Summary

In Chapter 1, the first person narrator 32-year-old Charlie Friend uses his inheritance money to purchase one of the first artificial humans called Adam. Charlie's Adam is one in 25 of the first edition models, half of which are women called Eve. After buying Adam, Charlie’s upstairs neighbor and friend, 22-year-old Miranda Blacke, helps him carry him to the apartment on a stretcher.

Once Adam is unwrapped and plugged in, Charlie anxiously waits for him to come to life. Creeped out by Adam, Miranda leaves. Though Charlie reminds himself Miranda is considerably younger than himself, he has difficulty ignoring her intellect, mystery, and beauty. Pushing these thoughts aside, Charlie distracts himself, considering how he will program Adam’s personality.

While wondering how closely he should make Adam's character resemble his own, Charlie realizes he is in love with Miranda. With the revelation comes regret...