For Love of a Dream 3

FOR LOVE OF A DREAM - 3

All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. However based on real events and places, "For Love of a Dream" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Further, as in real life, sexual themes unfold gradually. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at carl_mason@verizon.net

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This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity generally demands safe sex.

CHAPTER 3

(Revisiting Chapter 2)

Slowly, the powerful man regained his emotional and physical footing in that he began to get involved in projects (inc. work and charity) that took him outside himself. In this he was aided by Bill Strayer who stayed close by. Not even his wife's filing for divorce permanently returned him to the depths of depression. [Author's note: The literature suggests that many marriages, even when they have lasted for years, flounder when visited by such a tragedy. Man, wife...parents...often part civilly, assuring each other that they will remain "friends".] As his interest in the world around him slowly returned, Jason actually involved the boy in one of his oldest hobbies, landscaping. At another time, Jason commented admiringly on the work of chiefly Japanese scientists who had been making great strides in their work on robots, especially robots with industrial applications or robots that might make housekeeping chores less burdensome. He noted that one of the leaders in this work, the Nobel Prize winning Dr. K. Ishikawa of Tokyo, had been in Washington, D.C., and New York City to present their findings. Bill felt that this interest was solid evidence that Jason Sears was coming out of a deep and serious depression.

(Continuing Our Story: Professor Ishikawa)

As he waited at the Japanese Consulate General in San Francisco, Jason's mind briefly returned to the newspaper article that had informed its readers that Professor Ishikawa would be in San Francisco for a day or two before returning to his University laboratory in Tokyo. A friend and sometimes business contact at the Japanese Consulate General had been able to arrange an appointment for him.

When younger, Jason Sears had lived long enough in Japan to recognize extreme courtesy when he saw it. He was experiencing it now as he sat in a small, beautifully decorated reception room. He had also recognized it in the fact that he had been received graciously by the Consul General himself on his arrival. "Well," he thought a bit cynically, "Money will do that for you."

With the softest of sounds, the wooden door panel opened and Professor Ishikawa appeared. "My dear Mr. Sears. It has been so long," he finally said. Turning to Sears after formal greetings, he continued with great warmth: "I don't believe we've met since I attended an economics lecture you offered at my University - and then it was only for the moment that the lowly assistant professor was introduced to the worldwide authority. Sears laughed and said, "I knew I recognized something about your picture that appeared in the TIMES. It's good see you again, Professor. From the description of your comments in New York City and Washington, I think it is now I who feels like the 'lowly assistant professor'!"

Ishikawa laughed softly as he watched Sears accept a cup of tea from a young lady who had just entered the room. "No at all, sir; not at all," he protested as he, too, accepted an exquisite porcelain cup. Sears waited until the young lady had placed the teapot on a nearby table and departed. Then, with rare cultural insensitivity, he interrupted the ceremonial courtesies (which could have gone on for some time) and said, "Please forgive me, Professor, but I do not wish to impose on the short time you have for rest before returning to your homeland. At the very least I come in hopes that you will accept a gift towards the continuation or your work in robotics. With that, Sears handed Ishikawa an envelope that contained his personal check for one million dollars and sat back. Setting the unopened envelope on the nearby table, the Professor replied, "Sir, I am truly grateful." Quickly he added, "Is it possible that I might be of some service to you?"

(The Age-Old Quest)

"It's possible, sir; it's possible", Sears replied. From reading accounts of your presentations in our eastern cities, I gather you concentrated on developments in industrial robotics, as well as ways in which robots might make household maintenance chores less onerous. Noting the Professor's silent gesture of agreement, Sears probed further. I dare say you could have concentrated on several alternative areas of application, e.g., business, education, military, entertainment, and the like." "Absolutely," Ishikawa replied. "Then, too," Jason continued, "you did not touch upon the age-old dream of science to produce a robot that could feel and think and even love - in short a robot essentially indistinguishable from its human model." "True enough," Ishikawa responded. "My audience, time, and the focus of contemporary industrial research all suggested my approach."

