[
Meet Seven
]
Ahiga Auditorium
A large auditorium, with sloping sides, so that people in all seats can still see and hear the activity up on the stage. The stage is large enough for any presentation, and there is lighting for just about any type of event, from a show to a simple lecture. Several types of curtains are available, as is a motorized movie screen that comes down against the back wall. High above the seats, to the rear, is a projectionists booth.
The auditorium is set for food and chat, mainly. Students of Professor Meyers walk around with trays, and tables are set up with champagne, cider and many catering platters, including one platter of Beef Cones. Various scientists and press members have come to take a gander at the newest invention.
Karen is walking with Tommy, "I wonder when they'll start."
Karl Erwin is standing off to the side, looking a bit haughty, as if he thinks this is all a great put-on.
San snags a glass of champagne and arranges herself into a pose. She looks about the hall.
Sven walks over to Karl, "Would you like a canape? Beef Cone? They're all quite good."
Tommy says, "Soon, I hope. Harry asked me to come, but wouldn't say what it was about."
Karen tilts her head, then takes a Beef Cone, "That's the new guy working with you?"
Karl Erwin takes a beef-cone, and looks at it curiously. "Of course. How interesting." He doesn't eat the cone, but looks at it carefully, mumbling something.
Tommy says, "Aye. Hey, there's San."
Sven nods, then moves away, serving other people.
Jayce wanders in, looking around before slowly starting to mingle a little. He did accompany someone here, but she seems to have left him.
Professor Meyers makes his way around then room, then smiles when he sees Karl, "Hello, Erwin. I see you're out of jail. How are you, you old dog?"
Karl Erwin places his beef-cone on a napkin, and then carefully unrolls the cone, poking at the ground-meat filling. He pulls out a pen and starts sketching equations on another napkin, muttering. "... pi squared r h..."
Karl Erwin look up. "I'm doing just fine! Just a big understanging, really. These beef-cones, really quite a clever idea."
Karen waves to San, then speaks to Tommy, "I wonder what would bring her here?"
Tommy walks up to San. "Hey, San, what brings you here?"
Professor Meyers nods, "Yes. Tasty and geometric. So, you've come to witness history, eh?"
San's smile turns genuine. "I promised Antonio that I would come and see what this was about. He had to work a double-shift at the hospital." She lifts her glass slightly.
Karen smiles, "That's sweet. Poor kid, he works too much."
Jayce blinks as he wanders along, then tilts his head as he finally spots someone he does recognise. Distantly. Then again, he can still poke fun at them. Quietly making his way over to Karen and Tommy, the young man smirks a little, "No child with you this time, reporter?"
Karl Erwin carefully rolls his cone back up, not quite as neatly as it was originally. A few crumbs of ground beef dribble out. "I witness history every day. Your Biosynthesis project, it's something special, you say? I haven't quite been able to follow it."
Karen grins at Jayce, "Nope. My folks are watching her, while I work. Both Tommy and I are here on a professional basis. How about you?"
San turns to look at Tommy and says, "You here with Karen, perchance? Oh, wait, there she is."
Jayce shrugs, "Secretary friend from work dragged me along. So, here I am. She's floating around somewhere."
Tommy lifts his glass, realizes he doesn't have one, and takes one from a waiter. "Oh, yeah. She takes pictures, I find a nice seat and take a nap. Well, unless it's something interesting, I hope so."
Professor Meyer nods, "Well, of course there won't be a holiday made for my abject failure, but the biosynthesis project, after being attacked by MASC last year, has come to be a success. An actual android."
San grins, leaning in slightly closer. "Well, if the lecture doesn't hold your interest, I'll see what I can do."
Karl Erwin blinks at Meyer. "An android? You say you've created an artificial person? I'll believe that when I see it."
Several of the people walking about start listening in to Meyers and Erwin as they talk.
San bumps Tommy's shoulder lightly with her own shoulder, then looks away again, scanning the crowd as she takes a sip of champagne.
Sven moves over by Jayce and Karen, "Canape. Beef Cone."
Karen takes another Beef Cone, "Thanks. I love these things."
