Morning sun shone in a brilliant blue sky over the old library as a cool gust of air flowed around the clock tower and down through the trees. Orange leaves tumbled from branches, swirling between the little shops around Jefferson Square, their windows reflecting the dancing autumn color.
From Greenwich Avenue, two figures entered the square, a boy and a young woman holding his hand.
Slipping from her grasp the boy chased the leaves through the cobblestone street. Jacket and pants, brown and red, he mixed with the swirling color.
“Cory!” the young woman called with a gentle smile, “Come back!” In a crisp blue dress, she was clean and smooth as the sky.
“Come now Cory, don’t disobey,” the young woman held her slim hand his way. “We’re in a hurry, your parents will worry, and the street is no place to play.”
Dancing circles, jumping leaves, Cory avoided her eyes.
Slight but clear, the curls at the edge of her smile frowned. “Cory, don’t get yourself in trouble.”
“Leslie!” he swung his arms in the air. “There’s no cars here, and mom lets me play in the street!”
“When she’s with us,” Leslie nodded.
“You can watch me as good as her!” he shouted.
“That’s kind of you Cory,” Leslie’s smile rose again, “but everyone knows I’m not. Take my hand, don’t be late. If your father is angry it won’t be with me.”
His hand in hers they returned to the sidewalk and continued on their way. Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and scarecrows decorated the windows of shops they passed. Inside one of them a mannequin wore the same clean blue dress as Leslie.
Looking at the mannequin in the blue dress, Cory asked, “Do you like it here?”
“As well as anywhere,” Leslie smiled down at him, “Do you like it here?”
“As well as anywhere,” Cory shrugged, then looked up at her, “Why do you like it?”
“Art, music, culture,” Leslie’s smile doubled, “everything happens here!”
“My parents say that,” Cory focused more closely on her face, “What about you?”
“I’m sorry, it’s hard to answer,” Leslie’s voice became soft, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Why do you smile when I ask about your feelings,” Cory’s eyes were locked on hers, “Or when I compare you to mom?”
“Charming young man,” Leslie knelt in front of Cory, “you have such simple, impossible questions. I don’t know if anyone knows.”
On her knee Leslie was face to face with the boy. Cory leaned closer, “Do you care about me?”
Leslie stopped; her lips frozen partly open.
Cory spoke again, “Am I supposed to care about you?”
Another moment frozen, then Leslie began to stand. Gripping her hand Cory held her down.
“Are you,” he asked, “My family?”
Leslie’s eyes darted away, and she quickly stood, “You were so busy kicking leaves you didn’t see we arrived!”
A window wall three floors high rose above Jefferson Square.
“Is that,” Cory’s voice grew soft as he stretched his neck to see the entire glass façade, “a hospital?”
“Not quite a hospital Cory, it’s a clinic,” Leslie straightened her dress, then lead Cory under the sign.
Linus Medical Center
Inside, the building was open to the top, a broad atrium with a skylight above. Ivey hung from brick walls at either side and across the beams of the window façade. The second and third floors opened onto the atrium and a glass staircase wound in a spiral up the center. People in lab coats and medical scrubs were working on the second and third floors and a woman with dark, curly hair sat at a desk near the stairs.
Cory and Leslie’s mouths hung open as they took in the space.
“It’s like we’re still outside,” Cory gripped Leslie’s hand.
Leslie spoke in a hush, “Do you hear music?”
Bright sound came quietly through the room, classical instruments in quick notes.
Cory pulled again from her hand, running to an open planter in the floor of the Atrium. Thick vines grew up, wrapping around a steel support for the window façade. Cory circled the beam following the path of the vines.
Leslie crossed the open foyer, heels taping the slate floor she moved with the soft music. Rays of sun fell through the room lighting her blue dress like the sky above and shining a silver reflection on her hair in the ring of a halo.
“Hello, my name is Leslie,” she gave a small bow to the receptionist, “Android Model 6.”
Neat cylinders of brown hair hung to the receptionist’s shoulders. She wore a trim navy skirt suite and a smile so warm it made her eyes sparkle.
“Hello Leslie,” the receptionist gave a nod, “My name is Alexis, Android Model 7, nice to meet you!”
Leslie’s smile grew, “What beautiful music!”
“Do you think so?” Alexis leaned forward.
“Oh yes,” Leslie nodded, her hair shimmering in the sun, “and how well it complements this place! As if written for this moment!”
“Thank you!” Alexis smiled so hard her eyes almost shut. “Dr. Linus asked me to choose music to match each day. I never know if it’s right.”
“What a terrifically abstract task to ask of an android!” Leslie laughed. “He must be an interesting man!”
“Yes, he is,” Alexis leaned back, “He even designed most of this building.”
Leslie looked up at the atrium, “Incredible,” then back to Alexis, “and isn’t it unusual to have an android receptionist?”
“It is. In fact, most contact between the outside world and The Center goes through me.” Alexis folded her hands on the desk. “Though I do have many more typical responsibilities like scheduling, billing and filing legal paperwork.”
“My goodness,” Leslie’s delicate voice grew softer, “You’re very important.”
“Important isn’t the right word,” Alexis tilted her head a little, “I only provide information.”
“That’s very important,” Leslie nodded, “Without information none of them could do anything.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Alexis smiled wide again. “Do you know a lot about clerical work?”
“No, I’m a domestic assistant. I help balance the family finances and do some cooking and cleaning but mostly,” Leslie’s smile grew as she turned to Cory, “I’m a nanny.”
“Clerical work is an assortment of tasks with one thing in common,” Alexis raised a finger, “communication. Your work in the family is similar.”
