One would think watching football all day, eating a wonderful Thanksgiving Day feast, and generally relaxing would be perfect, Right?

Tell it Michael Knight and his trusty partner (and soulmate), the Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT) - a sentient computer inside a modified black Trans AM.

It all started in the year 2010 on Thanksgiving Day.

Michael and KITT have been together as partners, best friends, and soulmates for the past twenty-eight years.

Michael watched football with KITT and had dinner with Devon, Bonnie, and RC (his family). KITT observed the humans through a special close-circuit camera recently installed at the mansion.

KITT communicated directly through a speaker system instead of using the new modified smartwatch/comlink on Michael's left wrist and gave his two cents worth when Michael had his third helping of dessert.

After dinner, everyone went into the mansion's living room and told tales of adventures in the past.

KITT, as usual, added his stories into the mix, and there was plenty of laughter from everyone, including the computer.

When Michael finished his tales, he sat back on the couch and relaxed.

Yep, it was a perfect Thanksgiving Day except-

Bonnie and RC left the mansion to return to their respective homes. Michael and Devon were alone in the living room when Michael thought of something.

Michael believes shopping at a large plaza at the stroke of Midnight would be a good idea. He had wanted to buy a new leather jacket and purchase gifts for the family, including KITT.

Devon immediately nixed the idea of accompanying Michael. He knows crowds, noise, and traffic would be too much for a man his age. Feeling every bit of his eighty-plus years, he'll remain home to read a good book.

Michael doesn't blame Devon. He hugged his second father, said goodnight, and headed to the garage where KITT was.

KITT is about to recharge when his Anamorphic Equalizer detects a whistling Michael Knight walking straight toward him with a determined look. *OH NO! I won't be recharging now!* the computer processes in his central processing unit and lets out a mechanical version of a sigh. Like always, the driver's door automatically opens before Michael can open it himself.

"Hey, Buddy? Are you ready for a shopping trip?" Michael asked as he sat in the driver's seat.

"Michael, it's 11:00 pm. The stores are closed," KITT replied, still sighing.

"The stores are opening right at Midnight for Black Friday sales. I'll be able to buy a new leather jacket at the new store inside the mall, and I want to get gifts for Devon, Bonnie, and RC," Michael said, smiling. He didn't mention surprising KITT with a CD of classical music.

"Michael, according to my data banks, there have been reports of crowds gathering in front of the stores, never mind the lack of available parking spots. Are you sure about this? How about we wait until later on in the morning when there are fewer people," KITT responds in the hope of convincing his soulmate to be patient (and also be able to recharge).

Michael starts the Trans AM's engine.

*I tried.* KITT thought, resigned.

It doesn't take long for the pair to arrive at the plaza, especially after using KITT's SUPER PURSUIT MODE. Michael looks around and frowns at the lack of parking spaces. "I'll leave it up to you to find a spot, Pal. In the meantime, I better go line up." He pats the dash and leaves the cabin before KITT objects.

KITT remains where he is for now, with the scanner in front whooshing loudly, reflecting his disapproval. Minutes later, with another mechanical sigh, KITT rolls slowly forward and scans for a place to park. He finds one a short distance away. Accelerating toward the space, he's about to turn left and park when suddenly a black Hummer rushes in front and parks right into the space that KITT found.

KITT had his windows darkened and was annoyed at the inconsiderate driver with his 'outlandish, large' vehicle. "Excuse ME! I was here first!" KITT objected out loud.

The Hummer driver exited the vehicle and gave the Trans AM the one-finger salute. "Too bad!" He sneered and walked away.

*HOW RUDE!* KITT grumbled to himself before moving on.

Michael, in the meantime, had his problems as well. Reaching the entrance of the plaza, he lined up behind two teenagers who thought smoking a joint between them was a good idea. "Hey! You shouldn't be smoking weed! One: You're both kids. Two: It's illegal." Between the smell and the fact the man didn't want to lose his place in line, Michael quickly grabbed the joint with his right index finger and thumb (and got a slight burn) from the teens and dropped it onto the ground. He stomped the offending weed with his boots and glared at the teens.

The teens wanted to fight, but seeing that Michael was almost a foot taller than them, they decided to swear under their breaths instead.

Michael wanted to speak with KITT but refrained from doing so to keep an eye on the people in line, not looking like a nut, by speaking into a smartwatch and the two cursing teens in front of him. It didn't help that Michael's leather jacket smelled slightly of marijuana, much to the embarrassment of the man.

For the past ten minutes, KITT has been rolling slowly to find a parking space to no avail and finds himself rapidly running out of room as several other drivers with their cars circle the parking lot in the hope of finding a space. Everyone maneuvers around each other, and the car drivers honking their horns in irritation. *MICHAEL, this is the last time I will drive you to a Black Friday event. You can WALK!* The computer processes once again in his CPU. He dismisses that thought when his scanners pick up his loved one in a line surrounded by rapidly impatient people as it nears store opening time.

The Trans AM also has the additional problem of pedestrians walking willy-nilly all over the place after leaving their vehicles abandoned. *What am I supposed to do now?* KITT mumbled as he's now stuck in traffic at a parking lot.