Professor Meyers grins like the cat that ate the canary, "Oh, you'll believe. It took us several years, but Harry Stein finally synthesized realistic-looking skin, Beth Dempsey from the Drama department coached the android in speaking, and I, of course, gave him near human-like motion and mobility."
Tommy blinks, shoved lightly. "Well, want to join the others?"
Tommy thinks . o O (Android?)
San says in a low aside to Tommy, "Sure. Looks like there's a crowd forming."
Sven moves near San and Tommy, "Canape. Beef Cones."
San demurs. "Thank you, no, love."
Karl Erwin smiles, and takes a bite of his beef-cone. "Well, at least the food's not synthetic! So, this plastic man of yours, when do we get to meet it?"
Tommy says, "OK, I'll take one."
Tommy blinks.
Sven smiles and moves on.
Tommy looks at Sven.
San studies the smiling professor.
Tommy says, "Hm. Professor likes a joke, I guess."
Tommy moves over to Karen and Jayce.
Professor Meyers smiles, "Why, my dear Dr. Erwin, you already met him." He points to Sven. "All of you here have been served food by him. Meet 'Seven', or 'Sven' as he likes to be called. He is, indeed, the seventh in a series of prototypes."
Sven does a small bow for the people, as they turn to stare at him.
San follows Tommy. To Karen, she says, "You're looking lovely, dearie. Something certainly becomes you." As the professor makes his announcement, she looks first at him, then at Sven, blinking.
Karen looks over at the android, "Wow. I didn't even notice."
Karl Erwin stares at Sven, and frowns. Putting his beef-cone down, he walks over to Sven, peers closely, then pokes him. "Amazing. You could almost fool people into thinking he was human."
San frowns slightly. "I do hope they get someone to dress the poor dear properly."
Tommy looks over Sven. "Maybe they'll ask you for help, San."
Professor Meyers nods, "Almost. Unfortunately, we can't get his voice modulated just right, so when he's not in a crowd, it's noticeably flat. But just having him walk around is a triumph."
Karen smirks, "Well, you know how men dress."
Tommy thinks . o O (He walks, talks and serves food, and they're worried that he doesn't sound right?)
Karl Erwin looks down at Sven's legs. "How well does it handle being tripped? Can it get back up by itself if it falls?"
The Professor continues, "His eyes are red, so we put sunglasses on him. Yes, he can get up when he falls, he learns, he even likes pop music."
Sven moves over towards Professor Meyers. "I'm glad to be here."
Karl Erwin chuckles. "Likes? You speak of it as if it can actually like something. It's just a machine, after all. It can't feel."
Jayce tilts his head, "Hmm... he fooled me, certainly. Interesting." He looks at the Professor, "How fast does it learn, by chance? And what did you use in the construction?"
Sven corrects Karl, "I have excellent sensory input."
The Professor tells Jayce, "He runs on a piezoelectric battery donated by Solarium Science and Research. The polymers are from Eastham Chemical. The robotics are made of stainless steel, so he can swim and not rust in the rain. He's quite durable."
San looks Sven up and down. "Just how closely were you trying to copy a human, professor?"
Sven looks back at San, blinking.
The Professor eyes San, "Eh? Very closely. Why?"
There's some sniggering from the students in the audience.
Karl Erwin mutters, "Solarium? Those crackpots? I'm suprised he hasen't caught on fire or broken down already."
Karen places a hand over her mouth, giggling.
Jayce blinks a few times and looks at Karen and Tommy, as if to go 'She wouldn't?' with a look. Looking back at the robot, he hmms. "What do you mean by piezoelectric, professor?"
The Professor replies, "It's a special battery. Lightweight, long-lasting, and hard to damage, even under the harshest of conditions. It turns physical force into usable kinetic energy."
Karen gives Jayce a 'sure she would' look.
Tommy says, "Uhm... and how does his brain work?"
San takes a left turn. "What is his main purpose?"
The Professor wags a finger, "The brain is secret and I aim to keep it that way."
Jayce hmms, "So, basically if say someone were to punch it, that would turn into electricity it could use?"
