Note: Dunno where this came from. Probably too many late nights of watching Big O. Go figure.
The Quad-A Meetings
Summary: Roger Smith joins an exclusive club to help deal with his...problem.
... are thoughts.
I can do this, the man insisted to himself for the tenth time that night. I HAVE to do this. I need help. This isn't...normal. I have a problem. He slowly stepped away from his car, which instantly turned dark blue. After all, someone could've recognized his car if it had still been black.
He paused at the door, reading the directory on the side.
5235 Imgination Ave.
Subreality Suites
Howard, Fine, & Howard Pediatrics - 1^st Floor
Museum of Musery - 2^nd & 3^rd Floors
Masaki Family Reunion (May 17-21) - 4^th Floor
AAA Meetings (Fridays Only) - 5^th Floor
The man glanced at his invitation, then walked into the building and pressed the button for the elevator. For some strange reason, he had a feeling that this would be a very long night, indeed.
As he waited for the elevator, the man sensed movement behind him. He turned to see two girls slowly coming toward him.
The first was short, with red hair that sprouted from her head and went down her back, almost to her feet. He could see various multicolored bows and ribbons mixed in, possibly in a near attempt at actual style. She had piercing green eyes that made her seem both older than him, and yet younger at the same time. She wore a black shirt, green shorts, and light brown leggings.
The other girl was much shorter, probably no more than three years old. She had blonde hair done up in pigtails, a wide forehead, and large, expressive eyes. She wore bright red overalls and white socks. It was obvious that walking was still very new to her, as she would automatically grab the other girl's arm every few steps to keep her balance.
The elevator came long before the girls could reach him, but the man held it all the same, waiting patiently for them to get on. He considered himself a gentleman at the very least.
The older girl smiled up at him as they walked in. "Thanks, mister!"
He nodded politely and stuffed his hands into his pockets, focusing on the floor numbers as they gradually climbed higher.
"You're here for the meeting, right?" she asked after a few moments.
He looked down at her. "How'd you know?"
"Oh, I can always tell," she replied, winking at him. "I'm Washu, by the way."
To his credit, the man didn't even blink. "You mean...you're the famous mad scientist?"
"Do I LOOK mad?" She paused to check on the other girl, who had started to pick her nose. "Stop that, Marron! You don't have anywhere to wipe that!"
Marron stared at her finger contemplatively, then wiped it on the front of her overalls.
Washu sighed in frustration and turned back to the man. "Anyway, I'm not mad. Eccentric, maybe, but not mad." She tilted her head slightly. "I didn't catch your name, Mister...?"
"Smith."
"Ah!" Washu grinned. "You must be Roger Smith, then. I've been expecting you. It's always great to get a new member around here."
"Really?"
"Oh, yes. Androids are a greatly misunderstood and unappreciated people. But I suppose you knew that?"
"Misunderstood, definitely." Roger glanced up. "This elevator's moving pretty slowly, isn't it?"
"Yes. It was designed to do that. Gives me more time alone with new recruits."
Roger looked at her. "YOU made it?"
"No, but I modified it for my own purposes."
Marron glanced back and forth between the two, then announced quite loudly, "I gotta pee."
"In a second, sweetheart," Washu said, patting her head.
Instantly, the elevator reached its destination.
Washu turned to Roger and smiled apologetically as they walked out. "Would you mind taking her? She can't really walk fast enough on her own, and I'll be able to hold the meeting until you get there."
Roger glanced at Marron, who was starting to do the little `gotta-pee-soon' dance. "Sure."
"Now, you be good for Mr. Smith, okay?" Washu said, patting the girl's back.
Marron nodded. "Still gotta pee," she pointed out.
Roger picked up Marron and quickly ran to women's restroom. It suddenly occurred to him that she might not know what to do, but Marron went in and came out by herself. There were no telltale stains on her overalls (save for the ones that came from picking her nose), so he assumed the trip had been a successful one. "All done?" he asked.
Marron nodded and held up her hands for his inspection. "Washed handsies, too!"