It's Midnight, and Michael readies himself to walk in a civilized manner, only to find himself jostled by people pushing their way forward toward the entrance of the plaza. "HEY! TAKE IT EASY!" He yelled before being smacked in the face by an overzealous woman with her purse.

"Out of the way! The woman hurriedly said before squeezing her way past several other shoppers.

Michael finds himself pushed forward by the crowd behind him and has difficulty remaining on his feet. After almost two minutes of pushing, hitting, and cursing, Michael is inside the plaza, where there's more chaos. The employees of the stores try to keep the crowds under control but find the effort impossible. There's more shoving as people grab merchandise on sale. A brawl occurred when an employee made the mistake of notifying people there were no more television sets. Other people grumble before going into long line-ups to purchase their goods.

*KITT was right. It was nuts to go shopping at Midnight.* Michael thought as he looked at himself. His leather jacket has a slight tear in the left sleeve. There's a bruise near his left eye as a result of the hit by the woman and a burn on his right thumb from grabbing the lit joint from earlier. Michael slowly speaks into the comlink after walking painfully away from the crowds, "KITT, I need you." He limped outside the plaza and found cars parked illegally everywhere. There are so many that he wonders if KITT can move.

KITT responds immediately after hearing Michael's tired voice. "I'm sorry, Michael. I'm stuck, surrounded by empty vehicles and pedestrians, standby." The computer has an idea for the pedestrians. Using his Anharmonic Synthesizer, KITT projects his voice in front of a Walmart store nearby. "Attention, Walmart Shoppers. All electronics are 75% off. Yes, 75% off. While supplies last." It worked like a charm.

Pedestrians run from the parking lot toward the Walmart, giving KITT enough room to move. He drives straight to Michael after pushing four empty vehicles aside with his prow without damaging them. He reaches his loved one and is alarmed at his condition. The driver's door opens. "Get in, Michael. Hurry!" KITT said anxiously. Once Michael is safe inside, the Trans AM drives away quickly from the plaza. "Michael! You're hurt. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" KITT asked after scanning his driver. The results are on the monitor.

Michael slumps against the backrest of the driver's seat. "No, Pal. I'm ok. Take us home. You were right all along. I should have waited." He doesn't say anything else.

KITT feels like he's in between a rock and a hard place. After a moment, he speaks, "I have an idea, Michael. If you would permit me."

"KITT, we're not on assignment. I shouldn't tell you what to do during our free time. I'm sorry," Michael said quietly, glancing at the voice modulator before closing his eyes.

Neither man nor machine speak for most of the trip home.

Until-

"Michael, look at me."

Michael opens his eyes and looks at the dashboard before concentrating on the voice modulator.

"I am programmed to obey you."

Michael starts to talk, "KITT..."

"I haven't finished speaking, Michael," KITT interrupted gently. It's something he rarely does.

Michael remains silent.

"I'm more than a central processing unit, circuits, data, and memory banks. You told me many times that I'm a person with free will. I choose to obey because I want to, not because I have to, although that program will always be active. You ARE a part of me. I love you very much, Michael Knight."

Michael's eyes fill with tears. "I love you too, KITT. I don't know what I'll do without you."

KITT's circuits warm slightly after hearing the declaration. "We do like to express our sentimentalities, Michael." He pauses, "My idea was, how about we shop online for the gifts, and I can access the delivery service computer to shorten the delivery time." KITT's voice changed to tenderness,"I was going to wait, but now is the right time. I already have a gift for you, Michael. It's inside my trunk. I want you to have it when we return home."

"KITT? You never have to buy me gifts. Every day we're together is one," Michael whispered as tears flowed down his face. The glove compartment automatically opens, and inside is a box of tissues. Michael takes one and wipes the tears.

"I know, Michael. Think of it as a token of my love. You'll appreciate it once you see what it is." The Trans AM gradually slows. "We're home." KITT electronically opens the gates leading to the mansion and the garage. He honks at the security guards stationed at the gatehouse before heading to the garage. A minute later, the engine is off, and the dash lights inside the cabin dim. "My battery packs are running low, Michael. I need to recharge."

"Take all the time you need, Pal. I was thinking, after we shopped online, how about going for a drive?" Michael asked with a smile.

"I would like that a lot. Don't forget your gift in the trunk. Goodnight, Michael." KITT's dash lights gradually turn off.

"Goodnight, KITT. Thanks."

KITT's lights are off except for a blinking one on the dash near the left wing mirror. A sign that KITT is peacefully recharging.

Michael opens the trunk and inside a hanger wrapped in clear plastic. Attached to the hanger is a brand-new black leather jacket with the letters MK embroidered in gold inside the lining below the collar. He quickly leaves with the jacket, goes to the mansion, enters his bedroom, and tries it on. The jacket fits perfectly. Removing his cell phone (rarely used) from the right rear pocket of his jeans, Michael turns the phone on. He searches for classical music CDs and finds many of KITT's favorite composers. Michael buys several CDs and has the package addressed to Christopher *KITT* Knight for delivery the next day.

Soon, Michael, too, is asleep, glad to have survived a Black Friday.