"I didn't make a contribution to your brilliant research to elicit the offer of a quid pro quo," Jason offered after pausing briefly. "Nevertheless, I should be deeply grateful if you would update me on the present state of research on producing the 'human-like' robot." Ishikawa smiled quietly as he said, "Actually, sir, this area of robotics research has long been the focus of my own efforts - even though it doesn't command the heavy support of those who make our work possible. The officials at Honda, for instance, could care less if a robot feels joy, as long as it installs auto glass efficiently and in ways that enhance customer satisfaction. Let's see if I can summarize some of the more important developments."

Breathing deeply as he gathered his ideas, Professor Ishikawa finally smiled and said, "Take the public perception of most robots: box on box, looking as if they were assembled from Lego sets, emitting assorted squeals and whistles as they roll along on the surface of the Red Planet taking soil samples. How dated! Today's robots can run, climb, and fly. Thanks to the successful imitation of muscular mechanics, robots with amazing walking and running capability are already here! How? Outgrowing the need for bulky batteries or engines, new muscle tissue is being powered by alcohol and hydrogen. Advances in the engineering of artificial muscle tissue from synthetic materials promise to lead to the development of artificial hearts powered by blood sugar, just like natural hearts. There have been tremendous advances both in humanoid appearance and behavior. For instance, we have developed an artificial skin that feels just like the real thing. Remember the little boy played by Haley Joel Osment in the film Artificial Intelligence: A.I. (2001). In a fine piece of acting, he consciously avoided looking completely human, but few reviewers denied his appeal.

"Professor Levy has written," he continued, "Robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them. The main benefit of human-robot marriage could be to make people who otherwise could not get married happier, 'people who find it hard to form relationships, because they are extremely shy, or have psychological problems, or are just plain ugly or have unpleasant personalities". I note, for instance, that both American psychologists and psychiatrists have 'officially' come to see homosexuality as having genetic roots rather than being a simple matter of choice. The implications of human-like robots for sexual minorities in cultures that hate anything remotely dissimilar from their own appearance, activities, and dreams are striking.

"Let me add one final point," Ishikawa added, pursing his lips. "Some commentators hold that the most advanced robot is doing little more than possible by a trained dog, i.e., acting as it has been conditioned to act. My research, however, suggests that today's robots are able to increase their knowledge through common everyday interactions with certain objects, learn from mistakes, and the like. In short, the claim to know does not seem as if it must be restricted to human beings. If the most advanced humanoid robots can learn, manage what they have learned and, in the process, develop unique personalities, it's difficult to imagine when their potential will be fully realized."

With an audible sigh, Ishikawa sat back in his chair and raised his hands. Perhaps, Sears, you now better grasp why your support of my work seems so important...and so timely. (Pause.) "Indeed, Dr. Ishikawa, indeed," Sears said soberly. "And now I must chance your contempt...or at least your concluding that I have used you by attempting to 'buy' you. What if I were to ask you to construct a robot who, insofar as possible, resembles in body, mind, and spirit, the human being I love most in this world and whom I lost on Mount McKinley some weeks ago?" (Pause.) Ishikawa visibly paled. Meditatively, he said that Sears could not expect the robot to ever be an exact copy of the human being whom he so loved, for environmental reasons if nothing else. Nevertheless, he was "familiar with his loss" and stood willing to assist him in every way possible. Wearily extending his hand to his forehead, he also said in a determined tone of voice that "under the circumstances", he felt he should return Sears' contribution. With that, he sadly returned the envelope to his guest.

"I have an unmovable appointment now, but my secretary will contact you within the next 48 hours. He will provide a list of items that I would have you collect and ship to me as quickly as possible. It's a strange list in part, but, I assure you, one to which I have given much thought. We shall speak again by phone, probably as I am about to leave your country. I shall tell you more about financial arrangements and when I should be able to invite you to my laboratory in Tokyo. How long?" (he asked, noting Jason's raised eyebrows) "You will appreciate that we face a major technological undertaking, as well as an artistic challenge that would have caused the greatest Renaissance masters to pause. Fear not. We shall be in touch soon and constantly - though there will be times when I am locked away in my laboratory and unavailable even to my Emperor. Know that you will receive the benefit of everything that I have and everything that I am. In no way can this be a purely financial matter, for the project may stand as the very crown of my life's work...as vital to me as your son is to you." Rising, Ishikawa shook hands with the financier, terminating the meeting.

