Episode 18 - Household Appliances

Hello and welcome to me this pod episode 18. I'm your host to de minas have been sitting on a bunch of stories for way too long and it feels good to be producing meat as part again. If you're enjoying the show, well let me know mail me this pod.com Or at meatus pod on Twitter, but the best thing you can do is share the show. On this episode, we have two stories for you. The first is a flash fiction story from James Moran. James Moran is

a professional astrologer who regularly publishes articles, fiction and poetry. His published works can be found at James moran.org/the-creation-playpen. A link will be in the show notes. Inventor by James Moran.

He remembered the names of the first 50 robots he invented. After 50 He grew concerned. Daily he encountered not only robots whose names he could not recall. But totally unfamiliar robots he did not even remember building. On the dusty floor behind his workbench where no robot could see. He knelt and begged mother earth to swallow the growing village of robots crowding his property. He prayed so hard that he shook and he shook so hard that he didn't notice the earthquake until

Splinter showered him. He tumbled through the fissure in the floor, cool soil and Villa Tim and needed him in a peristaltic flow until he was deposited on the floor of a tall, dim cavern. All around him. Women made of polished gold stood on thick thighs. Strong arms nodded over their chests. They did not speak. He finally asked. So will you do it? When they didn't answer? He asked. Will you destroy the robots. Together, they turned and marched out of the cavern. Once

alone, he cried himself to sleep. When he awoke in his bed, His room was empty the curtain below it in the breeze. He stood across the room and looked out over an utterly vacant field. He spent the following two days going on walks and sipping tea and quiet serenity. On the third day, He tiptoed over the fissure in the floor of his study, sat at his workbench and said about constructing another robot

Our next story comes to us from Todd wells. Todd wells lives in Chicago. He has three children and one wife. He dabbles in time travel in that he plays bass in an 80s cover band. You can visit Todd's website at travel diary of a madman.com. The voices you'll hear in this episode come to us from Sarah Gertrude Spencer, Larry Blattner, Gregory Forman and me. Sarah Gertrude is

a voice and on Camera Actor based in Austin, Texas. Originally from Wisconsin, she is known for her casual Midwestern attitude and overall quirkiness. Spencer is the host

of bowl after bowl with his wife Lorien and host of Abel craft with his bandmate Abel Kirby. Larry brightener is the host of

that Larry show. Gregory Forman is an actor writer, podcaster

and publican, who diversifies an intense amount of waking hours with a vibrant dream state. We're not concocting ambitious geopolitical movements or manifesting creative spaces, he has often seen catering to the whims of his two young children. Should you wish to hone his considerable multi talents and utilize them for your project. He is always available for consideration. Links to all of their work will be in the show

notes. Without further ado, here's our story. Household appliances by Todd wells. Kobe shook the container and tried again a trickle of orange juice dribbled around the block of ice that had formed in the bottle. He checked the thermometer in the refrigerator inside. It was back down to 21 degrees. Kobe drank the ounce and a half of liquid he had been able to extricate at least it was cold. He was not looking forward to another round of phone calls with Irwin, the developer who

sold them the condo. Kobe and Marcia had moved in a month ago, and things had started malfunctioning almost immediately. Unfortunately, Irwin had their money leaving the young Trouble with little leverage, as Kobe thought rather the next round of phone tag he would have to endure. He saw through the bay window the strange old man on the other side of the street. He was staring at their house again.

The old man looked quirky, like he shopped for clothing and dumpster behind the tweed factory and was unaware that combs had been invented. But it did not look threatening. Kobe had never followed up on the old man because every time he appeared, there was inevitably some house issue requiring Kobes full attention that morning was no exception. Marsha's cry echoed through the house. She strode into the kitchen. The Wi Fi just went down again. Right before I could send the

email off to the Dallas office. Do you want to call Erwin again? Kobe wanted to do anything but make that call. Still. He nodded. Marcia picked up the orange juice container shook it inside. I'm late. Do what you can. I'll see you tonight Kobe's wife kissed him goodbye and left for work. Kobe grimace to the task ahead and prepared to call but his phone couldn't get a signal both disappointed and relieved. Kobe got his things together and left for work to Kobe moped as he walked

