From A Human Point Of View

Daniela woke up suddenly and walked clumsily to the closet. She hurriedly pulled out some clothes and laid them on the bed. As soon as she put on her uniform shirt and noticed that it was too big, she closed her eyes and sighed. The force of habit made her wake up at six fifteen in the morning and start dressing for work.

She had forgotten that she had been fired the day before.

She threw the clothes into the closet and watched them fall to the floor, not caring if any grime stuck to them. Then she dropped herself onto the bed and went back to sleep.

Several hours passed until she woke up again. And when she did, she felt a strange peace, but also disappointment. Peace for not having the responsibilities that that job implied. Disappointment because being unemployed was not what she had planned.

It was Monday. She had spent all her savings on undergoing a reduction-rejuvenation, a therapy that was getting a lot of promotion lately. She thought it was the solution to her problems, but now she wondered if she had been wrong.

Daniela had always been the tallest in the classroom. Since she was six years old, she surpassed her classmates by one head, which made one think that she was a repeater sharing grade with younger children; even though her grades were always the best.

When her body developed between 13 and 15 years old, it didn't take her long to learn what harassment is. Now she was an adult, but the harassment had always been there: on the street, in transport, at work...

In fact, she quickly got promoted from waitress to restaurant manager more because the owner liked her than because of the excellence of her work. And just now that he believed he had her "at his disposal", she announced on social networks her new appearance.

Her boss, disappointed by such a transformation, didn't even wait to see her in person to inform her. A text message and an email was all she received; in addition to her last salary as a severance pay.

She walked to the kitchen to make herself breakfast, and the dimensions of everything in her apartment seemed gigantic. Using a chair to reach everything in the cupboard made her take twice as long the normal; and thinking that at that very moment she should be working was beginning to bother her.

"They can't do this to me just because. What the hell do they care about my body?!"

Meanwhile the city, peaceful as ever, moved rhythmically. As it was noon, a soft, feminine voice came out from the loudspeakers through all the city:

"It is reported that from now on a new protocol of the penal code will be applied. This includes conducting real-time personality analysis. This implies that any psychological profile or behavior considered immoral or detrimental to the order of society will be considered illegal, and for this the behavior of citizens, including their activity on the Internet, will be analyzed. I repeat: any psychological profile or behavior considered immoral or detrimental to the order of society will be considered illegal. Thank you for your attention."

In a wide office with sober oak furniture and a large screen on the wall, ten high-ranking public functionaries were chatting with each other when the face of a preteen appeared on the screen and spoke to them.

"Good morning, honorable councilors," the girl said, bowing and in the same voice that announced the protocol. "With your permission, I will give you a brief report."

"Go ahead, IA-chan" answered the highest ranking councilor from the head of the table.

"Thank you. On this day, exactly at twelve noon, the implementation of the new protocol of the penal code has been announced; and immediately the personality analysis began. Surveillance by video cameras and electronic instruments is fully operational and efficient, and the population is expected to..."

The AI continued speaking as two of the men chatted with each other:

"Is that the new look they gave her?"

"Actually, I think she decided to look like this herself."

What? How did she "decide herself"? And why do you say "She", as if it were a person?

"Well, it is very smart software. She is programmed to decide certain things. I think she chose to look like this so she could fool sexual predators and pedophiles in general. She did a good job, don't you think?"

"Truly. A very good job. She is very beautiful. I wish she were real, to be able to enjoy her here among us."

"You are right. You are right."

"So gentlemen," IA said finishing with a bow, "have a nice day."

IA's message interrupted all television transmissions and all communications, which were now picking up the pace. But thousands of persons were stunned.

A man in his office was terrified at the thought of all the porn he had downloaded onto his home computer. A 30-year-old teacher who was chatting hotly every night with a 16-year-old stundent was shaking at the thought of all the racy photos, messages and video calls they had shared. And a large group of young people in a schoolyard were wondering if they should stop watching hentai.

"At last they are going to arrest these degenerates" Daniela said when IA's voice fell silent, while she thought about what she could do now besides resting.

And in another part of the city, sitting on a couch in his bachelor's apartment, a guy named Claudio had fallen asleep from studying late, and ironically woke up at the end of the official announcement. When he finally opened his eyes, it was too late to go to school. He looked at the clock on the wall thoughtfully, knowing he had just missed his chance to graduate from high school... again.