"Good for you." Roger picked her up again and looked around. "So...where do we go now?"
"That way," Marron replied, pointing to the left.
Though Roger wasn't sure if he should depend on a child for directions, Marron was indeed correct. They soon entered a large room with a circle of chairs set up in the center. There were a few people scattered around the room, most of them talking quietly. Roger knew right away that some of them were androids, which actually surprised him. He'd come here to talk ABOUT androids, not TO them.
"Oh, good!" Washu said as she ran over. "You're here! Everything went well, then?"
"Yup!" Marron chirped. "No accidents this time!"
Roger suddenly became very nervous, and was hit with an extreme desire to put Marron down immediately. Fortunately, he wouldn't have to worry about that much longer.
"I'll take her," a voice said.
Roger turned to see a blonde woman walking over to him. She had pale blue eyes and the kind of figure that most women would've killed for, especially after having children.
"Mommy!" Marron squealed, leaping into the woman's arms. "No accidents! Mr. Smiff runs fast!"
The woman blinked and looked at Roger, then offered her hand. "I see. Well, thank you, Mister...Smith?"
"Yes, and you're welcome," Roger replied, kissing the offered hand. "You would be?"
"Eighteen, Marron's mother. Her father couldn't make it, but I'm sure that doesn't bother you, does it?"
Roger turned a spectacular shade of red. Man, this lady makes Angel look innocent!
"Oh, be nice, Eighteen," Washu scolded. "He's new and we don't want to scare him off."
"Why, whatever do you mean, Washu?" Eighteen asked, smiling wickedly. "I WAS being nice."
Roger loosened his collar. "Uh...isn't it time for the meeting to start?"
"It certainly is. Thanks for reminding me!" Washu vanished and reappeared in the center of the chair circle. "It's time to begin, everyone! Please take your seats!"
"Mommy, can we sit with Mr. Smiff?" Marron asked hopefully.
"Sure, sweetheart," Eighteen answered. "That is, if he doesn't mind..."
Roger swallowed noisily. "No, I don't mind...heh." How did I let Norman talking me into this?!
Washu waited until everyone had taken their seats. "Now, since we have a new person, let's start off with introductions. Just say who you are and one thing you've learned here. You go first, Gene."
The red-haired man stood up. "My name is Gene Sta-"
"Hi, Gene!" everyone but Roger said.
Gene shook his head and sighed. "Starwind, and I've learned that being in a serious relationship with an android can be very rewarding." As he sat down, the girl next to him squeezed his hand.
"Thank you, Gene," Washu said. "Next?"
The girl stood up. "My name is Melfina..."
"Hi, Mel!"
"...and I've learned that I determine who I am, not the person who created me."
The huge man next to Melfina slowly stood up. "I am Sixteen."
"Hi, Six!"
"I have learned to enjoy things other than killing Goku...such as birds, squirrels, and little bunnies."
A dark-haired boy stood up. "My name is Seventeen, and don't even THINK about it."
No one dared to greet him.
"I have learned," he said, pausing to look straight at Roger, "that I have killed, and I WILL kill again."
Roger moved a few inches away from Eighteen.
Eighteen rolled her eyes and stood up. "I'm Eighteen, and I've learned that my brother is an overprotective, egotistical, maniacal JERK. Oh, and this is my baby, Marron."
"Hi!" Marron chirped, waving at everyone.
Roger slowly stood up. "My name is Roger Smith..."
"Hi, Roger!"
"...and I've learned that this is a scary, scary place."
"Wonderful!" Washu smiled brightly. "Now, before we go any further, how many of you knew I wasn't the real Washu?"
Everyone but Roger (who looked fairly shocked) and Marron raised their hands.
"Come on, be honest."
Gene muttered something and lowered his hand.
"Good. Washu will join us shortly. For now, I am your hostess, Mecha Washu, Version 7.9! Welcome to today's meeting of Anime Androids Attachments Anonymous!"
What IS Roger's problem? Can the club really help him? And where's the REAL Washu?
