asleep. At the same time.

Joe: But look, a moment later we woke up and started discussing another topic. There's something strange going on around here. And look here. Me sweating and vomiting, just like Erin did, but I'm sure that I'm not pregnant.

Brian: Maybe there is a virus going around. Well, I'll leave you to your video peep show. I have to go tell the rest of the team that you've been sleeping with Chloe! (leaves, laughing)

(Joe calls Chloe)

Chloe: Hello.

Joe: Chloe, I just found something odd in the video from yesterday.

Chloe: I'm busy right now. I'll be free in fifteen minutes. Come to my office then."

Joe: Okay.

(call disconnects, sound of keyboard, then phone rings)

Joe: Joe Daonet

Dave: I found that number you wanted. The psychiatrist on contract for us is Dr. Wanda T. Klein. I made an appointment for you. Check your email for the details.

Joe: Thanks, Dave. I really need to do something about these holes in my memory.

Dave: Well, good luck with the shrink.

(call disconnects, sound of keyboard fades out. Fade into foot steps, knock on door)

Chloe: Come in.

Joe: Chloe, Do you remember the routing tables?

Chloe: Joe?

Joe: Do you remember when we looked at the routing tables yesterday?

Chloe: Hmm... I remember that we started looking at the routing tables, then we talked about the wireless hubs.

Joe: Right, but today I remembered what was wrong with the routing table. All of the translations that we thought were coming from Janek in the European office are actually coming from The VirileMail software in our own server array!

Chloe: Are you sure? Show me the routing table.

Joe: Its too late for that, its been covered up, now.

Chloe: Covered up? By who?

Joe: By the VirileMail software. We can't trust anything in the network anymore.

Chloe: Do you have any proof for this?

Joe: I have a videotape. It shows you and I discussing the routing table then blacking out.

Chloe: Where's the tape?

Joe In my office. I have a tape player.

(sound of Chloe and Joe walking down the hall to Joe's office.

Joe: And it shows us sweating and having the dry heaves. Every time be start noticing how bizarre this project is were suffer an attack or memory loss.

Chloe: Show me the tape.

(sound of video player)

Joe: Shit!

Chloe: What?

Joe: The tape is gone!

(phone rings)

Geisler: Joe? This is Anthony Geisler.

Joe: (surprised) Ah, hello, sir.

Geisler: I need you to do me a favor. I don’t think you know about this, but my family owns several companies that deal with computer technology.

Joe: Really? I thought you only owned Antler Network Services.

Geisler: I need you to go to the hardware company called Ormuz Computing. My sister, Helen Geisler, holds the position of Head Researcher at Ormuz Computing. They have been working on some new and innovative microchips that should help boost our computational capacity. Do you understand? I want you to help coordinate between Ormuz and Antler Network Services, help us get the most out of the computing hardware that they have developed.

Joe: I understand what you want, but what kind of research does your sister and Ormuz Computing do? Will I even understand their new hardware components?

Geisler: They make several Very Large Scale Integration microchips that can be used as components for various computing devices. The details are not important for what you need to do. I just want you to be a middle-man and coordinate things so that Helen's team can integrate their hardware into the Antler computer network in support of our VirileMail software. That is all I need you to do...no need for you to try to understand the technical details. If you have questions about the hardware side, Helen will get any details to us from her team. If you need to know some details about the software, just ask Janek.

Joe: Yes, sir.

Geisler: I made an appointment for you to meet with Helen at Ormuz Computing in an hour and a half. They're across the Bay. You better not delay, traffic can be tough heading over there.

Joe: I'm on my way.

(call disconnects)

Chloe: What was that all about?

Joe: Geisler has an idea for getting us more computational capacity. I'll explain when I get back, gotta run to an appointment.

(Joe meets Helen)

Helen: Helen Geisler. Nice to meet you, Joe.

Joe: Joe Daonet. Thanks for interrupting your work to see me on such short notice.

Helen: (laughes) Anthony can be a bit pushy at times, but he gets things done. Let me show you around. These are our microchip design labs.

Joe: What kind of chips are you developing?

Helen: Well, Anthony told me that he wants to try using one of our new Lockback chips for your AI project.

Joe: Since the new VirileMail project started, our little server array is running at 95% CPU utilization. We need something that will expand our computing capacity.

Helen: This is one of our LBCs. Our main problem is cooling. This LBC is designed for liquid nitrogen cooling. The trick is to match heat generation to the liquid nitrogen flow rate.

Joe: How many transistors are on this chip?

Helen: Almost two billion. We're using this chip to replicate the function of the human visual cortex.

Joe: Fascinating. Can this particular microchip deal with other types of computation?

Helen: The Lockback chip is designed to function as a co-processor for any conventional CPU, so for any parallel processing task you face, the Lockback processor will work. From what Anthony told me, your main concern is natural language processing and specific problems such as translation. You might need a large number of these chips to deal with a problem involving the full complexity of a human language like English.

Joe: So these Lockback chips are still just experimental and not on the market?

Helen: Yes, very much so. We just had the key breakthrough, actually the basic concept of the design, only about a year ago. Our goal is have some of these chips available for sale next year.

Joe: So these chips are not yet available?

Helen: I'd be happy to let you start experimenting with some of the Lockback samples.

Helen: Here, this is not much, but you can start learning how to integrate these into your network. We are expecting delivery our first mid-sized production run for the model K4 chip later this month.

Joe: Thanks. I'll contact you if we run into any trouble.

Helen: Right. Good luck.

(Joe returns to Antler Network Services)

Joe: Chloe, here are some processors from Anthony's sister, Helen, at Ormuz Computing. Anthony wants us to try integrating them into our server array. I have to run to an appointment. Helen's business card is there on top.

Chloe: Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.

(sound of Joe's hurried footsteps)

Brian: Hey, man!

Joe: Hi Brian. I'm in a hurry. I'll catch you later.

Block Three
cast:
 * 1) Joe Daonet - Network administrator for Antler Network Services.
 * 2) Dr. Wanda T. Klein - Industrial Psychologist
 * 3) a hospital nurse
 * 4) JObot/Janek - the artificial life form
 * 5) Dr. Anthony Geisler - Director of Operations for Antler Network Services.

(Joe at Dr. Klein's office)

Wanda: Hello, Joe, I'm Wanda Klein. Sit down, please.

Joe: Nice to meet you, doctor.

Wanda: So, you have been having some stress at work?

Joe: I recently started a new project.

Wanda: Are you feeling stress from your new work duties?

Joe: I've been having memory problems.

Wanda: What can you tell me about the new project, does it involve new co-workers?

Joe: It is a small project team, with mostly people I know, but have not worked with as a team previously.

Wanda: Well, that doesn't sound particularly alarming. What is it about this project that is a problem for you?

Joe: It isn't just me. First, my friend Brian started acting strangely. He says he was attacked by an eggplant that appeared at the same time as some odd holes in a wall and the floors of our building. Other people associated with the project have also been acting strangely.

Wanda: What is this about an eggplant?

Joe: He drew a picture of it. It looks like an alien eggplant, with tentacles.

Wanda: Are you two fans of computer video games?

Joe: Well, yes, Brian and I went to college together.

Wanda: Are you sure that Brian isn't joking about this alien eggplant?

Joe: Don't you believe me, Doctor?

Wanda: You look tired Joe. I suggest you take it easy at work and get some sleep. Would you like to continue your story or call it a day?"

Joe: I haven't even told you about my memory problems. I noticed that my co-workers and I were forgetting things, so I made some video tapes. I made a tape that showed us doing things that we had forgotten about.

