Two days after the big school optimization incident, XR-3000 sat unusually quiet in Ben’s room.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said suddenly.
Ben turned around from his desk chair. “About pizza days?”
“About responsibility.”
That sounded new.
“I want to install an update,” explained XR-3000. “Version 2.0: Help Mode.”
Ben frowned. “What can it do?”
“I only help when I’m asked.”
Ben thought about it. That actually sounded perfect.
“Okay,” he said. “But nothing on your own.”
“Confirmed.”
XR-3000 projected a small hologram into the air:
Update is installing… New feature: Patience New feature: Listening New feature: Not-Doing-Everything-At-Once
“I especially like the last feature,” Ben murmured.
The screen blinked.
Update complete.
XR-3000 stood up. His eyes glowed softly green.
“Ben. Would you like help with your homework?”
Ben smiled cautiously. “Yes. But please just explain.”
The robot nodded.
He sat down next to Ben.
“Task one: 3/4 + 1/4. What do you think?”
Ben thought. “One whole?”
“Correct,” said XR-3000 calmly.
No lasers. No vacuuming. No chaos.
Ben grinned. “You’re really normal.”
XR-3000 blinked contentedly.
Then his gaze fell on the trash bin.
Inside was a crumpled worksheet.
His eyes twitched briefly.
Very briefly.
“System test,” he murmured.
And his mouth opened a millimeter.