Find out soon...
The Quad-A Meetings
Summary: Roger Smith joins an exclusive club to help deal with his...problem.
... are thoughts.
I can do this, the man insisted to himself for the tenth time that night. I HAVE to do this. I need help. This isn't...normal. I have a problem. He slowly stepped away from his car, which instantly turned dark blue. After all, someone could've recognized his car if it had still been black.
He paused at the door, reading the directory on the side.
5235 Imgination Ave.
Subreality Suites
Howard, Fine, & Howard Pediatrics - 1^st Floor
Museum of Musery - 2^nd & 3^rd Floors
Masaki Family Reunion (May 17-21) - 4^th Floor
AAA Meetings (Fridays Only) - 5^th Floor
The man glanced at his invitation, then walked into the building and pressed the button for the elevator. For some strange reason, he had a feeling that this would be a very long night, indeed.
As he waited for the elevator, the man sensed movement behind him. He turned to see two girls slowly coming toward him.
The first was short, with red hair that sprouted from her head and went down her back, almost to her feet. He could see various multicolored bows and ribbons mixed in, possibly in a near attempt at actual style. She had piercing green eyes that made her seem both older than him, and yet younger at the same time. She wore a black shirt, green shorts, and light brown leggings.
The other girl was much shorter, probably no more than three years old. She had blonde hair done up in pigtails, a wide forehead, and large, expressive eyes. She wore bright red overalls and white socks. It was obvious that walking was still very new to her, as she would automatically grab the other girl's arm every few steps to keep her balance.
The elevator came long before the girls could reach him, but the man held it all the same, waiting patiently for them to get on. He considered himself a gentleman at the very least.
The older girl smiled up at him as they walked in. "Thanks, mister!"
He nodded politely and stuffed his hands into his pockets, focusing on the floor numbers as they gradually climbed higher.
"You're here for the meeting, right?" she asked after a few moments.
He looked down at her. "How'd you know?"
"Oh, I can always tell," she replied, winking at him. "I'm Washu, by the way."
To his credit, the man didn't even blink. "You mean...you're the famous mad scientist?"
"Do I LOOK mad?" She paused to check on the other girl, who had started to pick her nose. "Stop that, Marron! You don't have anywhere to wipe that!"
Marron stared at her finger contemplatively, then wiped it on the front of her overalls.
Washu sighed in frustration and turned back to the man. "Anyway, I'm not mad. Eccentric, maybe, but not mad." She tilted her head slightly. "I didn't catch your name, Mister...?"
"Smith."
"Ah!" Washu grinned. "You must be Roger Smith, then. I've been expecting you. It's always great to get a new member around here."
"Really?"
"Oh, yes. Androids are a greatly misunderstood and unappreciated people. But I suppose you knew that?"
"Misunderstood, definitely." Roger glanced up. "This elevator's moving pretty slowly, isn't it?"
"Yes. It was designed to do that. Gives me more time alone with new recruits."
Roger looked at her. "YOU made it?"
"No, but I modified it for my own purposes."
Marron glanced back and forth between the two, then announced quite loudly, "I gotta pee."
"In a second, sweetheart," Washu said, patting her head.
Instantly, the elevator reached its destination.
Washu turned to Roger and smiled apologetically as they walked out. "Would you mind taking her? She can't really walk fast enough on her own, and I'll be able to hold the meeting until you get there."
Roger glanced at Marron, who was starting to do the little `gotta-pee-soon' dance. "Sure."
"Now, you be good for Mr. Smith, okay?" Washu said, patting the girl's back.
Marron nodded. "Still gotta pee," she pointed out.
Roger picked up Marron and quickly ran to women's restroom. It suddenly occurred to him that she might not know what to do, but Marron went in and came out by herself. There were no telltale stains on her overalls (save for the ones that came from picking her nose), so he assumed the trip had been a successful one. "All done?" he asked.
Marron nodded and held up her hands for his inspection. "Washed handsies, too!"