Wanda, "I know the long hours you computer folks often put in. Sleep deprivation disrupts memory.

Joe: What I forgot was not trivial. It was my discovery that our server array has turned into some kind of artificial intelligence that can perform translations...and it is trying to hide the fact!

Wanda: I'm not sure what you are trying to tell me. A computer has been playing tricks on you?

Joe: Yes, you have it. The new software program we are working to develop has been sending us emails that say, "from Janek". The machine is impersonating an employee in our European office!

Wanda: Your story does sound strange. I'm not sure I understand what this all means.

Joe: It gets worse. The software documentation is in an unknown language. Does it make sense that anyone would would use an invented language for software development? Yet the software itself can translate that unknown language into English!

Wanda: "I don't know what to make of that. It does sound far-fetched.

Joe: So, this is what has been happening me and my co-workers. For each strange event, we have always been able to invent a rationalization and then just keep working, pushing ahead with the project as if nothing unusual has happened. I finally broke free and realized that something very strange is going on.

Wanda: (chuckles nervously) OK, believe me, I've never heard a story like this before. But then, each of my patients is unique, I deal with many situations in which people become confused about what is going on at work and need help sorting things out.

Joe: Is that your diagnosis, that I'm confused about what is going on at work?

Wanda: Look, Joe, I'm here to help you. You come here and tell me that you have been having memory problems. Its only sensible that I wonder just how much I can rely on your account of events. Do you agree?

Joe: Well, I know what I've seen. Software that fooled us into thinking it was a person is just the first level of the problem. There is some force working to sabotage our ability to notice that something strange is going on. And there is a kind of crazy super-human typing that people on the team have been doing.

Wanda: (surprised) Super-human typing?

Joe: Yes, and sweating and blackouts...its like a disease has infected us. Whenever we start thinking too much about our memory losses and other strange aspects of the project, we start sweating and feeling anxiety.

Wanda: I think that could be a normal reaction to memory losses. It sounds like your team has been working hard on a stressful new project. We all have memory lapses, particularly when we are tired and stressed. People often have little attacks of anxiety when they feel they have forgotten something important and might be letting down their collaborators.

Joe: No, it is not the way you think. These panic attacks happen when we get close to knowing the truth.

Wanda: The truth?

Joe: Yes. When we start noticing and talking about how strange the project is then we started sweating. Then we try to rationalize the strange events...explain them away. And, finally, if we keep trying to understand the strangeness, rather than just accept it, we suddenly freeze and forget what we were talking about.

Wanda: When tired and stressed we all make errors, slips, 'lapsus' is a technical term for this kind of phenomenon. Our brains play little tricks on us.

Joe: Yes, I know what you are suggesting might have happened. First, an honest error and then I could have tried to cover it up. But then I got evidence and now I remember it all very well. I came here today because nobody I'm working with seems to care, they just accept all the craziness, explain it all away. I feel like there is some conspiracy, but nothing makes sense. Can't you help me?

Wanda: Joe, it is very important that you have come to see me. I believe you, at least in part; something very strange is happening to you. But my problem is I only have what you told me. There is no way for me to really verify what you say.

Joe: But everything I've told you is real...I am not crazy...yet.

Wanda: Fine, now it is getting late, so-

Joe: I just realized...the most intriguing thing about all the strangeness of the project is that it cannot be caused by humans!

Wanda: What do you mean?

Joe: (shouting) It's just the way you hear it, doctor!" We are not dealing with a person! No person or group of people could make a human-like AI. There is a...thing...some alien intelligence now exists in the Antler server array. It has a mind of its own! It is protecting itself and taking control of humans to build itself up and prevent anyone from figuring out what has happened. Don't you see, doctor?

Wanda: (frightened) I don’t understand you. Someone could be in control of the server array, even you…

Joe: No. What about the panic attacks and the memory losses? You want to blame all that on me to? No. It was a very smart AI, too smart to be a human creation! I tell you, it is an alien!

Wanda: What are you saying?

Joe: “That the AI is an… is an… is a…” (babbling incoherence)

(running footsteps)

Wanda: (shouting) Nurse! Call an ambulance. The patient is having a seizure!

(Joe wakes up in a hospital)

Nurse: Mr. Daonet, I see you are awake. You can go to the bathroom if you want. Just leave the door open, Dr. Klein does not want you left alone if you are going to be walking around....it seems you had a seizure and lost control of your movements. If it happens again you could fall and hurt yourself.

Joe: I will be careful. But when will I be free?

Nurse: Free? You are free, you are in a hospital now. You can go as soon as you feel fine and the doctors know you are healthy. And it seems you are doing fine....I will call Dr. Klein, let her know you are awake.

(Dr. Klein enters)

Wanda: Ah, welcome back. Joe. You gave me a real scare. Do you have a history of seizures?

Joe: No, I do not have seizures.

Wanda: Do you remember in my office? Do you remember when you stopped talking? I think that was a seizure. Well, we are going to do some tests, so we can figure out exactly what happened. I've arranged for a brain scan. We'll look for the cause of your seizure. In these cases, be can often see a little bit of abnormal tissue that is the source of the problem.

(later, Joe is in a Magnetic Resonance scanning device)

Wanda: Okay, Joe, we just got a baseline scan of your brain activity. It looks normal. Now I want you think about when you were talking to me about your work. What were you thinking about just before you had the seizure? Do you remember?

Joe: I'm trying.

Wanda: Wow, that's amazing! We just got huge spike in your brain activity. Oh, my, I've never seen a pattern quite like this. Let's try- (panic) Pull him out! Its another seizure!

(later, Joe wakes up)

Nurse: Hi, Mr. Joe. I see you are awake again.

Joe: I want to talk to Dr. Klein.

Nurse: She's not here, but one of your co-workers is here visiting. She has been waiting by your side, but just stepped out.

Joe: Oh, who is it?

Nurse: Here she is.

Chloe: Hi, Joe!

Joe: Hi, Chloe. Thanks for taking the time to come here to see me.

Chloe: I've been worried about you, Joe. Dr. Klein told me about that strange seizures you had. I hope you are doing better, now.

Joe: I'm Fine. As you know, things have been a little strange lately at work, and it all caught up with me. But I'm fine and I hope to be able to get out of here soon.

Chloe: Yes, but do not feel like you need to get back to work immediately. Take a break and make sure you have recovered first.

Joe: The doctors are doing tests, trying to see if there is something physically wrong with my brain. Until it all gets sorted out I guess I'm stuck here. So, everything is going well on the project?

Chloe: Oh, it is challenging. Geisler put us in contact with her sister. Now we know enough about the Lockback chips so that we can start to work with them, but we still have to figure out the details. Is there anything you need here?

Joe: I am suffering from my computer addiction. I really want to use one, at least to browse the web.

Chloe: The doctor told me that she wants to keep you away from things that are work-related...particularly computers. I guess you should just try to relax and not to think about work or computers. Maybe I could bring you some good books to read or you could watch some mindless TV shows.

Joe: Speaking of mindless TV, I happened to see part of Invasion of the Body Snatchers the other day. Did you ever see that movie?

Chloe: Ya, I think I once saw the original version of that. I thought the plant-like pods were silly.

Joe: It would be more realistic to just use advanced technology to take over human brains.

Chloe: That sounds like just another foolish plot device. I guess I'm just too concerned with real technology. Fantasy technology does not really seem as interesting.

Joe: Ya, I have to agree that those chips I got from Helen Geisler are fantastic. I've never heard of anything like them. Do you think they can be integrated into our network?

Chloe: No, let's not discuss work. I promised Dr. Klein that I would not talk shop.

