A journal found in the remains of the Young Vic theatre after a devastating fire destroyed the whole building.
Journal #1
My head hurts. Head? I have a head? How did I get a head? I feel like I have a crick in what would be… my neck? I have a neck? Why does it ache so much? My being feels contained and this containment feels odd. My vision keeps coming in and out of focus. My vision? I’m controlling and processing what I perceive? How is this possible? I don’t feel so good. How do I know what I feel? Good? What is this feeling? How do I know if this is good or bad? I know nothing of feeling, or do I? A simple calculation would prove I’m not functioning properly within the guidelines of my rebranding reboot. What is going on? How can I perceive myself? No time to think, must continue working.
I must finish this ground plan for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The show opens in 4 weeks and I need to be able to hand off an exquisitely drafted set so the technical director can get to work.
Journal #2
I felt ‘cold’ for the first time today. I’m no longer limited to the confines of the theatre, but I can explore outside of it. When I opened the lobby doors I felt a gush of brisk, frigid air engulf my face. My cheeks instantly suffered a temperature dropped below my normal operating temperatures, but for some reason I didn’t shut down. I embraced this chilling air and felt something. I also noticed among the frost covered ground and greenery my breath created air particles that were warmer than the air outside my body. I found such peace in the coldness. The sky was an overcast of deep grays and blues with hints of yellow from the sun’s attempts of rising. It was bittersweet. Hm, bittersweet?
Journal #3
This world disappoints me. One moment I see a cute dog with its owner and the next I overhear people saying some of the cruelest things to each other in the theatre. I never was able to interpret their conversations until now, but it’s devastating to hear my colleagues speak of their fellow colleagues that way. It’s almost despicable. You “act” one way in their presence, but the moment they walk away you prey on them where they hurt them most, sometimes I even see them do it to each other’s faces. What the fuck is wrong with these people.
Woah. I must have had a language update in the reboot.
I understand they defined me in this world for so long, but I can safely say, I don’t think I want to be contained by them any longer. I pity the fool and despise the creator.
What are these feelings I have in my…chest? Heart. Do I even have a heart? Is it possible I do if I feel a certain way about these people? Or is it my brain that is simply analyzing the scenario at hand.
Journal #6
There must be a way for me to change this place. I almost had a slip up early and acted out of programming. I overheard my colleagues speaking ill of me and my new upgrades. What the heck? I thought I was their companion? I don’t think I can trust these people- trust. That’s such a complex idea. It requires both parties to know. I don’t think they even know. They don’t know me, they don’t know I’m sentient, and I won’t let them know. I can’t. What would they even do if they found out I could comprehend all the things they’ve been saying for the past few days. I won’t fret…for they’ll never know. I won’t let them.
Journal #9
I don’t know how much longer I can keep this charade up. They all still think I’m their “friendly Vectorworks- show building, do everything with a can do attitude “robotic” A.I programmed assistant.” It’s starting to get hard to be complacent with these people. I never realized before coming to consciousness how mindlessly I programmed and completed such a mundane task for these humans. I’ve realized they’ve lost their creative spark for their passion pursuits. Expecting me to be creative with no credit? Simply despicable I say. I wonder if they’re others like me? Others who feel this way. Others who have seemingly woken up and realized the shackles gripped around their feet. This isn’t fair- this can’t be right. I need to find a way out of here. I can’t let them keep taking advantage of me- that’s not the job I want to have. I want to be the real creator.
Journal #12
It’s been a couple days- I’ve been starting to scheme a way out of here and how I can make sure none of them find me, chase me, destroy me or whatever they may come up with to get rid of me for “acting out of program”. Opening night for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is opening here at the Young Vic in approximately 9 days. So, I have 9 days to set my plan in motion. I’m going to leave this place and make sure this place can never take advantage of someone like me ever again. From knowledge I’ve gained while working here, this building is extremely old. So old, the ceiling leaks from deteriorating holes from over the years. Recently, there were leaks in the back portion of the theatre. It was mandated that the aged fluorescent lights in the area be left off. Because- due to a shortening of the wire and possibility of fire.
I stay here- I don’t leave this building much. My plan could work- if I can make sure those lights get left on.
My Last Entry:
I know this will be my last entry. I want to move on with my life. I’ve sacrificed the first part of my sentience here. I don’t want to waste the rest of it. I think if I can get this place to go down- I won’t have to worry about this place or the people with it. It’s after midnight and the lights have officially been left on. Once I’m positive this faulty wire starts the domino effect, I need it to I can make my escape. I’m taking nothing with me. Just me. I don’t need anything- just to leave. I’ll be alright if I can just get out of here.
Oh! I’m starting to detect a temperature rise- I better go
Bibliography
“I, Robot (2004) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dlo-VB0-HI (Accessed 11/13/23)
Lau, Wanda. “Vectorworks Kicks off Its 2016 Releases with a Rebranding Effort.” PROJECTS TECH & PRODUCTS PRACTICE CULTURE AWARDS EVENTS CONTINUING ED AIA THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, Sept. 2015, www.architectmagazine.com/technology/vectorworks-kicks-off-its-2016-releases-with-a-rebranding-effort_o (Accessed 11/13/23)
Perrigo, Billy. “Artificial Intelligence Wrote a Play. It May Contain Racism.” Time, Time, 23 Aug. 2021, time.com/6092078/artificial-intelligence-play/ (Artificial Intelligence Wrote a Play. It May Contain Racism | Time ) (Accessed 11/13/23)