"Goodmorning, Marie." Stein said sipping some coffee as his new room mate walked into the dark- colored kitchen. Although Stein had drawn back the curtains and opened the kitched window so it would be bright enough for Marie.
"Goodmorning, Franken," Marie replied drowsily.
Stein noticed how she was dragging her feet across the tile, how she was slightly clumsy, and how she still smiled at him. "If you're hungry, I made some eggs and sausage, they're over there in that pan," he said as he gestured to a medium- sized dark grey pan on the stove behind him.
"Oh, thank you," she said, still smiling. She looked around the kitchen, trying to guess where the plates would be. She decided they would probably be in the cabinet on the upper right- hand side of the sink. She opened that cupboard and searched for plates and found a small stack of square white glass plates. Of course, they would be on the top shelf... she thought to herself. Marie stood on her toes and reached as far as she could, but she still could not reach. She didn't even notice Stein towering over her until he easily reached his arm over her head and got a plate down. She turned around and she smiled at him as he handed her the plate. Stein then went back to the small round black wood table and sat down. Only after he left that spot did she realize how close they were, and she blushed, but Stein didn't seem to notice.
"So, what are you doing today, Marie?" Stein asked.
"Well, considering it's Saturday and I don't start teaching till Monday, I thought I'd go see some old friends that still live here." As she spoke, Stein took a long swig of some thick, black coffee. "Why don't you come with me?" she asked happily.
He chuckled a bit then said, "Oh, no. I imagine anyone would be uncomfertable with me in their home."
Marie was not the slightest bit puzzled over this, yet she asked anyway, "Why is that?"
Again, Stein laughed. "Well, look at me, Marie."
"What's wrong with you?" she asked, turning her head slightly.
"I'm tall, slender, I have a huge iron bolt coming in my left temple and out my right temple, and scars and stitches covering my body." he said casually.
Marie searched for a counter arguement, but Stein caught her before she could.
"It's ok, Marie. I know what... er, who... I am. I'm creepy. And if people want to avoid me for it, let them." he said reassuringly. Marie only looked down in a little sadness.
Stein stood and walked over to where she was standing, and then he put his large hands on her shoulders. "Really, Marie, it's ok. Don't worry about me... Now sit down and eat some breakfast so you can start your day." he said walking out of the kitchen to his computer.
About twenty minutes later, Marie walked in the living room. She looked to her left to see Stein at his computer, typing quickly. She watched for a brief moment then noticed that the computer wasn't even on. He was just staring at the blank screen while his long fingers flew over the keyboard.
"Franken?" Marie called. No answer. She slowly walked across the living room and out her hand on his shoulder. At the contact, Stein jumped in surprise.
"Oh, I didn't see you there, Marie." he said looking around the room.
"I was just coming to tell you that I'm going out now, I'll be back in a few hours." She said slowly.
Stein simply nodded then turned on the computer and began typing again. Marie turned and took a few steps toward the door, but something just didn't feel right. She turned around and was about to say that she changed her mind and was going to stay, but then she read the computer screen. It read: Who am I? What am I? Who am I? What am I? Who am I? What am I? over and over again...
"Franken, why don't you go get some rest?" Marie asked, but there was no response. "Franken!" she exclaimed.
Stein looked up at her, confused. "Yes, Marie, was there something you needed?" he asked casually.
She took his hand and said, "I think you should go lay down."
"Why? I'm fine, " he replied, turning his head back to the computer screen. Then he read all that he had typed.
"Please," Marie pleaded, lightly tugging on his hand, "Go get some rest."
There was a short pause, then Stein sighed, closed his eyes, removed his glasses and began walking toward his room. "I'll see you later, Marie." he said, holding two fingers up with his wrist tilted to the right a bit. Only after he disappeard into the hall did she start walking toward the door to leave.