Sloth
Steven L. Schiff
RJ-17635 pressed his pillow firmly over his face. He wasn't trying
to smother himself, but rather to shut out the sights and sounds of a new
day. Although it was late morning, RJ wanted to stay in bed and sleep for
another hour or so. His alarm clock, a semi-sentient, incredibly
persistent mini-mind, had tried to rouse the reluctant android with various
wake-up calls, whistles, and alarms, thus prompting the use of the pillow.
"Wake up, RJ," the clock said. A shrill whistle sounded. "Wake up
and get to work!"
In RJ's world, mankind no longer existed, but their culture, their
heroic deeds, even their faults and frailties, were legendary. RJ prided
himself on his humanity, and found the character flaw known as "laziness"
to be particularly appealing.
Like most androids, RJ's body was modeled after a random photograph
of a 21st or 22nd century human, retrieved from the Central History Bank.
In RJ's case, the body was young, male, and decidedly good-looking with
short blond hair, pale blue eyes, and a muscular physique. RJ was very
proud of this body. Quite simply, he liked being attractive.
Continued
