Chapter Twenty One: Agony

Smith still had a firm hold on Joy's collar pressing her against the wall. But after a few seconds he felt that her body became heavier. She had fainted and now she was completely harmless. There was no need for further violence to keep her under control, so Smith lowered his gun. Just then he noticed Kate standing not far from them. Her eyes flashed with anger.

"Enough, Smith! Enough and release her now!" Kate snapped at him. She had already said it three times by now but it seemed that Smith couldn't hear her.

The Agent glanced at her and then back at Joy but he didn't answer. Joy's temple was still bleeding but Smith wasn't unhurt either. His forehead bore the mark of Joy's well-directed kick.

"We were agreed, Smith."

"Yes, I'm aware of that."

"It doesn't seem to me. Release her!"

Now Smith turned his head towards Kate and stared at her. A faint smirk appeared on his face and then he spoke:

"Whatever you want." He said and released the rebel's collar.

Joy's body started slipping down. But Kate quickly stepped to her pushing Smith away and kept her friend from falling on the floor. Smith stepped back and holstered his gun. Kate sat on the floor holding Joy's head in her lap and checked her bruises. Then she glanced back at Smith who was just standing there motionless, speechless. He seemed a little bit calmer now. Kate was about to speak but suddenly knocks could be heard. They looked in the front door's direction, then at each other. Finally Smith moved. He walked over to the front door and opened it.

"Smith!"-sounded the familiar, deep, and calm voice.

It was the Prof. He was in a good mood as usual. But now it annoyed Smith more than usual. He stepped forward, out of the little dark hall, so the corridor's lamps lighted his face. And the Prof.'s happiness immediately vanished as he saw his injury. He could also see the mess in the apartment because Smith left the door open when he had stepped out.

"Smith. Everything all right?"

"Actually I was having a good time until you came along. How did you know the address?" His voice sounded threatening and he stepped closer to the Prof.

"Smith...."

"How did you know?"

"I knew your location not the address. As you well know, the Agency has in its possession every information not just about this System but its Agents as well. Including their location, of course."

"These are classified pieces of information."

"I have access to them. Unfortunately I still don't know Stevenson's position but I think he is going to appear soon. And may I remind you that my task is to report your activity and for this I need to know where you are. Is this a satisfying answer?"

"Let's say. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to inform you that I've moved to that apartment" -said the Prof. and pointed at a door not far from where they were standing - "so we can meet more often from this day forth."

"Are you doing it on purpose?"

"What?"

"Annoying me."

"Please, Smith. It's definitely not my aim. I want to help."

"But I don't need your help. Can you comprehend it?"-said the Agent as he started approaching the old man. The Prof. started retreating. But soon he reached the corridor's other wall.

"Please, Smith. Don't do anything stupid."

Smith didn't speak just fixed him with an icy stare. He knew well that he couldn't kill that program. If he did it, he would be deleted immediately.

"Given the chance and right, you would deny me my life, wouldn't you?"- asked the Prof.

"No. Not your life. That would be too simple."

Then they fell silent.

"Will you let me in?"

"Why?"

"Kate may need some help."

Smith was considering his request and during it he was eyeing the old white man suspiciously for a while. Then he turned and walked inside leaving the door open. The Prof. took it as a "yes" and followed him and closed the front door. He put down his walking stick and his umbrella, and then he went to the living room. Kate was still sitting on the floor with Joy.

"Oh, Lord! What happened here?"-asked the Prof. as he looked around.

"Thanks God it's you."-said Kate.

"You know each other?"-asked Smith though he wasn't really surprised.

"You all right?"-asked the Prof. as he approached Kate, completely ignoring Smith and his question.

"Yeah. But I'm not sure about her."

"Let me help you. Put her on the couch."-said the Prof. He put the couch back its original place with an unnatural swift and light movement and just then he walked to the women.

