It was a week before the first headline hit the news.

"He Left Me For a Machine! Woman files for divorce, names Android Kate as co-respondent. 'She took over everything. I didn't care about the cleaning, but when she took over all the cooking, that was just too much,' sobbed Maria Hortense, aged 41. "I tried to be understanding, but then Fred said her chilli was better than mine! My own mother's recipe that he'd always loved. How could I be expected to put up with that? I said either she goes or I go.'

'Well, it's true," admitted Fred Hortense, aged 42. "Kate's chilli is better than Maria's. It's not my fault, is it?'"

And that was just the first.

"Do androids make better lovers? Marylin Tranio, star of the latest holovid sensation, Summer Sexcapes, says yes! 'Not only does Peter have more stamina,' says Marylin with a wide grin, 'but even more importantly, he listens when I talk to him. Peter understands me,' she adds, earnestly.

"Woman Files Suit for One Million Credits. Angela Baptista filed a suit today for one million credits, against electronics company Androids 'R Us over the death of her husband. 'He had a bad heart,' admitted Ms Baptista. 'I had to be so careful with what he was allowed to eat and drink, but once we got her-Kate-he stopped listening to me. She'd bring him anything he asked for, pizza after pizza, beer, more beer, and it killed him! I thought they were supposed to be programmed so they wouldn't do a person any harm? I reckon the company owes me!'

"Man attacks android. Earlier today a man was charged with damage to property, after he threw his girlfriend's new android from the balcony of her fourth floor flat. 'Ever since she got him, she stopped paying any attention to me,' claimed Gremio Padua, 26. 'It was like he was controlling her or something. All she could talk about was Peter. How he looked after her, how they liked the same books, the same holovids. Then today I caught him in her bedroom and she was naked! That was the final straw. She said he was giving her a massage, but... she couldn't expect me to put up with that, could she? He had to go. When she comes to her senses, I know she'll thank me.'"

~~~

Bianca snorted with incredulity as she tossed the epaper over to Luke. "Can you believe those people? How could anyone be jealous of a machine?"

Luke scanned the epaper. "Has she got a case? The woman suing you, I mean?"

"Of course not," said Bianca, dismissively. "The android was merely following instructions, doing as it was told. It's not as if it can think for itself and make decisions, for god's sake!"

She tapped the screen with her finger. "This whole thing is crazy. Why would any intelligent human being want even a friend to obey them without question? Let alone a husband or wife. It would be like having a slave instead of an equal partner. I can't understand it. The whole idea of having a relationship with a machine is just creepy!"

Kate came over to top up Luke's cup of coffee then moved back quietly to the sink to finish washing up. Luke dropped his eyes and reached for the coffee. "I suppose some people might find it easier. More restful."

Bianca snorted. "More boring, more like."

(to be continued...)