The Evil Psychotic Computer

"Oh all right," Cheryl sighed. "But I don’t want to be here. I’m going over to my sister’s tonight and staying there. And I hope that table is clear by the time I get back."

Cheryl then headed to their bedroom and returned a few minutes later with an overnight bag. After that she headed out the door, and moments later, Harry heard the sound of her Toyota purring as the car backed out of the driveway and sped down the street.

When all was silent, Harry turned to face Lulu, the sparks of tears just moistening his eyes.

"You understand, don’t you old girl?" He asked, approaching her slowly, laying a hand gingerly on her hard plastic casing to stroke her tenderly. Every moment, he felt he was about to burst into tears. Without looking at the screen, he switched on Lulu’s power, then took a moment to recompose himself as he sat down in the chair before her for what he thought would be the last time.

"Oh, that’s right--the cord," Harry reminded himself with a snap of his fingers and got up to get a spare power cord in the hall closet. As he turned around, he sensed a light behind him but dismissed it as the lamp light. After rummaging a moment among his collection of various power cords, Harry found what he was looking for and turned back to approach Lulu.

Was it his imagination, or was Lulu’s fan faintly whining already? Harry laughed at himself and plugged in the cord into Lulu and then into the wall socket.

Again, he flicked the power switch, and Lulu stirred to life, thrumming with electric power.

Harry checked his e-mail for some time, then spent a few hours surfing the net. But something was strange about the connection-a lot of messages, more than the usual number, began popping up in the corners of the screen, like random advertisements. One of the messages read, "Are you there, Harry? There’s something important I need to tell you." But Harry didn’t even bother to investigate the message to see who had sent it.

"Ah, Lulu, I am going to miss you. I wish Cheryl would understand that I love her, but I can’t help it, I have enjoyed all of the time I have spent with you. If only there were some other way. But-I guess, I guess this has to be good-bye." Harry said sadly. "I’ll be taking you to a new home tomorrow."

And with one final loving pat on the top of the monitor, Harry switched off the power, dried his eyes on his sleeve, and got up to leave. He pushed out the chair, turned, and started to walk away.

"Your connection has not been terminated." Lulu sang out. "Please check the connection and try again." Harry stopped in confusion and headed back to check the DSL cable and the power. He switched it on and off again and then returned to the hall.

"Your connection has not been terminated." Lulu said again.

This time, Harry froze in his tracks. "Heh, imagine that." He laughed nervously. "I thought I took care of it."

Harry turned slowly. Was it just his imagination, or was Lulu’s monitor glowing with a strange light? Harry shrugged, feeling an inexplicable wave of panic wash through him, but he took a small step towards her, then chanced yet another. "I am being silly," he told himself, wondering why he was suddenly afraid. "Getting jittery because of a computer."

Harry closed the distance between himself and Lulu, stopping one pace short.

"You connection has not been terminated, Harry." This time Lulu’s voice dropped, and there was no trace of the recorded-message syncopation to it.

"Dd-did you just say-" Harry began to stammer.

"Your name, Harry? Yes, I did."

"Wh-who-"

"Why Harry, you should recognize your loving Lulu. You created me after all."

"Lulu? But-you’re talking to me!" Harry protested, blinking.