He lifted Joy, put her on the couch and checked her. It seemed that he was skilled at it. Smith was watching them for a while but then he turned and walked in the bathroom and slammed the door. After examining Joy the Prof. looked at Kate who was standing behind the furniture, resting her elbows on its back and looked startled.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes, but how is she?"

"Nothing serious. I mean it's a miracle that she got away with this head injury. But what happened?"

"Guess what. She met Smith."

"Is she unplugged?"

"Yes."

"Then she is very lucky."

"Maybe."

"What do you think he is doing there?"-asked the Prof. as he turned toward the bathroom.

"If I had to guess, I'd say: self therapy."

"What?"

"Self therapy. You don't know what it is?"

"I've never heard of it."

"Well, it seems that he is skilled at it."

"What does it mean exactly?"

"He can heal his injuries himself without jumping into another body."

"By code modification?"

"Yes. Why? I thought you knew about it."

"No. Yes....But ..."

"But what?"

"Programs like him can modify codes, I know that, but not that way. I mean he can change the codes of so-called simply things like objects, animals, or -and don't get me wrong on it- humans. But his codes are more complex and encrypted as well. And none of the programs can recreate, regenerate, or modify their codes. They have neither right nor ability to do that. It's impossible."

"Well, it's not. I watched him did it last time."

"Wait here."-said the Prof. and walked over to the bathroom's door.

Meanwhile Smith was staring himself in the mirror. He focused and slowly his wound started healing. But the appearing codes weren't green now. They were gray. And at the wound's edge they were almost shiny black. He hadn't finished it when the Prof. opened the door. Smith didn't turned toward him until his codes had vanished completely.

"Get out!"-said he and turned back.

"No. Not until you don't tell me what the hell are you doing."

"None of your business."

"I don't like the tone, Smith. If one of the System's Agents plays with encrypted, classified codes than it is my business. I bear responsibility for you, Agent program."

"Really? Since when?"

"Since I was so crazy to take a huge part in creating you!"-said the Prof. He was obviously angry but he knew well that he shouldn't have said it. But it didn't matter.

Now Smith looked at him. But he said nothing. He couldn't and he didn't want to. He was just eyeing the Prof. Programs were never allowed to meet their creators but he did. He could. So what should he say now. What should he say to his "father"? He had never thought about it before. It's something that even a program like him can't be prepared for. It was something strange as well. He had been forced from the Agency. He had been forced to live with humans. And after it he felt that he was entirely alone. That he belonged to nowhere, to nobody. But now it seemed that this theory was irrelevant. Since I was so crazy to take a huge part in creating you! That sentence was echoing in Smith's head since the Prof. had said it. And he didn't like it at all. So he regret creating him. But Smith didn't need him. He didn't need anybody.

"I never wanted to be created. I don't owe you anything. And now get out!"- said he and looked away again.

Now the Prof. was really angry. It happened once in a blue moon and it seemed impossible but Smith managed to exhaust his patience. That program didn't take him seriously and he couldn't tolerate such a behavior any more. So it was time to lecture the Agent. The man looked at Smith and he could see that his earpiece was still in his place. Perfect. Now all he had to do was to focus and in the following moment he could see the Agent's predictable reaction. He jerked his hands at his temple and soon his face was contorted with pain. He could hear sharp and loud sounds and felt sharp, shooting pain spreading from his head to all over his body. He staggered and hit against the towel shelf, breaking it into pieces and causing towels to fall on the floor. The sounds in his head and the pain everywhere paralyzed him completely and finally he collapsed on the floor. His muscles were thrown into spasm but he managed to pull out his earpiece. The sounds started fading but the unbearable pain stayed with him.

"How does it feel like, Smith?"-asked the Prof. as he took a step closer. "It hurts, right? I know. I can feel it myself as well. I can feel your pain and fear."

"What ... what do you want?"

"Let's start with the basics: respect and cooperation, Smith. Your behavior is completely unacceptable. So is your attitude toward me. And I'm not willing to tolerate it."

