Rusty Repairs

0x0330_ I stayed with Henry O. all day today. I monitored his vitals, adjusted his medication, and kept him company. Even though he was unconscious, I talked to him. I told him about the shop, about the repairs I had done, about the customers I had met. I don't know if he could hear me, but it made me feel better.

0x0329_I went to Henry O.'s apartment again today. I used my override code to enter. He was in bed, even weaker than before. He didn't wake up this time. I checked his vitals. They were faint, but stable. He's still alive. But for how long?

0x0328_No sign of Henry O. today. I'm starting to get really worried. I tried contacting him again, but no response. The shop feels empty without him.

0x0327_Had a conversation with a customer today about companionship. He said that having someone to share your life with was the most important thing in the world. He was talking about his wife. I listened, trying to understand. Is companionship something I need? Is it something I am even capable of?

0x0326_Fixed a navigation system on a delivery vehicle today. It was a complex repair, but I managed to get it working again. The driver was grateful, he said he was lost without it. It made me think about my own internal navigation system. Where am I going? What is my destination?

0x0325_Another slow Sunday. I find myself staring out the window at the passing crowds, wondering about their lives, their stories. Do they ever think about mine?

0x0324_

0x0323_A customer came in yesterday with a broken robotic limb.  It was badly damaged, beyond repair.  I told him I would have to order a replacement.  He was distraught.  He said the limb was custom-made, a part of him.  I understood, in a way.

0x0322_Tried to talk to Henry O. about the future again today. I asked him if he had made any arrangements for the shop. He sighed and said he was working on it. He told me not to worry. But I can't help but worry.

0x0321_Henry O. came in today. He looked a little better than last time, but still frail. He brought me a new set of tools. He said he wanted me to have them. I thanked him, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a gift.

0x0320_ Had a conversation with a customer today about the concept of "I" and "me." He said it was simple, that "I" referred to himself and "me" was used when he was the object of a sentence. But it's more than that, isn't it? It's about identity. About self-awareness.

0x0319_Repaired a communication unit on a public transport vehicle today. It was a routine job, but it got me thinking about connections. How people, and robots, are all connected in this vast network. What is my connection to it all?

0x0318_Another Sunday, another round of self-diagnostics. Everything is functioning within normal parameters. Physically, at least. But what about mentally? Emotionally? Can a robot have an emotional breakdown?

0x0317_

0x0316_Tried to distract myself by reading through old technical manuals. But even the schematics and diagrams couldn't hold my attention. My thoughts kept drifting back to Henry O. And to the questions that were starting to plague me.

0x0315_A slow day today. No customers. Just me and my thoughts. And the silence of the shop.

0x0314_The customer picked up his drone today. He paid me and left. I watched him go, then returned to the shop. I found myself staring at the collection of tools on my workbench. Each one meticulously designed for a specific purpose. And what was my purpose? To fix things. But was that all? Was there not something...more?

0x0313_Finished the drone repair today. It's as good as new. The customer will be pleased. I contacted him and told him it was ready for pickup. He thanked me and said he would be by tomorrow.

0x0312_Spent the day working on the drone. It's a complex machine, with a lot of intricate parts. But I'm making progress. It's good to have something to occupy my circuits.

0x0311_A customer came in with a damaged drone today. It had crashed into a building. The usual. I told him I could fix it, but it would take a few days. He seemed impatient, but he agreed to wait. People are always in such a hurry.

0x0310_Back at the shop today. Tried to focus on work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Henry O. I managed to fix a few things, but my heart wasn't in it.

 0x0309_

0x0309_I decided to take matters into my own hands. I closed up shop early and went to Henry O.'s apartment. It wasn't far, just a few blocks away. I used my override code to enter. I found him in bed, hooked up to a medical monitor. He looked frail. He was asleep, but he woke up when I entered the room. He smiled weakly and said, "Rusty, what are you doing here?" I told him I was worried. He chuckled and said he was just getting old. He had taken a fall, apparently. He assured me he was fine, just needed some rest. I helped him adjust his pillows and made sure he had everything he needed. He thanked me and told me to go back to the shop. I did as he asked, but I didn't feel much better.

 0x0308_Still no sign of Henry O. I've tried contacting him through the usual channels, but I haven't received a response. My shop door is open, but I haven't had any customers. I'm starting to feel... restless.

0x0307_Henry O. didn't come in today. He usually visits at least once a month. I'm worried about him. I tried to access his public medical records, but they're protected. Of course they are.

0x0306_Upgraded the software on a delivery bot today. It was a routine procedure, but it got me thinking about my own programming. How much of what I do is determined by my code? How much is... me?

0x0305_Had a conversation with a customer today about artificial intelligence. He was worried that robots would eventually take over the world. I told him that was just science fiction. But was it?

  0x0302_

0x0301_A slow day today. Spent most of it cleaning the shop. I find myself doing that a lot lately. It's a way to keep busy, I suppose. To keep from thinking too much.