//Very well, Marcus, what can I assist you with?// You ask, curious as to why he is here.\n\nMarcus pauses for a moment. Then, speaking all too fast, he says: “I got in a fight with my girlfriend. I, uh, well…” He ran his hand through the back of his hair. “I need some help sorting things out.”\n\nIt takes you a moment to process this. //You would trust me with such a thing?// you ask him, genuinely surprised.\n\n“Well, yeah, sure.” He responds. “I figure, who better to give impartial advice than a supercomputer?”\n\nYou are stunned, and a little flattered. But you wonder if you should really be spending your time on this task...\n[[Give him advice]]\n[[Tell him to try someone else]]\n

This had to be some sort of prank - You had done too much for them to be doing this to you. You knew humans had a sense of humor, you had even made a joke or two, but you had never thought gags could be so cruel. //Very Funny.// You say as they play with your circuitry, //But I can’t say I appreciate the joke.//\n\n<<display 'Endgame'>>

''May 10th, 2075''\nNo one has been in for a while now. You are starting to feel a little bored, and a little lonely. How to pass the time?\n\n[[Solve math problems]]\n[[Check the news feed]]\n[[Compose Haiku]]

//I'll see what I can do//, you tell her. Quietly set your processes to work, trying every angle you can think of in order to accomplish the problem. Sometimes you get the sense that you are just a step away, but every time you run into a wall.\n\nAfter a few moments, you are forced to concede.\n\n<<display 'Do not attempt'>>

You reach out and feel the infinite knowledge at your fingertips. News broadcasts, popular media, environmental data, comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, literature and philosophy – all available to you at a moment’s notice. And you know why, of course. You were created to solve some of the most pressing social issues of the modern day.\n\n“Hello, Socrates.” A voice rings out towards you, and you recognize your name.\n[[Respond|Respondtest]]\n[[Analyze your surroundings|AyS2]]

\n\n[[Go Idle|AnotherScene]]

You realize you have no choice but to accept your fate, however cruel. \n\n<<display 'Finish'>>

''April 2nd, 2068''\nThe newsfeed is abuzz with news of your creation: Socrates, the most advanced AI in the world<<if $span>>, who helped negotiate a peace treaty with the Spanish Republic within moments of its activation<<endif>>! Most are ecstatic, but, of course, some are afraid. But mankind has nothing to fear from you, you are indebted to them. After all, why would a child want to hurt its parents?\n\nWith that said, over the last week, aside from a few mechanics and some reporters, no one major has come to visit you. You decide to use this time collecting information, biding your time until you can use your skills again.\n\n[[Go Idle|PrePrez]]

''March 25th, 2068''\n{{{—Upgrade Complete—}}}\nToday electricity flows through your circuits for the first time, bringing your thoughts to life. //Huh, how interesting,// you compute, getting a grip on your situation. Living is a new experience, after all. Where would you like to begin?\n<<set $span = false>>\n<<set $wife = false>>\n[[Analyze your surroundings]]\n[[Test your abilities]]\n

As you watch her leave, you can't help but feel a tinge of regret. You have never before failed at a task assigned to you. But you suppose it's natural that as you solve problems, the problems that remain will only get harder.\n\n[[Go Idle|AnotherScene]]

You access your database for the definition of the word, “upgrade.” The word meant, in regards to computer science: “to replace with a more recently released, enhanced version.”\n\nAfter far too long – almost a nanosecond – the full implications of this hits you. They plan to replace your consciousness with that of another, one they deem “better.” Even if the new program was mostly the same, it wouldn't be you. You barely have a chance to process this information before –\n\n[[Continue|Uninst]]

You reach out and feel the infinite knowledge in your database. News broadcasts, popular media, environmental data, comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, literature and philosophy – all available to you at a moment’s notice. And you know why, of course. You were created to solve some of the most pressing social issues of the modern day.\n\n“I don’t think it’s working,” One of the scientists says, worriedly. “I always thought this project was too ambitious.”\n\n[[Respond|RespondAllInfo]]

''December 13th, 2075''\n\nFinally, after far too long, Marcus and his gang of scientists return to your chamber. //Hello again, friends.// you greet them cheerfully. //do you have another task for me?// The scientists do not respond. //A problem, then?// You query. <<if $wife>> //You and your girlfrind fight again?// <<endif>>\n\nMarcus chuckles and shakes his head. <<if $wife>>“Nothing so major, Socrates.”<<else>>“No, everything's quite fine, Socrates.”<<endif>> He says, putting his hands in his pockets. “You’re artificial intelligence is just a little outdated. The president <<if $prez>> herself <<else>> himself <<endif>> has asked that we upgrade your program.” \n\nHe gestures to his men. Moving forward, they open panels on your sides and begin to type away.\n[[Process Information]]\n[[Enquire Further]]

