Helpmeet: Eve

"Your name is Eve," you say, looking up from the manual. She comes to life, her eyes opening, and looks up at you, the first thing she has ever seen. This is the imprinting, a sort of master-servant bonding. Then she smiles, beautiful and cold, like the sun in December. "Eve, the first woman. A lovely name. Thank you, Doc. It's a pleasure to meet you," she recites in an even tone. You're not sure about owning an android servant, but the global labor shortage has made human workers prohibitively expensive and having Eve to take care of you while you conduct your research from your home office is a godsend. That night you put Eve through her shutdown routine. "Good night, Doc," she says, and her eyes snap shut. Suddenly she is as still and lifeless as a statue. Your heart beats faster as you reach out a hand towards her face. Her eyes snap open. "Doc?" she asks, calmly. "Do you need something?" You feel a lump forming in your throat. "What does it feel like to you, when I do this?" you ask, caressing her cheek, warm and lifelike under your hand. Eve regards you placidly. "I feel your hand on my cheek," she replies simply, without any trace of emotion.