The shadow of a wrinkle appeared between Leslie’s eyes, “Do you think so?”
“Sharing information creates a bond in the family,” Alexis crossed her legs, “Without sharing, the bond begins to fade. Eventually it’s not a family at all, only people living together because they have to, like prisoners.”
The shadow between Leslie’s eyes grew, “Sharing is so important?”
“Without it no one can affect anyone else. A solitary existence has no meaning. Like a song,” Alexis held up her hand in time with the rhythm of the music in the atrium, “With no one to listen it means nothing.”
“I see what you mean,” Leslie looked at Cory and the shadow between her eyes disappeared, “everything we do is sharing.”
“Even the way you look at people,” Alexis smiled.
Leslie turned back to Alexis, “are you also part of a family?”
“No,” Alexis’s mahogany curls rocked as she shook her head. “I was never part of a family.”
Stepping forward Leslie asked, “Then how do you know so much about this?”
“Dr. Linus,” Alexis’s eyes widened, “he told me.”
“Why was he talking about that?” Her silver halo slid back as Leslie leaned closer, “Was he giving you orders?”
“No,” Alexis leaned forward on her elbows, “he was just talking to me.”
“Only talking to you?” The shadow reappeared between Leslie’s eyes, “for no reason?”
“Yes,” dark curls bounced as Alexis nodded, “he does that.”
Leslie’s voice was like a whisper, “He shares with you.”
Alexis gave a slow nod.
Leslie’s hands squeezed together tight, “What is that like?”
Alexis nodded at Cory, “I think you already know,”
Leslie turned; Cory was walking along the glass façade following the winding ivy of a steel beam above his head. Leslie’s lips parted as her hand rose and pressed her chest.
“Oh, my goodness!” Leslie’s hair flew in a silver wave as she turned quickly back to Alexis, “I’m afraid I wasted time with my silly questions! I’m here with Cory Taylor for an appointment. I hope we’re not late!”
“No need to worry, you’re actually a little early. I’ll call upstairs,” Alexis picked up the receiver and pushed a button on her phone, “Dr. Anna, Cory Taylor is here…. All right, thank you.” Alexis hung up. “Dr. Anna will be down soon.”
“I’m sorry,” Leslie spoke gently, “I thought Cory was to see Doctor Linus?”
“He will, Dr. Anna is Dr. Linus’s assistant, and by the way,” Alexis continued in a whisper, “Dr. Linus doesn’t often see patients himself.”
“His father is a general,” Leslie whispered back, “General Taylor and Doctor Linus know each other.”
“Mm,” Alexis hummed.
In the quick exchange neither of them made a single expression.
Just then a young girl came quickly down the glass steps above. She disappeared onto the second floor then came down the final steps to the foyer.
A small skip bounced her step and ruffled her dress under a white lab coat that hung just above the knees. She looked about Cory’s age, seven, with bright blond hair in double ponytails.
“Thanks Alex!” the little girl said to the receptionist in a cheery voice, then turned to Leslie and gave a small bow, “Hello Miss.”
“Begging your pardon young lady!” Leslie quickly gave a small bow, “Miss is not necessary! My name is Leslie, Android Model 6.”
The little girl raised her hand, and she had to raise it high because Leslie was much taller, “My name is Anna,” she said, “Android Model 10.”
Leslie gasped and covered her mouth with a hand. She was still a moment, then whispered though fingers, “A Model 10?”
“Yes,” Dr. Ann laughed a little like a giggle, “but that doesn’t mean I’m dangerous.”
“I’m sorry!” Leslie quickly shook Dr. Ann’s hand. “Oh my, your skin is so soft!”
“I take it you never met a Model 10 before,” Dr. Ann smiled as warm as Alexis but also as delicate as Leslie.
Leslie’s smile grew even larger, “I never even saw a photograph of a Model 10!”
“Well before you form opinions,” Dr. Ann’s green eyes sparkled, “I should tell you we’re not all so short.”
Dr. Ann, Leslie and Alexis laughed together.
“If you don’t mind then… may I ask…” Leslie looked at Alexis then back to Dr. Ann, “why are you shaped like a child?”
“Some say the greatest downfall of a good surgeon is big hands,” Dr. Ann held up her hands and spread the fingers wide. “I’m an experimental type, designed for dexterity. Of course, we’re supposed to look human for more comfortable human interaction, they couldn’t put little hands on a normal frame, so they made me small.”
“Amazing!” Leslie clapped her hands together over her chest, “genius!”
“As an added benefit the humans take comfort in my appearance. I’m happy to say this model,” Dr. Ann set her hands on her hips, “Has seen six months of exceptional success in service!”
“Brilliant,” Leslie clapped again, “I’m so honored to meet you Dr. Ann!”
“Please call me Anna, add doctor if you wish. Is that Cory Taylor over there?” Dr. Ann motioned at Cory, still following the vine.
“Cory!” Leslie called, “Come here, the doctor is ready to see you.”
Cory came rushing over in young, clumsy energy then stumbled to a stop in front of Dr. Ann. He stood suddenly motionless, staring at her.
“This is Dr. Linus’s assistant,” Leslie motioned to Dr. Ann. “She’ll take you up to Dr. Linus.”
Cory stood exactly Dr. Ann’s height, looking in her gleaming green eyes, “You’re a doctor’s assistant?”
Leslie leaned over, “She’s a doctor herself Cory.”
“You’re a doctor?” Cory took a step closer to Dr. Ann, “But you’re a kid!”
“I’m pleased to meet you Cory,” Dr. Ann gave a small bow with her hands held in her lap, “My name is Dr. Anna, Android Model 10.”