home from the train station that evening. Earlier a brief and unpleasant phone conversation with Irwin had put Kobe in a worse mood, a difficult feat. Irwin had blamed Kobe and Marcia for the glitches and refused to take any more remedial action. This could be traced back to when the burglar alarm had gone off at 2am and Marsha not pausing to read the manual yanked the whole thing out of the wall. He argued that this void any warranty, dismissing Kobes assertion that the burglar

alarm had nothing to do with a refrigerator. Looking down as he walked and dreading to find out what else was no longer working, Coby didn't see the old man until he almost tripped over him. Your house is everything working properly, startled, but also defensive that he owned a house in which nothing worked properly. Kobe replied, who are you? The old man looked back towards Kobe's house and answered, My name is Martin used to run a repair business there.

Martin waved his hand in the direction of the house. Kobe thought he was beginning to understand. This older gentleman was grappling with an echo of the past ringing in his ears, touching and harmless. Kobe could wish this salt of the earth well, then forget about it and move on. You're in great danger. Kobe and looked Martin over again. You don't look dangerous. Back in the 70s before everything became disposable. I repaired household electronic items, toasters, televisions,

ham radios. I enjoyed it, probably because I was good at it. When a customer dropped off a broken appliance. I didn't just fix it. I improved it. Martin's gaze grew unfocused as He reminisced. After I worked on them televisions didn't need aluminum foil on the antennas. Radios sounded like you were right there in the station with DJ toes brown perfectly every single time. This last item resonated with Kobe, as his toaster had recently started making bread soggy.

I discovered how to reorganize the circuitry in any piece of electronic hardware so that the appliances at most basic level wanted to succeed. Martin turned to Kobe, and for the first time he could see the clarity and Martin's eyes, I gave them instinct. I wired them for the ability to see from all angles the task they had been designed for, and let them decide how to accomplish it. Martin clenched his gnarled hand into a fist. He tensed up briefly before continuing now with an air of regret,

but I wanted more, too much. I kept improving the electronics until one day, Kobe, now unwrapped, trying to guess the ending. You gave them artificial intelligence Martin's mouth bent into a wry smile. No, there was nothing artificial about it. I made them sentient. Kobe considered this instinct I can understand. But what good is a sentient appliance none. Before they ran smoothly, did exactly what they were supposed to. Once they were thinking and knowing they became

needy, petulant. I couldn't just turn on a lamp anymore. I had to ask nicely. Or if the alarm clock thought I was spending too much time with the stereo I would go off accidentally in the middle of the night. Still, they were my children. I brought them into the world and I was responsible for them. And I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy their company, at least a little. And that's why nothing works in our house. All the appliances

are alive and in a bad mood. No, Martin sighed, as his gaze drifted to nothing in particular, your appliances are not alive, but your house is haunted. Marcia put her hand to her mouth and cried that is so sad. Kobe had recounted Martin's tale to Marcia. He told her about the fire that Martin stove had started in a bit of jealous peak after learning of Martin's plan to buy a microwave. The repair

shop burned down and none of the appliances survived. Martin held a service for them and buried the charred remains on the site. He planted a small garden as a memorial and visited once a year to pay respects. The Urban Decay of the 70s and 80s ensured that the land was of no use to anyone and the appliances rested peacefully. But when the neighborhood began its revitalization process. The only question was whether the plot of land would be turned into a condo or a vegan coffee shop.

Martin had anticipated that disturbing the grave might have consequences. So he approached Erwin during construction and offered to pay him to have the site excavated and moved to a more permanent location or when took the money, but never moved the remains. So the spirit appliances are taking over the bodies of the living ones Marsha asked as she looked at the Food Dehydrator with concern, but also empathy. Martin says know that our appliances don't have the

enhanced nervous systems required for that. But the ghosts are able to disturb them and stop them from doing what they're supposed to Marcia patted the stereo speaker gently and asked, So what do we do? How do we help them find peace? Kobe explained Martin's plan. Martin, Marcia and Kobe sat at the dining table waiting for their guests to arrive. The room was illuminated by five candles. Because the overhead lights wouldn't turn on. The ghosts were clearly in a state of

