Fun with AI: ChatGPT plots a Nero Wolfe story inspired by the real-life discovery of a new orchid species in Japan
I asked generative AI ChatGPT-4 to plot a new Nero Wolfe story. ChatGPT-4’s comments will be in italics.
Bufo: Good afternoon! Please write a plot for a Nero Wolfe story in which a new Spiranthes genus orchid is discovered in Japan. Nero sends Archie to see about obtaining some for his collection. While in Japan, Archie disappears! Nefarious forces are also after the orchids. Include what happened to Archie and how he is rescued. Thanks!
ChatGPT: Title: The Orchid Mystery of Kyoto
Plot Summary:
Nero Wolfe, the famous New York detective and avid orchid collector, learns about the discovery of a rare and exotic new Spiranthes genus orchid in Japan. Intrigued by its beauty and rarity, Wolfe sends his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin, to Kyoto to obtain some specimens for his collection.
Upon arrival in Japan, Archie meets with Dr. Hiroshi Nakamura, the botanist who discovered the new orchid species. Dr. Nakamura informs Archie that several parties have shown a keen interest in the orchids, and some are willing to go to great lengths to possess them, including a ruthless black-market collector named Takeshi Kobayashi.
One day, while exploring the outskirts of Kyoto in search of the elusive orchid, Archie mysteriously disappears. Back in New York, Nero Wolfe becomes increasingly concerned as Archie has missed his daily check-in. Unable to reach his trusted aide, Wolfe decides to take matters into his own hands and travels to Japan to investigate Archie’s disappearance.
Upon his arrival, Wolfe meets with Dr. Nakamura and learns that Archie had uncovered the location of the rare orchids, but their conversation was overheard by Kobayashi’s henchmen. Fearing for Archie’s safety, they team up to find him.
As they follow the trail left by Archie, Wolfe and Dr. Nakamura discover that he had been kidnapped by Kobayashi’s henchmen, who intended to use him as leverage to obtain the orchids. Archie, however, managed to escape his captors and took refuge in an ancient temple. With the help of a kind-hearted temple priest, Archie contacts Wolfe and informs him of his situation.
Wolfe devises a cunning plan to rescue Archie and secure the orchids before Kobayashi can get his hands on them. He enlists the help of the local police and the temple priest, setting a trap for Kobayashi and his henchmen at the site where the orchids grow.
As Kobayashi’s men approach the orchids, they are caught in Wolfe’s elaborate trap. The police, led by Wolfe and Dr. Nakamura, swoop in and arrest the criminals. Archie is reunited with Wolfe, and they successfully collect specimens of the rare Spiranthes orchid.
In the end, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin return to New York with the coveted orchids, having unraveled a dangerous conspiracy and saved the rare species from falling into the wrong hands. The Orchid Mystery of Kyoto becomes another thrilling adventure in the annals of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin’s illustrious detective careers.
Bufo: Interesting! Please give me another version of the same story, but write it so that Nero doesn’t leave his home to solve it (which would be more typical, although he has left in an emergency, which this might be). Describe him being torn over leaving, and then enlisting an old and trusted friend in Japan to carry out his instructions and keep him informed. There should be something quirky and interesting about this old friend, that would make it unlikely that they would work directly with the police (they can use Dr. Nakamura as a go-between, that enables the friend to stay anonymous). Hint at the mysterious reason Nero knows this old friend, but don’t explicitly say how they know each other. I’m excited to see what you do with this!
ChatGPT: Title: The Secret Orchid of Kyoto
Plot Summary:
Nero Wolfe, the famous New York detective and avid orchid collector, learns about the discovery of a rare and exotic new Spiranthes genus orchid in Japan. Intrigued by its beauty and rarity, Wolfe sends his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin, to Kyoto to obtain some specimens for his collection.
Upon arrival in Japan, Archie meets with Dr. Hiroshi Nakamura, the botanist who discovered the new orchid species. Dr. Nakamura informs Archie that several parties have shown a keen interest in the orchids, and some are willing to go to great lengths to possess them, including a ruthless black-market collector named Takeshi Kobayashi.
One day, while exploring the outskirts of Kyoto in search of the elusive orchid, Archie mysteriously disappears. Back in New York, Nero Wolfe becomes increasingly concerned as Archie has missed his daily check-in. Unable to reach his trusted aide and torn between the need to personally intervene and his reluctance to leave his home, Wolfe decides to contact an old and trusted friend in Japan, a mysterious recluse named Kaito Yamamoto.
Kaito, a skilled master of disguise and espionage, has a storied past with Wolfe, although the details of their connection remain shrouded in secrecy. Due to Kaito’s secretive nature and his reluctance to work directly with the police, Wolfe devises a plan where Kaito will act as his eyes and ears on the ground while Dr. Nakamura will serve as the go-between with the authorities.
As Kaito begins his investigation, he discovers that Archie had uncovered the location of the rare orchids, but their conversation was overheard by Kobayashi’s henchmen. Archie has been kidnapped and is being held at a remote compound controlled by Kobayashi.
Following Wolfe’s precise instructions, Kaito and Dr. Nakamura work together to devise an elaborate plan to rescue Archie and secure the orchids before Kobayashi can get his hands on them. They enlist the help of the local police, but Kaito remains in the shadows, orchestrating the operation and ensuring the police never discover his true identity.
As Kobayashi’s men prepare to move the orchids, they are caught in Kaito’s intricate trap. The police, led by Dr. Nakamura, swoop in and arrest the criminals. Archie is reunited with Kaito, who reveals himself in a moment of triumph.
With the mission complete, Archie and Kaito secure the rare Spiranthes orchid specimens and arrange for their safe transport back to New York. Nero Wolfe, relieved and grateful for the successful resolution of the case, remains ever-curious about the enigmatic Kaito Yamamoto.
In the end, Nero Wolfe’s brilliant mind and Kaito’s skillful execution save Archie Goodwin and the rare orchids from falling into the wrong hands. The Secret Orchid of Kyoto becomes another thrilling adventure in the annals of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin’s illustrious detective careers, hinting at the untold stories of Wolfe’s mysterious past.
Bufo: Excellent, thanks!
ChatGPT-4: You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you have any other requests or need assistance with anything else, please feel free to ask. I’m here to help!
I found that interesting. It understood the concept of Nero’s old friend quite well. I’m also interested in what you think! Feel free to let me know by commenting on this post or, and this is probably better, reaching out on Twitter:
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