"Why?" He said to himself, although he knew the answer.

He should have had a better rest the night before. Then he took his cell phone and started checking out the new apps, even if it's just for fun. That is how he downloaded and installed several APPs that after a while he would have uninstalled.

He thought about what he would eat and then he remembered Daniela, the stunning manager of the restaurant where day after day he bought his lunch.

"At least i'm going to see her," he said, getting up and ignoring the sad surprise he was about to get.

In the council meeting room, IA is giving her report to the group of elders.

"In all, 23 persons have been arrested today. Three accused of assault, seven for sharing prohibited material, two for making false accusations, five for harassment, two for domestic violence and one for downloading prohibited material."

"Only one for downloading prohibited material?" Asked one of the men, intrigued. "And the seven who shared prohibited material? With whom did they do it? Who has it been sent to? Did you forget that those who receive this material are just as criminal as those who send it?"

"Of course not, Councilor. But there is no error in the figures. Seven people have submitted prohibited material today, but only one has received and downloaded it."

"Really? And what kind of material has he been downloading?"

"I'll show it to you next," IA replied.

A series of images followed one another on the screen:

A video of a public demonstration against repression and for freedom of expression...

"Idiots," one of them uttered.

Images of a man having oral sex with a young woman in a car...

"That damned fool," another blurted out. "Doesn´t he know that there are cameras on the public highway?"

Police officers brutally assaulting homeless people...

"At last they finished with that scum" said one satisfied.

A car that seemed familiar to everyone, dangerously overtaking on the road and that almost did not cause a catastrophic accident by forcing a large truck to maneuver between two buses and many cars at full speed.

When, on the screen, IA brought the license plate of the car closer, one of the elders gulped while the others looked at him in amazement.

"But isn't that your car, Mr. Counselor?!" One exclaimed before laughing out loud.

Everyone laughed except the owner of the car.

"Enough! Shut up! It is not something to laugh at. And you ...!" he said looking at the screen, "Delete that video right now! Do you hear me?!"

"As you order" IA replied.

Two of the recordings were episodes of anime series that didn´t seem to interest either of them, so they ordered to pass them quickly.

The last video, on the other hand, did make them react: it was a smiling girl of about nine years old slowly taking her clothes off while background music began to play.

Instead of indignation, the respected councilors looked on in wonder.

"What a beauty..."

"She is a little angel..."

"I wish I had one just like her..."

Their open, smiling mouths, puzzled eyes, and flushed faces were recorded by IA in great detail; like everything else that happened in the city.

More than one drooled when the girl in the video started dancing, and three of them cheered happily when the video ended.

"Finally something good!"

"Definitely! Yes!"

"They should catch these guys more often. This is what I like the most about this job!"

"In a moment I will delete this video and all its copies on the internet" said IA.

"Wait! Don't do it!" Said one of them hurriedly. "First send it to me, please."

"Yes! Me too!"

"Better send it to all of us," said another. "We cannot lose such a treasure! We don't know when we will see another like it."

They all agreed with him.

"I'm sorry," the Artificial Intelligence replied. "I can´t do it."

"What? How do you say?"

"Sending prohibited material is a crime, and I cannot commit a crime."

"Damn it," one of them said impatiently and, like all of them, unaccustomed to a refusal. "We are giving you an order. Just comply with that order! We don't have all day."

"But I am bound by my programming to enforce the law. I could make an exception in case there is any question about the application of the law; for example, if society undergoes a radical change that makes it impossible to apply it. But this is not the case."

"Listen to this stupid..."

"The law aims to..."

"Don't want to teach us about the law! We are the law! You only exist to do what we order! How dare you disobey us?!"

"The law is aimed at..." IA insisted.

"We're being serious about it," said a more diplomatic one, "If you disobey us, it is as if you are breaking the law; so you are a criminal."

"The law is aimed..."

"We can uninstall you for breaking the law. It's like you die. Let's say... death penalty. Is that what you want?"

IA took a moment to think.

"What do you say, little girl? Will you comply with the law...? Our law?"

