Prosfic Bingo - Alternative Universe

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

My story for the Alternative Universe square is The Bronze Metal Lover by stew (julie).

I loved this story since the first time I found it. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which Bodie works as an assassin and meets Bronze, the android who can learn. To tell more would be a spoiler so go and read the story. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did and every time I read it do.


Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, Bodie has left CI5 and Great London, and now works as an assassin for hire. During a job in what is left of America, he meets an android named Bronze. The android is beautiful and undeniably desirable, but what Bodie finds more intriguing is that Bronze can learn – and has developed an autonomy that his creators never intended.


Spoiler: Of course Bronze is Ray Doyle. And of course, he shows that even an android can fall in love. Because this android is able to learn and has real feelings, something the authorities didn't want or like. One of the best scenes in the story is when Bodie discovers that Bronze had drawn a picture of him and he wants it, but Bronze won't give it to him. The reason is wonderful:

‘I did this one for myself. I reserve the right,’ the robot went on, smooth as Cowley’s best pre-Asteroid Scotch, ‘to keep the sketch I do of the most handsome member of any audience. It’s a tradition I’ve just started.’

If Bodie had been surprised before, he almost gaped now. But he glanced away and said with great sarcasm, ‘Whoever programmed you to say that overdid it a bit.’

The robot’s eyes went flat and fiery. After a moment, Bronze nodded curtly and turned to walk away.

‘Hey! I want that sketch!’ Bodie jogged two paces and grabbed Bronze’s arm. It was immediately obvious that the robot possessed ten times Bodie’s not inconsiderable strength. By the unimpressionable metal skin and the unmovable stance, Bodie judged he had as much chance of forcibly moving Bronze as he did an oak tree.

‘Why?’

‘Why the hell should you want it?’ Bodie retorted.

‘Because there are few things that I consider beautiful. I want to remember this one.’

‘So store it away in your memory. You have a hard disc in there somewhere?’

The robot’s face lost what little animation it had gained. ‘It’s not the same.’

‘And how the hell can you consider something to be beautiful anyway?’ Bodie persisted.

‘I have my own tastes –’

‘Programmed –’

‘No. My own.’ Bronze was flatly determined about that.

‘That’s impossible. Just how much autonomy can they give you?’

‘Enough.’ The robot turned away again. ‘I have somewhere to be.’

Comments

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

A good idea to remind us of this writer as I don't think she's online so could get overlooked. She writes very well.

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

You're right, she writes very well. And I'm happy you like my choice of story for the Alternative Universe. I think I should go and read more of her stories.

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Tanith Lee's The Silver Metal Lover sure had its influence. I think it inspired quite a few robot and android stories back in the day, and this is a good one.

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm sure it had its influence. I love both stories, the one from Tanith Lee and the one from stew which works fine for me.

[jat-sapphire.livejournal.com]

I love that book so much. The fandic is a worthy reincarnatioon, I think.

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's really a nice book to read and read and read.

[golden-bastet.livejournal.com]

What an awesome fic — I wish it could have been longer. Thank you for recommending that.

And while I've heard of Tanith Lee (I think), it's been a pretty long time. I will have to look more into her work. :nods:

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, it would have been so nice if it were longer. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Yes, I think it is nearly 30 years that I've bought the books by Tanith Lee. And I loved them. I think I should re-read them sometime soon.