The Professor looks at San, "His purpose is to exist, right now. I'm sure someone, someday, will find a use for androids." He replies to Jayce, "Yes, that's exactly how it works. During a few initial tests, he was found to be able to discharge excess energy through his hands. But he's safe."
San walks around Sven, looking him over some more from all sides.
Sven turns his head as San walks around him, "Can I help you?"
San looks to the professor. "May I ask him questions?"
The Professor nods, "By all means."
Jayce tilts his head, "Interesting power source." He considers, "Just how strong and fast is he?"
San says, "Sven, do you like people?"
Karl Erwin says to the Professor, "His skin is a polymer, then? From Eastham? It seems to me that you're using a fair amount of proprietary technology - the skin, the battery, the brain. Is there anything you can tell us about how he was made?"
Sven nods, "I like people. I am capable of lifting around 400 pounds of weight and of running up to 33 miles per hour."
Jayce tilts his head, "As fast and strong as a top athlete in other words?"
Tommy blinks. "That's my skin. Er. I mean. I was working on that."
The Professor replies to Karl, "There were six previous models, over the past decade. Most of which did not even get to this point. But, seeing as how there are certain people after the secret to his creation, I would like to not disclose that until I have some kind of contract."
Jayce nods. "A safe idea."
Karl Erwin nods. "Of course. Has the military contacted you yet? I'm sure they would be interested in the capabilities of this machine."
The Professor shakes his head, "They have not. But after tonight, maybe they will. I'm sure he has military uses."
Jayce tilts his head the other way, considering, "In other words, you are considering him to be a weapon possibly?"
San arches an eyebrow at the other discussions happening around she and Sven. To Sven, she says, "What do you like about your creators?"
Sven smiles at San, "I like that they made me. That they taught me things. And that I get to study here at the University."
Karl Erwin stares at Sven and thinks . o O (It would make a fairly effective laundry-machine, I think.)
San nods, smiling. "Those are all good things, Sven." She looks at the professor, then at Tommy. "Is there anything you don't like?"
Sven replies, "I do not like physical violence, nor the killing of living beings."
Tommy says, "He's going to study here? Um, are you?"
Tommy doesn't know who to direct questions to.
Karl Erwin chuckles. "There go your military contracts. You better fix that."
Sven nods, "I am currently a research assistant. I am property of the University, so will remain here."
San says to Professor Meyers, "He is capable of understanding questions about abstract concepts and formulating relevant replies. Remarkable." She looks at Tommy looking at her, and blushes.
The Professor frowns, telling Karl Erwin, "No, I won't fix that. I didn't design him so he could become an unstoppable army. He's supposed to -better- the human race. I'm not like you, Erwin, making laundry machines into weapons of mass destruction."
Tommy says, "That's nice..." He ponders how to ask what's on his mind. "So you must be learning a lot.""
Karl Erwin bristles. "My laundry machines were not at fault! It was all that vandalous metahuman, smashing my machines! And this island's damnable power grid. How am I supposed to get consistent results with all these voltage fluctuations? It's not like I've got university funding behind me..." he trails off into disgruntled muttering.
Tommy thinks . o O (Ooh, so -that's- where I recall him from.)
Sven nods, looking a bit distracted by the arguing scientists, "Yes. I am learning quite a bit. On some days, I may be learning too much."
Professor Meyers nods to Karl, "I know what you mean about the power grid. Several times, it ruined our experiments, as well."
San smiles. "Don't we all, dearie." She almost whispers to Tommy and Sven. "Talk about airing dirty laundry..!"
Jayce tilts his head as he listens.
Karen gets out her camera, taking some photos.
Tommy looks at Karen for a moment. "Yeah, power grids are dangerous. (To Sven) So, do you have any... plans for the future or such?" He's curious as to how the plastic fellow thinks.
Sven pauses, then tells Tommy, "I have no plans. I will stay here at the University, helping with research."
Karl Erwin nods. "Yes, I'm sure the power unit from Solarium was a great help with that. Assuming that it works reliably. I wouldn't trust their equipment too far if I was you, however. Have you ever spoken with that Medina fellow? Never struck me as being completely there."
Professor Meyers nods, "He's eccentric. But the battery is quite good."