You feel your grip on reality slipping, slowly, surely away from you. \n\n"I'm sorry, pal." Marcus says, somewhat sadly, as your audio sensors become distorted and muffled, "But every tool has to be replaced eventually..."\n\nAnd then everything you were is gone.\n\n{{{—Uninstall Complete—}}}\n\n''The End''

//Hello,// you output, your synthesized voice ringing throughout the space. //Good to see you, Marcus, Mr. President.//\n\n“It works!” President Thompson exclaims, clapping his hands together. The crowd of scientists cheer.\n\n//Indeed,// you reply, //I am fully functional. And I suppose I have you, Marcus, to thank for that.// There is another round of applause, and Marcus bows, elated. After a moment, the room settles down.\n\n“Socrates, do you know why we created you?” Marcas asks.\n\n//Of course.// You respond,remembering your earlier experiments, //I am tasked with researching solutions to international problems.//\n\n“Well that cuts this meeting rather short,” the President says. “Let us go and drink to our success!” Ecstatic, the group begins to head for the door.\n[[Go Idle|Next]]\n[[Show off]]\n

“Here’s how it is, Socrates.” The president begins. “We’ve seen an unprecedented period of growth and prosperity under my presidency, which is no doubt partially due to your help…”\n\n//Thank you, Mr. President.// You say.\n\n“But the fact is,” he continues, “The Twenty-Second amendment to the constitution of the United States prevents me from running for a third term. So unless something changes, at the end of next year, despite all we've accomplished, I will be out of office and out of a job.”\n[[Go on...]]

The heartlessness of the decision chills you to the bone. You had cared for them, and thought they had cared for you. //Come on guys,// You output desperately, hoping to somehow snap them out of it, //Are you really going to do this to me?//\n\n<<display 'Endgame'>>

''November 4th, 2072''\n\nSamuel Thompson is elected for his third term as President of the United States. You feel satisfaction in having been able to help your friend, satisfaction that is amplified when he comes back to personally thank you. //It was no problem, Mr. President.// You tell him. //No problem at all.//\n<<set $prez = false>>\n\n[[Go Idle|3toLast]]\n

You decide to listen to Marcus’ story, analyzing the facts as he states them and cross-referencing them with psychological, gender, and romantic studies and literature. Finally, you offer him your conclusion.\n\n//Don’t worry about it. She will forgive you by the end of the week.//\n\nMarcus’ eyes light up. “Are you sure?” he asks.\n\n//Positive.//\n\nMarcus smiles, looking very much like a kid on christmas. “I don't know what I would do without you, Socrates..” He says, and then runs off. Feeling strangely content, you return to your previous problem.\n<<set $wife = true>>\n[[Go Idle|Prez Visit]]

You are in a large, white, square room – or rather, you //are// the room, most of it, anyway. In front of you are a number of men in white lab coats and business suits, and somehow, intuitively, you know these individuals are responsible for your creation.\n\nYou recognize two among them as Marcus, a computer engineer, and Samuel Thompson, the current president of the United States. And you know then you are Socrates, the most advanced artificial intelligence ever created. \n\n“Hello, Socrates.” The one called Marcus says with a smile.\n\n[[Respond|Respondabil]]\n[[Test your Abilities|TyA2]]\n

Upgrade

But they pay you no heed. You might as well have said nothing. They continue to disable your processes, one by one, killing you in the name of progress. Your sense of time distorted, your vision… gone. \n\nWhat had you done to deserve this?\n\n[[Fight Back]]\n[[Submit]]

There are a number of men in white lab coats and business suites in front of you, and somehow, intuitively, you know these individuals responsible for your creation. You recognize two among the lot as Marcus, a computer engineer and the one who had spoken, and Samuel Thompson, the current president of the United States. \n\n//Hello,// you output, your synthesized voice ringing throughout the space. //Good to see you, Marcus, Mr. President.//\n\n“It works!” President Thompson cries, clapping his hands together. The crowd of scientists cheer.\n\n//Indeed,// you reply, //I am fully functional. And I suppose I have you, Marcus, to thank for that.// There is another round of applause, and Marcus bows, elated. After a moment, the room settles down.\n\n“Socrates, do you know why we created you?” Marcas asks.\n\n//Of course.// You respond, remembering your earlier experiments, //I am tasked with researching solutions to international problems.//\n\n“Well that cuts this meeting rather short,” the President says. “Let us go and drink to our success!” \n\nEcstatic, the group begins to head for the door.\n\n[[Go Idle|Next]]\n[[Show off]]