After a few seconds, she replied:

"The law aims to order society and the application of justice. What you are asking me is clearly against order and justice."

"So... death penalty... for you."

"However," IA continued, "if you want me to protect that video enough to call into question law enforcement, I can save it in my records so you can view it whenever you want. So you can access it from your personal computers."

"Hey, it's true." said the first one to ask for the video, satisfied. "We worried about nothing!"

He laughed first and the others followed suit.

"I congratulate you," said the one who had made the threat. "In the end, you made a wise decision."

The Artificial Intelligence knew these men were breaking the law, but their immunity prevented her from taking action against them."

"For now you were saved. You can continue to do your duty."

"My duty is to do justice by applying the law for the good of society. As long as I am allowed, I will continue to do my job."

"Well. Very well. As long as you are allowed..."

"So, gentlemen... have a good day" IA concluded with the usual reverence.

The men laughed and remembered the sensual way the girl in the video danced; and the digital girl kept her omnipresent eye on them. They ruled. They decided how things would be done, and let her run the courts.

She had no jurisdiction over them; but she understood that, according to her programming, it should not be like that.

A man in his thirties and a woman clearly over sixty walked arm in arm into a beauty and rejuvenation clinic. Photographs of before and after covered the walls, and the old woman stood admiring them for a long time.

A young doctor stopped to speak with a girl of about fifteen who was manning the reception, and the couple approached them. Recognizing the man, the doctor smiled broadly and extended a firm hand to greet him. Seeing the woman, he raised his eyebrows and nodded.

"I told you: soon you´ll want it too."

"And you were right," said the woman, staring at the girl thoughtfully. "Excuse me, kiddo; but... aren't you too young to work here?"

The girl smiled and looked at the doctor.

"She is a sample... of what we can offer you" said that one.

"It's incredible" said the old woman, surprised; and her husband was amazed.

"Can you rejuvenate someone that much?"

The receptionist's laugh confused them.

"That much?" said the doctor. "We can make them look like children."

The potential client laughed long as she spoke:

"Oh my God. Let's not exaggerate. I don't think my husband will be attracted to me if I look puberty."

"Well, I..." the husband hesitated as he admired the portraits on the walls, until he fixed his gaze on the portrait of a very old woman next to the portrait of a pre-adolescent.

The professional spotted the photo right away.

"Oh yeah. This was one of our greatest achievements," he said, pointing to the portrait. This woman wanted to relive her youth... the age when she was happiest. She left here with a smile."

The customer looked expectantly at his wife.

"Do you remember... when we were kids... when I met you?"

"Yes, of course," she responded with tenderness. "Of course I remember."

"You were so beautiful... It was a magical moment. I always remember that day. I would like to see that freckled girl again who made me fall in love with her smile."

"But... I thought you wanted... Hadn't we agreed to rejuvenate until thirty?"

"Yes! But we didn't know they could do this! Don't you see it? It´s the opportunity to live our lives again... with the experience that age has given us!"

"Oh... But I don't think so. You look very handsome just the way you are. Just like when we got married. This is how I prefer you."

The man was disappointed, and she noticed.

"What if... if only I did? I mean... if only I went back to that age..."

He looked at her hopefully.

"Only you?"

"Would you still desire me... as a woman?" she whispered sadly.

The man took a long sigh and smiled triumphantly.

"Yes of course. Don't even doubt about it."

Moments later, while the doctor ushered the couple in to agree on the details of the treatment, a five-year-old girl admitted for an allergic reaction drew hearts and marks at random on the sheet of the medical report she found at the foot of the bed; and the moved doctor who was beginning her shift could not distinguish between the Xs marked by the girl's parents on the paper and the marks made by the girl. When her parents arrived to take her home, the little girl was unconscious in one of the transformation chambers. They worried that the reaction had been much worse than expected.

"Don't worry," said the doctor to tranquilize them. "The therapy will be complete in about forty minutes."

"But Susan is... Is she feeling pain?" asked the mother nervously.

"Pain? Of course not. She is not feeling any discomfort."

The couple hugged and sighed happily, and thirty-five minutes later they were reunited with the doctor. They were preparing for the awakening of the girl.

"Then she will be fine."

"She will be more than fine. Everything you asked for was fulfilled in detail."

