At first, it seemed a grand imposition when Neil Carlson asked her to test the lifelike capabilities of Project Adam a realistic setting.

“I need this vacation, Neil,” she argued, “I’m not going to play robo-sitter because perverts that want pre- programmed, bionic sex are at the top of your priority list,” she exclaimed, “I’m grateful for my job, but inflicting this on my week off is going too far!”

“I know, Eve. I know it’s a huge imposition but that’s what makes you perfect for the job. You are our target audience. You are the burned out, working housewife. You’re put upon, expected of, and sick and tired of taking care of others. You’re in need of some no-strings pampering minus the human hassle.”

She rolled her eyes and stated, “I’m not a housewife, Neil.”

Neil shrugged, saying suggestively, “I can’t help that your perfect for this.”

Eve was defeated. “I can’t believe you just used that line on me,” she sighed.

“Then you’ll do it,” Neil asked excitedly.

“Okay, fine! Just fine! Bring it out before I change my mind,” she spat, glaring daggers into Neil’s eyes.

Neil retrieved a miniature remote control from his pocket and flipped a switch. Project Adam entered the room on two feet, offering, “Hello, Eve. It’s good to meet you.”

Tearing her glare from Neil, Eve turned her wrath on her new charge, “Shut it! I haven’t decided whether to toss you onto a bonfire or shove you off a cliff! Just shut it!”

Neil clawed the air making angry cat sounds, laughing, “Wow! Kitten has claws”!

“And you,” Eve returned her anger to Neil, “Shut it before I tie both of you together and drag you down the interstate from the bumper of my car!”

Neil winked at Adam conspiratorially, whispering, “I’ll pray for you, buddy”!

Eve snatched the remote from his hands and hit every button and switch off. Adam crumpled to the floor.

Eve smiled wickedly, saying, “Pack him up. He not going to be a passenger in my car”.

“Fine,” Neil snickered, He weighs 245 pounds. Good luck with that.”

She moved to stand unnervingly close to Neil; so close he could feel the heat emanating from her skin. She placed her face directly in front of his, whispering acidly, “You owe me big, and I mean huge!”

Eve hit the remote again and Adam was instantly restored.

Turning on her stiletto heel, she issued an order without looking up, “Adam, shut it and follow me.” Neil mouthed silently in Adams direction, “I’m sorry guy! Really!”

Adam followed dutifully while Neil stood in the office, with fingers crossed, saying a silent prayer. He half expected that Eve would return Adam in tiny pieces before the week was over.

Eve arrived back at her home, a beautiful house in Half Moon Bay, right on the beach. It was far too big for her but, too good an investment to pass up.

She paused by the window thinking, This will be a piece of cake. The salt-sea air will corrode him, and then I’ll be free of him.

“Hey Adam! It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go swimming!”

Adam stood in the bedroom doorway uttering words he was preprogrammed to say. She didn’t care. She wasn’t listening.

Eve moved to the dresser and retrieved her bikini. Thumbing her blouse buttons, she turned her gaze back to Adam, saying, “I know you’re a hunk of metal and software, but I can’t do it.” She fisted the remote and watched Adam collapse to the floor.

Having donned her swimsuit and beach cover, she turned Adam on and they spread beach towels out to recline on warm sand.

Eve relaxed under the sun and thought about the events of the day. Soon, her ire returned and she ran into the ocean, beckoning Adam to come with her.

Eve splashed happily in the waves, waiting for the saltwater to do its thing. Remarkably, Adam seemed quite at home there, swimming powerfully to be by her side. Treading water, she was determined not to be defeated, telling herself, Give it some time. By tonight, he will be rusted stiff and his software destroyed.

Eve smiled wickedly until she felt arms wrap around her waist. Startled, she turned to find Adam holding her against his chest, saying, “I know you don’t need to be rescued, but I do.”

Eve looked into his eyes, finding not a trace of mirth. She rolled her eyes, muttering, “Must be Neil’s idea of a pickup line. Nice try buddy!” She broke free and swam for shore.

They returned to their towels and Eve stayed as long as she could, intending to cook Adam to death, if she couldn’t corrode him.

By sunset, she had scorched her own skin bright red. She showered and toweled off gingerly and slipped into her white satin sheets. Adam stood where she had left him, at the foot of her bed. She wasn’t sure why that surprised her.

“Okay, Adam,” she said, “it’s part of the agreement. I promised to try to share my bed with you so, you take that side,” she instructed, pointing to the empty space, “but if you snore, all bets are off. I’ll shut you down!”

“Okay, Eve. Can I get you anything before we sleep?”

She turned to lock eyes with him, still startled at how realistic robots can be. “Not unless you know a home remedy for a wicked sunburn,” she replied, laying down carefully.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, and turned to exit the room.

That’s an answer I wasn’t expecting! She was tempted to follow him but any movement made her wince. Finally, she gave up, thinking, How much trouble can he get into here in my home?

Adam returned with a tub of cold sour cream and applied it to her exposed skin. She was shocked at the gentleness of his touch, and it was instant relief. He tugged lightly at her oversized t-shirt, asking, “May I?”