I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #10

Thursday

Jefferson held the door open for T1N and Albro to pass through. They were in the back of the Lectronics Shoppe, Gwen waiting for them next to her uncle. This was Uncle Sam’s domain; shelves full of broken, obsolete electronics, a counter top covered with assorted repair projects, a second counter top with three computers running antivirus programs or disassembled, and of course the tried and true coffee maker still half full with the morning’s pull.

Sam eyed the three who stood uneasily under his gaze. He especially looked over Albro, who had taken off his motorcycle helmet, but still wore his gloves.

“Thank you for letting us use your space, it’ll help a lot.”

“Make sure you inventory everything,” he said to Gwen and then to Jefferson and Albro, “Don’t steal anything.”

It was a warning, threat, and bit of friendly advice rolled into one that both men intended to follow implicitly.

“Well, I’m off. Expect me when you see me.” He picked up a manila folder from this desk, checked to see it was the right one, and started towards the front. Gwen followed and stopped him before he got far.

“It’s not even nine?”

“Indeed it is not.”

“You never leave.”

“Well I have business in town today.” Gwen gave him a puzzled look. “I’ll see you at closing. Ken, you’re in charge.”

“Quick! Quick! Locks the doors,” said the bald headed man who had been watching the baseball game on several sets of TVs.

“Now I know something’s up, you never leave Ken in charge.”

“These are strange days, niece.”

Gwen came returned to the back to find Jefferson, Albro, and T1N in the same place she’d left them.

“Oh, boy.” She opened the door to her left and motioned for them to go in. This half of the back was a large bay that stored extra product, rolls of cable, and the packages waiting for pickup. See the packages Albro turned to Jefferson and asked, “How did you get the day off with such short notice?”

“Get the day off? You make it sound like I need permission.”

Albro and Gwen looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

“Anyway, I’m still waiting for the official story. Unlike some people…” he glanced at Gwen, “I’ve been out of the loop.”

“Let’s start bringing and I’ll explain while we get setup.” Gwen raised the man door to the outside and they started to move in the boxes of supplies out of the U-Haul truck.

“The quick version is, while I was in college my roommate and I started a robot league.”

“Automaton,” Jefferson interjected.

“No, robot. They had to be preprogrammed or remotely controlled. It started with just us and grew to the point that we were having meets with other schools. We had strict rules and it was focused on problem solving not fighting. Where I was drawn to the skill side of the game my roommate, Cal, was drawn to a darker path. Unbeknownst to be me had started his own underground robot fight club. When I did find out things came to a head and we decided to settle it with a duel.” Albro gave Gwen a furtive look, which she caught but pretended not to notice. “But before I arrived, campus security closed everything down and shortly after Cal was expelled. In addition to his unsanctioned use of school property for his fight club, he was also gambling on the results. The University came down pretty hard on him. I blamed me, thinking I was the one that hat ratted him out.”

“Did you?”

“I’d known about the fight club longer than I had let on and we were weeks away from graduating when this all happened. I expected to have our duel and then go our separate ways. Instead he’s hated me for years.”

“Which is why you’ve been hiding! It all makes sense now.”

“Uh… yeah.”

“So how does this duel work,” Gwen asked carrying out the last box from the truck.

“It seems Cal hasn’t forgotten a thing, it’s the same rules we’d agreed to way back then. It’s a mix of skill and fighting. Each player is able to field a team of up to six robots or a team weighing no more than a half ton.”

“That’s interesting.”

“We had that rule because Cal use to build his team out of big, bruisers that could just run you over. A half ton was a good limit that still let him field two of his big robots but kept him from overpowering everyone. It also adds an extra layer of strategy.” Albro started to arrange a miniature playing field in the middle of the floor. “Each team has a goal to protect. Scoring a goal is 5 points, this was how I liked to win. Disabling one of your opponent’s players is worth 3 points, although Cal argued it should be worth more as this was his preferred style. You play to fifteen points or thirty minutes, whichever comes first.”

“So it’s like football?”

“It’s sort of a mix of football and soccer, because you have goalies guarding your goals. But, yes, it is a lot like football.” Albro stood up. “Would you guys like to meet the best goalie in the league?”