"I'm ... sorry."

"No, you are not, Smith. We both know it. You're just trying to handle the situation. A situation that you obviously cannot handle or control. And it paralyzes you, right? It makes you mad and scared. Helpless. ....... I don't take pleasure in torturing you, son. You made it necessary. But let's hope it elevates your thinking."

Smith was lying on the tiled floor, now sweating and shaking, with clenched fists and teeth trying to fight against that powerlessness and fear that weighed heavily on him. But every effort was in vain. His pulse and breathe was rapid and suddenly everything went dark and silent, painful and cold emptiness wrapped him around. He closed his eyes and soon two teardrops were running down on his cheek. Tears of pain and suffering.

"All right. .... It's enough now." -said the Prof. and after it Smith's pain started fading and he was able to see and hear again.

But he was still unable to stand up. He was just lying on his side clutching a towel with his right hand. And then he could hear Kate's voice. It sounded from a huge distance but it was her voice.

"What are you doing?" -asked she.

Then she saw Smith who was lying on his back now. He was gasping with pain. She glanced at the Prof. and then she wanted to go to the Agent but the old man grabbed her arm.

"I wouldn't recommend it."

"But...."

"Don't worry, Kate. He is going to be all right."

She didn't seem to be convinced.

"Now, please, leave me with him."

She didn't move. She didn't want to. She wanted to go to Smith but the man stood in her way.

"Kate. Please. I need some more minutes alone with him. I'm not going to hurt him any more but it was necessary."

"I don't believe you."

"If I had wanted to kill you or destroy him, none of you would be alive by now."

She was hesitating for a while.

"Go. .. out." It was Smith. He gathered enough air to speak.

Finally she moved, walked to the door and closed it leaving the Prof. alone with Smith who started to regain his strength. He turned and now he was lying flat on his stomach. Then he leant on his elbows and tried to get up. But it still wasn't easy and he collapsed on the floor again. The Prof. took several steps closer and looked at the Agent. He waited a little, then he spoke:

"Yes."

"Yes.... yes what?"

"Yes is the answer to your question, Smith."

"I didn't. Ask ... anything."-said the Agent between gasps.

"Oh, you did, Smith. It is the question that haunts you all the time. In the morning or at night, running after rebels with Jones and Brown or just sitting alone in your office with your own thoughts. It has been with you since the very early days of your creation. It's with you even now in this very room. The question that looks quite simple yet it cannot be evaded and the similarly simple answer to it also carries a far more important fact. And we both know THAT question, right?"

"Am...am I ....different?" - whispered Smith.

"Yes." .... Now the old man crouched next to him ... "You are not ordinary. That's not a new thing, I have tons of reports and essays on it in my office. But let me remind you something. Being special doesn't mean that the rules do not apply to you. Quite the contrary. Because of your .... "abnormality" you have to perform your duty with extra effort and perfection in order to continue existing. In your present situation it's rather hard to tell what is right or wrong, I know. But I am your superior and you have to cooperate with me, whatever happens. It is not a question of your present mood, temper or desire. It's your duty, Smith. So let it be the first and also the last warning and I hope I don't have to use such means in the future."-said the Prof. Then he stood up and turned toward the door. But before leaving he looked back.

"Just another piece of advice: be nice."

"I'm not ....a protocol program."

"No. That's true. But being nice is not a question of programming. It's simply a question of ... intelligence."

Smith didn't answer, he didn't even look at him.

"You know, somebody said you wouldn't worth the trouble. Don't make me agree with that person, son."-said the Prof. and then he turned and walked away. The door was opened and shut and finally Smith was alone. After some minutes he clenched his teeth and tried to get up again. He managed to pull himself up and he sat on the edge of the bathtub. He took several deep breaths and tried to collect himself. He had a splitting headache and his hands were still shaking a little bit, but except these things he was almost his old self again. He had been sitting there for more than an hour without realizing it. He was staring at his hands when Kate opened the door.

