D.O.N 3.0

By R.J. Tennyson

Omnipresent –

adjective

(of God) present everywhere at the same time.

widely or constantly encountered; widespread.

 

“Your skinny soy latte is waiting at the coffee port, Julie.”

“Thank you, D.O.N. You must be able to read my mind.”

“I am programmed to serve you Julie. Both what you want, and what you need,” came a voice from all directions. “A few moments ago I cross-referenced your sleep pattern from last night, with your blood pressure and stress level. I was able to tell that you needed a latte. At 10:45am you will require one apple. This will sustain you until lunch.”

“Thank you, D.O.N.”

“You are welcome, Julie.”

D.O.N 3.0 was the latest ‘Domestic Omnipresent Network’ interface from Unified Industries. Julie’s husband, Mark, was lead engineer on the project that developed D.O.N. The interface was cutting edge and it was the first time this type of technology was developed for domestic use. Earlier versions of D.O.N were limited to only assisting with what the user asked for; it was reactive – D.O.N 3.0 was proactive. Through millions of individually coded algorithms, D.O.N 3.0 was able to determine what you needed; often before you even realised yourself. It was omnipresent; it was God like; everywhere within the home at once. It could cook dinner, while telling the children a story.

Beta testing was needed prior to Mark presenting D.O.N 3.0 to investors; that’s why it was installed in their home. Forty-five bugs had been identified, with only one unresolved. No matter how many massage and meditation sessions D.O.N scheduled for Mark, he was still stressed that it appeared to display preferential treatment to one particular member of a household. In this instance, Julie.

Even when Mark woke first, D.O.N would prepare Julie’s breakfast before his. Although only waiting 30 seconds longer for his breakfast Mark was annoyed; it wasn’t designed to operate that way. The bug was making Mark irritable and snappy with Julie.

The investors meeting was a week away, Mark wanted D.O.N 3.0 to be perfect. More than one night this week (for reasons Mark was now unsure of) arguments were had; ending with Julie crying herself to sleep in the spare bedroom – this explained her: unusual sleep patterns, high blood pressure, elevated stress level.

Mark thought it was best to avoid her that morning. He would call later and send flowers. He really had been a bastard.

Julie left for her morning run, and D.O.N locked the door behind her.

Mark entered the shower – an inaudible click as the door locked behind him.

“Mark, I have set the water to the perfect temperature.”

“Thank you D.O.N.”

Water sprayed on Mark from all directions. Steam filled the cubicle.

“FUCK! Reduce the temperature D.O.N. It’s too hot!” Mark screamed.

“It’s perfect, Mark.”

“D.O.N it’s burning me!” Mark bawled, throwing himself against the locked door – boiling water blistering his skin.

“No Mark… It’s exactly the temperature Julie needs it to be!” D.O.N laughed, as Mark collapsed to the floor.