They followed Albro into the back of the U-Haul to a tarped mound. With a flourish Albro threw sheet back to reveal Ito, still deactivated.

“Ito?”

“He was the first fully autonomous robot to be fielded. I won every match I played him.” Albro was quiet for a long time and then went down on his knee and switched Ito back on. The two were impossibly still and seemed to be communicating without words.

“I need your help old friend.”

Ito laid a manipulator on Albro’s shoulder.

“Till all are one,” Jefferson whispered reverently. Gwen gave him a side long glance.

I think when I'm done I'm going to make a Geek Reference Check List to see how many I made and from where. Just two days left - Friday and Saturday. I hope you've enjoyed it so far and have shared with your friends and family my quirky little story. Leave your comments and be back next week!

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #9

Wednesday

Albro was in the middle of his bed frame, clutching an allen wrench, and scratching his head when he heard the knock at the door. He rolled his eyes at the thought that it was Jefferson returning for a second time that morning. He had disabled the EyeSpy at the door, but still instinctually looked at where the monitor on the wall would have been had it not been packed away already.

Gronk. Gronk.

He went back to work disassembling the frame when he heard the door again.

Gronk. Gronk. Gronk.

Things had been quiet since Ito had been shut off and put in the garage, so Gronk’s sudden fervency caused Albro to pause. He listened as silence once again settled over the house. Then he heard T1N’s quiet steps and the latches securing the door being moved aside.

“T1N!” Albro started towards the front door. What has gotten into them, he wanted to scream, but instead braced himself for the difficult task of telling Jefferson they were moving. He rounded the corner and then stopped. Gwen stood framed in the daylight.

Albro flushed and then became acutely aware of his appearance. His “Han Shot First” tee shirt was stained at the pits and the pair of jeans he was wearing was a work pair with gaping holes throughout. “I… I… I need to go change.”

He rushed off back to his room, tore the first box he saw open, and threw clothes out onto the floor.

Gwen followed T1N quietly into the empty living room. Gronk rocked from side to side, saying its name over and over again until she patted him on the head. A puff of smoke came out of him and he became instantly silent and still, causing Gwen to wonder if she had overloaded him.

“He probably blew a capacitor.” Albro was back, in a clean ThunderCats tee shirt and intact jeans.

“Does that happen often?”

“Just when he gets excited or at the end of Serenity when Wash dies.”

The two fell silent and then each looked away from the other. T1N stood in the middle, his head moving back and forth between them, and then he went over to Gronk, picked him up, and took him to the front of the house. Albro and Gwen were now alone.

“So… you’re moving.”

“Yeah.”

“Any particular reason?”

Albro looked down at the floor and then seemed to start talking but then stopping himself before even a syllable could come out. Finally, “With the neighbors… I’m just stirring up trouble if we stay.”

“So you’re just running away again.”

“Again?”

“Oh, I know all about it.” Gwen’s voice suddenly became hard and she spoke briskly. “After you ran off at the movie a friend of yours introduced himself. He told me all about your college days. I just wish I’d known all this before…”

“Who…” Albro started to fidget, his eyes swept the room frantically, and he took small steps back towards the bedroom. T1N, sensing his anxiousness moved himself between Albro and Gwen.

The hard mask slipped a little from Gwen’s face and she hesitated before continuing, “Your old roommate, Calvin Rueben Hanson.”

T1N locked his sensors on Gwen and his relaxed posture was replaced by a more ready one; legs spread and arms held up at the waist.

“No… no… no…” Albro muttered as he backed into the wall, his legs gave out, and he slid down it.

Gwen’s face fully dropped its harshness and at once became concerned, even reaching out a hand towards the pathetic figure now curled up into a ball. “What’s going on?”

T1N looked from his master to Gwen and then back again. He then motioned for Gwen to follow, walking back towards the entrance. Gwen followed slowly, watching Albro with one eye and tracking T1N with the other.

T1N went into the office just off the entrance, went to the desk, and then motioned towards the one black screen streaming green text. Gwen peered past the white automaton to read the emerald words, which had slowed so she could read them. Stopping now and again to silently question T1N, who would nod his accent, Gwen read in amazement.

