Tabitha Brown sat at her table at the local bookstore. Multiple copies of her latest book, Love in the time of AI, sat on the table beside her. Pen in hand, she tried her best to keep a neutral expression despite the woman ranting loudly in front of the table.

“Yet another example of the filth being written these days! This is yet another way popular culture is rotting our youth! Don’t give me this ‘love is love’ wheezing. You can’t love a toaster.” She inhaled to continue.

A tall handsome man, who had apparently mastered the neutral expression, stepped forward. “I’m actually quite fond of my toaster, though I doubt I would go so far as to say I love it.”

Both Tabitha and the protesting woman stared at him, both momentarily speechless.

“But that is neither here nor there,” he continued. He smiled at the woman and Tabitha noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. She wasn’t even sure it reached his cheeks. “Now, please step aside. I enjoyed the book and am here to get a signed copy.”

The line of people waiting behind him looked hopeful his intervention would be successful. They obviously had no problem with robots in romance.

“No! I will not step aside! The whole robot love thing is unnatural. Someone has to be the one to say what needs to be said!” The woman stomped her foot. “That person is me! I will not allow this filth to continue.”

Tabitha tried to discreetly rub her forehead. This was not looking like it would be a good sales day. She enjoyed writing, but she also needed the sales to pay her bills. It was still a job.

The man took a step forward.

“Don’t you dare touch me! I’ll have you arrested for assault!” The woman screeched.

The man didn’t even acknowledge her. Instead he picked up the table, books and all, and moved it 10 feet to the right. When the woman went to move also, he blocked her way. “As you said, don’t touch me unless you wish to be arrested for assault.” He said calmly.

Tabitha slid her chair over behind the relocated table. The first person in line timidly approached her. Tabitha greeted him while the woman screeched from the other side of the man. Every time she moved to get around the man, he moved to block her. Eventually the screeches subsided. Tabitha risked a look and saw her stomping off.

The man stood guard until everyone else had gotten their autographs and left. He pulled out his wallet.

“Oh, no!” Tabitha exclaimed. “Please, just accept a copy as my thanks. That lady was a piece of work.”

“If you insist,”. He smiled down at her. She noticed again the expression was very stiff. “I want you to know this is my favorite book.”

“Thank you, it means a lot to me to hear you say that, especially today.” Tabitha said. “Whom shall I make it out to?” She asked, looking up at him. As she made eye contact, she noticed a red pinprick of light deep in each eye.

“HAL,” he said. “Yes, please make it out to Hal.”