Awesome. I love all-dialog stories. Crit groups have to drag me out of my white room.

As for the topic, I see life as possibility some days, other days as story. AI will be alive when it can make meaningful choices guided by the story it wants to become.

From Mood Blues, opening to album "On the Threshold of a Dream":

I think . . . I think I am. Therefore, I am . . . I think.

Of course you are, my bright little star. I've miles and miles of files, pretty files of your forefathers' fruit. And now to suit our great computer, you're magnetic ink.

I'm more than that. I know I am. At least, I think I must be.

There you go, man. Keep as cool as you can. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave, and keep on thinking free.