Chapter 5

Was it a game? Veronica suddenly felt a vague uneasiness. Something had definitely gone wrong. She scrutinised her android's face. If he were a regular flesh-and-blood guy, Veronica would probably have a lawsuit for harassment and a restraining order against approaching the object of her affection. In the human world, such behaviour was unequivocally taboo, but that was the point, the specimen standing before her was not human. Androids are not people. In essence, they are just things created for the convenience and comfort of their owners.

They have no more rights than furniture. Androids, although considered a luxury, were quite common in homes, along with household appliances such as mixers, refrigerators, and washing machines.

And what happens to a washing machine if it suddenly stops performing its basic functions - washing laundry? That's right. It's disposed of. No regrets.

But Veronica decided to give her stubborn friend a second chance. Maybe it was a bug, not a feature.

- Let's make a deal,' she said to Robin the android in a conciliatory tone, 'you stop running away from me, and we'll just sit down and talk calmly.

He looked at her incredulously and grinned.

- Just talk? And no one's going to try to kiss me against my will or grope my arse?

Veronica rolled her eyes.

- I don't need your skinny arse! Let's just talk like two rational beings. I won't hurt you, I promise. How do you feel about that?

As if unintentionally, she took a few steps in a familiar trajectory around the couch. The android predictably retreated.

- Maybe I didn't act right in the first few minutes of our acquaintance,' Veronica continued. - It was stupid. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shock you. Maybe we should try it again.

Robin thought for a moment, then shook his head.

- You know, lady, you're not the first person to ask me to 'just talk.' We'll have a chat, then you'll probably offer something to drink and relax, and eventually it'll end with another attempt to get into my knickers. You seem to think, like most women, that men by default prioritise sex and we don't really care where or with whom. But I assure you it's a load of rubbish. All I really want to do right now is go back to my hotel room, take a shower, have lunch, and plop down on the couch with the TV remote. All alone. I'm not flattered to be the object of someone else's sexual fantasy. And I certainly don't want to feel like someone else's love trophy. After all, I am still a human being, with my own feelings, desires and needs, not a sex machine to fulfil the desires of other people, much less strangers.

'Well, no shit,' Veronica thought with annoyance,- He seems to have a real problem in his head. He thinks he's human! The sex machine claims it's not a sex machine. I'm freaking out, it's kind of funny.'

But aloud she said something different:

- Your arguments are impeccable, dearie, as is your British accent, but what makes you think you know me? What makes you think the contents of your pants are more important to me than anything else in this world? I have some wants and needs too, and they have nothing to do with sex. Bodily pleasures are not the main thing in life.

The android raised its eyebrows ironically.

- Really? Yeah, that's probably what you were trying to get across to me by sticking your tongue in my mouth, and I probably just misunderstood you. Tell me honestly, Miss, would you like that yourself?

Veronica felt herself getting angry again.

- You sound like a sinless angel. An innocent lamb in the clutches of a lecherous harlot. I apologised for my sudden impulse. But you don't seem to care what I'm feeling! You're only thinking about yourself. And I want love and affection, do you realise that, you stupid chump! I want someone at home waiting for me when I get home from work. For someone to warm me up and give me love just like that, without conditions or obligations. I want simple human joys, warmth and comfort!

Suddenly Veronica felt a spasm in her throat, realising that she actually genuinely wanted this. In an instant she realised the full extent of her loneliness, and felt that she was about to cry. She felt unbearably sorry for herself.

The android Robin snorted sarcastically.

- Maybe you should get a cat then, ma'am. He'd give you everything you want, all that good feeling, as long as he didn't shit on the floor past the litter box.

And then Veronica freaked out.

- A cat? A cat?! I'm gonna get you, you plastic bastard! If I catch you! I swear I'll tear you to shreds!

The android realised he'd said the wrong thing, but it was too late. The enraged Veronica attacked again, but not in order to merge with him in ecstasy. The frenzied rally around the sofa resumed with redoubled speed.

- Scarecrow! You soulless dummy! - Hysterically screamed, the offended girl - Who are you to give me your stupid advice?! You're not even human! You're a f*ing sex machine! He's telling me to get a cat, you f*ing psychologist! Ouch!

She slammed her pinky against the edge of the coffee table and almost howled in pain. Sparks flew from her eyes. Veronica clutched at the bruised area, trying to fight the agony. Oh, God, that hurt!

- What do you mean, 'not human?' - she heard the android's surprised voice. Through the pain, Veronica could barely make out the look of bewilderment on his face.

- That's what I mean, you idiot! I don't know what you think you are, but you're a machine. A biorobot controlled by artificial intelligence. A robot! A mannequin with a titanium skeleton and silicone muscles, covered in synthetic leather. A damn expensive mannequin. You don't believe me? Here, read it!

With these words she furiously threw at his face a stack of booklets lying on the table, and brochures of the manufacturing company, which she had shortly before taken out of the box.

The pieces of paper swirled around him like a whirlwind of fallen leaves and lay smoothly on the floor.

Veronica scrambled to the sofa, flopped down on it and sobbed loudly, burying her face in her palms.