2. The Stranger Gets Stranger
"Everybody set? Then let's get out of here."
And with that, Steve pulled out into traffic and the bus full of robots, humans, instruments, and equipment headed for home. In talking to Cora, Paige and Matt concluded that while she had no memories of her own life, she knew what things were (like television and ice cream and math) and she had a vague recollection of history that felt more like déjà vu than anything to her.
"So… you three really are robots?" Cora asked at length.
"We certainly are," The Spine answered, "Musical, steam powered automatons, to be exact."
"Will wonders never cease," the girl smiled, "To think that I should live to see actual automatons."
The slightly old-fashioned phrases were spoken with the authority of one accustomed to using them.
"We were b-built in 1896," Rabbit added.
"Then, what year is it now?" asked Cora.
"It's 2013," said Paige.
"Hmm…" Cora's brow furrowed once more.
"I don't want to be nosy," said Michael, "But what made you go into the theater? I mean, if you don't remember where you came from or where you were going."
"I thought I heard something," Cora answered, "Something familiar."
"Do you mean our music?" asked Hatchworth, "Did you hear our concert?"
"No, it wasn't a sound… I suppose that doesn't make any sense, does it?"
"You know, last year I would've said that was kinda strange," said Matt, "But now I'm in a band with talking robots, and you're hearing things that aren't sounds, and I'm just surprised that I'm not surprised."
Cora smiled apologetically. "I do want to thank you all for what you're doing. It's incredibly kind, considering that I'm a stranger to you."
"Don't mention it," said The Spine, "The Beciles are bad news, always have been. And like they say: the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"And you did save Hatchy here," said Rabbit, "That was pretty brave."
"Don't mistake my actions for heroics," Cora held up her hands, "It wasn't my intention to take a bullet for anyone. I'm not so brave as all that. I only wanted to stop that horrible man before someone got shot, and giving myself up seemed like the most practical way to diffuse the situation."
"Whatever your reasons, we do appreciate it," said The Spine.
"Yes, thank you very much, Cora," Hatchworth added, "Would you like a sandwich?"
"Uh, sure."
Cora's expression only grew more mystified as Hatchworth opened his jacket to reveal what looked like the door of a cast-iron stove, reached inside it, and then was suddenly holding a sandwich on a plate. Paige took the plate from him and grabbed half the sandwich, handing the rest to Cora.
"Go on, try it," Paige smiled, "We still don't really know where all these sandwiches come from, but they're always delicious."
Cora hesitantly took the questionable-looking sandwich. The bread was spring green, and it contained some sort of suspicious blue paste and a purple something that appeared to be meat. Cora glanced back at Paige, who was happily munching on her second bite.
"I think it's some sort of poultry," her voice was muffled by sandwich.
With a resigned sigh, Cora took a bite. Her eyebrows arched in surprise. It was actually pretty good. Hatchworth had produced more bizarre sandwiches by this point, and they were passed around to the humans. The conversation turned to the concert, how the songs had sounded, the charming gifts they'd received from fans.
Eventually, tired from their hard work, all the humans save for Steve fell asleep. Hatchworth stared out the window, humming to himself. He was probably composing a new song. Rabbit had found a stray piece of string on the floor and appeared to be attempting a cat's cradle. Someone would have to untie his fingers later. The Spine watched Cora out of the corner of his eye. She had been listening intently to their conversation as though waiting to hear something that would jog her memory. Now she took a deep breath and pressed one hand to her chest, wincing.
"Are you doing alright there, Cora?" The Spine asked quietly.
"Yes, of course," came her quick reply.
"Really? Because it kinda looked like you were clutching your heart in pain just now."
"Well, I'm sure I'll be alright, for whatever reason," she gave an unconvincing smile.
There was a moment's silence. Then Cora spoke again.
"I wanted to thank you personally for offering to help me even when you were uncertain how to do so. Your compassion was very touching, and much appreciated."
"I'm a robot," The Spine laughed, "I only "feel" what I'm programmed to. But you're welcome all the same."
"You know that isn't true," said Cora seriously, "It hasn't been true for decades."
