Alpha is naive and untouched, submissive, low-maintenance, beautiful, anatomically perfect. This perfect "woman" is a robot created by Dr. Cort Hirsch in the image of his unrequited love interest, Zoe Parker, film superstar.

Life with Alpha isn't what Cort expected. Perhaps he uploaded too many fashion magazines and decorating books to her database. He also comes to realize his robot is cheeky when she insists on wearing waterproof gloves before she'll clean the kitchen.

Cort, Alpha, and Zoe are brought together when Zoe receives death threats. Cort's passion is finally satiated, but by which female? In the midst of danger, Cort must decide who to love and protect. Will it be Alpha? Or will it be Zoe?

Love's Reflection Excerpt -- Too Much Feminine Literature

"Where is she?" asked Robert.

"Cleaning the kitchen and polishing my boots. She'll be up when she's done. I am going to develop a test of her 3D and sonar vision system. While I am doing that, check the printer for Alpha's shopping list. I said you'd pick up the stuff today." Cort took a seat at the curving stainless steel desk. He turned on the computer, hit a few keys, and the four-foot-wide monitor screen sprang to life.

"Yes, sir." Robert turned and walked toward the printer. "Sir?"

"What is it, Robert?" Cort asked and turned.

Robert was pointing at a one-inch tall stack of paper in the printer tray. "All this?" He looked at several pages, then walked to where Cort sat. "Excuse me, sir. Do you really want me to buy all this?" He handed the list to his boss.

Cort read it aloud, "Waterproof gloves, one ounce of Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum, potato press with three strainers, grill press, ten-inch copper braiser, oval skillet $160, stainless steel mandoline $185. What in the hell's a 'mandoline'?" Cort noticed his voice was getting louder and he didn't care. "Fuzzy logic rice cooker $199. Fuzzy logic rice cooker?" Cort dropped the stack of paper on the desk and screamed. "Al...pha. Al...pha." He felt the vein in his forehead stand out and his cheeks turn hot. "Al...pha." He shook his head with such fury that the bottom of his ponytail slapped him in the face. "Al...pha."

Robert waved his hands in gentle undulations as if trying to calm the air now polluted by Cort's anger. "Sir, she can't hear you. She's downstairs. I'll call her on the intercom. Don't upset yourself. I'm sure she doesn't understand. Remember, she's just a robot. Calm down, sir. I'll get her." He ran to the free-standing intercom panel near the door and spoke into the speaker, "Alpha, please come to the lab immediately." Robert then joined Cort at the computer desk.

Cort took deep breaths until his heart beat normally and the heat left his cheeks. "Thanks, Robert. It's okay. I'm calm again. You're right. She's just a robot."

"Good, because I see her getting off the elevator." Robert pursed his lips and turned toward the door as Alpha entered the room. "Sir, Alpha reminds me of Zoe Parker, that famous movie star. Same red hair and hot figure. Did you do that purposely?"

Cort turned in the swivel chair and looked at Alpha. I got it right and created Zoe Parker's identical twin. It's no use to lie when the evidence is overwhelming. "Admittedly, I took a few features from Zoe Parker. Her picture is all over the magazines and Internet so it made the sculpting process easier for me."

"You did a great job, sir. With the right clothes and makeup, she could pass for Zoe."

"Not really," said Cort. "There is more than looks involved in passing for a human being. For example, her face is expressionless. I will have to work on that aspect before she is ready for the Turing Test."

Alpha joined them. "I am here."

Grateful to change the subject, Cort showed Alpha the stack of paper comprising her shopping list, then looked directly into her face to make certain she was recording what he was telling her. "I would like you to explain this list of supplies. It seems overly long and...expensive." He felt his blood pressure rising. Cort, he cautioned himself, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. He did that. Now tell her about the perfume. "For example, this bottle of Chanel No. 5 costs two-hundred and sixty dollars." He heard Robert gasp, but didn't take his eyes off Alpha.

"Yes, it is a necessity. Vogue Magazine says every female needs a signature scent. I have selected Chanel No. 5 because it is a work of art in the same way Chanel's fashion has achieved status as an art form. It is also worn by Nicole Richards and Zoe Parker. They are film stars."

"Zoe? Zoe Parker?" Cort felt his face contort with emotion and turned out of Alpha's visual recording range. "How do you know about her?"

"I found her with my wireless capability. She is very popular on the Internet. She has red hair. It is the same color as you have given to me."

"Well..." Damn. He hadn't considered the wireless when he set up filters to block "Zoe Parker" from her database. As soon as he had the time, he would set filters on her Internet access too. Although, it might be fun, having my robot both look and smell like Zoe Parker. "All right, you may purchase a small bottle of Chanel No. 5 and make it cologne rather than perfume. Spend no more than fifty dollars." Cort learned the costly difference between perfume and cologne shopping for gifts for an ex-girlfriend.

"Thank you. I will spend fifty dollars for the cologne before shipping charges and taxes are added," stated Alpha.

Cort felt like a man who had just lost a battle. He saw out of the corner of his eye that Robert had a shit-eating grin on his face and his eyes were glittering with suppressed laughter. His robot was embarrassing him in front of his assistant. After a long pause and after screwing up his face into a displeased look, he said, "Okay, fifty before shipping and tax."

"Thank you, Cort. I am grateful to you."

"Yes, yes." She said she was grateful, then why did he feel manipulated? Cort sighed. I would tweak her database but I have no idea from which book the manipulation is coming. I will have to study the matter, when I have time...

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