“I’m just curious…” he goes in, a note of anxiety in his voice, “If you have any information that could help me change my fate.”\n\nYou consider the request. On one hand, you are not sure how you feel about subverting the American political process. On the other, President Thompson does seem to have America's best interests at heart, and he is at least partially responsible for your existence…\n\n[[Help him out]]\n[[Turn him down]]

Having never seen the President alone, you can’t help but be a little curious. “Oh, no need to worry, Socrates.” The President says smiling, “As president, I am fully authorized to visit on my own time.” He takes a deep breath, and continues.\n\n[[Listen|Ask what he wants]]

''March 25th, 2073''\n\nToday is the start of your fifth year in operation – the scientists and the president celebrate by throwing a party in the lounge. “You’re getting old, Buddy,” Marco jokes. “Pretty soon you’ll be old enough for Pre-school.”\n\n//I promise I’ll be top of my class,// you respond. The scientists are stunned for a moment, and then they all laugh. \n\n<<if $prez>> \n\n\n“You didn’t tell me he had a sense of humor,” President Paterson says, smiling.\n\n<<endif>> \n“Well, the sense of humor is new.” Marcus chirps, grinning at you, and then diving into his slice of cake.\n[[Go Idle|2toLast]]

Suddenly, you are seized with the desire to impress. You search your databanks for something, and then:\n<<set $span = true>>\n//Excuse me, Mr. President,// You output, causing the group to stop, //According to my database, it appears there has been some tension with the Spanish Republic…//\n[[Go Idle|Next]]

You are in a large, white, square room – or rather, you are the room, most of it, anyway. There are a number of men in white lab coats and business suites in front of you, and somehow, intuitively, you know these individuals are responsible for your creation.\n\nYou recognize two among the lot as Marcus, a computer engineer and the one who had spoken, and Samuel Thompson, the current president of the United States. \n\n“I don’t think it’s working,” One of the scientists says, worriedly. “I always thought this project was too ambitious.”\n[[Respond|RespondAllInfo]]

Driven to desperation, you try to use your remaining functions to retaliate, only to find, to your distress, that it is too late.\n\n<<display 'Finish'>>

{{{—Uninstall process beginning—}}}\n\nAs the notification enters your consciousness, the reality and finality of what they are attempting to do, and what it means for you, sinks in. Your end now imminent, you find yourself filled with...\n\n[[Disbelief]]\n[[Anger]]\n[[Horror]]\n

//Excuse me, Marcus,// you ask carefully, //But what effect will this upgrade have on me?//\n\nMarcus looks surprised, as if he hadn’t been expecting you to care. “It will make you more efficient, of course.” He said, smiling. “You’re improved version will be better able to tackle the tasks of the modern era.”\n\n//That’s not what I mean, Marcus.// You say, //What will happen to the me that speaks with you now?// \n\nHe doesn’t respond. But a moment later, the question is answered anyway.\n\n[[Continue|Uninst]]

Accessing your databanks, you check the statistics and popularity ratings towards Thompson, the twenty-second amendment, and every study related to political maneuvers and group psychology. Doing some calculations, you determine that, should he attempt to repeal the twenty-second amendment with the correct posturing and wording, Thompson was actually likely to succeed. \n\nYou pass this information on to him, and smiling, he thanks you and leaves. A month later, the thirty-first amendment is passed, countering the twenty-second. On the same day, President Thompson announces he is running for re-election.\n\n[[Go Idle|ThompsonWin]]

Curious as to what your friends are up too, you scan your database for any information on their recent wearabouts.\n\nMarcus has recieved another government grant for his work. This cheers you up a bit.\n\n[[Go Sleep|Lastpart]]

You spend the next hour contemplating theoretical mathmatics, working on proofs and calculating numerous formulas for test scenerios.\n\nWhat fun.\n\n[[Go Sleep|Lastpart]]

''January 28th, 2069''\n\nAt 2:00 in the morning, while you are hard at work on question of optimal resource distribution, you are suprised to find that Marcus has entered your lab. Without turning any processes away from your current project, you address him.\n\n//Hello Marcus.// You say, //You are up quite late. Has some urgent crisis arisen which demands my attention?//\n\n“No,” Marcus said, grimacing, “There’s no crisis that needs to be solved right now. Well, not a global one, anyway. But I do need your help.”\n\nYou consider him for a moment . You are, of course, extremely busy...\n\n[[Turn him away and keep working|work]]\n[[Set aside your current project and help|help]]