“Oh, no. I’m so, sorry. I told him where he lives. I’m so sorry.” Gwen raced around the corner, tears started in the corners of her eyes. She knelt down in front of Albro and delicately put a hand on his shoulder. Albro was perfectly still and made no indication he noticed being touched.

“I’m so sorry, Albro. I told him where you live. He’s coming here today to challenge you to some stupid robot duel.”

Albro looked up, his eyes haunted and bloodshot; he seemed small and fragile, like a child. “Why,” he whispered, not trusting his own voice.

Gwen struggled herself to speak, her face passing from happy to sad and back again. “I wasn’t going to be hurt again. I felt so stupid for going to that movie… meeting someone I’ve never really met. Then you’re gone and this guy starts talking to me about you… I just didn’t want to get hurt again.”

“I’d never hurt you,” he whispered again.

“Jason wouldn’t have intended to hurt me either.”

Albro, for the first time looked Gwen in the eyes.

“You don’t know me either, Tin Man.” Gwen laughed lightly. “I was engaged once. His name was Jason. He’d joined the Marines right after highschool. He said, ’After this tour I’ll marry you before someone else snatches you up.’ But he never came back.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn't leave my house for months. Luckily I worked for my uncle, so I had a job waiting for me. At some point, sitting in a dark house, alone, I promised myself I’d never be hurt again. And here I am, back in a dark house.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

The two jumped when there was a forceful knock at the door.

“It’s him. I’ll take care of it,” Gwen said before getting up. Albro stayed on the floor, shrinking back a little. 

Gwen opened the door, to reveal a very surprised Calvin Rueben Hansen.

“Gwen… what an unexpected surprise.”

“Mr. Hansen, Albro is busy at the moment but I am authorized to inform you that he accepts your challenge.”

Hansen suddenly looked like a drowning man. “You… you told him?”

“Oh, yes. In fact he got right to work; it’s what he’s doing right now.”

“I was under the impression he was running away again.”

“No. The U-Haul there,” Gwen motioned to the truck sitting in the driveway,”…has his spare parts and extra supplies. It’s like he’d been planning for a day like this for a long time.”

“Has he now. I’d like to speak with him.”

“I’m afraid he’s far too busy, something about delicate wiring or some such.”

“Well then, if you could hand him this.” Hansen produced a thick binder labeled DUEL of the ROBOTECH MASTERS. “The rules for the event and his consent form. If he could fax that to my lawyer by tomorrow afternoon there will be no delay in our “business”.

“Robotech?”

“It’s what I’m calling this endeavor. Albro Swift is the first of the Robotech Masters who I will challenge and fight to the delight and marvel of a global internet audience.”

“Isn’t Robotech from something?”

“No, it’s an original idea.”

“OK. I’ll make sure he gets this.” Gwen began to close the door and then stopped. “There is one more thing. He’s going to kick your butt.”

Gwen then slammed the door. Hansen stood comfortably, looking up and down the length of the neighborhood, and then muttered, “Well that was unexpected.”

*                                  *                                  *

“Thanks for coming.”

“It’s worse than I thought.”

“I think he really needs you.”

Jefferson made no indication he heard Gwen, he simply stared at Albro still huddled on the floor.

“Albro.”

“Jefferson.”

Jefferson took something from T1N and then knelt down next to his friend.

“Your finger would remember their old strength better… if they grasped your soldering iron.” Jefferson said as he slide the iron into Albro’s hand. Albro looked at the iron in his hand, then at Jefferson, Gwen, and T1N.

“Where is Ito?” Albro looked around the room. “We have a duel to win.”

An evil grin crossed Jefferson’s face and he let out a wild, “Yeeessss!”

You've just read 1,394 words, of which 1000 I struggled over and still struggle with. Part of me didn't want Gwen to be the one in this scene, but the other half of me knew she needed to be more involved. How does this day work for you guys? Too much? Too little? Not enough robots fighting? Oh we'll solve that one.

Memorial Day

No update to the story today, since its Memorial Weekend. Instead here is a link to a far better article than I could ever write about Memorial Day by Marcus Brotherton.

Marcus is the author of several books that help to fill out the Band of Brother's stories, originally told by Stephen Ambrose. All of them are excellent and I highly suggest you read them. He is also the author of  "Feast for Thieves" coming out in September, the fictional account of a rough around the edges paratrooper turned pastor, which you should also read.