agitation as nothing in the unit was working properly. The candle flames flickered and the updrafts caused by the heat and air conditioning running at the same time. From down the hall. They can hear the buzz of Marshalls electric toothbrush nearby, a low battery warning and a carbon monoxide detector chirps. Are they angry? Martin looked around the room. I don't think so. My presence confuses them. But that's all Martin paused. Then added however, I don't know how they'll react when we get

started. You have everything you need. Double check Kobe. Martin only smile and patted the worn leather satchel at his feet. Which was good, because it was much too late to do anything if the answer had been anything but yes, the three of them sat without speaking while different components of that condo word into action and abruptly stopped. When the knock of the front door finally came Kobe and Marsha left from their chairs. Martin rose slowly and deliberately satchel in hand.

Well, good luck to all of us. Martin turns make his way towards the back door but pause. He looked at the electric pencil sharpener that was spinning without any pencil inserted and added your luck to you two old friends. Once martinet close the back door behind him. Marcia and Kobe exchanged a final nervous glance. Then Marsha open the door. Hi, good to see you again. Irwin was clearly uncomfortable returning to the scene but the bait had been too enticing to

pass up. I got a message from Kobe saying that you guys wanted to buy a second unit in the development. Yes, yes, come in. Thanks for coming by. Everyone stepped into the four year and looked up at the track lighting which was blinking asynchronously. Marcia was ignoring it. So he pretended not to notice it too. He followed Marsha into the living room where Kobe stood to greet him. Erwin had worked in construction all of his life and was quite a

bit more muscular and Kobe. Yet the shadows of the candlelit room made Kobe look like a vampire. And Irwin unintentionally covered his neck with his hand. Thanks so much for coming. We're really excited to buy another one of these condos, they look like great investments. at bat. The lights in the room blinked on then off again. As in the Fourier, neither Marcia nor Kobe said anything. So Irwin played along please have a seat. Marcia beckoned towards the

chair. Irwin lowered himself into the seat with more caution than usual though unsure exactly what he might be exercising caution against, he began. So you really want to buy another one absolutely confirmed Kobe as the light in the hallway went out. Oh, okay. So Erwin with a nervous glance at the whole way. I brought specs for several days. units that will be

completed in the next six months. Do you know how many bedrooms you're interested in the hallway light came back to life then grew dimmer, but didn't go out. Kobe and Marcia looked at each other questioning. We hadn't really thought about that, too, maybe? Or four. How about three? Something right in the middle, the holy light changed its mind and grew brighter again. Confused? Erwin looked back and forth between Kobe and Marcia actually stated Kobe with conviction.

The number of bedrooms isn't important. We want to see them all the hallway light throbbed. Well, then we can just start at the top, and he flipped over the first of his brochures. Kobe and Marcia could hardly see anything in the dim light, but studied layouts and upgrades as Erwin went through his sales pitch. Now

focused on getting the sale. He managed to ignore the malfunctioning systems and the possibility that has construction might be in some way responsible for their behavior, even when the television turned on by itself, broadcasting a droning performance on C span or when stayed on topic, this shelving come standard in particleboard. But we can upgrade that to mahogany, which of course are when added with a knowing nod would dramatically increase the resale value of the units.

Yes, that's an interesting point. But I wonder if teak might be a better a knock at the door and erupted Cobis exposition Excuse me a moment. Kobe walked through the door and looked through a peephole. It was Martin. Kobe open the door only wide enough for him to slide outside. in a low voice Martin asked, Do you have an extension cord? Kobe replied in the loud whisper. What do you need an extension cord for? You're working on his car? It was locked. I thought you said you knew how to break into

a car. I do. But car locks have changed I guess during his pickup truck doesn't even have a keyhole Coby felt a twinge of panic. So this isn't gonna work. It will if you have an extension cord, distraught, Coby shook his head, but ran to the garage to retrieve his extension cord. As he handed it to Martin, he asked, How much longer do you need five minutes. Kobe didn't like this turn of events, but there was no alternative other than to see it through. Kobe returned to Irwin, and the sales

pitch Everything okay. Sure. Answer Kobe in a voice that was too high. Marsha was about to follow up. But a gurgling sound from the kitchen interrupted her. Excuse me just a moment Marsha pardon herself and walked into the kitchen. A moment later she reappeared it appears the water in the freezer is now boiling. Would anyone like tea before either the men could respond? They heard a cry of alarm from outside. Oh, you mustn't? That isn't the way it's Martin.

