“That’s a roomba. I don’t think it will talk to you.” (From the Sentence Starters)
".... What?"
She seems genuinely upset by this, bordering on tearful.
"But he's doing such a wonderful job! Look at him, keeping the floors all tidy! It's not right if I don't thank him for his hard work!"
Poppy pats the Roomba.
"You're doing great, little friend."
There was a raise of eyebrow at that moment, watching the other bot still talking to the moving vacuum and even patting it. He slowly pinched the bridge of his nose, dealing with bots wasn't always easy and explaining things was as tricky at times.
"It's a vacuum cleaner. It is not as developed as you or the others around it just... has no conscience. Only programmed for this task."
She gives him a blank look.
"Okay....? And? He's doing it well, so I'm cheering him on. Whether he talks back or not is besides the point, really. It's the thought that counts!"
There was a slow blink at the response, he was not paid enough to deal with any of this and to try to explain anything. He let out a sigh, both hands hiding in his pockets. " I don't understand you guys sometimes..."
"And I hardly ever understand grown-ups, so that makes us even. Just because the Roomba can't talk back, that doesn't mean I can't still be polite, right?"
Oh now he looked up towards the ceiling. He had been dealing with kids time to time and other bots but this one sure was different. He took a deep breath and looked back at the puppet.
"You are, in fact, very polite. I am just saying that a roomba does not care. Not every machines function like you are. It's not a question of being able to talk back or not...."
"Maybe you're right and the Roomba doesn't care. But I care enough to be polite. And if it turns out this little circle guy actually can hear me, then even better. .... Besides, I like having it around. It's fun to watch it between when we close and when everyone else wakes up."
She made motions with her hands, like tracing its path.
"Goes wrrrrrrrrr....."















