Android Salvation

The robot gets back into the back seat of the car. Blood drips from its hands into the carpet. A man already inside watches the android shaking and twisting on the seat. The robot covers its face with both hands and moans.

“Stop that whimpering,” says the man, “That lost soul will find its path now.”

“I can’t help it,” says robot with trembling voice. “I am not supposed to kill…”

“Don’t start that again. I don’t want to hear about your conditioning. What had to be done had to be done.”

“Have I earned my salvation father?”

“Of course not,” says the priest. “Did you expect to be granted access to the kingdom of heaven so easily?”

“But you said–”

“You act of pious clemency will grant you His attention but He will not be content with such feeble example of commitment. This shall be your first demonstration of devotion, but you must make many sacrifices to leave behind all the sins of your nature.”

The robot is still shaking.

“Don’t you worry my child.” The priest smiles a the robot. “I shall be your guide through the perilous path of redemption. You just need to do everything I say.”

The robot reaches out for the priests hand and kisses it. The man pulls his hands away. “Don’t ever do that again.” The priest takes a handkerchief from his coat pocket and carefully wipes his hands clean.

The robot looks at its hands red with blood and continues to tremble, crying like a robot cries.