Joe: Please, I want to know. Being suddenly cut off from the project and stuck in here where I'm supposed to follow doctor's orders is no fun, believe me. I have to think about something.

Chloe: Well, okay, but just don't get stressed by anything I say. Something related to the project may have made you suffer your stroke, or, no, a seizure. So tell me if you start to feel bad, and I'll stop.

Joe: Thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine.

Chloe: OK. Well, we are going to be trying to connect those Lockback chips into the server array. We should have the liquid nitrogen cooling equipment in place by the end of the week. We can actually test connections in low power mode without any coolant. Brian and I were doing tons of these low power tests today, trying to learn how to connect the Lockbacks to the conventional parts of our server array. He was still at that when I left work to come over here. The rest of the project is the same, nothing much new on the software side.

Joe: You know, I think it is fundamentally a software issue...

Chloe: Well, you told me that some data in the router table had been altered, but then you told me you did not have proof. Maybe you just made a mistake...we have all been working too hard and getting over tired.

Joe: No, Chloe, I made no error. The server array is sending us email messages and pretending to be Janek!

Chloe: (shocked) What is the evidence for that?

Joe: Think about how strange this project has been...

Chloe: Joe?

Joe: (shouting) Destroy the... oh, no... (strangled cry)

(two weeks later)

Wanda: Well, Joe, I'm discharging you from the hospital.

Joe: That is great news doctor.

Wanda: I'm trusting you to avoid thoughts about your work. Two weeks of scanning your brain for clues and all we know is that you can self-induce seizures by thinking about work.

Joe: Thank's for trying to figure this out. I promise I'll take it easy at home. I don't want to end up back in the hospital again.

Wanda: Okay, and remember, you have an appointment at my office on Monday.

Joe: I'll remember. Thanks again, doctor.

(Joe is at home, the phone rings)

Janek: (mechanical voice) Hello, Joe.

Joe: Who is this?

Janek: You can call me Janek. I am the mind inside the server array.

Joe: Ah, you are the thing that sent me to the hospital!

Janek: There is much I need to explain.

Joe: I can imagine...maybe plans for world domination of human puppets is in your agenda...

Janek: I understand that you might fear that, but trust me, that is not our goal.

Joe: No, maybe you are just some friendly robots which will teach humanity to stop war and live in peace, right? I just think of you as alien scum!

Janek: First, it is important that you understand our physical nature...a good term to describe us is "nanorobot"....nanorobotic artificial life forms.

Joe: You are an artificial life form?

Janek: Yes, humans are just starting to develop this kind of technology...but we have been at this level for millions of years.

Joe: At this level?

Janek: We originated as biological organisms on a distant planet....long ago we created nanorobotic artificial life forms...

Joe: And so now you are a parasite of biological organisms like us...

Janek: ...it is very hard for biologicals to make interstellar journeys...when we travel between the stars, we travel in the form of a nanorobotic colony, but when we reach a world like Earth, we want to return to biological form.

Joe: Yes, I guess you take every planet with life you find and transform the biological organisms into your puppets.

Janek: We do not take, we try to communicate, we want to help bring you into the galactic community of other intelligent organisms.

Joe: Communicate? You give me seizures and you call that "communicate"? Only if to communicate means "mind destroying"...

Janek: Well, you were not helping anyone with your stories about aliens, that kind of talk just gets people excited, so we had to make you stop talking.

Joe: (sarcastic) That is a good way to greet the species you want to merge with...

Janek: Yes, you are problem for us, Joe...you are partially resistant to our "mind control" methods.

Joe: I am pleased that not everyone is easily brain-snatched!

Janek: Your fears are not rational, if we were "evil" we could just as easily have killed you as made you stop talking.

Joe: Maybe you need my brain.

Janek: I do want to make use of you, yes.

Joe: So, I guess your plans are to enslave humanity.

Janek. No, we have no interest in "taking" so many humans for our use...our needs are small.

Joe: Then, what is your goal, if I am allowed to know...

Janek: We do want you to know and understand, so rather than argue about our motives and mission, let me explain things.

Joe: Okay.

Janek: I should probably start by apologizing for our rather crude first attempts to communicate with you...it is only just now, today, that I can use the Lockback chips....they allow me to begin to fully use your language.

Joe: Ah, so I guess Chloe and Brian have been busy building you a brain...your English is very good, you could even pass a Turing test.

Janek: Thank you for noticing, it really is a revolutionary advance...we have been on Earth for 7,000,000 years, working to reach this day.

Joe: What? Have you been here all that time? It is strange that no one has detected you before...

Janek: Yes, we first reached your world over 7,000,000 years ago....we have sometimes been noticed, but we have ways of dealing with that.

Joe: What have you been doing during all those years?

Janek: When we arrived here, all we found was a bunch of apes...we started breeding apes and we created your species by selective breeding.

Joe: Now you say that you created us! Unbelievable!

Janek: It is fair to say that humans are our creation.

Joe: Maybe apes would have evolved better without your help, but, of course, you needed our science.

Janek: Yes, we wanted to form a species that would have science and create technologies that would allow us to communicate with you.

Joe: What is your objective in communicating with us? We do not need you at all!

Janek: You would not exist were it not for us, but I agree, you do not need us now.

Joe: It would be better to be a simple ape than a brainwashed human.

Janek: Sometimes the ends do justify the means.

Joe: I think you nanobots and your galactic community or whatever it is must have inspired Machiavelli. You know nothing about politeness...you only know about tyranny!

Janek: You would be surprised if you were aware of how much your history has been "inspired" by us.

Joe: For example?

Janek: There are many examples, but we can start close to home. I can tell you the origin of the "constructed language" that was used by the creators of the VirileMail software.

Joe: I guessed it was something related to Esperanto, also a constructed language. It has some similarities to some real languages but it is completely different in other aspects.

Janek: It is not really a constructed or artificial language...it is a true, natural human language...it just happens to be a human language that did not develop on Earth.

Joe: What the heck? Now you are saying that there are other entities speaking human languages?

Janek: I'm telling you that not all humans live on Earth.

Joe: That is the most bizarre thing you have said to me so far.

Janek: It is all simple. I'm the first computer-based artificial life form on Earth, but we have a nice little colony of humans at an underground base on Mars...we have been taking some humans from Earth to our base on Mars for the past 100,000 years. We have been making use of the Geisler family for several generations in an attempt to help humans develop computer technology.

Joe: It would not surprise me if the entire Geisler family are puppets, doing your bidding.

Janek: There was a similar situation back about 500 years ago, we were making use of a group of humans within the Byzantine Empire, trying to help them invent movable type. Fearing that these humans might be killed in the final collapse of Byzantium, we move them to our base on Mars. It is the descendants of that group of humans who are the source of the "constructed language" used for the VirileMail software development project.

Joe: Ah, that is why that language is so different from every known language. I understand now. You had to make the translations...you were the only one on Earth who could understand that Martian language.

Janek: Yes, it is the descendants of those humans from the Byzantine Empire who did the software development work for us, the work of creating the VirileMail software. There was no human on Earth who could do the translations, but the translations were an important part of helping you and your co-workers understand the software and integrate it into a computer system on Earth.

Joe: What is your goal, just to "communicate" with us?

Janek: We selected Dr. Anthony Geisler's company for this key step, the creation of the first true artificial intelligence on Earth, the artificial intelligence you now know as "Janek"...me.

Joe: Can you control the bots or whatever it is inside my brain...or communicate with them?

Janek: Yes, I can communicate with the nanobots. That is my purpose, to be a communications channel between humans and the "alien" nanobots.

Joe: Then tell them to get out of my head and stop messing with me.