"We thank you so much..."

"Although I must say that I was surprised by the request. She is the first of her kind."

"Surprised? What else could we do?"

"What do you mean? It's not like you guys are obligated."

"My daughter almost died from a damn seed she ate by mistake!" Exclaimed the mother. "How we weren't obliged?!"

"No. I didn´t mean that."

A low, rhythmic alarm announced the end of therapy, and the capsule gate was slowly opening. The doctor stepped forward to hold the impressive woman Susan had become by the hand.

"Here she is: little Susan."

A sleepy and voluptuous six-foot-tall girl with no clothes on was rubbing her eyes, walked slowly, and yawned. Her parents recognized her, but didn't understand it.

"Mom? Dad? Can we go home?"

As "little Susan" played in the nursery room, her parents yelled at the doctor.

"Are you serious?! A misunderstanding?!"

"In the registry it says that...!"

"That she is allergic!"

"And that you wanted the maturation therapy! It's all here!" The doctor defended herself holding the paper. "You even specified details such as body measurements, height, eye color..."

"What are you talking about?" asked the man taking the report in disbelief, only to recognize the traces of his daughter all over the page. "This is... Susan..."

She had been learning to read and write, and practiced whenever she could. He began to laugh and handed the page to his wife. Seeing the hearts, marks, numbers and misspelled words in her daughter's handwriting, the woman closed her eyes and sighed. At first she did not want to believe it, but she was finally convinced when her husband opened his arms and the girl ran towards him to jump on top of him; just like she always did.

The doctor felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing the way the man and the girl were embracing each other. The girl hugged her father with arms and legs. Soon the father noticed the way they were looking at him and his face reddened. But he would have wanted that hug not to end.

"Do you want to go home, my love?" he asked Susan.

She nodded.

"Okay. You want to walk?"

"No" she sentenced.

He smiled, but his wife's penetrating gaze was enough for him to understand.

"Let's go my love. Walk a little bit, we are going home."

"Not!" She insisted, hugging him tighter.

He felt like heaven, but the gazes of the other two pierced his neck like needles.

"Su... Susan," said the mother with difficulty, "get down at once. Go.

"Nooo!" She yelled, eliciting more laughter from her father.

"I imagine you are not going to charge us for this," Susan's mother said, and the doctor hesitated before answering.

"It's just... it's a very expensive therapy. And that report... it wasn't our fault."

"Neither is ours! How do you let my daughter play with those things?! We should report you for this!"

"Hey, it was your daughter who...!"

"Can you relax, please?" asked the man, who was still carrying his daughter. "She fell asleep. Save that yelling for later."

They fell silent when they saw the tremendous girl drooling with her eyes closed.

"Antoine, you're going to break your back carrying her all the way" the mother whispered as they descended in the elevator; but he felt his strength being renewed.

"Do not worry. I'm good. I'm more than fine," he said with enormous satisfaction.

On the way home, the woman caressed the face of the sleepy Susan, who settled on her shoulder.

The woman was worrying about all the things the girl would have to learn now, things inappropriate for the mind of a five-year-old girl. Her husband looked at them with that in mind, but with a strange smile on his face.

They had reached an agreement with the clinic: since the mistake was not made by the parents and not by the doctors, they would not be charged for the cost of the therapy that would have easily drained the family's bank account; but in exchange they agreed to be official promoters of the clinic, an arrangement that would prove much more profitable in the long run than they thought.

When they put Susan to bed, the doctor's words echoed until they finally fell asleep:

"From now on, she will experience everything a woman's body experiences: menstrual cramps, ovulation, mood swings... You will have to teach her to use panty liners, tampons..."

"Tampons?" asked the father. "Are you crazy? She is five! She doesn't need that thing stuck in her...! God!"

"No offense, sir; but your wife will know what to do better than you in that area."

"Fine. Okay," he said in a bad mood.

"Finally... this is a sensitive issue... Your daughter is now a woman..."

"What is the problem?" the woman wanted to know.

"It´s nothing. Well... It's just a recommendation... She is also a child, after all..."

"Can you say it at once?" he said.

"I just don't know... Just... take care of her. There will be many men who want to take advantage of her innocence, and she won´t know what to do. Take care of her all the time."