The Perfection Trials

“What if Emily disagrees? What is up with her? She hardly explains everything, she’s all stilted and robotic, and she never explains things. Like, why is she like that?”

Alex knew they were rambling, drowning the world in verbal vomit, but they were genuinely curious. Did Meyer know why Emily was, well, Emily? Did anyone?

“I, uh… I mean, you’re not gonna vibe with every person that you meet.” Meyer shrugged, although he had the same opinion. Emily was unsettling and he didn’t like it but he didn’t think there was anything that could be done about it. May as well try to not rock the boat. “Your hotel is a five minute ride down the block. We’ve got a car waiting for you out front. Cmon.”

Meyer started for a door near the back of the room.

Alex sighed in defeat and trudged after him. Distantly, they were aware xe was muttering their inner monologue.

“If I don’t vibe with Emily, how am I going to make it through this experiment? If I end up with some homophobic android scientist, I’m leaving. We’re not doing that today. Absolutely not.”

They didn’t stop themselves, either. The thoughts had more substance spoken aloud, it was easier to sort them and it made their head slightly quieter. Xe was sure Meyer couldn’t hear. They weren’t too sure with Sadie, since she was standing relatively close.

Whatever. They doubted she would mind.

Sadie was vaguely aware Alex was muttering to themself, but didn’t pay too much mind to what they were saying. She had far too much on her own mind to be worrying about their problems too.

She slid her hand in her pocket, tangible proof they the money was still there.

Meyer them in silence down to a garage. Parked inside was a single black SUV with tinted windows. It was running. Meyer gestured towards it, turning back to Sadie and Alex. “Your chariot awaits.”

She glared at him. “Oh, right, sure. Because I look dumb enough to get in a murder van.”

“You were dumb enough to get shocked a dozen times of your own volition.”

She scowled at him.

“If we had any ill will towards you, we could just keep you here in perpetuity. We don’t need to get you in a car for that. But it’s the only thing standing between you and that pizza…”

“I’m getting a steak.” Sadie stepped towards the SUV, hoping Alex would follow.

Alex did follow, eyes still slightly unfocused, even though the muttering stopped. It was almost as if they were operating on autopilot.

“Try not to miss me too much,” Meyer teased just as they got to the car.

Sadie flipped him off then got in the back seat on the passenger side.

Alex slid in the backseat beside Sadie. “I think Emily’s some sort of AI.”

Sadie considered the idea as the driver pulled towards the door of the garage.

“Yeah, maybe,” Sadie agreed. “She is pretty weird… maybe I can crack her code if she is.”

“If she is, imagine she has the data on her. That would explain her crazy memory, the fact that she just spouted a bunch of nonsense about you at a moment’s notice.” Alex shook their head. “Just my luck to get stuck with the robot that probably wants to end the human race.”

“Eh…” Sadie rubbed her face. Whether Emily was or wasn’t AI was beside the point — she was definitely going to be hacking into the Perfection Trials database once she was back to her laptop. “If it’s any consolation, it’s clear she’s got Meyer whipped too.”

“At least Meyer feels human. I, uh-“ Alex looked away, a sudden embarrassment taking over. “-I’m glad we’re partners with this, you know? I don’t want to handle Emily alone.”

Yeah that was all this was. Not wanting to handle Emily alone. Right.

Sadie glanced at them, then looked out the window, softening a bit. Alex seemed delicate. Someone she should be gentle with — rather than her usual sarcastic self. It wasn’t their fault that they were going through this nonsense. “Me, too. You seem pretty chill.”

Spoiler

That is so soft I love it. Look at them.

“Thanks. Uh, you too.” Alex looked at the window too, trying to wrestle away the warmth in their face.

Spoiler

:’)

Sadie nodded, letting a brief silence pass between them. “So, uh, what’s your story, then?”

“What do you mean? Like, my past?” Alex turned back, a small kaleidoscope of butterflies swirling ‘round their stomach.