The Last Spark of Hope (W nich cała nadzieja)

We destroyed our own planet.

Actually, it was pretty predictable.

We were moving like the Titanic,

even though we knew we were heading toward the iceberg

that we would eventually hit.

But no one cared.

We kept having fun.

The band kept playing.

No one wanted the party to end.

Temperatures quickly climbed.

Water from the ice caps submerged the continents.

The permafrost then released methane.

Viruses and bacteria, extinct for millions of years, woke up.

They were patiently waiting to kill us all.

It was too late to save the Earth.

Governments had rockets built,

to send survivors into space.

Only politicians, and the powerful could get a ticket.

But they had no clear plan as to the destination.

After all, there is no spare Earth.

They probably died from cosmic radiation,

or they killed each other for the last supplies.

The Earth, intelligent and exhausted, got rid of its enemy,

namely us, humans.

Meanwhile, the survivors have taken refuge in a safe place.

In shelters, on top of mountains,

high enough to be able to escape the contaminated zone.

I don't know what they are become.

Is my family alive?

I think so.

That's why I live here,

solitary, without being alone.

My companion is a box of conserve.

It's a small R-WAR 5 military robot from the third generation.

It's no longer in good condition, having served during the Climate Wars.

It makes a noise like scrap metal and it doesn't look like anything anymore.

But it was programmed to protect me.

Protect me? From who?

His name is Arthur.

I'm glad he's here.

At least I have someone to talk to.

Arthur, I'm going to go down to town.

I advise you not to. It's a dangerous expedition.

The area is contaminated.

You must not drink the water in this area.

- Not even a drop. - I know.

Watch the base and don't let anyone in.

I am a patrol robot.

My duty is to protect your home, Eva.

That was a joke.

Do you know what that means?

Of course.

It's a short story meant to make the listener laugh.

There's also irony, black humor or bad jokes,

that only amuse the person telling them.

Calm down. You're going to start sweating.

Robots don't sweat.

That was a bad joke.

I'll be back in a few hours.

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Hello, Eva. The password, please.

- "Scarlet". - Correct password.

How was your day?

I went to the mall, and had coffee with a friend.

Then we met some friends at a concert. It was great.

I'm going to have to fix your eye.

Hello, Eva. The password, please.

- Paws full. - Incorrect password.

Stand back, or I'll be forced to open fire.

"Scarlet". Damn robot.

Correct password.

Shower system activated.

This is Eva Wisz.

Registration number 278-054-321.

Call Sierra-5-Lima-1-2.

My position is: 50°8'N 18°51'E.

I'm alive and waiting for contact.

I hope I'm not the last one alive.

I'm waiting for contact.

I'm waiting for contact.

Arthur, how about a guessing game?

I'm a robot. I can solve all the riddles.

I know, you always win.

But we're going to play anyway.

In three rounds, okay?

And no math problems.

Okay. First riddle, please.

I'll definitely arrive, but never today.

Who am I?

The correct answer is: tomorrow.

Now, my turn.

What can't speak, but always responds when spoken to?

That's the echo.

You can break it without having to touch it.

The correct answer is: a promise.

Excellent answer, robot.

It was a promise.

So, we are tied.

Here is my riddle.

A man is 13 years old in 2040, but 8 years old in 2045.

How is this possible?

13 years old and 5 years later 8 years old?

We can't go back in time.

That's too bad, actually.

Ah, I know. He lived before Jesus Christ.

Well done, very funny.

Correct.

That's the right answer.

You can give me another riddle, please.

Let's see...

Three robots are crossing the desert in single file.

And the first one says:

"In front of me, I can see the desert

"and behind me, two robots."

The second one, the one in the middle, says:

"In front of me, I see a robot and behind me, a robot."

The last one in line, the third robot then says:

"In front of me, I see two robots

"and behind me, I see a robot."

Why does he say that?

What kind of robots are they?

Why does this matter?

What kind of robots are these?

So why does the last robot say that?

Think about it.

Can't you guess?

Of course, only a human can answer this riddle.

Which means I won!

I won against a robot for the first time. Wow!

What's the solution, please?

I won't give it to you. You'll have to think a little harder, robot.

Arthur,

what if we got married, you and me?

Marriage is the union of two people, usually a man and a woman.

Followed by a life together made of mutual aid and cooperation

to form a fulfilled family.

I'm sorry, Eva. But no.

I don't believe it. That's very arrogant of you.

I could be a perfect wife.

I'll cook, I'll take care of you.

Say yes, Arthur. We can grow old together.

Marrying a machine makes no sense.

You would be making a terrible mistake.

What makes sense anymore?

Do you know what loneliness is?

I have no one left.

Do you hear? Nobody.

You're all I have left.

Where is Mr. Krzysztof?

He must be leading an army of robots.

How many times are you going to ask me?

My father built this base

and after the war, he rejoined his unit and brought you back here.

He found you in a warehouse.

I remember the day he left you with me.

He said to me: "Don't worry, I'll be back soon.

"I promise.

"And this robot will protect you.

"You are now its owner and you can give it orders."

We are all alone here,

and we both know each other well,

so I ask you the question again.

Dear Arthur, would you marry me?

I'm sorry, I have to decline.

What's wrong with you?

"Scarlet."

A simple breakdown could cause serious problems for the couple.

What to do if one of the spouses breaks down ?

We replace it with a new model.

We can replace a robot.

But can we replace a human?

No one is irreplaceable.

Since humanity has existed, there have always been replacements.

One thing can replace another, without necessarily being better.

And by replacing too much,

we end up alone.

Arthur, do you realize

that we are probably alone in the world?

I can't confirm that.

The latest data I have, dates from late 2040.

The human population had reached 9 and a half billion.

I don't have updated data.

And even if it did exist, I don't have access to it. Sorry, Eva.

I always leave my contact information in the contaminated area.

I did it in the city.

I hope someone stumbles upon it.

But if there are no humans left, why leave your information?

If they left no trace, I conclude that they were annihilated.

Robots are not programmed to self-destruct.

Remind me of the three laws of robotics.

Rule number 1. A robot must not harm a human,

- intentionally or by omission. - Use a retro voice.

Rule number 2. A robot must obey the orders of a human,

unless it contradicts the first law.

Rule number 3. A robot must protect itself,

unless it contradicts the first or second law.

Do you know this law?