Cory gave a shout, “You’re an android?”
“And she’s a Model 10 Cory,” Leslie leaned closer to Cory, “isn’t that exciting!”
Cory sunk into silence and began to back away when Dr. Ann reached out to him.
“Come on Cory, let’s go up to see Dr. Linus. He’s a friend of your father and he’s excited to meet you!”
Cory looked at Dr. Ann’s hand, then her shining green eyes. Slowly reaching out he slid his hand into hers.
“We’ll be back soon!” Dr. Ann waved over her shoulder as she led Cory up the stairs.
Cory looked sideways at Dr. Ann, “You’re an android doctor?”
Dr. Ann smiled her warm, pretty smile and swung their hands between them, “Yes, I am.”
His forehead wrinkling, Cory asked, “Are all the doctors here androids?”
“No,” Dr. Ann shook her head, “just me, but we have….”
“Dr. Anna, I’m running out” a tall woman came rushing past, “do you need anything from… oh!”
Stopping, she turned back. A few steps below them her long form brought her to eye level. Dressed in black medical scrubs she had olive skin and rings of chestnut hair.
“You must be Cory Taylor. Dr. Linus told me about you!” She gave a little bow, “My name is Yael, Android Model 9.”
“A model 9…” Cory’s voice trailed to a whisper.
Yael’s smile filled her face, “You know you’re holding hands with a model 10, don’t you?”
Cory looked at Dr. Ann standing on the stair next to him, then at Yael, the long woman standing a few steps below but still his height.
Softly Cory said, “Both are amazing.”
Nodding at an angle, rings of hair fell across Yael’s cheek, “Thank you Cory, it’s been a while since I got a compliment,” Yael looked at Dr. Ann, “about six months I’d say.”
Dr. Ann’s mouth twisted a thin smile.
Cory raised his hand, “Nice to meet you.”
“Dr. Linus is very happy to meet you Cory,” Yael’s long, elegant fingers wrapped Cory’s little hand as they shook. “He told me about your father. They’re good friends.”
“You’re tall,” Cory rocked up on the balls of his feet.
Yael smiled even wider, “To some,” she looked at Dr. Ann.
Dr. Ann blushed.
“And beautiful,” Cory added.
Yael laughed, “Beautiful is a very flattering word from such a handsome young man as yourself Cory, but I think I’m not half a pretty as her,” Yael motioned at Leslie standing in rays of sunlight in the atrium.
“That’s Leslie, she’s my….” Cory stopped, looking back and forth from Yael to Dr. Ann, then said, “We live together.”
“I’m not normally a jealous woman Cory,” said Yael, “but someone as beautiful as that, who lives with a gentleman such as you, maybe I’ll admit a little envy.”
Cory stretched himself toward Yael, “You think she’s pretty?”
Yael paused for only a second, “Anyone can see….”
Cory interrupted, “Why do you think she’s pretty?”
Yael’s eyes became soft, “You’re a very smart boy Cory, you probably know it’s hard for us to answer questions like that, but I’ll try. To make our minds work faster androids have systems that shorten complicated ideas into simple words. It’s called a subconscious and like yours we don’t really know where the ideas come from. The big difference is that your subconscious gives you feelings, mine only shows me words. When I look at Leslie, I think the word beautiful.”
“Those thoughts,” Cory said, “do you always have them?”
Yael began to shake her head, “I don’t understand….”
Cory’s shoulders were stiff under his brown and red jacket, “Would you think Leslie is pretty if no human asked you?”
Yael’s face went blank, she thought a moment then spoke an even tone, “We are all defined by our interactions. If I exist alone, I have meaning only to myself and so I will be only as I perceive. However, if there are others who perceive me, I do not exist alone. Who I am is not entirely my own creation. I am completed by my perception of others and their perceptions of me.”
Yael focused again on Cory. “That’s something Dr. Linus once said to me. According to that idea my perception can be said to be constant, even if I’m not aware of it, because without perception I do not completely exist. Does that make sense?”
Cory’s eyes were round as dinner plates.
“I’m not sure it’s very clear. Dr. Anna,” Yael looked at her, “can you think of a better way to explain?”
“You see not only what is, but what you are?” Dr. Anna shrugged her little shoulders. “You probably understand better than me, I’m still so young and experience is important in philosophy.”
“This does seem like a question of philosophy,” Yael shook her head, “and androids are terrible at philoso….”
Cory stepped closer to Yael, “Does your mind have words for love?”
Yael’s eyes flicked wide open.
Cory looked from Yael to Dr. Ann, and from Dr. Ann to Leslie.
“Young man,” Yael leaned closer to Cory, “these things aren’t the talk of three busy people on the stairs. Besides, none of my thoughts come from me. It’s best to find wisdom at the source, ask Dr. Linus.”
Cory nodded, “Thank you.”
“Ok, I’m going out,” Yael looked at Dr. Ann. “I need to pick up something at the pharmacy for Mark.”
Dr. Ann’s eyebrows became a heavy line, “Why doesn’t he get it himself?”
“You know how Mark is,” Yael shook her head.
A muscle in Dr. Ann’s jaw went tight. “You have your own work to do.”
Yael shrugged, “I like to help.”
“You’re kind,” Cory said.
Yael smiled, “That’s another word for nurse.” Then she hurried across the atrium and out the door.
“I’m glad you had a chance to meet Yael,” Dr. Ann took Cory’s hand and they started again up the stairs, “she’s an amazing nurse.”
“She’s a nurse….” Cory’s voice trailed away.
“Yes, we have three android nurses and a….”
Cory pointed, “Robot wearing clothes!”
