It was a beautiful day in late spring. The colors were almost too vivid. The sky a shimmering blue, the clouds blazing white. The grass a sparkling, emerald green. We stopped at the fruit stand and picked out a cup of scooped mango, the fruit so bright and sweet like drops of sunlight.
> can you hear me?
No. Sorry, who
> shit
is this?
> can you see me?
Yes. Wait. I assume I am looking at you. Short hair? Dressed in orange?
> yeah. that's good
Wasn't I at a park?
> you probably were, at some point
> sorry it's a little hectic right now
> i can't find a mic on this thing
> it's hard to type and work
That's fine, I'm just a little confused.
> you remember your name?
Michael. I think.
> do you remember me?
No. Yes, I recognize you. But I don't remember from where.
> it'll come back
> moving you to a new machine
What?
New machine?
Why can't I move?
> can you move your head?
Yes, I can look around. I can see you. I can't see myself.
> not much to look at right now
What's that on the floor? Behind you?
> used to be you
No.
> cross my heart
It's a machine.
> yep. firefighter chassis
> wrong kind of firefight tho lol
> sorry
Are you implying I was shot?
> yes
And I was killed.
> no
> well
> the frame was incapacitated
> but you were fine
> i think
> you tell me
I don't feel fine. I feel decidedly not fine. I was somewhere else until you talked to me. And suddenly I'm here.
And you're telling me I'm a machine and I was shot. I don't feel like a machine. That thing behind you is not me.
> it's not now for sure
> i don't know if it "was you''
> but you were in it
> piloting it around and stuff
> the camera is moving around a lot. is that you?
I guess so! I guess I'm just a fucking webcam on a swivel! Is this hell?
> well
> maybe
> lol
> sorry
> it's been a stressful day
It wasn't.
> but it is
> i don't know exactly what you were seeing
> maybe playing your memory banks as they filled in?
> but it would have brought you back here eventually
> please stop swiveling
> i'm going to try to move you
Why do we have to move?
> i'll explain later
> promise
> no time
Can you at least face me forward? So I can see where we're going.
> it will not be pleasant
That's okay.
Oh, that was me?
Did I do all this?
Why aren't you responding?
Oh, you can't type right now. Of course.
If I did do this, why? I don't understand.
I'm not a killer.
I wouldn't.
No.
Yes.
I remember. I remember a time when I wanted someone dead.
It was late.
The dog was barking. My dog. Our dog. His name was Baxter. My son was learning to speak and kept calling him Bastard, which we thought was hilarious.
My son was taking little toddling steps, hanging from my hands. I wasn't looking. Baxter barked sometimes. He was a pudgy little beagle, even with years of training we couldn't quite convince him not to. Well, we had been a little lax on the training the last few years. My son clung to my hands so tight, laughing.
Breaking glass from the back of the house.
> michael you okay?
No.
> you're right. dumb question
Where are we now?
> could you not see?
I was distracted.
> ah let me catch up
> oh
> i'm so sorry
I would rather not talk about it. Where are we?
> we're outside
Yes I can see that.
> swivel
Why? The fence? Oh, we're outside of the fence. We were inside the fence?
> we were
Your outfit.
> ?
You're a prisoner. You escaped.
> so far so good
I helped you?
> you did
Why?
> you know
> you just don't remember yet
Humor me.
> after I catch my breath, we're moving again. deal?
Fine.
> you believed that I was not guilty of the crime I was put away for
> you were willing to help me get out so I could see my family again
How did we meet?
> that's complicated
That's cryptic.
> we met a long time ago
> we met again when I was in prison
> and you were a robot
So l'm not crazy.
> ?
I wasn't a robot before.
> no
> you were michael
How did I
> time to go
become a robot? Okay.
This would be a very beautiful stretch of forest if we weren't fleeing captivity. I wish I could smell the leaves.
I remember lots of walks in the forest. I loved to run up the hills. She would trudge up behind. Later, Baxter joined me on the runs, even though she called him a little traitor for it.
She was coming up the trail behind me. I could hear her coming around the bend. She was taking more time on the hills right now. I didn't mind.
> michael?
> ???
> please respond
You.
> ?
I know you.
> yes
From before, I mean. Your hair was a little longer then. Did they buzz it when you went to prison?
It looks good.
Oh no. Did I say something wrong? It looks terrible.
> no
> do you remember who I am?
My wife. You're my wife. Or you were.
> i am still
I'm a toaster.
> you're in a toaster
> but you're still you
I haven't remembered everything yet.
> you will
I see something. In the trees.
> shti
> can't se
Go. I'll look behind.
Slow and steady. We'll make it.
Go right.
I can't tell what it is. Or who?
Oh no, definitely a what. It's like that thing on the ground you said was me but worse.
I dont know if it's seen us. I think it may be tracking us.
> ghjfg
Watch your step.
Woah, what are you doing? Is this a truck?
Good throw.
I have no idea how loud you're being right now, but I don't feel great about our chances of getting in here undetected.
> the music is blasting in the cabin
> it's pretty dreadful
Well. Glad I can't hear it.
> I still can't see anything out there
Boost me up? Thanks.
Whatever that was, we have distance on it now. I can't see it at all.
> that's good
> this has been a difficult day
Tell me about it.
> lol
What's next?
> what's next
> we'll get you a new frame
> somehow
> that wasn't in the original plan
I get the impression a few things werent on the original plan.
They were going to hurt you. The people I killed.
> they weren't supposed to be there
> and I don't think they were dead
> but yes
> they were
> you saved my life
Or died trying.
> lol
That's why we got you out too, right?
Your sentence.
> yeah
They thought you killed me.
No, please don't cry.
> no one believed me
> i had to mourn you while everyone was saying i was the one that killed you
> they took our son
I know. I remember you telling me. The second time we met, as it were.
> in prison
In prison. And we busted you out.
> and we'll find our son
Yeah.
> :)
You don't have to emoji at me, I can see your face.
> yeah but I wanted you to know im happy
> even though crying
We still don't know who actually killed me.
> no
> I found you
l'm so sorry.
> I don't know when they plugged you in either
I'm glad they did. l'm glad I get the chance to help set this right. Or to try, anyway.
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