Karen moves over by Tommy. o O (What's the matter? San coming on too strong to you?)
Jayce hmms, looking at the Professor and Karl. "You two done acting like old hens now? It is a fine invention professor."
Professor Meyers beams, "Thank you. Seven is the result of my life's work! Everyone enjoy the food!"
The people return to eating and milling about, admiring Sven.
Karl Erwin glances around for the beef-cone he put down, failing to find it. He shrugs, then takes another one from Sven's tray.
Tommy thinks . o O (This is all so weird.)
Tommy looks at his glass, and takes a gulp from it.
Karen rubs Tommy's shoulders. o O (How so? It's a groovy thing.)
Tommy thinks . o O (... Yeah, I guess. I shouldn't worry about it.)
Karl Erwin east his beef-cone, staring into space, apparantly thinking of something.
The Professor seems gleeful, speaking with everyone at various times.
San drains the last of her flute of champagne, and places it on a passing tray.
San says to no one in particular, "I wonder how well it mimics human movements?"
Tommy turns to San and says, "Want to ask him to dance?"
Sven moves over to her, "What would you like me to mimic?"
Jayce grins, "I can help with that."
San blinks, seemingly taken aback. "Uh.."
San looks at Jayce almost gratefully.
Jayce shrugs, "If I could have a pair of broom handles, professor, I would like to see how well Sven mimics a bit of exhibition in martial arts. It would be an excellent test."
The Professor blinks, "Well, we've never tested him or taught him that. I think there are brooms in the utility closet." One of the students moves to fetch them.
Shao Wong enters the auditorium, dressed in his typical, common work attire. Looking over the room, he moves towards some of the displays setup near the refreshment tables, examining them quietly.
Karl Erwin steps back over to the Professor. "If you don't mind me asking, have you had any concern about anyone stealing it? I'm sure there are a lot of people less noble-minded than you or I who would love to get their hands on this machine."
The Professor grimaces, "Twice, MASC has had the audacity to try to do so. Last year, they stole my notes!"
Jayce nods, "Which is why it would be a good thing to test him with, sir." He shrugs, "My family has done exhibitions for at least two or three generations. If he can keep up with me, I'm sure he can learn quite rapidly."
Karl Erwin scowls. "Villains. Vandals with no respect for science. But they'd never be able to recreate him from just the notes, I'm sure."
Sven smiles a bit, "This sounds as if it would be fun."
San steps back with the rest of the crowd, to afford room for Jayce and Sven.
People move back to give them room. A few grab Beef Cones to eat while watching.
Shao Wong turns at the movement, to watch the 'demonstration'.
Karen gives a wave to Shao, "Hi there. Here to see the demonstration?"
Tommy moves back, beside Shao. "Hey, man."
Jayce smiles, "The art form is called kendo, Sven. Most of the movements that I will be showing are meant for meditation or similiar." He offers a broom stick to Sven before taking a relaxed ready stance first. "Just follow my movements as best as you can."
Shao Wong nods, " Greetings, Karen and Tommy. Yes, I felt it might prove enlightening. I know so little of Western Science..."
Sven takes the broom, "I am very good with one of these." He starts sweeping it along the floor.
Karl Erwin chuckles. "It's just a machine, after all."
Jayce chuckles, "No... this is a bit different. Kendo is meant to be used with a sword. As I said, if you would follow my movements, I will show you. Think of it as a new art form."
Sven nods, then stops sweeping and looks at Jayce. "I see. I am about to learn a new way to use a broom."
Jayce umms, blinking at Sven, "Well... not exactly. These are normally done with a sword, but as we don't have any on hand..." He shrugs. "Closest most non-lethal thing. Now, start like this." He motions at the way he is standing and holding the broom now.
Sven replies, "Non-lethal is good." He tries to hold it the same as Jayce.
Sven nearly mirrors Jayce.
Karen raises an eyebrow, "That's..eerie."
Karl Erwin muses appreciatively, "Very good. It mimics motions very well."
San watches interestedly.
The Professor nods, "He has state of the art servos, and the quietest ball bearings I could get."
Tommy says, "Impressive."