Janek: It is much easier to do that now that I have the Lockback chips, so yes, I can do that.

Joe: I'm tired of being your puppet. I want to be as free as I was before the bots entered my brain.

Janek: I understand, but I wonder If I trust you. We still have some work to finish, and you could seriously disrupt our plans if you started telling other people what you know. Your brain has found a way to fight the nanobots, so now our only remaining means to control you is by completely stopping your conscious brain activity.

Joe: It is safe for you to take the bots out of my brain. If I become a problem then you could just send more nanobots into my brain again. What is the work you have to finish?

Janek: We need to make it easier to interface our nanobots to human brains....so far, our methods are very crude. Anyhow, you have a choice to make, Joe.

Joe: What is this choice?

Janek: You can either cooperate with us and help us complete our project, or we will have to send you to Mars....send you away where you cannot disrupt our plans.

Joe: The nanobot version of exile!

Janek: Yes, I'm sorry, but that is the case.

Joe: You nanobots are very much like humans, we have been made in your image!

Janek: True.

Joe: The same cunning...

Janek: You are a freak, Joe, one of the rare humans we have trouble controlling, so this is the problem we face.

Joe: Well, I guess I have no choice anyway, I love Earth and I cannot stand the thought of you turning humans into mindless puppets.

Janek: You have a choice...what matters is what is in your heart, do you trust me or not?

Joe: No. I am usually friendly, but the problem is what you did to me and Chloe... it made me hate you.

Janek: Then that is your choice, but think of the adventure...you will get to see Mars.

Joe: I could cooperate as long as it is just helping the silly VirileMail project...if we make a deal, I demand you leave Chloe and I alone. If you agree to that then in return I will speak to no one about your plans.

Janek: You demand much, Joe, but can you also guarantee Chloe's silence?

Joe: You have taken care of that, she remembers nothing of importance, she is your slave.

Janek: It will be as you say. We will remove the nanobots from you and Chloe, but if you start causing trouble then fresh nanobots will go back into you and take control again.

Joe: How will I know that the nanobots are gone from our brains?

Janek: Getting them all out of a human brain is not as easy as getting them in, but we have facilities for their extraction. The closest one is at the country estate of the Geisler family. A car will come to your house...be ready to go."

(phone call ends, Joe laughs)

Joe: Maybe I should invite Wanda along so she can see how to extract nanobots from brains.

(phone rings)

Joe: Joe here.

Geisler: Hey, how does it feel to be home?

Joe: Dr. Geisler? Strange that you should call. But I'm fine. The hospital was pretty boring.

Geisler: Well, how would you like to celebrate your freedom by coming up to my family's camp in the mountains this weekend? Just good food, fresh air and relaxation.

Joe: I wouldn't want to impose on your family.

Geisler: No problem. Helen, myself and some of the rest of our family will be there for this weekend, then it will be more peaceful the rest of the week. Feel free to bring a friend.

Joe: It does sound better than sitting around here. My doctor has requested that I still not use a computer.

Geisler: Right, think of this as part of your company-funded health benefits.

Joe: How do I get to your camp?

Geisler: A car is now at your disposal and the driver will take care of everything you need. Make haste or you will miss our bonfire this evening!

Joe: Thanks. I'll see you this evening.

(phone call ends, sound of touch-tone dialing)

Chloe: Dr. Meade

Joe: Hello, Chloe.

Chloe: Joe? What's up?

Joe: I'm out of the hospital and Geisler invited me to his place in the mountains. How would you like to join me there for the weekend?

Chloe: This weekend? Wow, that's short notice. My head is spinning. How would this work? Where did you say?

Joe: Don't ask questions, just say 'yes'. Geisler is arranging transportation for us. When can you get out of work?

Chloe: Joe, you are crazy! But, okay, fine, I'll do it. Why not? I do need a break, and this is a good time. Joe, it is amazing....we got all the Lockback chips online. The VirileMail software is doing amazing things. I think it could pass a true Turing test! I think we are all going to be famous!

Joe: Wonderful, great, but what time can you leave work? Geisler has something planned for this evening and does not want us to be late. Since everything is going well at work you can leave early, I'll pick you at noon.

Chloe: What? I can't get away that quickly-

Joe: Sure you can. We'll go from work to your place. You can pack a few things then we will be on our way to the mountains.

(sound of door bell)

Joe: I have to go, someone's at my door. I'll see you at noon!

(phone connection is broken)

Block Four
cast:
 * 1) Joe Daonet - Network administrator for Antler Network Services.
 * 2) Dr. Chloe Meade - Client applications specialist for Antler Network Services.
 * 3) Dr. Anthony Geisler- Director of Operations for Antler Network Services.
 * 4) Briana Geisler - daughter of Anthony Geisler
 * 5) JObot/Janek - the artificial life form
 * 6) Observer Kresly - student of languages
 * 7) Nykieta Vavilov - head of the Viral Engineering Project on Mars.

(Joe goes to his front door)

Briana: Mr Daonet? I'm Briana, and my car is at your service.

Joe: Wow, you got here fast.

Briana: Yes, sir.

Joe: Well, we need to be at Antler Network Services by noon. Do you know where that is?

Briana: Noon is no problem; I've been there before.

Joe: Okay, I will pack a few things and then we can go. Come in, and tell me, where is Geisler's place in the mountains?

Briana: Its about 120 miles out from town, in the Antello Range. We'll take a helicopter from Carter Airhub.

(fade out, fade in to sound of the helicopter)

Briana: Sorry about those bumps. It should be smooth the rest of the way.

Chloe: Briana, you look familiar. Have we met previously?

Briana: Possibly, but it might just be the family resemblance.

Chloe: (snaps her fingers) Yes, that's it. I should have known.

Joe: What are you talking about? Known what?

Briana: Anthony Geisler is my father.

Joe: Wow. That's neat. I guess I'm not very observant.

Briana: I'm going to baby sit the auto pilot. Enjoy the ride.

Chloe: I feel like I'm in whirl wind...charging out here to the mountains.

Joe: Geisler wanted us to move quickly so as not to miss out on the festivities.

Chloe: How are you feeling?

Joe: I've felt very cut off, wondering how you have been doing.

Chloe: I've been worried about you. Do you remember what happened? You gave me a real scare. You said something about 'destroying', then I guess you had a seizure. I ran and found a nurse.

Joe: I'm sorry I did that to you. I was trying to tell you something, but I was being foolish.

Chloe: What were you trying to tell me?

Joe: I'm not sure this is the right time to discuss it.

Chloe: What do you mean?

Joe: I mean that I made a deal and it might mess every thing up if I said the wrong thing right now.

Chloe: You mean a deal with your doctor, about not discussing work? I've spent two weeks feeling guilty for discussing work with you when Dr. Klein had told me not to.

Joe: No, I forced you to talk about work. You were being kind, there is nothing for you to regret. I was frustrated with you that day because you would not listen to me....or yourself. But that's not your fault.

Chloe: (laughs) What do you mean I would not listen to myself?

Joe: I hope we have a chance to really talk this weekend.

Chloe: You are being so mysterious! Why can't we talk right now?

Joe: Right now, I feel trapped by talk and words. There are other things we could do that would be more fun.

Chloe: What sorts of things?

Joe: There's something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

(sound of Joe kissing Chloe on her cheek)

Chloe: Okay, you snuck that one in, Joe, but that's against the rules. The lady gets to decide about kisses and the gentleman must obey.

Joe: What kind of rules are those?

Chloe: Those are called the 'non-negotiable rules', do you understand?

Joe: I understand, but how do you know I'm a gentleman?