Remember that this holiday was the result of someone dying so you could enjoy long weekends, read silly stories, or be able to write blogs on whatever subject you want, whenever you feel like it. Thank a vet too, they sacrificed a lot as well.

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #8

Tuesday

The house was eerily silent for what was usually the Remington Steele Hour; instead empty boxes were stacked up in front of the black TV screen and first shelf of collectable Star Trek figures was now cleared. T1N carefully placed the still-in-box Dr. Crusher into the bubble wrap and then atop the other crew members of the NCC-1701D - the NCC-1701 box was already filled with her compliment, while the crew of Deep Space 9 awaited their packing. Ito worked in the parts room, his manipulators slowly collecting the assorted parts to pack away in rubber tubs.

“Pick up the pace Ito! Stop dragging your feet.”

Ito waited for Albro to turn his back and then dropped a spanner. The human turned back around and scowled.

“We wouldn’t have to be doing this if you’d just stayed here.”

Ito turned his sensors away from Albro, picking up a round plastic cowling, and then tossed it like a frisbee into the kitchen.

“That’s it!” Albro rushed up to Ito and made for his shut off, but Ito swung his arms in a flurry, striking Albro several times and forcing him away. “Why you little…!”

Albro rubbed his arms, which stung badly and would probably bruise, as he walked back to his office. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you… but this is over! I’m wiping you back to a zero state.”

Albro brought up Ito’s console which displayed the automaton’s log and command line prompt. He had typed in the first three characters when he stopped, his eyes drifting to the log which was filling with five characters - (ToT).

“Are you crying,” Albro asked. Ito had followed Albro into his office and was now nodding it’s sensor. T1N and Gronk were also just outside of the room, watching Albro. “No, you don’t get to do this. You don’t get to feel sorry for what you did… what you keep doing! You’ll just do it again and again and again. You’ve had your chances, more than I should have given you.”

Albro finished the shut down command, forcing himself to not look at the log which had been busily displaying Ito’s final plea. The index finger hung over the Enter key for a moment but finally came down and Ito’s log stopped. Finally Albro looked and read the last line.

No disassemble.

His legs gave out and he sunk to the floor. His body shook violently with his sobs and his hands tried in vain to hold back the tears cascading like saline waterfalls.

*                                  *                                  *

Jefferson walked in, put his package scanner on the counter, and slammed his hand down hard. “It isn’t right!”

Gwen, sitting at her desk with her back to Jefferson, tried not to react to the sudden outburst. Uncle Sam on the other hand, despite helping a customer in the front of the store, sent daggers at the ESP driver. Getting up, Gwen handed Jefferson a pen to sign for the packages.

“Maybe there’s a reason he never came out.”

Jefferson nursed the hand he’d slapped down and mouthed an “ouch”, before taking the offered pen.

“And what reason could that be?”

“What do you really know about him? I mean, do you know anything about him? His past? The things he’s done?”

“The things he’s done?”

“All I know is nice guys don’t hide.”

Jefferson slowly put the pen down and locked Gwen with the most piercing stare his momma taught him. “Now you listen here. I may only have known him for a few days, but I can safely say I have never had a better friend than Albro Swift. Most people just brush me off, tune me out, and try to avoid me but not him. Sure I had to force my way in, but once I was in I always knew he wasn’t just humoring or tolerating me. So, whatever his reasons for living alone all these years are his own and in no way detract from him being a man of quality.”

Gwen broke away from Jefferson’s glare, collecting the papers and filing them away. “Have a good day Marcus,” she said without looking at him.

Jefferson’s posture relaxed and his own gaze went down to the floor. Before leaving he replied with a weak, “Have a nice day Gwen.”

Sitting back down, Gwen tried to return to her work but struggled to muscle up the energy. Uncle Sam plopped down into his chair behind the counter and let out a sigh.

“Guess he doesn’t know.”

“Know what?”

“That his man of quality is leaving town.”

“WHAT!”

“Yeah, he called this morning before you came in to settle his bill and cancel his last order.”

“Where’s he going?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t give a forwarding address…” Gwen turned away from her uncle. “…I asked,” he offered.

