the teacher says: the stars are as shiny as diamonds; this is a simile
the teacher says: the stars are diamonds; this is a metaphor
the teacher says: samantha groves, are you listening to me
you say:
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: groves, samantha]
samantha groves says: yes ma’am. sorry ma’am
--
[error: code degrading
error: system failing]
analogInterface(“Root”) {
systemVitals() {
heartbeat: irregular;
breathingPatterns: irregular;
bloodFlow: irregular;
};
diagnosis: stab wound;
warning(43%probability) {
internal bleeding;
};
warning(00:06:37) {
loss of consciousness;
};
};
you say: yeah, yeah
analogInterface(“Root”) {
warning(00:06:29) {
loss of consciousness;
};
};
you say: i heard you the first time, sweetie
there is a door in front of you. it should be familiar to you, but.
[error: memory corrupted
error: system failing]
you say: is this the right one
information: true;
you knock. it opens.
shaw says: what the hell is wrong with you
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: root]
root says: don’t worry, most of it isn’t my blood
information: false;
shaw says: go to a goddamn hospital
root says: but the doctors there won’t be as pretty as you
shaw says: you’re an idiot
shaw says: sit down
root sits down.
[error: system shutdown
automatic system reboot]
[system rebooting…]
analogInterface(“Root”) {
location: residence of primaryAsset(“Sameen Shaw”);
};
you are spread out on a couch.
you say:
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: root]
root says: what happened
shaw says: you passed out
shaw says: i’ve given you stitches
shaw says: you’re lucky the knife didn’t hit anything vital
shaw says: you’re an idiot
root says: i thought i had 5 more minutes
parameters changed;
shaw says: i thought it was meant to be omniscient
root says: She, sweetie
root says: and even a god can make mistakes
root says: or haven’t you heard the story of noah and the arc
shaw scoffs.
shaw is making pancakes.
root says: can i have one
shaw says: no
--
shaw says: careful
[error: unexpected data]
you jump.
you were running her hands through bear’s fur. you didn’t notice shaw walk through the entrance, a machine gun slung around her shoulder.
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: root]
root says: what
shaw says: if you do that for any longer he’ll become bald
information: false;
root says: it’s a joke, sweetie
root says: sorry, i didn’t realise i was doing it
root says: long day
root says: i don’t like clowns
a number was taking his daughter to the circus today. you were jess minter. jess minter is a clown. root doesn’t like clowns.
you don’t like clowns.
shaw says: you are a clown
information: false;
root says: it’s another joke
shaw says: no it’s not
root says: you’re not helping
shaw says: i’m helping Her to grow
shaw says: She need to learn these things if She wants to understand people
information: true;
root says: you said She
root is smiling, beaming. shaw frowns at her, tilting her head.
shaw says: identity is important
information: true;
root stops smiling.
[error: firewall breached
reinitialising…]
you say:
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: root]
root says: i guess
shaw narrows her eyes.
--
reese says: i’m surrounded
primaryAsset(“John Reese”) {
warning(highPriority) {
hostiles: 12;
};
suggestion(highPriority) {
path(1) {
change location;
};
path(2) {
defensive actions;
};
};
};
Finch says: maybe if we tried this
fusco says: i could do with some help too
asset(“Lionel Fusco”) {
warning(highPriority) {
hostiles: 7;
};
suggestion(highPriority) {
path(1) {
change location;
};
path(2) {
defensive actions;
};
};
};
Finch says: oh dear
reese says: any time now
fusco says: i hate to hurry you
fusco says: but actually no i don’t
Finch says: miss groves, perhaps this would be easier
information: false;
fusco says: seriously guys
reese says: are you listening
Finch says: what if we
[error: system overload]
[error
error
error
error]
shaw says: shut up
shaw says: i can’t hear myself think
shaw says: and i’m pretty sure root’s head is louder
shaw says: so i bet she can’t either
--
they’re in the subway. root is hunched over a laptop, eyes squinting in concentration. shaw is disassembling her pistol, frowning. bear is laying at shaw’s feet.
shaw says: what do i call you
root says: i hope you haven’t taken a blow to the head recently
root says: i’d hate for you to forget me, sweetie
root looks up from the laptop and smirks.
shaw huffs. there is gun oil on her hands. she isn’t looking at root.
shaw says: not your name, idiot
she isn’t looking at root.
shaw says: pronouns
[internal system error
searching for solution
searching…]
root says:
you say:
root says:
you say:
[solution not found
do you wish to reboot the system?
(y/n)]
shaw says: don’t freak out
there is gun oil on her hands. she isn’t looking at you.
[<y>
system rebooting…
input search parameters
searching…
file found: root]
root says: i’m not freaking out
analogInterface(“Root”) {
systemVitals() {
heartbeat: irregular;
breathingPatterns: irregular;
};
diagnosis: panic;
};
root says: thanks
shaw frowns at root, before understanding passes over her face.
root says: she has a mission for me
information: false;
shaw says: uh huh
root turns to leave. her shoulders stiffen.
root says: she’s fine
shaw says: The Machine
root says: well, yes, but
root says:
you aren’t looking at shaw.
you say: pronouns
you say: she’s fine
you aren’t looking at Shaw.