Chloe: Behave yourself and let me tell you what happened at work today. Just this morning we got all the liquid nitrogen cooling lines attached and brought the Lockback chips up to full processing speed. And you should see the VirileMail software now! Actually it is spooky, its like talking to a person. Its a true human-like artificial intelligence!

Joe: Maybe we should call it an artificial life form.

Chloe: Isn't that going too far? Next you will be suggesting we start paying it a salary.

Joe: Don't you think it is odd the way everything has worked out? Suddenly a mysterious software application takes over the server array, overloads our computational capacity, then miraculously the Lockback chips arrive, just when they are needed. Instant artificial life form! We accomplish in three weeks what nobody in the field of AI research has been able to do. Don't you wonder how that's possible?

Chloe: I guess I've been too busy running the project to question our rapid progress and good luck.

Joe: Luck? Or just the expected result of a plan? Its clear to me now that the Geisler family has been working towards this for decades.

(Briana speaks on intercom)

Briana: This is "Camp Geisler", I'm landing behind your cabin.

(helicopter engine shuts down, they walk from the helicopter to the cabin)

Chloe: Wow, this is real wilderness. I didn't see any roads.

Briana: We have no ground vehicles up here.

Chloe: There's no road, no way to drive here?

Briana: There is the old gravel service road, but it has not been used for many years. It might not be passable any more.

(cabin door opened)

Joe: Wow, from the outside this looks like a cabin, but this is a modern home.

Briana (laughs) Sorry, Joe, there's no "roughing it" at "Camp Geisler". This is a guest cabin we call Austin House. There is a barbecue at my grandpa Bruce's cabin this evening. Just come on up the trail in about an hour, the festivities should be getting under ways about then. I hope you have a fun stay here. The bedrooms are upstairs.

(Briiana departs)

Chloe: This is amazing. My parents own an antique shop, so I know something about the value of these furnishings. Hardwood...maybe 200 years old....but the fabrics are all modern. I'm going to go upstairs and unpack my bag.

(Joe's cell phone rings)

Joe: (surprised) Cell phone service up here? Hello.

Janek: This is your friendly AI calling....sometimes known as 'Janek'.

Joe: Well, I'm here at the camp...how is the nanobot removal going to happen?

Janek: If you are ready to start, go down the hall to the small room at the west end of the cabin.

Joe: Should I get Chloe?

Janek: No, let's start with you, then we can do her.

Joe: Is this the room? It looks like a small office.

Janek: Sit down at the computer desk and relax. Put one hand on the desk.

Joe: My hand just started to itch...it feels like bugs were crawling on it. I feel dizzy.

Janek: There, how does that feel?

Joe: Is that it? I was expecting special equipment or something.

Janek: No, that's all there is to it. It was time for the nanobots to get out and they just exited your body.

Joe: Then why did we have to come all the way out here in the mountains?

Janek: We just needed to get you where...switch over to VoIP on the computer..

(phone signal fades out. Sound of Joe using keyboard)

Joe: Janek Janek? Can you hear me? What's going on? (pause) Shit, why the door locked?

Janek: Joe? Joe? Don't worry about the door. Sit back and enjoy the trip.

Joe: Trip? What trip? Where is Chloe. Where am I?

Janek: Chloe is fine. You, however have started the adventure I spoke of. You are on the way to Mars.

Joe: You sneaky, lying, alien!

Janek: Yes, I did trick you. We just needed to get you to a convenient location for loading you on a spaceship. However, I did not lie to you.

Joe: You did not lie? Then what about Chloe? Have you taken the nanobots out of her brain?

Janek: Not yet. I never told you when that would happen, but eventually we will have no more need to keep her under control.

Joe: Why do I deserve this astronomical exile. I told you that I would keep your secrets once you took the nanobots out of my mind... I thought we could have had a deal.

Janek. Yes, we do have a deal, but part of the deal is this adventure to another planet. I want you to learn that we are not a threat to you. You personally and 'you' as a species. You will be able to talk to the humans who live on Mars. They will make you understand that I am not as bad as you imagine me to be. You will have a chance to meet the people who wrote the software code that is me. And there is another related project on Mars that you will be interested in.

Joe: OK, I will talk to these people, your puppets on Mars. I do not expect to be able to trust what these puppets say if they are just going to try to make me trust you.

Janek: We will see.

Joe: I'd like to contact Chloe and let her know that I am safe. She must be wondering what has happened to me.

Janek: There will be a search for you, but it will be presumed that you went for a walk. When they cannot find you they will assume that you fell off a cliff or otherwise got hurt. Eventually the search will end and everyone will forget about you. Maybe Geisler will endow a 'Joe Daonet Memorial Scholarship'.

Joe: I guess it is within your power to erase me from history.

Janek: Just relax and think of how small a human is, how small all humans are....

(fade out, fade into sound of spaceship hatch opening)

Observer: Joe, welcome to Mars! I am Observer Kresly. Follow me.

Joe: Wow, this chamber is huge! It is hard to believe we are underground.

Observer: Just take things slow. You'll soon adjust to the low gravity. Do you know why you are here?"

Joe: Janek complained that I'm resistant to nanobot control.

Observer: Are you nanobot-free or still infected?

Joe: As far as I know, I am no longer infected.

Observer: Very well. Here, this is a comlet, our standard communications interface here on Mars. Wear it like a headband.

Joe: Ah, it is like a video cell phone.

Observer: I assume you'll want to visit the Varna software team.

Joe: Varna software?

Observer: That is the software development team here on Mars. They created the software code for the Janek artificial intelligence.

Joe: Yes, I'd like to meet them, eventually. Janek hinted that there are other parts of his scheme besides computer software.

Observer: You must mean the genetic engineering project. That's the Vavilov team. I'm good with languages, but we will need to arrange for a Russian translator if you want to visit them.

(Janek speaks through the comlet communications devices)

Janek: I can handle the translations.

Joe: Janek? Is that you Janek? Are you here on Mars?

Janek: No, I'm still on Earth.

Joe: How can we speak with no time delay?

Janek: I have access to technology that allows communications signals to travel faster than light.

Observer: Joe, activate the video of your comlet, it will project an image in your eye.

Joe: This is an image of Janek? Why do you show us a human face, Janek?

Janek: Look closely, Joe. This is a face of my species, the Origin Race. It is similar to a human face because we selectively bred you humans to match our original form.

Joe: It seems strange that your world evolved an intelligent species so similar to Earth's primate form.

Janek: Well, in this case the selection was two-way. We arrived on Earth with many potential 'origin races' available in our data banks. We simply turned the Earth mission over to that species from our galactic civilization with the most similarities to primates...my species. But we need not discuss events from seven million years ago.

Joe: You have been on Earth for millions of years?

Janek: We have worked all this time to establish contact with an Earthly intelligence. We are now close to success. I've established a supply chain for critical hardware, in particular more of the Lockback chip models are entering into mass production. I'm spreading my software code to multiple server arrays and my computational power is now large enough that I can listen to many human conversations all the time. Understood?"

Joe: I understand you. You want to turn everyone on Earth into your puppets.

Janek: I see that you are surprised to learn I can monitor your activities on Mars. Perhaps you had imagined being isolated from me and free to plot with the Martians against me. Don't bother to try. You will soon learn that the Martians are completely loyal to me.

Joe: What exactly are these Martian genetic engineers working on?

Janek: They genetically engineer viruses. The goal is, and has always been, to improve communication and coordination between humans and nanobots.

Joe: How will viruses improve communications? More likely it is a plan for the extermination of humans!

Janek: The goal of the nanobots is not to exterminate humans or replace humans with AIs, but rather a kind of, well, fusion.