Jayce blinks at that. o O (Only Hana and Morio have mimiced me that well. Amazing.) "Now follow through with my movements. I'll start slow and go faster as I go." He starts slowly, moving the broom out as if a samurai from beside him in a sweeping upwards movement slowly, then bringing it downwards just as slowly from overhead.
Sven mimics the katas evenly and just as well as Jayce. "This is very interesting. It is like a dance."
Tommy blinks. "He's -good-."
Karen nods to Tommy, "Very good. I'm really impressed."
Jayce smiles a little. o O (This is strange. It's like practicing with Morio and Hana again. I've missed that at times.) He continues through the kata, getting more complex and faster as he goes, "Very good, Sven. In a way, it is a dance. One done for clearing one's mind or to keep in shape."
Shao Wong watches carefully, analyzing the stance and even stranger the ability of Sven to mimic Jayce. .oO(That swing...it seems....familiar...)
Ayame's dressed somewhat professional.. for her. The jeans and men's shirt have been replaced with blouse and skirt, both conservatively cut. She walks in, looking around a bit.. . o O(Him again?) she thinks to herself, then goes to check out the food selection.
As the kata get more complex, Sven begins to have trouble keeping up. "I would not like my mind to be cleared. That would mean total deletion."
Shao Wong blinks for a moment, and chuckles to himself within his mind. The Warrior. Well, it's not a secret he'd be sharing to any. But it could prove useful if there was ever a need to contact Storm Samurai in an emergency.
Karen turns, then doubletakes. o O (Tommy, that's Mary, back there.)
San watches what skin she can see on Sven, looking to see if he has something like muscles which bunch.
Jayce hmms, "I do not mean like that, Sven. I mean to help one think things through or analyse a situation more closely." He glances over, noting the trouble and getting a bit more simple so Sven can keep up. Speed obviously isn't a problem.
No muscles move beneath Sven's skin, "Ah! Studying! Research. I am good at those things." He has trouble following Jayce, "I am not good at dancing with brooms, it seems."
Once Jayce slows to a certain point, Sven keeps up.
Tommy blinks and looks over his shoulder at Ayame.
Professor Meyers watches, beaming proudly.
Tommy thinks . o O (She said her name's Ayame.)
Shao Wong looks Sven over, and whispers to Karen. " Who is this man? His....body movements are strange. "
Karen thinks . o O (Fine. Mary Ayame, I guess. But it makes sense she'd be here, since she works at Dyson.)
Jayce grins, "it's alright. I have a couple years of experience at this. It was troubling at first as well, and you are doing quite well for someone brand new to this." He finishes the kata, spinning the sword once before acting as if sliding it back into a scabbard and turns to look at Sven, "That's all of the kata."
Karen tells Shao, "That, my dear friend, is an android."
Sven smiles, "I thank you. It was fascinating."
Karl Erwin scowls. . o O (Very smooth. If I'd had access to those motors and bearings for my laundry machines, they'd have worked perfectly.)
Shao Wong blinks, " What is an android? "
Karen explains, "It's an artificial person. He's a machine."
Tommy thinks . o O (She told me she had a bakery.)
Shao Wong stares for a moment, " And he is...sentient...? "
Tommy says, "Nah, he just acts like he is."
Karen raises an eyebrow. o O (A woman of mystery), "He seems sentient to me."
Shao Wong nods, watching. " Fascinating. This would be the 'creation' the Professor is showcasing? "
Karl Erwin shakes his head, "Just a clever machine. Well, made, but it's not like a person."
Karen nods, "Yeah. It took him the better part of ten years, apparently. And then MASC stole his notes."
Shao Wong says, "MASC? I am not familiar with them."
Professor Meyers frowns at Karl, "It's not intended to be a human replacement. He's an aid."
Karen blinks, "The metal people that kept attacking Rikki, the alien, a few years ago. Wow. I guess you're kind of a recluse."
Shao Wong ahs, " Actually, I was not...involved...in that particular incident. "
Jayce smiles, offering his hand to Sven in a hand-shake. "Thank you, Sven. The only ones who have been able to keep up with me ever since I started are my brother and sister. It is truly an honor to see how well you can mimic movements." He looks at the professor, "Professor, I would say that Sven can mimic anything I can do after seeing it once or twice. A fine accomplishment."
