Paytron of the Arts

R1000 stood before the two people. "Farewell, my human friends." The robot lifted its head, looking past them, in the direction where cattle grazed and wheat grew on the former battlefields, where the plague wards now had empty beds. "You no longer need my help. Your future is yours to choose."

They never saw R1000 again.

Zachary stepped back from the keyboard. The ending he'd just written echoed in his head. Destinies: Man and Machine. His best sci fi novel yet.

Thank God for Paytron. Not a scramble for nickels and dimes from a thousand fans, like that other service, but real money from a real, though anonymous, patron. Money enough to pay child support without needing a real job.

Money can't buy happiness, but it increases your chances.

Until his patron gives Zachary a harsh choice. Compromise his artistic vision, or lose funding.

Zachary refuses to give in. He knows how to unearth secret information from the Internet. His patron won't stay anonymous for long.

What will his patron say when Zachary shows up at his door?

—Previously published in Analog, January/February 2024