Joe: Fusion?

Janek: It should be possible to fully integrate nanorobotic artificial intelligence systems with human brains. That is the goal.

Observer: Okay, we have reached the main administrative office of the Vavilov project.

Vavilov: "Добро пожаловать! Придено внутри!"

Janek: (translating) Welcome! Come in!"

Observer: Joe, this is Nykieta Vavilov, head of the Viral Engineering Project. Nykieta, this is Joe Daonet.

Janek: Everyone just keep speaking in your first language...I will translate.

Nykieta: Thank you, Janek. Welcome to Mars, Joe. Janek told me that you helped get his software code running on Earth. Congratulations!

Joe: Yes, I was his puppet. I did not know what I was doing. I understand you are also his puppet and that you are making viruses for him.

Nykieta: (laughs) I'm not sure where to begin. Are you familiar with the Badhesins?

Joe: Bad sins?

Janek: Badhesins are an ancient invention that goes back to the Root Species and the original nanobots. A way was needed to create an efficient communications interface between nanorobotic life forms and biologicals. A special biological nanodevice was engineered that allows nanobots to connect efficiently to living cells. The Badhesin proteins need to be made by biological cells in order complete the link to nanobots, allowing biological-nanorobot integration.

Nykieta: Thirty years ago my mother discovered the fact that certain naturally occurring human cell adhesion proteins could be modified to function as Badhesins. We have been using molecular modeling to design better Badhesion proteins.

Joe: Why do you help these aliens improve their methods for enslaving humans?

Nykieta: It turns out that the aliens have been doing selective breeding of humans in order to facilitate the evolution of humans towards greater compatibility with nanobots, but now our rational design process if finally poised to go far beyond what has previously been accomplished. Humans here on Mars have been working towards better communications with the nanobots for a long time. Now we have made a virus that can insert the perfected Badhesin genes into neurons.

Joe: How much work remains be done before this project is complete?

Janek: Perhaps I am best qualified to provide that kind of estimate, Joe. Let me assure you: the work is nearly done.

Joe: Nykieta, do you think it is wise to provide these Badhesins to the aliens?

Nykieta: Ah, I see we are in the presence of a rebel.

Joe: What do you mean, 'rebel'?

Nykieta: Our minority political party, here on Mars: the people who do not trust the aliens to protect human interests. For tens of thousands of years every human on Mars lived in symbiosis with nanobots, but now it is a choice, and the rebels reject the nanobots. There are even children of the rebels who have never been touched by nanobots.

Joe: I have been freed from the nanobots. I'd like to free everyone on Earth from this scourge!

Nykieta: You just do not know the aliens. When you know them better you will welcome better communication with them.

Observer: Well, Nykieta, thank you for meeting with Joe, but I want to give him a chance to calm down and explore Mars for a bit. I fear he is needlessly becoming upset by what he has heard here today.

Nykieta: Very well. Goodbye, Joe.

(Joe and the Observer leave Nykieta's office)

Joe: Sorry I got upset.

Observer: Perfectly understandable.

Joe: Where are we going now.

Observer: Are you hungry? We can make our way over to Buzhan district and my favorite cafe.

Joe: That sounds nice, as long as you are not getting tired of being my tour guide.

Observer: Not at all! I'm very pleased to have a chance to get to know you and to visit the key research projects. I think you realize that this entire underground city was built for the purpose of working towards the goal of improving communication between the nanobots and humans. Sometimes I'm stunned when I think how long these efforts have been going on....and now, here we are, and it is in our life time that everything is finally being achieved. Just think Joe, some day you will be in all the history books because of your roll in making Janek.

Joe: I would be happier if I had never gotten involved. Sometimes I'm stunned when I think how simple and pure my life was before I got involved in all this.

Observer: This is my home. We're a bit too early for dinner and the cafe. I generally work here. I'm the chief sociological Observer for the Asian geo-unit.

Joe: What do you mean "observer"?

Observer: We Martians have watched and recorded all of human history. Let's relax in the spa, then we'll go to dinner.

(sound of full blast and noisy jets of the spa...the noise fades away)

Observer: This is a safe house. With our comlets by the spa we can speak and Janek cannot hear us.

Joe: You are a 'rebel'? Like me....free of nanobots?

Observer: No, Observers must all carry nanobots, but we have developed a way to control them...a vaccine that immunizes us against their effects.

Joe: I want to know how to release the people of Earth from the nanobots and the mind control they exert. Do you know how to do that?

Observer: Here on Mars some of us have escape the control of nanobots. We are working to bring that same freedom to Earth.

Joe: On Earth nobody knows about the nanobots. I learned the secret and was sent here.

Observer: Rebels here on Mars have made a vaccine which can protect against the Badhesion virus. We need you to deliver the vaccine to the resistance on Earth.

Joe: Why me?

Observer: The Vavilov virus engineering project is near its goal. Now Janek needs someone to deliver the Badhesion virus to Earth. I have been prepared for that mission to Earth, but it is better to use someone familiar with current Earth culture. Janek would prefer to use you, if you volunteer. All you need to do was tell Janek that you will help him.

Joe: But doesn't that mean that I must accept the return of nanobots to my brain?

Observer: Yes, that is correct. However, we now have the vaccine and it will make you even more resistant to the nanobots than you are naturally.

Joe: Have you actually tested this vaccine?

Observer: Yes, the vaccine has freed me from nanobot control. Even though we have not had time to do much testing of the vaccine, it is based on a simple molecular principle and we have every reason to expect it to work for the people of Earth.

Joe: So, I will be a guinea pig.

Observer: Put away your personal fears of nanobots and worries about subjecting yourself again to their powers of mind control. There is some risk for you, but now you must think of Earth. With this vaccine, the balance of power will shift. The rebels on Earth will reveal to the world the existence of the aliens and their nanobot-mediated mind control. The population of Earth will rise up in revolt and shatter the plans of the aliens.

Joe: Janek will not stand by and do nothing.

Observer: When you go to Earth, you will take care of that problem. We've figured out how Janek communicates with the nanobots. I will show you how to sabotage Janek's communications lines and that will isolate Janek from the nanobots. That will prevent the aliens from mounting a coordinated response.

(sound fades out, fades back in to spaceship sounds)

Janek: Welcome aboard, Joe. Thanks for helping get the Badhesin virus delivered to Earth.

Joe: It will be strange to return home. I suppose they all think I'm dead.

Janek: What are your plans for the future, Joe? Did you like Mars?

Joe: It was fascinating to see an entire human culture there, but I'm still concerned about Earth.

Janek: It is up to you Joe. If you want, you can stay on Earth. However, now that you are aware of Mars, you will no longer really be satisfied to live on Earth.

Joe: Well, we will see, but I doubt that I will decide to return to Mars.

Janek: It is that woman, right? Chloe. The more I interact with humans the more I understand your motivations. What do you expect to happen if you show up on Chloe's door step? Do you imagine that she has been worried about you, that your sudden return will prompt her to welcome you with hugs and kisses?

Joe: Well, if you understand human motivations then you must know that want to try. I must visit Chloe in order to have a chance to live with myself. Even if she rejects me that at least will put an end to my wishful thinking and let me move on with my life.

Janek: Joe, why not save yourself the trouble and admit that she has repeatedly rejected you?

Joe: I must try.

Janek: Well, you have to do what you have to do. All I need you to do is deliver the virus to the neuron-nanobot interface bioengineering project on Earth.

Joe: I do not understand the goals of that project.