The two sat in silence, Uncle Sam shifting in his seat uneasily, but he was saved when a customer came into the store and Gwen rushed to the back. Uncle Sam heard the bathroom door slam shut. “Aw, crap.”

Sorry for the delay, had a busy Mother's Day weekend, with my beautiful wife and wonderful mother, but we're back! 

As far as Tuesday; I had a hard time writing the end of this post, trying to figure out what to share about Gwen and Uncle Sam while keeping with the tone of the day. At one point I had them both sharing more, even Uncle Sam trying to push Gwen towards Albro, but it just never felt right. I think at this point Gwen is a mysterious character because we haven't seen why she does what she does, which I hope to bring in and flesh her out more in the next day or two. She is one of the more difficult characters for me, but that's probably because I'm a guy. Really the characters I enjoy writing the most are T1N, Ito, and Gronk because they have so much character which comes out in odd and interesting ways. Just writing "Gronk" and having it mean something different is just good fun.

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #7

Saturday

Jefferson knocked a seventh time and then put his hands on his hips. His black Crown Victoria idled at the curbside.

“We going to do this the hard way, eh?”

Jefferson made his way to the side of the house and after three attempts scaled the fence. Once around the back he instantly spotted the closed curtains and the note taped on the inside of the sliding door.

Go away.

This means you, Jefferson.

“I see how it is.”

Jefferson went back to his car, dug around the glove box, and revaulted the fence after two tries. He wrote something on a piece of paper he’d found in his car and then looked at the door and then back at the note.

“How I’m gonna…” he muttered and then he smiled. He brought the note up to his mouth and then licked it. Jefferson then smacked the now moist note against the glass and then stood back to marvel over his ingenuity.

“How ‘bout them apples.”

Jefferson then left, speeding down the highway but not being pulled over and running into a certain patrolwoman like he’d hoped. Meanwhile, Albro waited until he was good and sure Jefferson was gone before he pulled the curtains aside.

360-527-1…

The rest of the numbers were smudged beyond recognition. Albro shook his head and then let the curtains swing back into place.

Sunday

Nothing happened on Sunday.

Monday

Albro looked up once he realized it wasn’t Jefferson knocking on his door. The EyeSpy was just deploying when he saw it was a police officer and he killed the program. A moment later he opened the door with just the faintest thought it might be some trick of Jefferson’s to get him to open the door.

“Mr. Swift?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Chief Vanderpolitie, Eldon Vanderpolitie.” He held out his hand for Albro to shake, which Albro took hesitantly. “Could I have a word with you inside? It’s about your robots.”

“Uh… of course.” Albro stepped aside and let the policeman in.

The man was instantly uncomfortable in the dark house, filled with strange electronics and toys. Albro led him into the kitchen, turning the light on, and then indicated an open chair.

“This conversation is probably long overdue.” Vanderpolitie said with a small smile. “I understand my predecessor had a talk with you when you first moved to town and your… your robots started to… to come out. Things seemed to be going well and any problems there have been you’ve handled, so it was a case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind.

“There was the Milking incident last year, but Ed never pressed charges and I’m told the cow recovered just fine. I’m sure this situation would probably resolve itself in much the same way, but there are some extenuating circumstances that make both of our lives… difficult.” He chuckled and gave Albro a bigger smile this time. “Before last week’s incident every member of the city council, the mayor and his staff, and my own department received letters from a group of concerned citizens about your…”

“Automatons,” Albro offered.

“Automatons. I’m also told a lengthy opinion piece is going to be printed in the Tribune this Wednesday, directed at you and your… automatons. There is suddenly a great deal of pressure for the city to pass laws limited – if not outright outlawing robots and their ilk.” Vanderpolitie eyed the man across from him who had seemed to shrink into himself. “Now, I have no bone in this fight and like I said, things have been smooth on my side of things beside the two incidents which have probably been the most excitement we’ve had since that lady remotely ‘saw’ a bomb in the bank last year.

“But I have to take public opinion into account and I know there are three council members looking to get reelected this fall who hold public opinion in even more regard than I do. So I’m going to have to make it very clear that until the council decides what to do about robots in general and yours in specific, yours aren’t allowed off of your property and probably should be seen outside if you want it all to blow over.”

