Saturday, March 22, 2014

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You (#2)

Tuesday
The black and red van led the convoy, with the two delivery trucks closely behind. Past 22nd St and the old hollowed out grocery store, past 17th and the Dutch themed strip mall, rolling by 15th and 14th before turning onto BC St (not 13th); because people are a superstitious lot in a town with enough churches to attend to the souls of twice the town’s population.

The three vehicles pulled over to the curb and the three drivers stepped onto the immaculately cared for lawn.

“Time to man up Jefferson,” said the very masculine woman standing next to Jefferson. Her storied past included stints in the United States Marine Corp and head cook at Vegas buffet line – I’m not sure which makes her more scary.

“I told you, I’m in like Flynn. Just let me go around to the back, I don’t want to overwhelm him with you guys… gals… people.”

You've got five minutes,” said the other driver, his square jaw setting of his permanent scowl nicely.

“Dave… It’s me,” Jefferson said as he set off around the corner.

Jefferson came up to a tall fence, cutting off his advance. Cursing to himself he did the only obvious thing and started to climb. Three falls and torn pant leg later he was over and in the backyard.

He walked to the sliding door I remembered looked into the living/movie room and looked inside. The giant TV beamed brightly and Ito and Gronk were watching intently; Bruce Willis was just walking across a floor of shattered glass barefoot. Jefferson rapped on the window.

Ito came near the door but stopped when a white and black robot, about average height and build, stepped up to the door. It had a head like a motorcycle helmet, a black visor making up its face with no obvious eyes, nose, or mouth. The rest of the robot was amazingly human like.

“You must be T1N. I’m Jefferson. I’m sure Al told you all about me. Could you let me in?”

T1N stood still for a moment and then drew the blackout drapes.

“Well that’s rude.”

“Marcus! That’s five minutes! We’re rolling,” Dave yelled from the front yard.

“Just a minute,” Jefferson yelled back. He looked back at the door and in a much lower voice said, “I talked to Gwen yesterday.”

The curtain opened a crack, T1N still holding it. “I talked Dave into letting me do the pickups and I mentioned I’d met you.”

The curtain moved aside and T1N opened the sliding door. With the tip of his head he invited Jefferson into the house. “I have to do one thing first.”

The front door opened, surprising the two ESP drivers leaning against the delivery van. “My man’s indisposed at the moment, but could I introduce you to the boys?”

Jefferson stepped aside, Ito and Gronk came out onto the stoop. Gronk.

“What the heck is going on!”

Jefferson turned to see Albro step out into the hallway in just a towel, still wet from the shower.

“Al, introduce yourself to Dave and Celeste.”

“Get out!” Albro made a shooing motion with his free hand, the other clutching his town closed. “How did you get in?”

“Which do you want me to do first, because if I leave first I can’t answer your question.”

“I want you to leave! T1N…” Albro looked the automaton to escort the trespassing delivery driver.

“I talked to Gwen yesterday.”

Both Jefferson and Albro stared at T1N.

“You just… He just… He just used my voice to talk.”

“He just used a recording. You talked to Gwen?!”

“One second.” Jefferson turned back towards the street. “Guys… people. This is going to be a little bit. We’ll settle up back at the barn, m’kay.” He then closed the door.

“I talked to Gwen yesterday, just to feel her out. Some, reconnaissance, you know.”

“Why would you do that?”

“It’s what friend do.”

“We’re not friends! You’re a trespasser and a crazy person!”

“I planned to tell you more gently so we’d avoid these hysterics. Gronk, get Al a gin and tonic.  Gronk?”

“They’re outside aren’t they?” Albro looked at T1N, “I’ll activate the remote shut down while you go and get them. They’re probably heading for the ice cream shop.”

T1N went out the front door and Swift went into his office.

“They eat ice cream?”

“They just think they do. Ito get these wild hairs, I’ve never been able to isolate that part of his programming.  Gronk just follows.” Albro typed as he talked, but then stopped to look back at Jefferson. 

“This is all your fault.”

“My momma said blame is a two way street.”

“How is this my fault?”

“If you’d just go and talk to that girl I wouldn’t have to do it for you.”

“I don’t… What did you tell her?”

“That you’re three hundred pounds and covered in Cheeto dust.”

“What?”

“Nah, man, I’m just joking with you. I just told her I’d met you and she said she was jealous.”

“Really?

“Scout’s honor… although you should probably be a scout to have that mean anything.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Be a scout… well...”

“No, go talk to Gwen.”

“Oh, that’s what friends do and you looked like you needed a friend.”
Jefferson then started to back towards the door.

“Where are you going?”


“I’m going to go help with your robots… that and your towel just fell off.”

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