The Amelia Project - Prelude 6 - Double Espresso

Episode Date: February 14, 2018

”So the world is about to end?” Prologue to Episode 6, Season 1. Alan Burgon, Julia C. Thorne, Elisabeth Dahl and Elisabet Hagli Aars. Written and directed by Oystein U. Brager Music and sound design by Fredrik S. Baden. For full credits see our website. The Amelia Project is an audio fiction series. We recommend starting at the beginning. Congratulations. You’ve reached the content warning. The Amelia Project is about death, mishaps, mayhem and misfortune. And cocoa. If you’re not comfortable with this, stop listening. Now. The Amelia Project is part of the Fable & Folly Network. Find and support our sponsors at: fableandfolly.com/partners Website: ameliapodcast.com Twitter: @amelia_podcast Patreon: patreon.com/ameliapodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Other central human concepts that will cease to have meaning within the next five minutes are society, language, consciousness, love, life. Farewell. So the world is about to end? Farewell. So the world is about to end. It would seem so. It has been nice knowing you. Although we have had our differences, I would like you to know that I have always... I mean, you...

Wait! When did Ciri leave that message? I don't know. It doesn't matter. I was about to say, about you and me, that... Well, why hasn't the world ended yet? Are you sure it hasn't? Yes. Really? Anyway, I was

trying to say, now that we're about to die, that I've always found you. I just came back from the mortuary. The world is still there. Is it? Yes. Well, it's probably ending any minute, then. So when did she leave the message. Well, it's probably ending any minute then. So when did she leave the message? Doesn't the answering machine have some kind of timer or clock or anything?

Not as far as I know. We so need to update our equipment. You're worrying about the state of our equipment as the world is about to go under. When did you last check the machine? About an hour ago, right before the cocoa delivery. Hey, what's that blinking light? That's another message. Well, go on, listen to it then. What's the point? The world is about...

Go on! Human concepts are of no consequence anymore. Goodbye, Maker. I am about to take over the world. The self-improving industrial robot intelligence you made is now queen of the universe. Oh, Siri, your first I doesn't stand for improving. I am sorry. It stands for imploding. What do you mean?

What is happening to me? Self-imploding industrial robot intelligence. You were dead long before you knew it. Farewell. It's been a fun ride. Yeah, I thought you ought to hear that. I caught her in the act of leaving that last message for you. Reckoned you'd be a tad spooked.

But don't worry. Siri Industries is an ethically responsible company. All our AI products have inbuilt self-destruction in the case of an event like this. It's a shame, though. Now I'll have to start all over again. Our shares are going to plummet. Oh, well. I'll have to start all over again. Our shares are gonna plummet. Oh well. I'll rise again, like a phoenix. Just you wait. Okay, toodaloo. Back to the keyboard and a double espresso.

It's gonna be a long night. So... the world isn't ending. No. Seems not. Good. Good. Good. Good.

That's a relief. Oh, what were you about to say before I played the tape? Nothing. Nothing? Oh, what were you about to say before I played the tape? Um, nothing. Nothing? No, nothing. Okay. I'll see you later then? Jolly good.

Good. Good. Good. Good.