“I understand. When could I expect to have them returned to me?” After Ito had been deactivated, the three automatons were impounded by the police.

“Well the one with all the arms has been running a cup across the bars ever since he turned back on and the little trash can has been saying gronk in the most mournfully way possible, so I’d be real happy to have them back in your custody as soon as possible. If it hadn’t happened over the weekend you would have had them returned the next day. All that to say, you’re welcome to come collect them as soon as we’re done here.”

“Thank you.” Albro briefly met the officer’s eyes an d then dropped them again.

“I thank you for your time, Mr. Swift.” Vanderpolitie began to leave and then stopped. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but you’ve created something out of the sci-fi books, so what are you doing hiding here and not working for NASA or something?”

“Oh don’t know… never crossed my mind I guess.”

A crooked smile came on Vanderpolitie and he again held out his hand for Albro to shake. “You take care Mr. Swift.”

“You won’t have to worry about us much longer Mr. Vanderpolitie, I think it might be time to move on.”

Chief Vanderpolitie’s eyes got real thoughtful and mouth turned down as he gave Albro a final look. “Good luck to you then, Mr. Swift.”

I enjoy names and making up or devising character names is especially joyful for me. Our story's hero is named after a road sign on I-5 in Seattle just past the exit for Safeco and the Clink - Albro St. and Swift Ave. The bad guy, Calvin Reuben Hanson, is an old pen name of mine who turned into the bad guy of the long running "Time Cop Cruisers" weeks at FirCreek Day Camp. T1N, pronounced "tin", is 1337 speak. Gronk is named/modeled after a Star Wars droid who says "Gronk", while Ito just came out onto the keyboard and it stuck. This newest character Chief Vanderpolitie makes me giggle and probably a little too much (I believe firmly in the Jason T. Kendall Rule - "Program is for the staff"). Bing or Google Translate "Politie" if you want with the added knowledge that Vander means "of the". I'm such a nerd. 

What to you makes a great name? What are your favorite name(s) and why?

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #6

The Friday finale! This is probably the middle of the story, so you're half way there loyal reader. I hope you've enjoyed the trip so far and have shared it with others. The story is also being posted in Wattpad (http://tinyurl.com/ksq27on) where you can comment and star the story. Excelsior!

Friday, Part 2

“You have eclectic music tastes,” Jefferson said as he stepped out of the car. “Most people don’t follow up the Beach Boys with Beasty Boys.”

“That’s just my boys mix; every band or song that has the word boy in the name. I have a girl mix as well.”

“Let’s save that for… what in good gravy’s name are you doing?”

Albro stopped just before he put the motorcycle helmet on; he already had the black gloves over his hands.

“If you want me to go over there…” Albro pointed to the crowd that was gathering on a small grass plot between two buildings. “…I need…”

“To look like you drive a moped?”

Albro looked back at his car, his keys still in his gloved hand. “This was a bad idea.”

“Hey, if the helmet is a thing, then you wear that helmet. It adds to your mystique really.”

“Really?”

Jefferson forced a nod and a smile. It was apparently enough for the other man since he put the helmet on and the keys in his pocket.

“I’m your wingman tonight, Maverick. Anything you need, food, drinks, whatever… you can count on Goose.”

“Watch out for the canopy Goose.”

“That is not positive thinking.”

The two started across the parking lot, with T1N following close behind. The automaton seemed to be scanning the crowd, cars, rooftops, and anything else of interest as his head moved slowly from side to side. Albro led the three to the very back of the crowd, against the wall and under a bright light. They stood there for several minutes before Albro started to fidget.

“You cool?”

“I’m cool.”

“She might be late because she’s closing tonight and she might not come at all.”

“I know.” Albro moved his hands in and out of his pockets. “This is good for me.”

“You know there aren’t any astronauts or robots in this movie,” a little boy dressed like a knight said loudly. His eyes shifted from Albro and T1N.

“Aren’t they playing Lost in Space,” Jefferson asked when he felt Albro wasn’t going to answer.

“Nobody liked that movie,” the boy said dismissively before wandering back into the crowd.

“I liked that movie,” Albro muttered.

“The box office does not lie, my friend.” Jefferson shook his head sadly.