He's in trouble. Kobe and Marcia ran out the front door, or when followed, confused. When they got outside, they saw Martin standing behind the rear of the truck looking at something in the bed the others couldn't see. On his face, Martin wore a look of concern or maybe it was fear. What are you doing so my truck? Get away from there? Martin moved away from the truck reluctantly. Irwin peered at Martin more closely. Wait a minute. I know you. You're that crazy guy who wanted

me to take all that dirt to the cemetery. And if you had only done it, we wouldn't have this problem now, or when stood with his back to the truck protecting it. And although he wasn't looking at his truck, he could see the expression on the other's face. So he knew immediately that something was happening behind him. And it was probably something bad. Or when turned out just as the hose from the

drive hack that had been in his truck reached his head. The suction cup at the end of locked onto Irwin's face, and the driver. Erwin screen was sucked into the bowels of the dry back. He fell to his knees struggling to pull the suction cup from his head. You brought a drive back to life. I thought the plan was to bring his truck to life and have the truck reason with him. I told you I couldn't get into the truck to drive back was my only option.

But why can't the drive back reason with him instead? Well, I explained the situation but the drive ag was pretty upset about the whole desecration thing. I think it wants revenge. Erwin had fallen to his back still fighting to escape. Colby and looked at his extension cord connecting the drive back to an outlet on the other side of the condo. Should we pull the plug? No, I don't want it to get mad at us to Marsha took a step towards the driver. Heck, Kobe put on an arm

to stop her. But Marsha shook her head. Kobe had misgivings when he dropped his arm. Marsha lowered herself to her knees next to the drive back. She put one hand on its chassis and queued I know how ng For you must be, Marcia realized that she wanted the drive back to hear her over the roar of the motor. She was going to have to speak much more loudly. So she tried again.

We can't let her emotions get the better of us. We have to find a peaceful solution that will end the torment of your electronic brethren the dry back considered Marsha's plea. It's moto slow trial and error when was released. Irwins struggled to his feet, grasping for breath. As he fell into the cab of his pickup. He yelled your paper like crazy. Do you hear me? You're crazy. And if you think I'm gonna deal with you and sell you another unit, you can bet it's gonna be at my office next time.

The door slammed shut and the pickup truck sped off. Kobe looked up and down the street and then said to the drive back, we need to get you inside. Before the cops show up. Martin taps the drive back on his campus and pointed to the extension cord. The drive back didn't react, which they took to be acquiescence. Martin unplugged the cord. They carried the drive back up the stairs into the living room and plug it in again. My children pride Martin raising up his arms.

With the help of the drive back we have avenged your desecration. Please be at peace. They waited slowly and the light stopped blinking. The heater turned off but the air conditioner remained on Marsha's toothbrush stopped vibrating. Marcia and Kobe looked around so I guess that's it. Yes, it feels different now. Martin looked at the drive as you've been alive for five minutes, and you're already quite the hero. The drive X motor per day in response, Martin considered the situation.

If it's okay with you. I'll take our new friend home with me. I'll help him get acclimated and then see what happens. Marsha knelt and put her arms around the drive back. Thank you so much. We couldn't have done it without you. Coby shook the drive back suction cup with both hands. Yeah, thanks, man. You really saved us. Martin left with the drive back. And a few days he installed a battery pack and from then on, they were often seen going on long walks

through the park together. Kobe and Marsha checked in on them occasionally. Martin had promised he wouldn't bring any more appliances to life. But cobia Marcia couldn't help but notice whenever they came to visit, there was always a cute dustbuster sitting suspiciously close to the dry back. But all that really mattered was that the orange juice never froze again.

Meet us pod isn't meet US media production. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated. Don't forget to boost the show on your favorite podcasting 2.0 app. If you don't know what that means there will be a value for value explainer on the next episode. All of the stories we produce are copyright of their respective authors. Our theme music comes to us from od

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nice to your appliances folks. And have a good one.