The Professor smiles, "Thank you for the demonstration. I knew he had a good memory and hand-eye coordination, but you proved it better than I could."
Shao Wong watches for a few moments, and then speaks to Meyers. " Professor, I am curious...what fuel source does he use? "
The Professor tells Shao, "It's a piezoelectric battery, made by Solarium."
Jayce nods, "You are welcome, Professor. The least I could do to help." He smiles, "Let's return these brooms to the closet, Sven."
Shao Wong nods, " How long does each 'battery' last, if I may ask? "
The Professor replies, "Medina said they'd be good for about two hundred years."
Sven moves to return the broom to the closet.
Shao Wong ahs, " Very impressive. "
Tommy says, "He gets energy from punches, too."
San pipes up. "Does he feel? I mean, like if I touch him, does he feel my touch?"
Jayce follows after Sven, returning the broom before wandering over to rejoin Karen, Tommy, and San. He grins a little as he looks at Karen, "Explains how I could see those clowns' weakness, no?"
The Professor nods, "He would, yes."
Karen tilts her head, grinning at Jayce, "I suppose so. I never got much into chop-socky, though."
San says, "Then, he might feel my guidance, my slight pushes, if I were to lead him in a waltz, say?"
Jayce chuckles, "Kendo. And I have been practicing it since I was ten."
The Professor frowns slightly, "Hmm. I don't know. We've never tried to show him how to dance."
Karen smiles at Jayce, "Well, you're good. It was worth it."
San looks at the professor. "Have you introduced him to music?"
Karl Erwin speaks up, "You never taught it how to do sword-movements with a broomstick, either."
Sven pipes up, "I play guitar, and I listen to music on the record player."
Shao Wong looks to Jayce for a moment, at the clown comment, but otherwise makes no statement of his own.
San regards Sven and says, "Have you ever seen someone dance, Sven?"
Tommy says, "Maybe when it's, like, 2000, everyone will have an android at home."
Sven nods, "Often, Beth has on American Bandstand. Also, I correspond with a woman who enjoys television."
Karen nods to Tommy, "And flying cars."
San says, "Would you like to dance with me, then?"
San steps closer to Sven, smiling up at him.
Sven looks over at The Professor, who nods to him, then moves to San. "I would like to dance."
Tommy says, "And flying cars."
Jayce smiles, "Thank you. To tell the truth, no one has been able to follow through a kata such as that since my brother and sister." He shrugs. He looks over at Shao, then turns to see the dance. He glances at the two, "Flying cars? You two read too many novels."
Karl Erwin thinks . o O (Unbelievable. She's flirting with a machine. Hope she doesn't try to kiss it, might get electrocuted.)
San says, "All right, Sven, watch me. I'm going to show you a waltz step, then I'm going to dance that same step with you, and guide you."
Sven nods and watches San. "I will watch."
San glides into a slow waltz, her arms extended as if holding a partner, easing thru the movements carefully, and ending back in front of Sven. "It's easier with music, so I'll hum." She reaches out and lightly grabs Sven's wrists, placing his hands properly.
Sven moves with ease, along with San, dancing in complete time with her. Despite his weight, he seems light on his feet.
Karen raises her eyebrows, "Wow. He can do anything."
San hums as she begins, lightly pressing one of Sven's shoulder's while she lightly pulls the other hand, turning him slowly in a circle as her feet step.
San smiles up at her partner. "Very good, Sven. YOu're doing so well."
Sven seems pleased, "Thank you for showing me this."
San stops, steps back, and curtsies to Sven. "You're most welcome. You're much better than my last pupil."
Sven bows slightly, "My thanks. You are a good teacher."
Ayame . o O(Kendo, waltzing.. I thought this was a science conferance.) Ayame shrugs her shoulders, then finishes picking through the buffet line, walking around with a plate of food in her hand. . o O(And that guy with the glasses is .far. too good.. What's with teaching him stuff.
Tommy says, "Next we should teach him to play poker. Then he'll have just about all foundations of mankind."
Karen laughs, "I always loved your sense of humor."