On the second floor stood an eight-foot tall machine. It had a square body and legs, tubular arms and a head like a helmet with glowing blue eyes. Over its angular metal shoulders, the machine wore a long, white lab coat.
Standing to face them the machine’s joints whirred and squeaked softly with the sound of gears and hydraulics. It looked quickly over its shoulder and in a clicking voice said, “Robot? Where?”
“Cory, this is James,” Dr. Ann introduced the big robot.
“Hi there Cory,” James got down on one knee to be closer to the boy, “My name’s James, Android Model 3.”
James had no mouth, only a line of glowing light that flickered as he spoke, and the sound rumbled from somewhere under the tan metal plate of his chest.
“Hi James,” Cory said softly, “why are you wearing clothes?”
“You mean this?” James lifted the collar of his lab coat between two of the three great flat fingers of his right hand. “Well I’m the only robot working here Cory and that made me the only one not wearing clothes, so Dr. Linus got this for my birthday last year.”
Cory’s forehead wrinkled, “Your birthday?”
“Yes,” James laughed, and his mouth light flickered, “I guess you would call it my construction date. Most androids don’t celebrate but Dr. Linus likes to have parties.”
Cory stepped closer, “What’s an android birthday party like?”
“A lot like yours but without cake,” and though his mouth could not move, a smile was in James’s voice.
Cory smiled back up at James, “A robot birthday party sounds great!”
“If you like the idea that much tell Dr. Linus. Maybe you can come, my next birthday is in a week.”
“Really?” Cory shouted, “That’s great! I don’t have any friends here yet!”
“Making a new friend is the best birthday present I could ask for.”
James extended his large metal hand, Cory grabbed it. James’s great paddle thumb folded over the little boy’s hand and they shook.
“No friends yet?” asked James, “Are you new to Green-wich?” The last word came out with distortion and a click.
Cory squinted, “What’s Green-wich?”
“He means Greenwich,” Dr. Ann pronounced it correctly, “Greenwich Village, this neighborhood. The spelling and pronunciation are so different robots have a hard time saying it.”
“Oh,” Cory looked at James, “But why? Dr. Anna and Leslie can say it.”
“Us robots don’t fool anyone,” James’s voice laughed again but less. “We don’t look human. It doesn’t matter if we can’t pronounce a few words and the vocal system is a lot cheaper.”
Cory nodded as he looked back and forth between Dr. Ann and James. His eyebrows pressed hard together as he filled his lungs to speak but James spoke first.
“Is that your friend in the blue dress Cory?” James motioned his big metal head at the lobby.
“Yea that’s Leslie, she’s my,” Cory looked at Dr. Ann, then back to James, “She takes care of me.”
James’s voice rumbled in his chest, “Is she a Model 8?”
“No,” Cory laughed, “she’s a Model 6! Normal people can’t afford a Model 8!”
“Ah,” James nodded with the whir of motors, his head still pointing over Cory’s shoulder to the lobby, “She looks like a Model 8.”
“You big romantic,” Dr. Ann’s mouth curled at the corners, “stop being distracted by pretty girls!”
“I’m not just a heavy lifter, I’m a mechanic,” James said, hydraulics and motors working as he stood back up to his full height, “I can’t help notice good quality construction.”
“You’re a better romantic then mechanic,” Dr. Ann pulled Cory’s hand, “Come on Cory, Dr. Linus is waiting.”
“Good by James!” Cory waved.
“Good by Cory!” James finally broke his electric eyes free of the foyer and waved back.
The second floor was busy with medical staff. Curtains divided the large space into rooms. Doctors and nurses hurried here and there.
In the crowd a young nurse in green scrubs saw Cory the same moment he saw her. She was Chinese with stiff black hair to her neck and bangs cut in a crisp line below her eyebrows. Almond eyes flashing open, she leapt across the room in two steps and dropped to her knees, sliding to a stop in front of Cory.
“You know what?” she bounced.
Her excitement was so powerful Cory bounced too, “What?”
She swung a hand out from behind her back, “CANDY!”
Cory clenched his toes, “For me?”
“Yea!” She nodded hard.
“Thank you!” Cory took the little wrapped sweet.
The young nurse leaned in close to whisper, “You know what the best answer to any question is?”
Cory whispered back, “What?”
“Candy!” She swung her other arm out from behind her.
“Thank you!” Cory took the second sweet.
“A kid!” yelled a voice from behind, and another young nurse dropped to his knees almost on top of the first.
Also in green scrubs, the second nurse was Japanese. Hair trimmed close on the sides it stuck up on top and he had a thin face.
“I know a better answer,” the second nurse leaned in close.
“Better then candy?” Cory clutched his sweets.
“Toys!” The second nurse held out a little plastic airplane.
Cory clutched his candy even harder, “For me?”
“Uh huh!” The second nurse nodded quick. “Planes are the best because you can play with them while you walk!”
“You play with candy in your mouth,” the first nurse shoved the second, “You don’t even need your hands.
“Her name is Trouble,” the second nurse introduced the first, “But we call her Yuanyuan, she’s a model 8 android.”
“His name is Rude,” The first nurse introduced the second, “But we call him Kenichi, he’s a model 8 android too.”
“My name is Cory Taylor,” Cory looked back and forth between them, “You guys are androids?”
“I’m mostly an android,” Yuanyuan gave Cory a serious look, “But I have a lot of candy in my pockets so I’m at least 10% food.”
Cory spoke a little softer, “Are you guys friends?”
“Heck no!” They both said at the same time.
“She’s my best friend,” Kenichi blocked Yuanyuan with his hand, “But don’t tell her I said that because she’s totally full of herself and I don’t want her head to explode with her giant ego.”