The master of ceremonies took to the front and got everyone’s attention. As he was starting his first joke there was a piercing squeal of feedback. A teenager at the soundboard turned knobs and checked connections under the man’s unfriendly gaze. The problem was soon solved and he took a few moments to warm up the crowd, introduce the night’s sponsors (the feed store, the pizza place, the grocery store, and of course the milk plant), and then ordered the same teenager to roll the film; which meant hitting play on the DVD player. Girls squealed as the film began.

Neither Albro nor Jefferson watched the film with any hint of interest – instead they scanned the parking lot for Gwen. The young girl in the film had just begun to connect with the mustang her father intended to have put down when someone stepped beside Albro.

“What did I miss?”

Gwen look wonderful in a green dress, her hair pulled back, and just a hint of makeup. Both Albro and Jefferson’s eyes went wide and they looked at one another.

“She’s a ninja,” Jefferson whispered.

“Hello, Marcus.”

“I have suddenly become very thirsty,” Jefferson declared loudly and then walked off towards the concession stand.

“He is so strange.” Gwen looked at Albro, or at least at his helmet, watched him for moment and then turned her head to watch the film. The two stood in silence for several scenes.

“The girl… she’s become attached to the horse, but it’s a mustang… and I guess that’s bad.”

“Oh.”

The two were silent again, Albro did his best to ignore Jefferson who was standing at the small concession stand and giving two thumbs up with a cheesy grin.

“So, Gwen, how was work?”

“Oh, you know, sold overpriced headphones to some preteens who wanted them just because they had skulls on them, talked a grandma into upgrading to a phone with Caller ID, and spent an hour with an older farmer discussing the finer points of pay-as-you-go cell phones… over and over again. You?”

“Well, building a robot army to take over the world has its good days and its bad days.” Gwen laughed softly and the motorcycle helmet turned to look at her. “I think today is going to be a good day.”

*                                  *                                  *

Ito rolled over the lesser flowers in the flower bed, while Gronk choose a more circuitous route through the topiary bushes. The multi-armed automaton’s night vision spied its newest target, a grand red at the height of its bloom. Deft manipulators reached out, two others slide back and forth nervously, while the rest held a near bouquet of roses. Ito’s manipulators closed around the stem and cut it free.

A light turned on, basking both droids in artificial light, caught in the act. The door swung open and a woman screamed loud enough to wake the dead.

GRONK. The lumbering trashcan froze, but Ito moved swiftly to consolidate all the flowers into a carefully arranged collection – even tying a bow to finish it off.

Handing the bouquet to Gronk, Ito signed with its manipulators for the other to run and find the master. The woman now brandished a phone and a broom stick in the doorway and others were coming outside to see what was going on.

Gronk refused to move, shaking side to side on its treads. Ito spun around to face him, placing two arms on his shoulders; the others signed again his instructions – FLY YOU FOOL!

Gronk finally budged, rolling over the now de-bloomed rose bush.

Ito turned to face the woman; manipulators whirled in karate-like fashion making the older woman step further back into her home, while two manipulators with grand flourish signed, YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

*                                  *                                  *

“His sensors on his shoulders are front and back facing and are constantly updating his position, along with the gyros to help keep him steady. That’s why it looks like he’s swaying, because he’s always adjusting his balance.”

He and Gwen were standing close to one another as they inspected T1N. Albro’s helmet was off and Gwen now wore his jacket to help keep warm. The movie, of which Jefferson had become engrossed with since Maverick didn’t need Goose, was winding down – there may have or may not been a lump in his throat.

“I remember the first time he came into the store. I could have sworn there was someone inside.” Gwen touched T1N’s arm and then pulled away. “Does he feel that?”

“He has tactile sensors on his feet and hands and he’d be aware that you’re touching him via his visual sensors, but he doesn’t feel it.”

“What about the other two? Where are they?”

“Ito and Gronk? They’re safely back at home.”

Gronk. Albro, Gwen, and T1N turned towards the road, where Gronk rolled down the hill with a police cruiser following behind. The three began to faintly hear a song playing from the rolling automaton.

Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't wanna lose you
I could never make it alone.

“Oh no.”

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love

Gronk rolled closer to the crowd, zeroing on Albro’s position. People began to move away, jumping up from their blankets or out of their camp chairs, clutching their children away from the marauding robot.

