********************************Chapter 3: Memories, Like Nightmares********************************

This place, Paradigm City, is a town of forgetfulness. One day forty years ago everyone lost their memory of anything that happened before that day. But humans are adaptable creatures. They make do and go on with life. If they're smart enough to figure out machinery and operate electricity, they can still have something of civilization even without a history. People can survive without knowing what did or did not happen in the past. Each day they try their hardest do just that. The only ones who regret the loss of the city's memories is the elderly. Memories, like nightmares, sometimes come when you least expect them.

Thirty minutes later after getting the valuable information I arrived at my home. I went up the elevator to be greeted by Norman, my butler. He lifted his right arm to his chest.

"Mr. Roger," he said in his slight British-sounding accent, taking my coat. "Welcome home."

"Norman. Please check the brigs. Their efficiency has dropped by one-eighth," I said, walking into my home of vast white ceilings and wine-colored carpet.

"Really sir? I'll see to it after I prepare for dinner... Perhaps they haven't been maintained that properly."

I turned around, extending my tie to him. "I feel that criminals should behave proffesionally-- do you agree?" I asked. It was a long day. I needed to have a nice thought-provoking discussion with a friend to get some things off my chest.

"Master Roger. I've nearly forgotten that there's a lady guest-- Miss Wayneright-- waiting to see you."

"A lady guest. You let her in?"

"Yes, sir."

I quickly entered the elevator again to the third floor, adjusting my tie and smoothing my hair. I then climbed up several steps to be in a dark, large green-colored room with a grand piano and several furnishings. As I emerged from the stairs, I saw the slender silhouette of a woman whose back was turned away from me. She was staring through the ceiling-high windows which offered a nice view of the city. I adjusted my suit once more with confidence.I rested one hand on the banister and put one hand behind my back.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss. I am Roger Smith. I have a special house rule that only lovely young women can unconditionally enter this mansion. Sorry to keep you waiting."

She still faced the window. I walked towards her rear.

"I am Roger Smith... How may I be of service Miss--" I heard a mechanical whir as her neck turned around, then her body. My face fell. "What's going on? You're Miss Wayneright?"

"How do you do?"

"Norman must be senile," I muttered under my breath. "How else could be possibly confuse an android for a woman?"

"You couldn't tell the difference at first either."

I adjusted my tie. "It was dark. I couldn't see in that dump. So, what do you want from me?" I said, plopping on a yellow couch. I crossed my legs. "The kidnapping case is already being handled. The military police are conducting a large scale investigation. I'm positive the real Dorothy will turn up very soon." I turned to face her. She would've been very persuasive-- if her face hadn't been so serious and robotic all the time. "However, you are impressively well built. I'm amazed that gritty old kook could build a technology marvel like you."

"Soldano merely funded my construction."

I grabbed my head and chuckled. "Naturally... Well what do you want?"

"I would like you to protect me."

This was getting too good to be true. "You what? Sister, you're confused. You're lookin' for a private investigator or somethin'. Now, being a bodyguard for an android isn't the job for a PI either."

Her solemn eyes gleamed. "The job is yours. Roger Smith."

An indicator on the coffee table buzzed and blinked green, meaning Norman was going to notify of something via intercom. I was thankful. The silence between Dorothy and I was highly palpable.

"I am terribly sorry to interrupt, Master Roger, but Major Dastun of the military police is here and he's quite insistent upon seeing you."