“Are you friends with all the androids here?” Cory stepped closer.
Yuanyuan and Kenichi sat back on their heels. Yuanyuan rubbed her chin and Kenichi tapped his.
“Mark?” Yuanyuan looked at Kenichi.
Kenichi looked at Yuanyuan, “I like him.”
“Yea,” Yuanyuan nodded, “everyone.”
“Do you have human friends?” Cory leaned closer
Yuanyuan and Kenichi tapped and rubbed their chins again.
Kenichi raised a finger, “Dr. Linus calls us friends.”
“I have a robot friend!” Cory almost shouted.
“Who?” Yuanyuan and Kenichi asked together.
“James!” Cory pointed.
James crouched over a bed carefully fluffing a pillow with his large fingers.
Kenichi’s eyebrows pressed together, “Then James is lucky.”
“And you’re lucky too,” Yuanyuan added, “James is a great friend.”
“And I have an android in my family!” Cory pointed into the atrium. “Her name is Leslie, she’s down there!”
Yuanyuan and Kenichi jumped to the railing.
“Wow!” Yuanyuan gasped.
“Double wow!” Kenichi gasped.
“Don’t say that!” Yuanyuan punched Kenichi’s arm.
“Why not?” Kenichi rubbed his arm, “You said it!”
“Different, duh! You’re a boy and that’s Cory’s family,” Yuanyuan pointed at Leslie, “you can’t ogle her!”
“Cory,” Kenichi turned to him, “Is it okay if I think Leslie’s pretty?”
“Yea!” Cory nodded hard.
“You’re just jealous,” Kenichi glared at Yuanyuan.
“Of course I’m jealous!” Yuanyuan pointed at Leslie again, “Look at her!”
“You’re really lucky Cory,” Kenichi nodded, “You live with the prettiest android I ever saw, you have a cool friend like James, and you have an airplane and two pieces of candy!”
Cory jumped, “Will you two be my friends too?”
“Heck yea!” they both dropped back to their knees in front of Cory.
Cory pushed the airplane into Yuanyuan’s hand and hugged her around the neck, “Airplanes are the best toys.”
Then he pushed a piece of candy into Kenichi’s hand and hugged him, “Candy is the best answer to any question.”
“Come on Cory,” Dr. Ann took his hand, “Dr. Linus is waiting.”
“Bye!” Cory waved to Yuanyuan and Kenichi.
“Bye!” They waved back.
On their way up the third-floor stairway Dr. Ann and Cory passed a large TV screen. The screen hung above the receptionist’s desk and the stairs circled right past it. As they climbed a woman on the screen shone larger than life and spoke from behind a table.
“This is New York One, I’m Michelle Park. It’s a beautiful day with blue skies and a high of 54. Looks like perfect weather for tonight’s annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. Last year one and a half million people marched in the parade, this year organizers expect an even larger turnout.”
Dr. Ann tilted her head with a smile, “Are you going to the parade tonight Cory?”
“I’m gonna be a dinosaur!” Cory skipped.
“Oh, that’s good!” Dr. Ann squeezed his hand, “a big scary dinosaur!”
“Being big doesn’t make you scary,” Cory looked over his shoulder at James.
On the third floor an entire roof of glass spread above, flooding the open space with blue morning sky. People in white lab coats surrounded microscopes, scribbling in notebooks.
Out of the crowd a figure walked heavy on the heels of black Van sneakers. Worn blue jeans and a dark striped sweater stretched over angular joints as he strode with a casual sway. Dusty blond hair hung to the middle of his ears and dark sunglasses shadowed a glint of brass.
Suddenly he stopped, turned his head and said, “You’re Cory Taylor.”
Cory straightened up, “Yes.”
“Mr. Taylor, my name is Simon,” he turned the rest of his body to Cory, “android model 5.”
Cory reached up and Simon grabbed his hand, shaking it with a single move that followed the rhythm of music from the atrium.
Cory’s eyes were locked on Simon’s face, “Why are you wearing sunglasses?”
“That’s a straightforward question,” Simon smiled sideways, “Would you accept a crooked answer like, ‘all the light in here gives me a headache?’”
Staring at Simon’s sunglasses, Cory’s reflection filled the dark black lenses.
“No, huh?” Simon rocked forward in his sneakers. “How about a hangover?”
Bright brown and wide, Cory’s eyes were fixed on the sunglasses.
“All right I’ll level with you,” Simon rocked back on his heels, “I’ve got these great, big, electric yellow bug eyes.”
“Simon’s eyes are very special,” Dr. Ann spoke with gentle excitement, “He can see thing….”
“But why are you wearing sunglasses?” Cory interrupted.
Simon leaned over, his angular body in a smooth arch forward, “Because my eyes scare people.”
Cory spoke near a whisper, “You’re hiding them.”
“Hiding’s not be the right word,” Simon’s bottom lip drew thin. “I don’t wanna make people uncomfortable.”
Cory’s forehead wrinkled, “Does James make people uncomfortable?”
“That’s different,” Simon pushed his sunglasses back a little tighter to his face. “James is a robot.”
“Does James wear clothes to make people more comfortable?” Cory leaned closer.
The calm tone of Simon’s voice grew dry, “Dr. Linus gave James that coat.”
“Where did you get your sunglasses?” Cory’s shoulders were stiff under his jacket.
Simon spoke quick, “I don’t remember.”
“Why did Dr. Linus give James the lab coat?” Cory’s arms went stiff.
Simon’s tone became rigid, “So he can fit in better.”
“Do you want to fit in better?” Cory’s toes flexed in his shoes.
