Prototype R

Chapter two

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." You answer with a shrug. "Can I get my folder now?"

She heaves a heavy sigh and passes the folder with little care. Felling like a part of you is back, you walk away with a bounce in your step; holding the folder with the softest embrace. One swift glance at the information gives you trajectory needed to meet the client.

"Hello, Charlie." You extend your arm but don't expect it to be grabbed, "I am Demetrious, but you can call me Dmitri. Up to you."

"Hello, Dmitri." Charlie warms up his lips, "I am here to learn."

"Yes you are!" You let your arm fall down, "We will both check what your employer would like you to work on okay? Please, follow me."

Charlie looks at you blankly, with bright yellow eyes, as his inner workings fire up. He roams his synthetic fleshy hands over the edge of the chair and pushes up. You lift your head up and ignore the pinch of nerves. What a magnificent piece of work!

"So you work at Bakers Dozen, Charlie?" You strike conversation as you lead the way, "Can you tell me what that is like?"

"It is...good and other words I cannot describe."

"No worries."

The door to your office is at arms' length and it swings open, revealing a little robot half the size of you. Her wide purple eyes make her look surprised to see company. Beautiful Spectacle in design, electric lights lay buried under her long blonde hair. A little twitch appeared around her metallic lips in an attempt of a smile. Still working on that huh?

You will always remember purchasing; although very expensive, your very own C-5 robotic kit when you received news of being hired. The seven days of waiting for it to arrive was the hardest besides the time your mother was baking pumpkin pie. Upon building C-5, a miscalculated mistake, even with the guide provided, busted her chip and was unlike any other made.

"What took you so long?" She asked with tiny hands on her hips

"C-5, this is Charlie." You introduce them with a nod, "My client for today. May we come in?"

"You may." She steps to the side, "Nice to meet you Charlie."

Your work station is exactly how you left it, clutter free and fresh. A bookshelf that is overly organized contains businesses known to hire the new robotic kind and, much more exciting, a guide to robotics. To provide comfort, a lounge area was prepared for both you and the client. Posters of different prototypes littered the walls and you aim to add more.

A flash of silky smooth fabric catches your eyes as C-5 walks around the room. Distracted, you notice the length of the dress and how it engulfs her. When did she get a dress? A shake of your head brings you back to reality, "Please go sit over there while I get the proper items." You order, "C-5, can you kindly help out Charlie?"

"Of course!"

You walk up to the bookshelf and push the stool aside, not needing the assistance today. Your fingers glide against each spine until the career comes into view. It slides out with a light pull and find your way back to begin, "Okay, so your employer, Mr. Cruz, would like you to learn more skills along the lines of speech, such as greetings. Your coworkers would also like you to communicate more to them. What is your average language capacity so far?"

As you sit down across from Charlie and C-5, your body aches to lounge but you focus on the task. The room is severely quiet as Charlie thinks about the answer.

"One-hundred and ten."

You detect a slight voice drop but not sure to believe it. Charlie aimed his inhuman eyes at the floor and a flash of sympathy rises inside you. He is associating a low number, even for an automaton, to intelligence. You walk over to him slowly, afraid of scaring him, and kneel. It seemed less awkward in your mind but you can't help feel a strange feeling as your head nearly passes his belt buckle. You look at C-5's dangling feet as they kick and wonder if there will be a time where she would stay still.

"One-hundred and ten is a great start," You coo.

"It is? Well mine is one-thousand and seventy...that's better."

You give C-5 a scowl and widen your eyes to bring on the dramatics. Now is not the time! She brings her childlike arms around herself and hugs tightly. A pang of guilt rips through your stomach before searching through Charlie.

"Please look at me," You plead, "I need to know that you are listening."

"I am listening."

You don't force him to look at you while spilling your heart out. "Charlie, I may be a human but I will not hurt you or belittle you. I need you to know that. I am here as a friend and a teacher to make your life as easy as possible."

His eyes snap to yours and produce a nod, curt and respectful. You flash your best smile and slowly rise up to continue. Bakers Dozen employment guide is turned to a page of greetings with a quick pinch of your fingers. "What greetings are already in your memory cortex?"

"Hello. Goodbye. That is all that I was taught."

You wait for a snappy comeback from C-5 but it never comes, "That's alright, Charlie." A quick jump to your feet is succeeded by an exciting idea. Let's play a game! The enthusiasm plummets when you see Charlie pressed far into the couch cushion, afraid and nervous. Oops, my bad.

"Another game?" C-5 tries for eagerness.

"A game?" Charlie slowly leans forward, "What do you mean by 'a game."

"Yes. A game, Charlie." You repeat while putting the book back. "C-5, you know how to explain this. I'm going to get the environment ready."

You walk with a slow pace to make sure she doesn't get anything wrong but, like in the past, she never does. A small end table was carried with little struggle, once a stack of papers was cleared, and posed as a cashiers designated spot. C-5 guides Charlie behind the furniture and he stays put.

"Okay, Charlie, I'll be your first customer." You declare.