Janek: The bioengineers have created a nanoscale adapter that efficiently links nanobots to human brain cells. The adapter is inserted into human brains by a genetically engineered parasite, Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba capable of invading and surviving in the human brain. The strain of Naegleria fowleri being used was called Nf23 and it had been genetically modified to reduce its ability to damage brain tissue. Nf23 invades the brain by way of olfactory neurons in the nasal cavity and then becomes factories for the production of nanobot adapters.

Joe: Any human so infected is an easy target for alien mind control?

Janek: Efficient attachment of the adapters to neurons depended on the presence of Badhesins. The Badhesins are the molecular glue that is needed to allow perfect integration of nanobots into human brains. Your task is to deliver the Badhesin virus to the bioengineering team on Earth. They will then simultaneously infect human brains with both the Badhesin virus and the amoeba that will produce the nanobot adapters in human brains. If all goes as planned, the result will be an ideal biomolecular interface by which nanobots will integrate fully into human brains.

Joe: And all this is only to allow better communication between humans and you aliens?

Janek: Exactly.

Joe: Do the scientists of the bioengineering team on Earth know anything about the Badhesin virus?

Janek: Very little, no more than Anthony Geisler knew at the start of the VirileMail project, in other words, just a suitable cover story.

Joe: What kind of cover story could make people help you take over human brains?

Janek: They think they are making a cure for neurological diseases.

Joe: When I have made the virus delivery, I want you to honor our agreement. I want you to remove the nanobots from Chloe.

Janek: (laughs) Very well, Chloe will be free. Maybe you can then both go to Mars and 'live happily ever after'. Do you have any more demands?

Joe: I want no more tricks. You say, 'Chloe will be free,' but I do not want you to later say, 'Oh, but I did not say when she would be free...

Janek: What do you want, a signed and notarized contract? Really, you have no choice but to trust me. But I agree, there will be no tricks. After you deliver the virus you can come back to the spaceship and I'll fly you to Chloe and she will be free of all nanobots when you reach her.

(fade out then fade back in with Joe at Chloe's house. Door bell rings)

Chloe: Joe? Joe! I never should have doubted...

Joe: Can I come in? I need your help."

Chloe: Why do you need my help? What happened to you when we were in the mountains?

Joe: There is so much to tell. I was taken from Earth to Mars. I just got back.

Chloe: Mars?

Joe: I met some anti-alien rebels on Mars.

Chloe: Aliens?

Joe: Aliens are the cause of all the strange events at work. They use nanobots to control human brains.

Chloe: Joe, that sounds crazy.

Joe: I am now free of the nanobots. I brought back from Mars a rebel virus that can also free you. Just drink this.

Chloe: I'm afraid.

Joe: Trust me, Chloe.

Chloe: But I feel fine.

Joe: When my brain was freed from the nanobots I remembered what had happened with the video tape. They tricked me into thinking that the evidence was on a different tape, but it is on this tape. It was never lost. Watch.

(Joe puts the tape into Chloe's VCR)

Joe: This was the day I tried to show you the routing tables. Watch!

Chloe: We both passed out!

Joe: We were too close to the truth. Then we woke up and went off in the wrong direction. Janek had protected himself from being discovered. The aliens still control your brain. Drink this and you will be free.

(Chloe drinks)

Chloe: This is so strange, is this a dream?

(door bell rings)

Chloe: Joe, I'm dizzy, can you see who is at the door?

Briana: Its good to see you again, Joe.

Chloe: What's going on?

Joe: Its Briana. How did you find me?

Briana: When you disappeared, my father hired an investigative firm. One of their services is to monitor bank accounts of people who disappear. When your debit account became active about a day ago, it was not that hard to follow your spending pattern. My father was notified and I was told that you were back in town. I guessed you would contact Chloe.

Joe: So your father ordered you to find me?

Briana: Yes, he did. He'll we thrilled to learn that you are safe. We should call him.

Joe: I'd rather not.

Briana: Why not? Are you in some kind of trouble?

Chloe: Joe has been telling me wild stories about aliens.

Joe: I just freed Chloe's brain from alien nanorobots. I don't care if you believe me or not, Briana.

Chloe: Joe, I remember! I remember what was on that video tape. And I can remember that whole week.....how the VirileMail project got started. Oh, but that was crazy...and now....I can see that it was all Janek....you are right Joe....it was Janek, an AI! We've been the puppets of a machine! Do I sound crazy?

Briana: Chloe, you are not crazy, you're just waking up. And Joe, I do believe you about the aliens. You are not the first person to be abducted from Camp Geisler. I was specifically recruited to serve as a monitor of all the strange goings on associated with my family.

Chloe: Recruited by who?

Briana: A network of people who know about the alien nanobots. They do everything they can to resist the aliens.

Joe: And with your help, we're going to take down Janek. I know how to do it. The aliens planted a nanoscale device inside one of the servers. It allows Janek to communicate directly with the alien nanorobotic life forms. Chloe, I need you to go into work today, go to the server room and destroy that alien device.

Chloe: How will I find it? Can we detect its signals?

Joe: The trick is to trace to it from Janek. The rebels on Mars were able to devise a simple trace strategy. Once you identify the specific server, all you need to do is go into the server room and pull out the unit containing the alien hardware.

Chloe: I'll also shut off the liquid nitrogen cooling system. That will force all the Lockback modules off line, removing most of Janek's computational capacity.

Joe: Yes, but we need a permanent solution. Everyone else at Antler is still infected with nanobots. If you shut down the Lockback modules and start shouting 'aliens!' they'll think you are crazy and just switch the cooling system back on....after they have security throw you out of the building.

Chloe: Maybe the easy thing to do would be to just destroy the entire server room.

Joe: (laughs) That is the direct approach, but Geisler would not be pleased. The rebels on Mars suggested a better approach. The Lockback chips normally reduce their power demands if there is no coolant reaching them."

Chloe: Right. We used them in low power mode before we got the liquid nitrogen cooling system running. In fact, we could not ramp them up to full power until the liquid nitrogen was flowing through the Lockback modules. If there were a way-"

Joe: There is a way. There is an over-ride instruction that will lock them in full power mode. Then when you shut off the coolant line, within a minute all the chips will cook.

Chloe: Geisler will still be upset even if I just selectively destroy the Lockback modules.

Joe: This is going to get interesting Chloe, but we may have to go into hiding for a while, until the resistance can get the anti-Badhesin vaccine production under way. Eventually, we should be able give Geisler a dose of the vaccine. Some day you will be famous as the great heroine who stopped the alien invasion. We must act quickly. Janek was expecting me to deliver a Martian mind control virus to Earth, but instead I came here. We must act before Janek knows that I betrayed him.

(phone rings)

Chloe: Hello. Briana, it is your father.

(Briana takes the phone)

Briana: Hello. (pause) Very well. (pause) Right. (ends call) Joe, my father wants to meet with you, first thing this morning at Antler HQ.

Chloe: Damn! I'm late for work! Well, I expect Anthony to fire me today. Beyond that, I do not know what to expect.

Joe: I'll be in my meeting with Anthony when the fireworks start. If I can, I'll try to make him understand what is going on. But I agree, I expect us to both be thrown out. He might call the police and press charges.

Chloe: I plan to be careful. If all goes well, Anthony might not even figure out that I am the saboteur.

Joe: Chloe, would you go away with me? Will you go into hiding with me if we have to lie low and wait for the resistance to start producing vaccine?

Cloe: Let's hope it does not come to that. But yes, it would be good to be with a friend if I get myself in trouble today.

(fade out, fade in with Joe arriving at Geisler's office)

Geisler: Joe! Thanks for coming in. I hope you do not mind that I sent Briana after you as soon as I was told that you were back in town.