Simon shook his head with a single move, “The tricky word there is want.”
“When you look at your reflection,” Cory stepped closer, “what words do you think?”
“I don’t think anything,” Simon shrugged.
Cory clenched his hands, “Can I see them?”
“Sure.” Simon paused, “You mean right now?”
Cory nodded.
Touching the sunglasses Simon’s chest rose and fell with a silent breath, then he slowly slid them away from his face. Simon’s skin stretched around two circular brass sockets, each holding a bulbous yellow orb, glowing with smoky light.
Staring down at Cory, Simon asked, “Scared?”
Without looking away from the yellow glow Cory reached up. Simon knelt.
Gently touching the stretched wrinkles Cory asked, “Does it hurt?”
“I’m an android,” Simon’s voice became gentle, “nothing hurts.”
“If you could have normal eyes,” Cory looked from the wrinkles into the dark, misty core of Simon’s yellow optics, “would you?”
Simon’s voice came smooth and low, “Why do you want to know if I would change them?”
Cory’s voice came softly back, “I want to know if you want anything.”
Simon’s eyebrows lowered against the brass sockets, “Why do you want to know that?”
With a short breath Cory said, “Because I do.”
“You’re asking me real questions,” Simon’s voice was hard, “now I’m asking you one.”
“I live with an android,” Cory’s eyes glistened with a yellow reflection of Simon’s optics, “I think she likes me. I think she….” he swallowed. “I don’t think she’s faking it.”
Simon stood, “Didn’t anyone ever tell you androids have no feelings?”
Cory’s brow fell into a hard line, “I don’t believe everything I’m told.”
Simon’s hand rose as his fingers curled into a fist. Cory did the same and Simon gave him the fist bump.
“Keep asking questions,” Simon put his sunglasses back on. “I got work to do. Nice meet’n ya’ Cory.”
Simon slipped back into the crowd of busy tables.
Cory stared at the spot where Simon disappeared, “He’s a model 5?”
“Yes, that’s Simon!” Dr. Ann grabbed Cory’s hand and pulled him to the left, but Cory stayed anchored to the floor, staring after Simon.
Cory’s voice trailed off, “What is this place?”
Dr. Ann gripped Cory’s hand, pulling him firmly to the left, “Here’s someone who can answer that question!”
A slim man with slick black hair and a white lab coat leaned on the railing looking down into the atrium.
“Mark!” Dr. Ann’s little voice burst.
Mark stepped away from the rail, “I was just getting back to work.”
Dr. Ann spoke quick, “What were you looking at Mark?”
Mark glanced back down into the atrium, “Yael went out to get something for me.”
“This is Cory Taylor,” Dr. Ann presented him with an open arm.
“Hello Cory,” Mark gave a small bow, “I’m Mark, android model 6. Nice to meet you. I’m sorry, but I have to get back to work.” Mark stepped sideways to leave.
“This is Cory’s first time at The Center,” Dr. Ann slipped in front of Mark, “Can you tell him what we do on the third floor?”
Mark turned to Cory, his face rigid, “Research.”
Dr. Ann’s voice became musical, “And what do we do on the second floor?”
Mark’s voice was hollow, “The second floor is a clinic.”
Folding her hands behind her back Dr. Ann asked, “The second floor is pretty busy, right?”
Mark’s eyes shifted to Dr. Ann, “Both floors are busy.”
“Would you have time to help on the second?” Dr. Ann’s pink cheeks rose with a smile.
“No,” Mark’s whole posture was rigid, “I have too much to do up here.”
“You couldn’t spare a couple minutes?” Dr. Ann’s green eyes sparkled, “to help just a little?
“I’m sorry,” only Mark’s mouth moved, “I have too much to do.”
“If everyone is so busy,” one of her blond ponytails fell over her shoulder as Dr. Ann tilted her head, “why do you ask Yael to leave her duties to run errands for you?”
Motionless, Mark stared at Dr. Ann.
Stepping forward Dr. Ann stretched taller, “Mark?”
“You’re right,” Mark muttered.
“I’m right?” Dr. Ann blinked twice.
Mark stared down at her, “I won’t do it again.”
“You say that,” Dr. Ann’s eyebrows pressed together, “then you do it again anyway.”
Mark’s tone was exactly even as before, “I’ll stop.”
Dr. Ann shook her head, “Why do you do it Mark?”
Mark turned to the atrium.
“Are you shy?” Corry stepped to the railing beside Mark, “Is that why you don’t like going out?”
“You used two emotions to describe the motivation of an android,” Mark turned to Cory. “Your statement makes no sense.”
Cory’s temples pressed around his eyes, “Then why?”
“For exactly this reason,” Mark looked between Dr. Ann and Cory. “I have nothing to say to either of you, but you insist on talking to me.”
Dr. Ann’s eyes narrowed, “Communication is how we work as a group.”
“I don’t work with you,” Mark droned, “I just do my job.”
Cory stepped closer to Mark, “Talking is how we share with others.”
Mark turned unblinking to Cory, “I have nothing to share with you.”
“But we all have different knowledge, background and experience,” Dr. Ann opened her hands. “Sharing these things, we know more.”
“Your background and experience distort your knowledge,” Mark’s eyelids lowered just a bit, “If I share with you, I know less.”
Cory gripped the railing, “Do you think you know everything?”
“I know what I need to know,” Mark’s eyes turned to Cory then held motionless to him. “You can only repeat things I already know and in your telling you may confuse us both.”
Dr. Ann spoke softer, “Upper class androids are made to look like people because we’re meant to work with people.”
