[ IP ] No one ever does .

Back in the day, this plant would have made me a couple of bucks. 
 
 But nowadays with everyone living inside of metal shells, this piece of grub was about as good as a piece of dirt. It even glowed green. Like a fluorescent halo clinging eerily to the plants exterior. I could have activated my index finger, summoned a lighter, and incinerated the plant. Then again, these days we hardly found reminders of the past. So I clung onto it instead. 
 
 The plant reminded me of the night the world had changed. Mary and I had been together. She was cheering me up after a hard day in the factory. I hated my damn boss like oil hates water. But Mary would wait for me to come home, listen to my verbatim, and cheer me up with her warmth. 
 
 That same night, my last night with Mary, the message flared over our television screens. 
 
 **Stage 5: International Emergency** 
 
 Apparently, we'd done a number on the earth and it had struck back the best way it could. Using its resources like an antibiotic which kills bacteria. The earth began releasing a cleansing gas which killed land mammals specifically. For us, that meant adapt or die. One by one they delivered the metal shells to our doorsteps. Funding was n't an issue, China made them and then sent them out. 
 
 And three years later here we are. Looking a lot like the artificial intelligence we dreamed of creating. It's funny how those movies predicted our future in a way we'd never imagined. 
 
 I twisted the strand of Mary Jane between my thumb and index finger. It's a real shame I'll never spend another night with Mary, she was always good to me. 
 
 `` Dude!'' A voice sounded from behind. 
 
 I looked up, startled. It was Jimmy, a Finder-bot just like myself. `` Sup, Jim.'' I tried to hide the plant near my metal-thigh. 
 
 `` Dude, is that what I think it is?'' Jim asked. 
 
 I sighed, pulling the Mary Jane back out. 
 
 `` Guys, Steve's found some weed! Some of the good stuff,'' Jim yelled back to the other boys. 
 
 They all gathered round, red eyes lighting up like mine had. I'd been a fool to think I was the only one who had a connection with Mary Jane. 
 
 But then again, it might have been worth sharing my secret. Because that moment, the moment they laid eyes upon her green figure. Is the first time I'd seen a robot smile. 
 

