In the stillness of the night, the bright lights of Manhattan twinkled like distant stars, yet Alex Cummings found no peace. The enigmatic figure of Dr. Peter Landau loomed large in his mind, particularly the puzzling phrase, "to protect those melodies in my own way," which left him in a state of deep confusion. The complexity of this case exceeded all his expectations, and he felt an urgent need to uncover more clues.
Determined, Alex resolved to visit Dr. Landau once more. This time, he came armed with more questions and a readiness for a deeper investigation. Upon arriving at the hospital, he discovered that Peter was not in his office. A nurse informed him that Dr. Landau was busy in the operating room and would typically retreat to his private laboratory for further research after surgery.
"Private laboratory?" Alex exclaimed, taken aback.
"Yes," the nurse replied with a smile. "Dr. Landau is an exceptional neurologist, but he also has a profound interest in artificial intelligence and robotics. His laboratory is located in the basement of the hospital, where he frequently conducts research on medical robots."
This revelation ignited Alex's curiosity. Was there a connection between Peter's love for music and his research in artificial intelligence? Was he perhaps developing a robot capable of analyzing, or even "understanding," music? Alex resolved to investigate further.
Finding the passage to the underground laboratory proved to be no challenge, and soon he stood before a heavy metal door. It was equipped with a complex electronic lock, yet Alex quickly discerned that its design was not as intricate as it appeared. With a small tool he always carried, he deftly bypassed the lock, and the door creaked open.
Stepping into the laboratory, Alex was struck by the astonishing sight before him. The room was filled with high-tech equipment, and the walls were adorned with numerous charts and research data related to brain science and artificial intelligence. However, the most striking feature was a large transparent chamber at the center of the room, within which stood a humanoid robot.
This robot was remarkably lifelike, nearly indistinguishable from a human, but what captured Alex's attention most was the baton it held, as if poised to conduct a symphony.
"Welcome to the laboratory, Mr. Alex Cummings," a gentle voice suddenly emanated from a corner of the room.
Startled, Alex spun around to see Dr. Landau emerging from the shadows. His expression was calm, as if he had anticipated Alex's arrival.
"You… you knew I would come?" Alex asked, his mind swirling with questions.
"Yes, this laboratory is not open to the public, but I knew you would find your way here," Peter replied with a smile, walking toward the robot. "This robot is called 'Orpheus'; it is the culmination of my years of work. It is not merely a medical robot; it possesses the ability to understand and interpret complex musical compositions, and it can analyze and create melodies."
Alex stared at the robot in disbelief. "You mean to say this robot can 'understand' music? How is that even possible?"
"Absolutely," Peter said, gently caressing the robot's smooth exterior, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Orpheus is not just a conductor; it can analyze the emotions and structures of music, transforming them into another form—whether through performance or composition, it can achieve both."
A chill ran down Alex's spine. If this robot truly functioned as Peter claimed, it would fundamentally alter his understanding of music.
"So, you intend to use this robot to… interfere with the creation of 'Only Me'?" Alex ventured cautiously.
Peter nodded. "Precisely. When I discovered that Rick Evans' team planned to use that melody, I realized they did not genuinely understand the soul of the music. They merely sought to exploit it for fame and fortune. Thus, I decided to give them a 'reminder'—a melody created by Orpheus to show them what true music is."
Alex felt a growing unease. "But don't you worry that this will lead to even greater problems? You're not only interfering with others' creations but could also provoke legal disputes."
Peter's gaze hardened. "Alex, do you know what music means to me? To see it so disregarded, I cannot stand idly by. Orpheus is my assistant and my weapon. Through it, I can not only protect music but also make those who misuse it understand that their actions are unacceptable."
Alex sensed that the doctor had ventured too far, bordering on obsession. "So, what do you plan to do next? Continue using Orpheus to interfere with other musical creations?"
Peter paused, then sighed. "Perhaps, but I am also searching for a balance. I understand that the line between technology and art is exceedingly blurred. I merely hope that through Orpheus, I can find a new way to combine the two rather than allow them to oppose each other."
Alex realized that while Dr. Landau's motives stemmed from a love of music, his methods were fraught with peril. The capabilities of Orpheus, though astonishing, could lead to unimaginable consequences if misused.
"Peter, I hope you understand that while this technology is powerful, it also requires moral constraints. Otherwise, it could lead to unforeseen repercussions," Alex urged.
Peter looked at Alex, his expression revealing a complex array of emotions. He slowly nodded but said nothing further. Alex knew that this issue could not be resolved with a few words; he needed to continue his investigation.
As he left the laboratory, a weight settled upon him. Although the case was becoming clearer, he understood that this was merely the tip of the iceberg. The conflict between technology, music, and law was drawing him into a deeper, darker abyss.