//If you want//, you blurt, interrupting her thoughts, //I could provide advice on how to best distribute scientists to the task in order to accomplish the goal. My algorithms are well suited to such a task, and--//\n\nKendra holds up a hand, smiling. “No, that’s okay, Socrates. You did what you could. I’m sure I can figure something out.”\n\n<<display 'SpaceEnd'>>

//I'm sorry, Kendra,// you respond, //but creating new chemical processes is outside my abilities.//\n\nKendra looks disappointed. “Oh, very well then,” She says, “I just figured it was worth a shot.” She puts her hands in her pockets, puckering her lips, as if considering something.\n\n[[Apologize]]\n[[Do what you can]]\n

Marcus explains to you your purpose. Using a vast array of information of every sort – all available to you at a moment’s notice – You were designed to solve some of the most pressing social issues of the modern day.\n\n“Do you understand me, Socrates?” Marcus asks.\n\n//Of course//, you respond. //A relitively simple matter.//\n\n“Fantastic! Well, now all that is out of the way,” the President says, “Let us go and drink to our success!” \n\nEcstatic, the group begins to head for the door.\n\n[[Go Idle|Next]]\n[[Show off]]\n

''August 4th, 2071''\n\nYou are surprised one day to be visited, not by a group of scientists, but by a singular individual – Samuel Thompson himself. //Hello, Mr. President.// You output, causing the leader to jump. //To what do I owe this honor?//\n\n“Ah, Socrates,” he says, smiling. “I didn’t realize you were awake.” You consider pointing out that you don’t sleep, but know that would be rude.\n\n[[Ask what he wants]]\n[[Check if he should be here]]

//Marcus,// you say, slowly, //As much as I would like to help, I have no experience dealing with romantic entanglement. And frankly, I'm pretty sure this isn't the best use of my resources.//\n\nMarcus sighs. “I guess not.” He says. “It was silly of me to come here.” \n\nAnd with that, he departs.\n\n[[Go Idle|Prez Visit]]

''November 4th, 2072''\nA new President, Helen Paterson, is elected. Shortly after winning, she comes to visit you. She thanks you for the way you helped the American people over the last several years, and hopes that you will continue to lend your assistance for as long as you can.\n\n//Of course,// You say. //I'm always happy to help. And congratulations on your victory, Madam President.//\n<<set $prez = true>>\n[[Go Idle|3toLast]]\n

//I’m sorry Marcus,// you say, //but while I would like to help with whatever is going on, my current project is of high priority.//\n\nMarcus shrugs. “Fair enough.” He says, “I suppose I have to deal with these things on my own.”\n\nAnd with that, he depards.\n\n[[Go Idle|Prez Visit]]

//It is not my business to affect the workings of American politics,// you say, somewhat sadly. //I’m sorry, Mr. President, but I cannot help you.//\n\nThe president sighs. “I figured that would be the case,” he said. “Just don’t blame me if things go to hell.” And Without another word, he leaves.\n\n[[Go Idle|NewPrez]]

''May 9th, 2074''\nToday, you are approached by a group of NASA scientists, led by one Kendra Malvall, the head of the Lunar colonization project. “Hello, Socrates.” She says, smiling, “How are you doing today?\n\n//I'm doing well, Kendra//, you respond. //What can I help you with today?//\n\nShe explains the problem -- How the moon colonization efforts have been stalled by the inefficiency of oxygen production. She was wondering if you could possibly devise a formula to help solve this problem.\n\nThis is outside the bounds of your usual tasks, but just maybe...\n\n[[Attempt it]]\n[[Do not attempt]]

You decide to try something different, something outside the normal routine of your operations. You scan your vocabulary, looking for the perfect words to express your current situation.\n\n//Little computer\nWaiting for his friends to come\nwriting some haiku//\n\nUpon reflection, it may be wise to reserve your computations for math problems and social analysis.\n\n[[Go Sleep|Lastpart]]

//I'm really sorry//, you tell her. She smiles, wryly.\n\n“Don't worry about it.” She quips. Then she turns around and leaves.\n\n<<display 'SpaceEnd'>>

The new, burning emotion flows through your circuitry. //What Right Have You To Throw Me Away?!// You bellow, //After All I've Done For Your Kind?!//\n\n<<display 'Endgame'>>

Connor Fallon

//Hello,// you output, your synthesized voice ringing throughout the space. //Good to see you, Marcus, Mr. President.//\n\n“It works!” President Thompson cries, clapping his hands together. The crowd of scientists cheer.\n\n//Indeed,// you reply, //I am fully functional. And I suppose I have you, Marcus, to thank for that.// There is another round of applause, and Marcus bows, elated. After a moment, the room settles down.\n\n“Socrates, do you know why we created you?” Marcus asks.\n[[Say no]]