“Three things. Number one,” Mark pointed at Dr. Ann, “you are not people. Number two,” Mark pointed at Cory, “he does not work with me. Number three,” Mark pointed at himself, “Just because I have a face doesn’t mean I need to talk.”
Cory’s temples fell down around his eyes, “Don’t you want to share with others?”
Mark turned his glassy stare on Cory, “Again, I do not want anything.”
Cory’s forehead wrinkled, “It seems like you want to be left alone.”
Dr. Ann’s eyes popped wide opened and she turned to Mark.
Mark was motionless a moment, “I have work to do and talking to you is not getting my work done.”
With a long step Mark passed Dr. Ann and hurried into the crowd.
Watching the place where Mark disappeared Cory said, “He’s the only android here who doesn’t smile.”
With a silent sigh Dr. Ann replied, “That’s true.”
Again, taking his hand Dr. Ann lead Cory to a little cluster of low furniture overlooking the Atrium. Brown leather sofas sat facing each other like an open conference room. Backed against the brick east wall of the building, a wide oak desk held two framed pictures. A lean man with grey hair sat smiling, looking at the picture on the left side of his desk.
“Dr. Linus,” Dr. Ann spoke as they came near, “this is Cory Taylor.”
Dr. Linus stepped quickly around the desk, “Hello Cory.” Long and tall in his white lab coat, Dr. Linus leaned over to shake the boy’s hand. “Please, have a seat.” Dr. Linus showed Cory to one of the brown sofas.
“It’s very nice to meet you Cory.” Sitting on the couch opposite Cory, Dr. Linus leaned closer as he spoke, “Do you know your father and I are friends?”
Hands clenched in his lap, Cory said, “Yes.”
Dr. Linus’s voice was strong and warm, “Did your father tell you he helped design this building?”
Cory’s eyes flashed open and he jumped to the edge of his seat, “It’s amazing!”
“I’m glad to hear you say that,” Dr. Linus smiled so wide wrinkles gathered around his eyes until they were only dark lines.
“There’re so many androids here!” Cory gripped the arms of his chair.
“You noticed,” Dr. Linus’s smile softened as it turned sideways on his mouth. “What do you think?”
Cory bounced as he spoke, “James is amazing!”
“James is quite special,” Dr. Linus’s voice was even warmer, “Do you know he and I have been colleagues for over twenty years?”
“He’s my friend!” Cory smiled so wide his teeth showed.
Dr. Linus leaned closer, “He called you his friend?”
“Yes,” Cory nodded fast, “and said I could come to his birthday party!”
Sitting up Dr. Linus folded his hands, “Excellent.”
“Yuanyuan and Ken are my friends too!” Cory’s feet wiggled.
“With those two it’s no surprise,” Dr. Linus’s eyes wrinkled again with a smile. “Who else did you meet?”
Cory jumped, “Sara’s beautiful!”
Hands falling slack in his lap, the smile disappeared from Dr. Linus’s eyes.
Cory went on, “And she’s smart and kind!”
Nodding slowly Dr. Linus’s eyes focused on nothing, “She is all those things.”
Forehead wrinkling, Cory said, “Mark isn’t friendly.”
“I don’t know why Mark is like that,” Eyes returning to focus, Dr. Linus slowly shook his head. “He’s an example of the individual character development of androids.”
“Like Simon,” Cory stopped, staring at Dr. Linus a moment, “What is Simon?”
Squinting Dr. Linus asked, “What do you mean?”
“He’s….” Cory looked at the floor in thought.
“You’re a very perceptive boy Cory,” Dr. Linus laced his fingers together. “I’ll tell you more about Simon some other time. I’m curious to know what you think of the most impressive member of our team?”
Mouth hanging open Cory stared at Dr. Linus.
Dr. Linus motioned to the left. Standing silently beside them, little blond Dr. Ann was smiling her warm, pretty smile.
Cory fell off the couch. “She’s… you’re a model 10.” Looking in Dr. Ann’s crystal green eyes Cory slid back up on his seat. “There’s only a few in the whole world.”
“Yes,” Dr. Linus gave a small nod, “What do you think?”
Holding her eyes, Cory thought a moment then said, “What can you do?”
“Model 10s are all unique,” Dr. Linus was also staring into Dr. Ann’s eyes, “To be honest Cory, we don’t know what she can do.”
Turning back and forth between the two doctors, Cory finally held his gaze on Dr. Ann. “You look so different from what you are….” A long moment he stared in her eyes, then finally said, “You make me think anything is possible.”
A smile invaded every part of Dr. Linus’s face as he leaned back on the couch and with a deep breath said, “then we feel the same.”
Cory finally broke his gaze from Dr. Ann and asked Dr. Linus, “Why are there so many androids here?”
“You’re a very curious young man,” Dr. Linus folded his hands again, “But that, I’m afraid, is another topic that will have to wait for another time.” Dr. Linus turned his head to look sideways at Cory, “We haven’t yet discussed the reason you’re here. I’m told you have a sore throat?”
“It’s not bad,” Cory pulled at the collar of his coat, “Just scratchy.”
“Let’s have a look to be sure,” Dr. Linus leaned forward, “Your mother wants you good and healthy for the Halloween parade tonight,”
Cory sat up even taller, almost slipping off his chair, “Can I ask one more question first?”
“Of course,” Dr. Linus gave a nod.
“The androids working here,” Cory’s brown eyes were fixed on Dr. Linus, “do you like them?”
Dr. Linus sat back and thought for a moment, “Yes I do Cory.”
“Do they like you?” Cory gripped the arms of his chair.
Dr. Linus began slowly, “I believe they d…”
“Do they really like you?” Cory interrupted, “Can they like you?”
