Using Microsoft Co-Pilot, I have been experimenting with human-AI teaming to write short stories. It’s quite amazing what’s possible. What follows is a short story that I have titled “Latrodectus mactans.” At the end of the story, I will share the initial prompt that I used to generate the story and discuss briefly how I interacted with Co-Pilot to finalize the details of the story.
The short story begins…
Under the glow of city lights, professionals mingled at a chic networking event, exchanging stories and handshakes that could shape their futures. The venue was modern, with a relaxed atmosphere that invited casual conversations. The hum of conversation floated like a soft symphony in the warm glow of the chic venue’s ambient lighting. Ever the vigilant observer, Lilly Bowman navigated the crowd with the grace of a seasoned conductor.
Lilly, in her mid-40s, was fit yet possessed curvaceous lines that accentuated her silhouette. She wore a tailored, dark navy business suit with a crisp white blouse underneath. The suit was both sophisticated and functional, allowing her to blend seamlessly into the crowd. Her auburn hair was styled in loose waves, cascading just over her shoulders, and she wore subtle yet sophisticated jewelry—a pendant in the shape of an hourglass, with a delicate red stone that caught the light with each movement. A pair of stylish heels added a few inches to her height, giving her an air of poised confidence.
Alright, Lilly, focus. It’s all about reading the room. She scanned the faces, looking for familiar signs: a genuine smile or a fleeting glance that could open a door. She wasn’t just mingling—she was searching, her eyes flicking from face to face, reading each person’s silent story. Let’s start with the basics. Where are they from? Where did they grow up?
Approaching a small group, Lilly overheard fragments of laughter and nodded. She stepped in, introduced herself, and the conversation flowed like well-rehearsed lines. Watch their hands. Folded arms mean they’re closed off. Relaxed posture? Good sign.
The first person she encountered, Jack, had an easygoing demeanor and spoke about his hometown with fondness. Lilly nodded along, her mind processing every gesture. He’s from the Midwest. Safe topic. Avoid the job talk. But he wasn’t the one she sought.
She moved to another circle, where a man named Richard engaged her. Richard’s smile reached his eyes—genuine, open. Alright, Richard. Let’s see those nonverbal cues. Friendly. No folded arms. Good. Could he be the one?
They chatted about childhood adventures, and Lilly felt at ease, yet her mind was always calculating. Keep it light. No one likes talking about work at these things. Read the room. Still, Richard didn’t quite fit the profile she was looking for.
Lilly’s skill in reading people wasn’t just an innate talent; it was honed under the guidance of Dr. Alex Morgan, a former CIA operative renowned for his expertise in non-verbal communication. Dr. Morgan had written numerous academic articles and best-selling books on the subject, making him a leading authority. His teachings covered everything from micro-expressions to proxemics, kinesics, and oculesics. Lilly learned to decipher the subtlest of facial cues, the significance of personal space, and the intricate dance of body movements.
Across the room, she saw a few more potential conversations, each person a puzzle of their own. On to the next. What secrets do they hide behind those polite smiles? Was one of them the person she was searching for?
As the evening progressed, Lilly gracefully maneuvered through the throngs of mingling professionals, her keen eyes deciphering the silent language of body posture and facial expressions. She deftly engaged in brief, polite conversations, each encounter blending into the next. Yet, her search continued, the elusive presence she sought always just out of reach.
Yet, one face kept reappearing—Richard. Each time their paths crossed, Lilly couldn’t help but scrutinize him more intently. What’s the story here, Richard? He was easy to talk to, perhaps too easy. Stay vigilant, Lilly. Keep an eye on his cues.
In their next encounter, Richard brought up his childhood once more, delving into nostalgic tales of summer camps and family road trips. His body language was open, his arms relaxed by his sides, and his smile seemed to reach his eyes. Alright, he’s genuine. But is there more beneath the surface? Could he be the one?
Lilly watched the subtle shifts in his posture, the way he leaned in slightly as they spoke, signaling engagement and interest. He’s leaning in. Good sign. But let’s not get too comfortable.
Richard mentioned his love for music, how it had shaped his life. Lilly responded, noting the slight twitch in his left hand—a sign of nervous energy. There it is. What’s causing that?
As the hours went by, they found themselves in deeper conversation, away from the bustling crowd. Richard shared stories that seemed to resonate on a deeper level. Lilly remained vigilant, monitoring every micro-expression, every fleeting glance. Can I trust what I’m seeing? Is he the one?
Yet, there was something undeniably genuine about Richard, something that made Lilly’s guard drop just a fraction. Is he the one? Or am I reading too much into it? The line between professional detachment and personal connection blurred.
Thus, the night wore on, and Lilly found herself drawn back to Richard time and time again, each encounter a careful dance of words and unspoken signals.
The next morning, the brightening sky cast long shadows across the quiet street. Two policemen stood over a lifeless body, their expressions somber.“Another victim,” one of them muttered, shaking his head. “We’re missing something.” His partner looked down at the body, noting
The next morning, the brightening sky cast long shadows across the quiet street. Two policemen stood over a lifeless body, their expressions somber.
“Another victim,” one of them muttered, shaking his head. “We’re missing something.”
His partner looked down at the body, noting the unmistakable calling card left behind.
Miles away, Lilly sat in her car, the soft hum of the radio filling the silence.
As the sun rose, she listened intently to the news report about the latest victim.
“…Richard Palmer, found dead this morning.” The radio crackled, “Details remain scarce, but it appears the Black Widow has struck again…”
Lilly’s face remained impassive as she drove away, the morning light casting a dark halo around her. Her thoughts were a maze of reflections as she toyed with the red hourglass pendant between her fingers. The evil that flowed through her was born from revenge, an unwanted and brutal lesson also at the hands of her mentor Dr. Morgan.
…the end. The images are also generated by Co-Pilot. The main prompt that generates the story is:
The setting is business cocktail party where people are mingling and having business conversations. The main character is Willy Loman and he’s walking around having conversations. The story is told through Willy’s thoughts. We hear his thoughts as he comments about each conversation he has. His thoughts are focusing on the attention and focus the conversations require. He must read body language. He must go through a list of questions. He usually likes to ask where people are from or grew up. Though it’s a business party, most people don’t like their jobs and thus Willy avoids asking about their job. We hear Willy’s thoughts as we worries through these machinations. He looks for folded arms. He attempts to read smiles in their eyes. Body language is important.
I then go on to add the prompts about changing the main character to a female, first Lilly Woman and later Lilly Bowman. Then I ask Co-Pilot to build suspense and then end the story with Lilly being a Black Widow murderer. It’s fairly amazing how quickly one can go from concept to story. So far, I have generated eight short stories, and I’m planning to put them into a book.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Have you used large-language models like Co-Pilot or ChatGPT to write fiction?
