The Android's Plea
Before we dine on the main dish of this feast of an entry let me give you some background on the creation of this delectable delicacy.
Well that's all I've got. There were a few allusions in there ("Merchant of Venice" (obviously), the Bible (kind of), and Frankenstien by Mary Shelley). I hope you found it interesting.
The idea was planted in my head back in my sophomore honors english class with Mr. Nagro in high school. He was a teacher who enjoyed making us think. He wasn't just working for the meager pay or because he was too good for McDonalds. He was educating to stimulate our minds and open us to the world. One day he began class talking about the rights of different entities of the human race ranging from heritage, gender, and disability. He then asked us about rights for robots or androids. (I know it sounds dumb but stick with me here and try to be hypaethral ;P ). At first many of us voted against giving robots any rights. It was ridiculous, after all they were only puzzles of technology. Following our class debate of a vast majority of us against the two or three who may have had a strong opinion concerning robot's rights or who just wanted to stand out as being different Mr. Nagro dimmed the lights and set us to watching a video clip. When the clip began I immediately recognized the red, yellow, and blue uniforms. 'This "esteemed educator" is using Star Trek to make his point,' I thought to myself (This was before I had gained my appreciation for him). (I can guess that most are thinking what I did when I was first exposed to this new idea but diligence is a wonderful attribute my friends). However, I enjoyed watching movies so I settled in to gain something from the nerd-filled clip. The excerpt was based around the possible termination of the android Data and his plea for leeway. Data was so humanesque. He displayed emotions and character. My view on androids had been expanded and I thought to myself that if androids were ever like Data, I would give them rights equal to mine or any other human. (Not that I ever think God will allow us to construct such an advanced android that it ceases to be a lesser being). Continuing on. A year later I was enrolled in a Classical Mythology class intended for seniors with Mrs. Crampton as our teacher. Like Mr. Nagro, Crampton sought to edify her students and didn't only teach us the fantastical views of ancient religions and cultures, but also taught us to be better people and better members of society. (Goodness I am rambling... I need to get to the point!). During our Norse Mythology unit we had a poetry recitation day. Each member of the class (teacher and aide included) were required to recite a poem or monologue after drinking a glass of the Mead of Suttungr or the Mead of Poetry, a mythical beverage that whoever drinks becomes a skald or scholar to recite any information and solve any question (ours was non-alcoholic of course). The drink is a vivid metaphor for poetic inspiration, often associated with Odin the god of 'possession' via berserkr rage or poetic inspiration (totally irrelevant). It was the monologue that Mrs. Crampton delivered with an amazing amount of emotion and conviction that caught my attention. Crampton recited Shylock's monologue in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". Shylock is questioning some Christians who are oppressing him for his Jewish faith. He asks a series of questions along the lines of "hath not a Jew eyes" or "if you prick us do we not bleed". The two lessons didn't connect immediately. It took two more years for them to come together. I enjoy memorizing poems and monologues and while searching for a new project my mind pulled Crampton's performance out of it's archives. I quickly searched google and found what I was looking for. I read through the lines a few times then retired to bed. What I found behind my eyelids was quite stirring and that is the origin of The Android's Plea.
Now mind you it's only a small portion of what I saw and its an extremely rough draft but I hope you enjoy the somewhat intriguing idea it presents. Without further adieu, The Android's Plea:
The synthetic light filtered through the large domed windows. A large platform had been erected in the central plaza for the day's proceedings. Community members had assembled around the base of the platform. Those near the front had been actively interested in the events leading up to the ceremony while others lurking in the outskirts were merely drawn by the gathering. The mass, ignoring the cheery bird androids echoing throughout the station, all focused on one central point. The elected man stood ready to end the existence of the accused being. The executioner sneered at the figure beside him. The accused stood with head down in humiliation. He looked out to the crowd for sympathy, but only found hatred and blood-thirsty loathing as they viewed the android with contempt. The android swallowed and his brow moistened. As the man's finger twitched over the trigger of the ASG the figure beneath him let out a small squeak of fear. The executioner paused in surprise, withdrawing the gun. Seeing his last opportunity, the android spoke out, “Please, listen to me, just listen," he sobbed. "I may not be human, but I’m still alive. I have a body as all of you have," he demonstrated with a sweep of his arm. "Every sense and every emotion of the human race has run through my body. I’ve felt the wind on my face, the waves at my feet. I have tasted the sweet honey and the bitter herb. I've smelt the foul stench of death and the sweet aroma of the early-year blossoms. I know the pain of a cut and the wet of blood. I have felt heart-wrenching emotional pain. I've known the loss of loved ones and the disappointment of failure. I’ve felt soft tears roll gently down one’s cheek. I’ve felt the overwhelming joy in the simple things of life as I watch a young bird come to life, or as I hear the rain patter on the ground. I’ve felt the heart leap as you meet someone you really love and the anguish accompanied when the one you love is hurt. If I am like you in the rest, should I not share your rights? How can your powerful intelligent race not see this? I plead that you ask why you are truly doing this? The only reason is because we are different in makeup. I beg of you to spare my simple life and let me go on living.” Having said all he could the android waited for his sentence. The silence seemed to drag on for eternity pressing on all ears. Even the happy whistles and songs of the andriodal robins had fallen silent. Finally, the executioner shook his head with a growl and shouted out over the multitude. He was answered with cheers as they looked up at the android and were once again filled with that seemingly undeniable abhorrence of the daemon. Seeing the end near the android scanned the crowd frantically looking for that face to warm his core one last time. The executioner nodded to the mob, then looking down at the android and seeing a tear and the angst in his eyes, almost hesitated. He tossed head and his arm rose. The android's eyes paused on the face of a woman near the back. Her long black hair covered most of her face, but what he could see was saturated with tears. With a violent arc the executioner sharply brought the ASG down upon his victim, short-circuiting the android's core. The figure fell to the ground, limp. At that moment the raven-haired woman wiped a tear and turned, clutching the wedding band hidden on a chain beneath her blouse. With a robotic tremble, she left.
Well that's all I've got. There were a few allusions in there ("Merchant of Venice" (obviously), the Bible (kind of), and Frankenstien by Mary Shelley). I hope you found it interesting.
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