The Professor's "list" arrived by Sears downtown office by messenger the next morning. All things told, he had anticipated the presence of most items. Others provided more of a surprise. For instance, he asked for the boy's laptop, as well as any written material he had produced such as diaries or letters. Any recordings of his voice would be most helpful. All photos and videos, reports of medical examinations, and Jason's own thoughts in depth on "Nelson as a physical being" and "as a psychological being" were high on his list. His father was asked for detailed information about high affection individuals in his life - as well as about those who had seemed to make a strong impression on him. One item initially struck him as strange. That is, if Nelson had brought his gym bag home at the end of the term and thrown it into a closet without unpacking it, Ishikawa asked him to seal the entire bag in plastic and send it on without opening it. A selection of everyday clothing should also be included. In order to assist his research, the Professor asked him to identify online/original English-language materials that might take some time to assemble in Japan, e.g., encyclopedia articles and histories dealing with the period 1990 to today, programs for sports and other physical skill development, a typing instruction book, a book of conventions in writing such as the latest edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, teenage etiquette programs, and professional articles on sexual programming. Naturally, he was encouraged to add items in any category that he thought would be helpful to the Professor.

Only an hour or so later, they spoke by phone. Ishikawa was already on his flight that would return him to his homeland. He added one item he had neither mentioned the day before nor included on his list. Namely, he pointed out that Nelson was an adolescent. As such, his developmental tasks demanded that he achieve some distance between the two of them...no matter how much trust and love characterized their relationship. "There had to be things," the Professor said kindly, "that no teenaged human could possibly have shared with a parent, at least not at the moment." Conversely, such information could be of extreme importance to his work. Ishikawa asked if Nelson had the closest kind of friend...of either sex. Jason's building a relationship with him or her could bring great dividends later in the program. The American said nothing, and the Professor didn't press the issue. Reminding Sears that they faced months of heavy work, he asked that he receive the materials he had requested as soon as humanly possible. Naturally, he repeated his promise to stay in close touch.

(One Year After Denali)

Before May Day, Jason had several contacts with Ishikawa. The news from letters and phone calls was uniformly good. For example, he continued to regard the humanoid robot upon whom he had been working as the supreme work of his life. The materials Jason had shipped had all arrived promptly and in perfect order. He appreciated receiving the "extras" Jason had discovered among Nels' things and family possessions. The bills he had sent Sears for materials had been honored promptly. He repeated that discussion of additional charges for Jason's project was premature and would have to await future developments. He thanked him for encouraging direct contacts between him and his close friend, Bill Strayer. They had revealed several factors that had proved invaluable in programming "Nels". And, yes, he was quite willing for Jason to bring Bill with him when he came to his laboratory outside the capital city. He thanked him for securing the Headmaster's permission to miss a few days during the last full month of studies at Crocker Memorial. In early April, Ishikawa told him that the robot was essentially finished and he had now turned to an intensive programming schedule. (It didn't appear that he had gotten much sleep during the last six months!) He would call when it was time for their journey.

Bill Strayer turned away from the window on his flight from San Francisco to Tokyo. Seventeen years old and he was heading across the Pacific in the company of one of the most powerful 'authorities' in the United States. WOW! His A.P. Twentieth Century U.S. History teacher at Crocker Memorial had commented that not too many years ago tens of thousands of seventeen and eighteen year olds were headed in the same direction. Thankfully, the feelings were now of wonder and delight rather than of determination... mixed with fear. Man... He couldn't believe how well he had slept! Trying not to be obvious, he turned slightly and glanced towards Jason Sears who occupied the International Business Class seat next to him. Mr. S, however, was as awake as he. Not only that, he was looking directly at Bill and grinning. Laying his hand on the athlete's muscular thigh and squeezing fondly, he asked if the young man were ready for breakfast. "I don't know, sir," the lad responded, "If they intend to feed us as much as last night, I might skip food for three or four days!" "That would be the day!" his dignified companion snorted.