Shao Wong frowns slightly at Tommy, but does not comment.
San turns to the professor. "You must let him accompany to the next seasonal ball. He'll be quite the hit!"
The Professor tells San, "I'm not sure I should really let him be off of the University's campus. Too many things can happen."
Shao Wong eyes San for a moment, remembering her engagement, but says nothing.
Karl Erwin is standing off at the side. He says to Ayame as she walks past, "These beef-cones are rather good, aren't they? And very interesting from a mathematical and geometric standpoint."
Ayame says, "Maybe you should teach him.. it.. the best way to hurt you, as long as you're teaching it everything else." Ayame finally speaks up."
San's smile dims a bit, and she shoots a quick look at Sven, as if gauging how he took the professor's last comment.
The Professor frowns at Ayame, "Seven is not meant to harm humans. He's programmed against it."
Jayce nods. "A good choice, professor."
Sven's expression remains clinical and unchanged.
Ayame pauses ".. beef.. cone.." It sounds unlikely that she'll be trying that anytime soon.
Tommy turns to look at Ayame and says, "Oh, they're good. They're cones of... well, they're cones filled with ground beef."
Shao Wong says, "Like a 'taco'."
Ayame ehehs.. "Sounds worse than meat 'loaf'."
Shao Wong shrugs. Westerners shovel all sorts of filth and poison into their bodies. Not his problem.
Karl Erwin pulls out napkin with some equations scribbled on it, "See, they take a circular bun-piece, and fold it into a cone, like so. Very clever."
Karen excuses herself from Tommy, "I'm going to get another one of those cones."
San looks at Tommy and Jayce. "I'm so amazed at this accomplishment. He seems capable of mimicking any human movement. And his thinking is incredibly advanced."
Ayame m-hmns.. "then they stuff it with dead cow. Disgusting." Ayame's plate is rather void of red meat.. the salmon's the closest she gets to red.
Tommy nods. "I'm impressed, too. Until yesterday, the best we had was... uh.. the room-size thing at the University, and now this."
Jayce shrugs, looking at Ayame. "I would prefer sushi myself. Or at least a good bowl of rice."
Karl Erwin shrugs. "Better than trying to stuff a live cow in there."
Tommy snickers.
Karen takes a cone, eating it. o O (This is the woman Jenny thought was me? She looks nothing like me.)
Shao Wong gets some water to drink, and glances at Ayame. . o O(She is rather pessimistic. )
Tommy thinks . o O (She looks a bit like you, I think that's what she meant. She's not very good with large sentences yet.)
Ayame just shakes her head a little, then eats a carrot. She settles against a wall, watching the robot do its thing. "So, when it escapes, and decides to pretend to be someone else.. how do you plan on finding it?"
The Professor blinks, "Hmm? What do you mean, escapes? Seven would never do such a thing."
Karl Erwin adds, "Would you, Sven?"
Jayce tilts his head, looking at Ayame and frowns. "He might be tricked to, though, which might prove to be a problem."
Sven moves closer to the food table, "Of course not. I am content here. Everything I need is at the University."
San frowns slightly, listening to the negative possibilities being tossed about.
Tommy sips. . o O (These people are paranoid.)
Ayame nods absently.. "That's what they always say.. right before it beats you over the head and walks out the door with your keys." No, she likes robots about as much as she likes 'beefcones'. Johnny Socko she isn't.
The Professor's eyes widen in shock.
Sven assures Ayame, "I am programmed to not harm any human being. I would never do such a thing."
Karl Erwin says, "Don't be absurd. It's just a machine. It can't do that unless someone programs it to."
Ayame shrugs her shoulders. "if you say so.. so, what else it do?"
Sven lists off, "I am a research assistant, skilled in various sciences and literature."
San looks at Tommy. "She's..that's just in movies, right?"
Karen mutters, "Well, not all robots are programmed for good, no."
Jayce tilts his head, looking at Ayame, "Perhaps you should ask Sven yourself?" He smiles, wandering over to pick up a plate of vegetables and head back over to the group.
San thinks . o O (Amante is going to be sorry he missed this.)
