SUMMARY: A 1957 anthology show written and hosted by arrogant (and possibly insane) author and off-brand soda magnate W.D. Smiley. The first installment, based on a story Smiley wrote in 1937, involves a lonely man named Kyle trapped in a loveless marriage; believing his friend Art's series of dalliances via electronic dating to be an unfulfilling option, Kyle instead opts to buy himself a robot friend - despite the stories of something terrible going wrong with the company's robots in Tampa. When friendly robot saleswoman Celine turns out to be a robot herself, any lingering hesitation on Kyle's part is assuaged. But, Smiley tells us, his choice will lead to disaster, and soon his story will teach us "the dangers of friendship."

Photos by Aaron Francis

SUMMARY: In the conclusion of "Best Automated Friend Forever," Kyle's new automated best friend, Cynthia, encourages him to stand up for himself. This leads to Kyle ending his unfulfilling marriage and quitting his unfulfilling job. But now what? Next time, W.D. Smiley promises the story of a woman who goes to outer space - a prospect he finds fanciful and ridiculous.

Photos by Aaron Francis