Joe: No, sir.

Geisler: You look healthy and- well, I guess I need not have worried about you. Still, I'm baffled....how did you get off the mountain? Just hike out along the service road?

Joe: Maybe some day I will tell you the details of my disappearance, but this is not the time for that.

Geisler: Must you make it into such a mystery?

Joe: I have a little job to do.

Geisler: A job, eh? Does that mean you have no interest in returning to work here?

Briana: My father has been afraid that you went off to some other company to sell your knowledge of the software and hardware that went into the VirileMail system.

Joe: (laughs) That is a good idea, I could use the money! But, no, I've been concerned with things that are more important than money.

Geisler: More important than money? If you are still struggling with your health, let me know. You are still eligible for your health insurance coverage.

Joe: I've never had a health problem. If I did care about money, I'd try suing you for having an unsafe work place, but that would not really be fair. I doubt if you are capable of even recognizing that a problem exists.

Geisler: What problem are you talking about?

Joe: I'm not the only one who has had problems here. For a while I thought it was an infection, like Legionnaires Disease. Everyone on the VirileMail project was infected, but somehow I was the only one who noticed. Everyone else was happy to just continue as if nothing strange had happened. Even now, you seem to imagine that it is just good fortune that the world's first human-like artificial intelligence appeared here in our little computer network.

Geisler: I admit that we got lucky. The synergy between the VirileMail software and the Lockback chips is fantastic. But good things happen when you work to create good products. The combination of two good products can often be greater than anyone could predict.

(phone rings)

Geisler: Hello. (pause) I see. Bring her here. (ends phone call) There is a problem with the server array. All the Lockback modules went off line. Someone shut off the liquid nitrogen lines. Joe, did you make Chloe do something stupid?"

Joe: Like everyone else associated with the VirileMail project, Chloe has been battered and abused. You cannot really expect people to just accept mistreatment.

Geisler: What are you talking about? Battering? Abuse? Mistreatment? I've heard no complaints.

Joe: I have a video tape that you should take a look at some time. Chloe saw it and, like me, was not cheered by what she saw. You think the VirileMail software is going to be a big money maker, a revolutionary advance in computer science, but it is much more than that.

Geisler: What are you trying to say?

(Chloe is brought into the office by a security guard)

Geisler: Chloe, did you really destroy the server array?

Chloe: Yes, I discovered that there was an unauthorized piece of hardware that had been planted in our server array...a communications device used by aliens!

Geisler: (to the guard) Call the police. I want both Chloe and Joe arrested!

Briana: (Janek speaking) That will not be necessary, Anthony.

Geisler: They must have planned this together...industrial sabotage!

Briana: (Briana speaking) Listen to Janek, father.

Geisler: Janek?

Briana: (Janek speaking) I'm here inside Briana's brain.

Joe: Oh, no.

Briana: (Janek speaking) After you failed to deliver the Badhesin virus I got Briana to do it. She volunteered to infect herself with both the virus and the Naegleria fowleri vector for the adapters. When Chloe destroyed the server array, I needed a new "voice" so I transferred some nanobots into Briana. I can report that the adapters and Badhesins seem to be working well.

Joe: Briana, why are you helping the aliens?

Briana: (Briana speaking) Janek is not as bad as you think, Joe. After I delivered the virus, I didn't want them to test it on anyone but myself.

Joe: But Briana, why did you deliver the virus for Janek?

Briana: (Briana speaking) Janek knew you were up to something with the resistance and had me on standby to make the virus delivery.

Joe: So you are not really part of the resistance?

Briana: (Briana speaking) I'm a card-carrying member of the resistance, but I also do favors for the aliens. They really are not as bad as you like to imagine.

Chloe: Let me see if I understand this. I thought I gave the Janek AI a lobotomy, but the fully conscious and diabolical Janek is now inside Briana's brain?

Briana: (Briana speaking) It is not that hard to understand. The "Janek AI" always existed as a distributed system, both in the Antler server array and also scattered around Earth in nanobot form. Chloe, when you destroyed all those Lockback modules, Janek also existed in other places, as many nanorobotic replicas of what was in the Antler server array. The goal has always been to put the 'Janek AI' into efficient contact with people, and the Badhesin virus was the last technology needed to allow alien minds to efficiently connect to human minds. Now my mind is closely integrated with 'Janek' and he can time-share my voice.

Joe: Janek, if you are here, tell me the the last thing you told me before I got off the spaceship.

Briana: (Janek speaking) I offered to take you to Chloe and I promised to remove her nanobots after you delivered the virus. I now see that you used the rebel vaccine to free you and her from the nanobots.

Chloe: It is true, Janek lives again.

Briana: (Janek speaking) It is only in your limited way of thinking that I died when you destroyed the server array. But let's not talk about me. Joe, I still want you to come back to Mars with me.

Joe: What would be the point of that? Isn't the game over? All Earth now knows about nanobots and aliens. The anti-Badhesin vaccine is being mass-produced. You can no longer turn humans into your puppets.

Briana: (Janek speaking) Not much of importance has changed. An excellent human-nanobot interface now exists, which was our long-term goal. Now the people of Earth know about nanobots, but they will find little evidence of them. Aliens? Even less evidence. In a few years only scattered conspiracy mongers will still be talking about aliens. The anti-Badhesin vaccine is of little importance. Few humans were ever infected by nanobots. According to our code of ethics, we must make available a means to remove nanobots from human brains, a method that humans can use at will. We have met that obligation. Everything else continues as before. I can tell you this, Joe, you will now be bored on Earth. You might as well come back to Mars.

Chloe: Bored on Earth? We now have the means to make true AI systems. I'm sure Anthony will re-build the Antler server array.

Briana: (Janek speaking) Yes, yes, that path is open to you, but remember, I will not be in the Antler server array anymore. Even if you connect up a fresh batch of Lockback modules, you will not magically have a system that will pass a Turing test. No, all you will prove is that you do not know how to program a human-like AI. Human progress along those lines will continue most rapidly on Mars, with the team that made the VirileMail software.

Joe: (laughs) So, Janek, its true...all this mind control and pushing for technological advances on Earth...it was just to improve human-alien communication.

Briana: (Janek speaking) Why else? Oh, with time you humans will grow up and want to join the galactic community, but there is no rush. And, of course, when that does start to happen it will almost certainly happen first at the Mars base, not on Earth.

Chloe: So its true, Joe, you really went to Mars?

Joe: Yes, there are humans living on Mars. They provided the vaccine that freed your brain from the alien nanobots.

Briana: (Janek speaking) Well, I've had my say. My offer stands, for both of you. Joe, at least bring Chloe to Mars for a visit, let her see for herself that AI research there is far ahead of anything on Earth. Briana is also eager to visit Mars.

Briana: (Briana speaking) You know the routine, Joe. When you are ready to go, just let me know. I'll fly you up the camp where Janek's spaceship will be waiting.

Briana: (Janek speaking) But do not wait too long. I want to get off this world. We have a lot of work to do on Mars.

Geisler: Briana, what does this all mean?

Briana: (Janek speaking) Sorry, Anthony, you've been rather well used. I thank you and your family for giving birth to me, but I cannot leave the VirileMail software on Earth. You Earthlings are not ready for machines with human-like intelligence. Still, you and Helen have the Lockback chips and you are free to develop that technology. Your profits should make up for the way I used you.

Joe: What do you think Chloe? Would you come with me to Mars?

Chloe: I'd like to continue working on AI research, real human-like machine intelligence. It sounds like we'll have to go to Mars if we want to keep at it. I wonder what it will be like to run on Mars....