"Good for you." Roger picked her up again and looked around. "So...where do we go now?"
"That way," Marron replied, pointing to the left.
Though Roger wasn't sure if he should depend on a child for directions, Marron was indeed correct. They soon entered a large room with a circle of chairs set up in the center. There were a few people scattered around the room, most of them talking quietly. Roger knew right away that some of them were androids, which actually surprised him. He'd come here to talk ABOUT androids, not TO them.
"Oh, good!" Washu said as she ran over. "You're here! Everything went well, then?"
"Yup!" Marron chirped. "No accidents this time!"
Roger suddenly became very nervous, and was hit with an extreme desire to put Marron down immediately. Fortunately, he wouldn't have to worry about that much longer.
"I'll take her," a voice said.
Roger turned to see a blonde woman walking over to him. She had pale blue eyes and the kind of figure that most women would've killed for, especially after having children.
"Mommy!" Marron squealed, leaping into the woman's arms. "No accidents! Mr. Smiff runs fast!"
The woman blinked and looked at Roger, then offered her hand. "I see. Well, thank you, Mister...Smith?"
"Yes, and you're welcome," Roger replied, kissing the offered hand. "You would be?"
"Eighteen, Marron's mother. Her father couldn't make it, but I'm sure that doesn't bother you, does it?"
Roger turned a spectacular shade of red. Man, this lady makes Angel look innocent!
"Oh, be nice, Eighteen," Washu scolded. "He's new and we don't want to scare him off."
"Why, whatever do you mean, Washu?" Eighteen asked, smiling wickedly. "I WAS being nice."
Roger loosened his collar. "Uh...isn't it time for the meeting to start?"
"It certainly is. Thanks for reminding me!" Washu vanished and reappeared in the center of the chair circle. "It's time to begin, everyone! Please take your seats!"
"Mommy, can we sit with Mr. Smiff?" Marron asked hopefully.
"Sure, sweetheart," Eighteen answered. "That is, if he doesn't mind..."
Roger swallowed noisily. "No, I don't mind...heh." How did I let Norman talking me into this?!
Washu waited until everyone had taken their seats. "Now, since we have a new person, let's start off with introductions. Just say who you are and one thing you've learned here. You go first, Gene."
The red-haired man stood up. "My name is Gene Sta-"
"Hi, Gene!" everyone but Roger said.
Gene shook his head and sighed. "Starwind, and I've learned that being in a serious relationship with an android can be very rewarding." As he sat down, the girl next to him squeezed his hand.
"Thank you, Gene," Washu said. "Next?"
The girl stood up. "My name is Melfina..."
"Hi, Mel!"
"...and I've learned that I determine who I am, not the person who created me."
The huge man next to Melfina slowly stood up. "I am Sixteen."
"Hi, Six!"
"I have learned to enjoy things other than killing Goku...such as birds, squirrels, and little bunnies."
A dark-haired boy stood up. "My name is Seventeen, and don't even THINK about it."
No one dared to greet him.
"I have learned," he said, pausing to look straight at Roger, "that I have killed, and I WILL kill again."
Roger moved a few inches away from Eighteen.
Eighteen rolled her eyes and stood up. "I'm Eighteen, and I've learned that my brother is an overprotective, egotistical, maniacal JERK. Oh, and this is my baby, Marron."
"Hi!" Marron chirped, waving at everyone.
Roger slowly stood up. "My name is Roger Smith..."
"Hi, Roger!"
"...and I've learned that this is a scary, scary place."
"Wonderful!" Washu smiled brightly. "Now, before we go any further, how many of you knew I wasn't the real Washu?"
Everyone but Roger (who looked fairly shocked) and Marron raised their hands.
"Come on, be honest."
Gene muttered something and lowered his hand.
"Good. Washu will join us shortly. For now, I am your hostess, Mecha Washu, Version 7.9! Welcome to today's meeting of Anime Androids Attachments Anonymous!"
What IS Roger's problem? Can the club really help him? And where's the REAL Washu?
Find out soon...