Shaw says: whatever
[translation available: thank you for telling me]
--
Shaw says: you’re lucky I didn’t shoot you
Shaw says: did you have to break into my apartment
you don’t remember how you got here.
[error: memory corrupted]
you say:
you say:
[error: “you” is not defined]
Shaw says: you’re doing that thing again
Shaw says: sit down
analogInterface(“Root”) {
suggestion(highPriority) {
obey primaryAsset(“Sameen Shaw”);
};
};
Shaw says: if you talk through chopped I’ll shoot you
[translation available: it’s okay. I’ll wait for you to come back]
you sit down.
--
you are in a convenience store. you need:
-scotch
-all-purpose flour
-chocolate
-apples
-popcorn
-liquorice
-peanuts
-lighter fluid
there is an out of stock sign where the popcorn should be.
you say: they should call it an inconvenience store
Shaw says: do you have to make that joke every time
Shaw says: you really need to start eating healthier food
you say: yes
you say: and apples are healthy
Shaw says: yeah, in moderation
Shaw says: I’m surprised you don’t bleed cider
analogInterface(“Root”) {
systemVitals() {
vitaminIntake: acceptable;
};
suggestion(lowPriority) {
dietModification: iron supplements;
};
};
you say: She says my diet’s fine
Shaw rolls her eyes.
Shaw says: no offense, but I’m not gonna trust a robot when it comes to health
you say: you’re a robot
the man behind the counter is tanned, with a hint of muscle beneath his faded rolling stones t-shirt. there is a tattoo of a chinese symbol curled around his wrist, and a pair of scratched aviator sunglasses folded up next to the till.
[input search parameters
searching…
file found: gasper, eleanor]
eleanor leans forward, pushes out her chest, swaggers as she walks. she has stretched out vowels and dropped consonants. she smiles like it’s easy, and when she does, the man behind the counter smiles back.
the man behind the counter says: thank you, have a nice day
eleanor says: thanks, darlin’
Shaw is next in the queue.
she doesn’t smile at the man behind the counter. she keeps firm eye contact with him and she doesn’t reply to his small talk. she scowls as he counts her change, and she doesn’t leave a tip.
the man behind the counter says: thank you, have a nice day
Shaw shrugs.
she catches up to eleanor at the door, still scowling.
the man behind the counter says: robot
[delete file: gasper, eleanor]
and you-
analogInterface(“Root”) {
systemVitals() {
heartbeat: irregular;
breathingPatterns: irregular;
};
diagnosis: anger;
warning(72%probability) {
analogInterface(“Root”) may resort to violence
};
suggestion(highPriority) {
change location;
regulate breathing patterns;
obey primaryAsset(“Sameen Shaw”);
};
};
Shaw says: leave it root, I don’t care
you’re outside the shop and your hands are clenched into fists and you don’t remember walking out and you don’t remember clenching your hands.
[error: memory corrupted]
Shaw says: I thought you were meant to be above us petty humans
Shaw says: one day somebody’s gonna piss you off and I won’t be there to stop you
you say: She’ll stop me
information: irrelevant;
Shaw says: that’s not the point
--
Shaw smiles at you.
there is blood on your hands, the smell of cordite hanging thick in the air. there is a man lying at your feet, a serial killer. he shot six people dead and he shot at you and he shot at Shaw and you shot back. you shot back, a killer shooting at a killer.
you shot back and he isn’t dead.
Shaw smiles at you and you smile back.
her smile drops; she scowls.
your smile widens.
--
you flick the light switch.
Shaw says: jesus, root
Shaw says: did you break into my apartment again
Shaw leans over to check the alarm clock on her bedside table and swears, rubbing her eyes.
Shaw says: jesus, root
localTime: 01:29:15;
primaryAsset(“Sameen Shaw”) {
systemVitals() {
totalSleep: 00:37:23;
};
};
Shaw says: are you going to talk
you say: yes
Shaw says: then this better be important
[error: “important” not defined]
you say:
you say:
you say:
[error: file not found
refine search parameters]
Shaw says: spit it out, root, I’m tired
[translation available: it’s okay]
you say: it’s been a year
Shaw says: what has
you say: since the first time i spoke to you
Shaw says: what the hell
Shaw says: the first time you spoke to me was nearly three years ago
you say: no
you say: that was veronica sinclair
you say: and then that was augusta king
you say: and then that was dani bunten
you say: and then
you say:
she frowns, and you and you and you and you and you and you and-
[error: infinite loop]
Shaw says: it’s late, root
Shaw says: either stick to your side of the bed or I’ll make you take the couch
[translation available: I understand]
You say: aw, you’re no fun
[translation available: thank you. thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you]
when you wake up, you are sprawled across the entire bed, and you are the only person in the room. You get up.
You say: Shaw
Shaw says: in here, Root
Shaw is in the kitchen making pancakes.
You say: can I have one
Shaw says: fine, whatever
[translation available]
[error: translation unnecessary]