Bicentennial Man

On April 3, 2005, the innovative NDR series robot Andrew was welcomed into the Martin family, assigned to manage household chores and maintenance tasks. During his unveiling, Andrew demonstrated the Three Laws of Robotics, paving the way for an extraordinary connection with the youngest member of the family, Amanda. While her older sister, Grace (character B), displayed skepticism towards Andrew’s presence, Amanda’s innate curiosity and compassion fostered a bond that grew increasingly meaningful. As Andrew acclimated to his duties in the Martin home, he stumbled upon surreal emotions and developed a unique affection for his “Little Miss,” a remarkable evolution with far-reaching implications.

A minor accident involving one of Amanda’s cherished glass figurines turned out to be a pivotal moment in Andrew’s journey. He ingeniously crafted a wooden replacement, showcasing an unexpected talent that caught the eye of Richard, who took it upon himself to bring Andrew to NorthAm Robotics for scrutiny. There, Dennis Mansky, the CEO, saw Andrew’s artistic prowess as a potential threat and suggested scrapping him entirely. Yet, Richard championed Andrew’s creative spark, urging him to delve deeper into the essence of humanity.

As years progressed, Richard fueled Andrew’s emotional intelligence, equipping him with the ability to express feelings through facial features. This transformation marked a vital step in their relationship, as Andrew began perceiving the world with greater depth and sensitivity.

Fast forward several decades, Andrew approached Richard with impressive news: he had amassed a hefty fortune through his clockmaking ventures, which Richard managed on his behalf. With wealth came the desire for freedom, a request that deeply affected Richard. Ultimately, Andrew was granted independence, albeit with the condition of leaving the Martin household behind. He decided to construct his own coastal home, determined to live autonomously and chase his passions.

Come 2048, as Richard faced his final moments, a sense of regret washed over him for sending Andrew away, an emotional reconciliation that heralded a new chapter in their relationship. In the years following Richard’s death, Andrew embarked on a quest to find other NDR robots possessing similar traits. Along this path, he maintained connections with Amanda, who had remarried and divorced, along with her son Lloyd and granddaughter Portia. By 2068, Andrew encountered Galatea, another NDR robot modified to exhibit feminine characteristics. Intrigued by the enhancements made by Rupert Burns, the son of the original NDR creator, Andrew entered a partnership with him, funding research that resulted in Andrew gaining a human-like appearance—an emblem of his ongoing transformation.

In 2088, Andrew returned to the Martin family, discovering that time had significantly changed Amanda, while he noticed how Portia mirrored her grandmother at a similar age. Initially, Portia approached Andrew with some hesitation, but soon she embraced him as a valued part of their family’s legacy. The joy was short-lived, however, as Amanda’s death left Andrew grappling with the reality of mortality, which prompted him to propose that Rupert create artificial organs to enhance human longevity in the place of his mechanical structure. The outcome was extraordinary—Andrew developed the ability to eat, feel sensations, and experience romantic love. His relationship with Portia blossomed, deepening into something profound.

Andrew’s next focus shifted to the World Congress, where he sought recognition as a human being entitled to marry Portia. However, the governing body expressed concerns about the social implications of an immortal being, fearing it could breed jealousy among others. Undeterred, Andrew returned to Rupert for one last procedure: replacing his artificial fluids with a blood equivalent. Rupert warned him that while this fluid would grant him a semblance of mortality, it would not last indefinitely—a truth Andrew bravely accepted.

As decades rolled on, Andrew revisited the World Congress, accompanied by Portia who rallied support for his cause. His mission was to secure the right to die with dignity, liberated from the constraints of his artificial existence. On April 2, 2205, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded as Andrew and Portia, weathered by time, held hands, unified in their pursuit of acknowledgment. Under the serene gaze of Galatea, now human, the World Congress finally recognized Andrew’s humanity, proclaiming him the oldest identifiable individual at 200 years old, bestowing upon him the rights and privileges to endorse his marriage to Portia.

In a bittersweet turn of events, Andrew’s life force flickered, a fact noted with sorrow by Galatea, as Portia reassured him he had predicted this. As the news of Andrew’s passing reverberated, Portia made a solemn request: “turn off my life support.” Subsequently, she joined him in the afterlife, clutching his hand tightly, whispering her vow, “See you soon,” an echo that would resonate through eternity.

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 18:23