As they vigorously attacked a magnificent breakfast served on china with silver cutlery, Bill ruminated that he had only one regret about the present trip. Namely, Jason Sears had refused to provide a single word about what awaited them at their destination. What could be driving them across the Pacific? His suspicions had been aroused earlier when Jason had asked him (almost interrogated him!) about details of any sexual interaction that the two youths had enjoyed - not that there was much to tell. Though he was naturally extremely embarrassed to discuss the subject with his best friend's father - a man with whom he had enjoyed occasional sex for some time - he finally accepted the argument that detailed information was vitally necessary. He not only answered his questions in complete detail, but promised to share the sensitive information with Ishikawa. In trust, he even filled them in on his physical fantasies about Nels and himself. Though it led to several weekends of almost unbelievable sex between the two of them, the incident had gradually faded into little more than good memories. (That is, it had been several months since they had fueled anything physical.)

At one point, he had also asked Sears if there were any significance to his early comments or the articles he had seen about Japanese work in robotics. The fact that Mr. S barely remembered those incidents, together with his straightforward responses, led him to conclude that there was little to nothing there. Not for a moment did he believe that Sears was concealing anything of great importance. Only as they were preparing for bed on the first night following their arrival, did he tell the lad that Nels' body had never been found in any of the searches. They would see it for the first time tomorrow. Sears added - as if it were a small and totally unimportant datum mentioned by their host in a most offhanded manner - that it would be the first time his son had been "awakened to full consciousness". Initially, Nels' friend was resistant to taking part in this event. Only when the father pleaded with him at length, arguing that it was an extremely important part of Ishikawa's scientific study, not to speak of their own psychological health and the elder Sears' need for his support, did he reluctantly agree.

Well before 8:00 a.m., Ishikawa guided Jason and Bill to another part of his laboratory and, then, promptly departed. As directed, Jason reached out and pushed a designated button. A heavy steel door slid silently upwards...clearing the floor as it quickly disappeared into the ceiling. Followed immediately by Bill, Jason entered that which closely resembled Nels' bedroom at home. As on the other side of the Pacific, a large bed dominated one side of the room. Their eyes were immediately drawn to Nels - a very naked...an indescribably beautiful Nels - who lay completely sprawled out, his covers typically kicked off in every direction! His right hand grasped a noteworthy prong whose skin was so fiercely stretched over a rock-hard erection as to appear translucent. The covering barely rippled as he moaned and vigorously pleasured himself. Suddenly realizing that he was being watched, he leapt out of bed and stood aggressively facing those who had invaded his privacy.

"D-A-D-D-D! You always promised you'd knock before entering my bedroom," the youth bitterly complained before falling silent. Nels' face, upper chest, and genitals were bright red with embarrassment. Standing stock-still, he was the picture of complete confusion... his blond locks in disarray, his thick chest quivering, his muscular thighs set defensively, his major erection only slowly subsiding. Unable to resist the thought, Bill noted that his powerful body - bereft of scars and even body hair beyond a bit of blond stubble above his package - was magnificently tanned. "Oh wow!," he thought, feeling himself begin to stiffen.

"D-A-D? D-A-A-A-D!" Mind and body staggering under the pressures of fast returning awareness, the naked youth burst into tears as he threw himself onto his father. "Dad, oh Dad... Oh, Dad, I love you so!" For several minutes they stood as if glued tightly together, nearly nine inches of hard, young cock pressed into his father's crotch. "Dad, this isn't my bedroom, is it? Why am I here? I'm falling...falling...and everything is going dark!" The lad almost fell, but his father's arms would not let him go.

Looking up from his father's shoulder, Nels' gaze fell on Bill. Fresh tears filled his eyes as he kissed his dad's neck and then wheeled towards his best friend. Two massive erections jammed into each other as the two powerful athletes collided with a force that was felt several feet away by the older man. A couple of involuntary jabs and they were both covered in a sea of jism!

(To Be Continued)