The Spine stared at Cora, nearly unable to believe he had heard her correctly.
"Yes, I know that," he said slowly, "But how do you know it?"
Now it was Cora's turn to look confused.
"But you must've said, before… didn't you?"
"I didn't," The Spine paused for a moment before deciding to let the subject drop, "Why don't you try to get some sleep? Someone will wake you up if we make a stop."
Cora nodded, curling up in her seat and closing her eyes. The silver robot continued to stare at her. It was true, he thought. Over the past few decades, he and the other robots had slowly begun to realize that, in addition to the consciousness and personalities they inexplicably possessed, they were starting to feel genuine emotions. They were basic and childlike at first (Hatchworth was still in that phase) but they gradually became deeper and more complex. They kept it quiet, of course. No one was sure how the general public would react to the idea of emotional robots. So how could this girl know about it?
xXx
"Hey, wake up Cora!"
Cora sat up with a start, causing Paige to jump back a little.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," said Paige.
"Oh no, it isn't your fault," Cora apologized, "I was just having the strangest dream."
"Oh? What was it? Maybe it's something you remembered."
"It's getting all jumbled up as I try to remember it now. But I was walking through a big, empty house with a tall man. Then we were in something like a coal cellar, and there was this bright thing in the corner, and somehow I knew it was dangerous. So I told the tall man and an older man that was suddenly with him to run. The tall man didn't want to but the older man dragged him away. And then for a long time I couldn't open my eyes, but I could hear a sound like a clock ticking. Then I was back in the house, and the men were asking me questions that I couldn't answer. That made the tall man look sad. He handed me a glass full of something that seemed to be glowing blue and told me to drink it. After I did, I noticed that my hands felt strange. I looked at them and saw that they were covered in some sort of blue crystalline stuff, and it was spreading up my arms. And that's when Paige woke me up… why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Cora, do you know what blue matter is?" Paige asked earnestly.
"I'm afraid I don't," Cora shook her head, "Should I?"
"I don't know," said Steve, "But it sure sounded like that's what you were describing."
"You get more enigmatic by the minute," The Spine remarked, "Anyway, we've stopped at a gas station, so if you like you can get out and stretch your legs or get something to drink. And everybody keep an eye on Rabbit in case he starts flirting with a cappuccino dispenser again. He says they're so uppity but it never stops him from trying, and he always makes a scene."
Cora followed the others into the little convenience store. Paige had effectively distracted Rabbit by getting him to watch the roller dogs, something the copper robot seemed to find enthralling. Cora wandered up and down the aisles, an expression of vague frustration on her face as she glanced over the shelves full of things that were simultaneously familiar and not.
"Hey Cora, do you need something to drink? I can get it for you," Matt offered with a smile.
"Oh, I'm fine, thank you," said Cora, "But it's sweet of you to offer."
"Come on, everybody," Steve called, "We're burning daylight. Let's go, Rabbit."
Steve dragged the slightly dazed robot out the door. Cora followed the rest of the group as they headed back to the bus.
"We've got about an hour left," The Spine said over his shoulder, "I should tell you, Cora, the manor is a pretty strange place, so I'm just giving you fair warning that you'll be seeing – Cora? What's the matter?"
"Spine," said Hatchworth worriedly, "I don't think a human's face is supposed to turn grey."
Cora had stopped abruptly, her face blank and sickly pale. She cried out suddenly and collapsed. Michael, who was closest, started forward and caught her.
"What's wrong?" he asked as the others ran over, "Come on, talk to me, Cora."
"I don't know what's come over me," she answered faintly, "Something feels wrong inside. I'm sorry, I don't think I can stand anymore."
"Here, put your arms around my neck. I've got you."
Michael lifted Cora and carried her to the bus. Matt turned to The Spine. The tall silver robot had always seemed to be the authority to defer to in an emergency.
"Should we get her to a hospital or something?" the drummer asked.
"I don't think so," said The Spine, "I doubt a hospital would know how to deal with a bullet-proof girl. Steve, I'm not suggesting that you break the law, but… get us home quickly."
"You've got it," Steve nodded.