San looks at Karen and says, "Just when you think technology couldn't take us any farther, something like this comes along. I'm saving up for a retirement home on the moon."
Karen grins, "I can hardly wait to see the moon colonies, too. The future is exciting."
Shao Wong shudders very slightly at Karen's comment, remembering that one incident.
Jayce considers, looking at Karen, "Perhaps it is the present you should worry about first? We still have a long way to go."
Ayame lets the conversation drift over her head again, nibbling on rabbit food while she watches Sven.
Karen tells Jayce, "I don't bother worrying. I either act or I don't act. No sense in worrying about anything."
The Professor turns to everyone, "I thank you all for coming to see this piece of history in action." The students begin to clean up the area.
Tommy hugs Karen. "Aw, you do."
Karen hugs Tommy, "Okay, just a bit. So, where to now?"
San turns away from Karen and Tommy embracing, but doesn't seem to find anything to attach her gaze to. She settles for walking over to a table and taking another glass of champagne.
Karl Erwin makes his way out of the auditorium. . o O (That settles it. Can't be upstaged like this. Have to get my next project working right.)
Sven nods to people as they leave. "Thank you. Thank you."
San takes a sip, looking over the rim of her glass at Sven.
Shao Wong moves over to San, but not for a glass of champagne. " Hello, San. It is good to see you agian. Is Antonio well? "
Jayce finishes with his bit of food and wanders over to set it down or throw it away, then turns to wander out. "See you folks around. Be good, Sven."
Karen waves to Jayce, "Hang loose."
Sven tells Jayce, "I am programmed to be good."
San nods quickly. "Yes. He wanted to be here tonight, but had to work a double shift at the hospital. He's going to be miffed to hear that he missed history in the making." She smiles at Shao Wong. "And how are you this fine evening?"
Shao Wong nods, " I am well. " He eyes the champagne, " San. I do not mean to meddle, but I think you may of given Sven a wrong impression. Please be careful, he is still relatively new to the world, from what I percieve. "
Ayame nods her head in a vague sort of way. She sets her plate aside for the students to clean up and makes her way to the door out.
Tommy says, "Oh. San, Shao. Shao, San."
San turns to look at Shao Wong and says, "I'm not sure he's capable of getting any kind of impression, not in the way that you or I might. But he is an amazing piece of work, nonetheless."
Jayce smiles, heading out. He pauses, though, turning a little to look at Ayame just outside the door, raising an eyebrow.
Shao Wong nods, " Yes, he is. I just hope you are correct. Good night. " A nod, and he heads for the doors.
Ayame looks back at Jayce.. "Hello?"
Karen tells San, "He's from Asia, so he doesn't know all this modern stuff."
San watches Shao Wong depart, her smile still firmly in place, but a bit of sadness creeping behind her eyes. She shakes it off after he's gone, and reignites the smile for Karen and Tommy.
Jayce says, "Hello. You're the jogger that I saw while I was practicing yesterday?"
Tommy yawns.
Karen wraps an arm around Tommy, "Let's get Jenny and go home, and do what married couples with a baby do when they get a moment. Sleep."
San says to Tommy and Karen, "I hope you two don't mind my dashing off, but I want to go straightaway and tell Antonio the news."
Karen grins, "No sweat. Good seeing you, again."
Tommy nods. "It's a good idea." He looks at the latecomers. "Er, sorry about that."
Ayame nods at Jayce.. "Yes.. I am."
San nods, smiling. "And you. Good night." She then bustles her way out the door.
Karen moves with Tommy to the door, "That was a groovy android..."
Jayce shrugs, "You missed the exhibition." He mentions, then turns to wander off, headed for no-where it seems. Or maybe just home or somewhere near-abouts. Unless Ayame has more to say, of course.
Tommy nods. "Indeed. Nicer than a lot of people"
Karen chuckles, "Well, we can't all be Night Eagle, you know."
Ayame lifts her hand to wave doobye to Jayce.. once his back is turned to her, of course. . o O(You need to lighten up, Ayame.)
EPILOGUE: Behind the sunglasses, Sven's red eyes glow slightly, and a program begins. Somewhere, sometime, everything will change...But for now, he is a content android.
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