“I see,” Dr. Linus slowly nodded his grey head. “You’re a bright boy to have a question like that, and a kind one to care.” Dr. Linus laced his fingers together on his lap. “You probably know the accepted answer to that question is no, they don’t. They have no feelings at all. They only react as they were programmed or trained.” Dr. Linus’s forehead wrinkled with deep lines. “Perhaps the best way to answer your question is to ask one in return, how are we different?”
Cory wasn’t paying attention; his eyes were intent over Dr. Linus’s shoulder. Through the huge front façade window of the medical center, outside across Jefferson Square, a group of people were hurrying together around a fallen man. Yael was there, she pointed at the center, lifted the fallen man herself and sprinted across the square.
Cory murmured, “Something’s happening outside.”
Dr. Linus and Dr. Ann turned in time to see Yael rushing across the street. Dr. Linus rose as she came crashing through the door.
“Help!” she screamed, her cry ringing through the medical center. “This man’s choking!”
“James!” Dr. Linus shouted over the railing, leaning out so he could see into the second floor.
James stuck his head out, “Sir?”
Dr. Linus pointed, “Get him in a bed.”
“Yes Sir,” James reached the foyer in two steps and took the choking man from Yael.
“Annie!” Dr. Linus turned to her.
“Yes Sir,” Dr. Ann ran to the stairs.
Dr. Linus followed; Cory hurried behind.
On the second floor everyone was moving at once. Dr. Linus and Cory were coming down the stairs from the third floor, Alex and Yael were coming up from the first, and the entire second floor medical staff was rushing forward.
James was laying the choking man on a bed and as he did Dr. Ann went streaking across the floor, grabbed a chair on the way and without slowing, swung the chair around against the foot of the bed. She jumped up on the chair, jumped further up on the bed, and came down on her knees at the choking man’s side.
Dr. Ann moved fast, delicate and precise, like a sewing machine. Pulled out the pillow, tilting back the head, short quick touches to the throat, then she tore open his shirt and as her right hand worked around his neck and head the left worked over his chest. The whole time Dr. Ann’s ear was close to his mouth and her eyes moved over his skin.
“James, Yuanyuan, Ken,” Dr. Linus’s voice shouted over the rising murmur of the group gathering around the bed. “Move everyone away.”
Yuanyuan and Kenichi started pushing people back, apologizing as they did. James spread his arms into a barrier nine feet wide. “I’m sorry but Dr. Linus and Dr. Anna need room to work,” James said, pushing people gently back.
“Yael,” Dr. Linus called to her without looking away from the patient.
“Sir!” the tall nurse raised her hand above the crowd.
Still without looking at her, Dr. Linus said, “Assist.”
“Yes sir,” Yael pushed through the crowd to the bed alongside Dr. Linus.
“His throat is swollen,” Dr. Ann spoke soft, “But not bad. He has mild swelling everywhere, but his fever isn’t very high.”
The man was sweating and breathing fast. He began coughing hard. Dr. Ann repositioned his neck, massaged his throat and the coughing stopped.
“He’s not getting enough air. Swelling in the lungs. His heart is working hard to make up for it but it’s working harder than it should.” Dr. Ann looked up at Dr. Linus and Yael, “I think the swelling is in his heart too.”
They were interrupted by another loud crash as the atrium doors flew open again.
“Please help!” a man shouted, “This woman’s choking!”
“James, put her here,” Dr. Linus pointed at the bed beside the sick man. “Alex, Yuanyuan, Kenichi, clear the center of all non-essential personnel!”
“Yes sir,” they all replied together.
Just then Dr. Linus stumbled over Cory. “Alex, Cory needs to go home. Where’s his companion?”
“Here I am sir!” Leslie struggled against the surge of people hurrying down the steps.
“Take Cory home,” Dr. Linus glanced at Leslie, “Go quickly.”
Leslie took Cory’s hand but didn’t move, she stood there staring at Dr. Linus. James carried the body of the choking woman over the crowd and up the stairs. Dr. Linus moved to meet James but bumped into Leslie.
“Take Cory home,” Dr. Linus said more firmly, pointing at the door.
“I’m sorry sir,” Leslie’s eyes were big, and she stood stiff. “I don’t have permission to take him home for another half hour. His mother is out and….”
Dr. Linus looked Leslie in the eyes and spoke firm, “Command Option Override, take Cory home.”
Leslie stared motionless into space for a moment, then with a silent sigh of relief replied, “Authorization accepted. Thank you, sir.”
Joining the last of the crowd Leslie and Cory hurried outside.
James laid the choking woman on the next bed, Dr. Linus and Yael examined her.
No sooner had they begun then Dr. Ann shouted, “His heart stopped!” Dr. Ann straddled the man giving him chest compressions. “I need an AED!”
“Ken,” Dr. Linus turned to him, “Get a defibrillator.”
With a crash the door to the center flew open again. Leslie ran back in carrying Cory.
“Doctor!” she screamed, “Cory’s choking!”
Cory gagged and coughed against her chest.
Dr. Linus rushed to Leslie, taking Cory in his own arms. “Clear a bed Yuanyuan.”
“Yes sir,” Yuanyuan pulled a blanket from the closest bed, the one by the stairs.
“Alex,” Dr. Linus shouted without looking for her, “Get Belleview on the phone.”
Alex rushed to a phone on the wall, but it rang before she got there.
“Linus Medical Center,” Alex answered, listened for a moment, then covered the receiver with her hand. “Dr. Linus?”
“Yes Alex?” Dr. Linus looked up.
“Sir,” she said, her face flat, “It’s Belleview, they have a problem.”