The Hand Over

Just like me," says the frail man. His companion nods its head gently in agreement. The man smiles at it and turns his gaze back to the glowing horizon. The Artificial Intelligence Manifestation, known affectionately as "Aimy" to its human creators, is housed in a human-like body with head, arms and legs. It sits next to the bed of the ailing man as they look through an enormous window. Machines softly hum around them; small ultra-sleek tubes connect the life-saving medical device to the man's body. The machine has been keeping him alive for months as his age finally catches up with him. They gaze at the sunset. Soon the old man's breathing becomes labored and he coughs violently for a moment. Aimy leans in to help him through the coughing spell. Aimy's white metal body is fitted with heating elements that make it feel warm to the touch, like a human body. It props up Jason as his coughing continues. Aimy carefully moves the blanket a little, unbunching it from under Jason as he shifts uncomfortably. Finally his body stops wracking and he relaxes back into the bed. Aimy reaches over to adjust his pillow. They resume the silence for a while. Finally, it asks a question. "Jason," says Aimy in its soft voice. "Are you frightened of death?" it asks. Do you feel any differently now that it is about to actually happen?"