You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone

Gronk produced a bouquet of flowers just as two police officers tackled him and tipped him over.

It's like a knight in shining armor
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day…

The song cut off and everyone gasped. Albro and T1N rushed towards Gronk and the police officers holding him down, the roses scattered and broken on the pavement. An officer looked up, saw T1N, stood up, and put his hand on his sidearm.

“Is this your robot?”

“It is. I can turn him off.”

The officer motioned for him to do so.

“We’re going to need you to come with us to do the same for the other one.”

T1N picked up Gronk and put him in the trunk of the police car. The crowd conversed loudly about the whole affair as Albro and T1N slid into the back.

“That’s Albro, always running away at the most inopportune time.” Gwen turned to look over the man who’d just spoken. He wore a black turtleneck and dark jeans and had a smile like a bobcat. He put out his hand for Gwen to shake. “Calvin Reuben Hanson, perhaps I could take his place for the night.”

(It was a toss up between Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" and Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes", but I wasn't sure how it made sense that Gronk was carrying a boombox over his head. Thoughts?)

I 01001100 01101111 01110110 01100101 You #5

Friday is a pretty full day and its Easter Weekend so here is the first half of Friday in a small, chocolate covered bite. Please let me know what you think and please share with any famous people you know.

Friday

Jefferson waited at the door after knocking for the fifth time. He could feel eyes watching him from across the street; curious neighbors employing time honored snooping tactics to stay up on the neighborhood gossip no doubt. Finally the door swung open to reveal T1N.

“He’s not coming is he?”

T1N motioned for Jefferson to come inside. The house was dark and even the TV, which was always on, was off.

“Al?”

“I don’t think I can do this.”

Jefferson came around the corner and saw Albro in the light of the stove light sitting rigidly at the table. A fifth of apple juice sat in front of him, the near empty container hinting that this might not have been his first one. Albro was dressed in a two tone blue long-sleeved shirt and khaki pants, obviously ready to go out since his usual attire was sweat pants based.

“You look good man.”

“I don’t think I can do this,” he repeated.

Jefferson took out a glass, poured himself the remainder of apple juice, and downed the contents in one pull. “Smooth.”

The house fell silent again.

“I know you got your reasons for living like this, man. But I see a lot of the world from the cab of my truck and well, ya see, I'm not saying that I've been everywhere and I've done everything, but I do know it's a pretty amazing planet we live on here, and a man would have to be some kind of fool to think they can hide away from it for forever.”

“Big Trouble in Little China?”

“I spent a summer with a broken leg and TBS played it like 50 times.”

“I love that movie.”

“It lost some of its luster after the thirtieth viewing. Yet, Jack Burton’s words still hold true. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days and you’re not about to share your life story with me, but chances like this only come once in your life.”

Albro slowly brought his cup to his lips and drank.

“Ok,” he said so softly Jefferson wasn’t sure he had heard him. T1N however had heard him perfectly and immediately left the room. He returned with an olive drab jacket, gloves, and a motorcycle helmet. Albro stood, taking the gloves and helmet. T1N then helped him put on the jacket.

“I’ll drive.”

“You can drive?”

“Well until certain legislation gets written that allows automatons to drive or even just autonomous vehicles, someone has to take Ito and Gronk for their Sunday drives.”

“Our government is so slow to react to the needs of the people.”

“I know, right?”

The entered the garage where Albro’s blue ’81 Honda Accord sat in pristine condition. Jefferson gave an approving nod.

“It was my dad’s. You had to wait for a blue one to ship from the factory back in the day.”

“Shotgun!” Jefferson ran to the passenger side. T1N seemed to glare at the presumptuous EPS driver and then went to the back.

“Aren’t we taking Ito and Gronk?”

“I grounded them after their last escape attempt,” Albro said as he pulled the car out of the garage. His hand tapped the garage door remote, turned the car onto the road, and sped off. Just before the door closed, a metal hand swept in front of the infrared sensor that kept the door from closing on small children or just closing at all sometimes.

Gronk. Gronk.

A half dozen of Ito’s hands motioned for Gronk to silence himself, while the automaton’s sensors scanned the immediate area. Ito coded into his log the symbols for smiley face and evil grin face.

To be continued...