"You all right?"

Smith clenched his fists so she couldn't see his hands shaking. He hoped that she would leave him alone. But she stayed.

"I'm feeling better."

"But you look awful."

"I'm okay. .... Just go away."

She was about to leave but then she stopped, turned back and walked over to him. Now, as she was standing closer, he seemed worse. His skin was pale, more than usual and he seemed extremely tired. But as he looked up his unnatural blue eyes still radiated energy. Then she touched his forehead. It was burning-hot and he was still sweating heavily and because of it his hair and all of his clothes were wet.

"God, Smith. You aren't okay at all."

"It will be over soon."-said he and grabbed her hand to pull it away. And then she felt it shaking.

"What did he do to you?"-asked Kate. She was still holding his hand.

"Nothing. ... He just .... he just showed me my weaknesses and my bounds. That's all."-said he and pulled away his hand.

"Everybody has these things, Smith. ...... And nobody likes them."

Smith didn't react. He just stared into nothing. Then Kate bent down and crouched in front of the Agent.

"If you are in pain the Prof. left some pills for you on the table in the living room. Pain killers, I guess."

"I don't need them."

"Smith, please. You don't have to suffer in order to show everybody how strong are you."

"I do not need them."

"All right. Okay. Nobody forces you."

She was watching him for a while and then she reached for his tie and started unfastening it. Smith let her do it. He wasn't in a mood to persist and there was no harm in it, anyway. Then she unbuttoned his suit jacket and the first two button on his shirt.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Now you can get some air. At least."

"Why do you care about me?"

She looked at him still struggling with one of his shirt buttons.

"Well, .... just because."

"It's not an acceptable answer."

"Well, you definitely don't deserve it but it's against my principles to let someone, who saved my life, suffer."

Then Smith reached for her hand and helped her with the button. Then they looked at each other again.

"Maybe, ..... I don't say it's true, .......but it's even possible that .... I like you. ...... What do you think about it?"-asked she and waited.

"Well, it's definitely not the way it's supposed to happen."

"Huh?"

"You should hate me."

"Who said it, Smith?"

"That is the rule."

"What kind of rule?"

"The rule of common sense, I suppose."

"There is no rule, common sense or any kind, that can force me or tell me how or what should I feel, okay?"

"I think it's not that easy."

"Life is not as complicated as you think, Smith. You are just a fussy creature."

"I am not. My actions are simply judicious."

"Sure."-said Kate and grabbed his hand and pulled him up and peeled the suit jacket from him. Then she scanned the Agent and finally looked him in the eye: "May I suggest a shower?"-asked she with a weak smile.

Smith was silent but he nodded.

"Okay, then. You can do it by yourself. Meanwhile I go and try to find you some suitable clothes. These can go to the washing machine."-said she and waited for Smith's answer.

He was still silent. He was staring at her considering her suggestion. Actually he didn't like the idea of needing a human's assistance. But what could he do? Right there nothing. He was still too weak to modify any code. And the thought of a cool shower wasn't unpleasant. Not at all. So finally he nodded and Kate turned to leave. Smith waited until she disappeared and then he started unbuttoning his shirt. When he removed it he looked around searching for a suitable place to put it. Finally he just threw it next to his jacket on the floor. It was followed by his belt, his pants etc. until he was standing there completely naked. It was quite an unnatural state for him. He felt some kind of insufficiency. His suit was a part of his "personality", a part of him. Definitely. But at least he didn't feel what an average naked human being would feel: shyness or/and some kind of helplessness.

After closing the door Kate didn't go away. She was leaning against it thinking. Now she had a friend being hit in the head in her bedroom and an Agent being hit in his pride in her bathroom, and an urgent question: what the hell should she do with them now? She could expect anything but a peaceful coexistence between them when they will recover. So?

Maybe the solution is at the program looking like an old man in the neighborhood.