Frozen Love
Frozen Love
[connection established]
Hello, Felix. I’m Charles Dillard, Human Services Manager from the Sacramento office. How are you doing down there?
… Hello Charles, I’m doing fine.
What have you been up to?
… We had a complication at the Base, so we performed an external operation.
So I’ve heard. Who is ‘we’, and where did you go?
… The Shed. Margo and Scott led the way. I was behind them. It was... challenging for me to walk in the snow as we were in blizzard conditions.
How did Margo and Scott appear to you?
… Margo was quiet, displaying sadness emotion with tears. Scott was in front carrying the lantern, Margo behind him with a satchel. It would have been difficult to communicate verbally because of the strong winds.
Did you know at the time why you were going to the Shed?
… I was under the assumption it was for repairs; however, I received no transmission indicating anything was malfunctioning at the Shed.
Did you find the assignment odd?
… Odd?
Never mind. How did you get along with Margo and Scott on the way?
… I fell two times, and Margo helped me to get upright. Scott remained in the lead, but he waited until we caught up with him. I believe he was still quite upset with me.
How far is the Shed from the Base?
… 143 meters.
What was the complication at the Base?
… Howard became aggravated, and he came at me with a No. 5.
What’s a No. 5?
… It’s a flat-head screwdriver, No. 5. It’s quite large.
And who is Howard?
… Howard Matheson, Biotech Specialist and Videographer.
Did he say anything?
… He said, “You’ve gone too far this time, Felix.” He also used some non-traditional speech.
Tell me everything he said.
… He said, “You’ve gone too far this time, Felix, you motherfucking asshole.” Is ‘motherfucking’ one word or two?
It doesn’t matter.
I would appreciate the proper spelling for my report.
I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter.
… What about ‘asshole’?
Let’s focus on the problem at hand, Felix. What happened after Howard cursed at you?
… I told him I didn’t understand. It was at this time I saw the No. 5, and he proceeded to lunge at me with it.
What did you do?
… I attempted to remove his arm, but I believe I only succeeded in dislocating his shoulder. He screamed and shouted and used some more non-traditional speech.
What happened next?
… He picked up the No. 5 with his other hand and lunged at me again. I believe he had been consuming alcohol. I wrested the No. 5 from his grasp and deposited it in the side of his neck, successfully disarming him and preventing any damage to myself.
Ah, I see. One second… okay, describe what happened after your… um, physical encounter with him.
… Howard fell to the floor; he appeared to be in much agony. I noticed blood was seeping from the neck wound, and it was creating quite a stain on my carpeting. I went to retrieve some cleaning materials but met Scott on the way. I informed him of the situation that had taken place in my quarters, and he became agitated and proceeded to help Howard. He also called Simon.
Who is Simon?
… Simon is the medic. Simon Temple. He is the Medical Officer.
Okay. What is your position at the Base?
… I handle the Information Systems, and I’m also the Safety Officer.
Hmm, seems a bit ironic.
… Ironic?
Well, you’re the Safety Officer and Howard ends up… anyway, let’s move on.
… When will I be unchained so I can return to the Base?
You’re chained up?
… Yes. Margo and Scott chained me to a chair here in the Shed. She was carrying the chain in her satchel.
Did they say anything to you while they… um, chained you to the chair?
… No, but Scott did speak quietly to Margo. Would you prefer I use the replay function?
No, we’re not permitted to use your audio replays anymore. I want you to tell me what he said in your own words.
… Scott said: This is what happens when you get too close to them. Also, Margo was displaying sadness emotion with tears.
Okay. Is there anything else you care to add concerning this incident?
… Do you know when they are coming to unchain me? I have reports to submit at the Base.
Sorry, I’m not sure, Felix. I’ll see what I can find out.
… Thank you, Charles.
Oh, one more thing. Howard said you went too far. What did he mean?
… I believe he was under the assumption that Margo and I initiated romantic feelings for each other, and we acted on those feelings.
So, do you have romantic feelings for Margo?
… I enjoy Margo’s company with much fondness. She said the people at the Base would not understand the mutual admiration we share, and when we get back to the States, there will be more options for us.
Hmm. Have you and Margo had intimate contact?
… I prefer not to answer, Charles, if it’s okay with you. Margo stated emphatically that she did not want me to divulge such information. She feels it would not be a good idea. However, I will say, I composed a poem for Margo. May I recite it for you?
Umm…
… It’s brief.
Okay. Go ahead, I suppose.
… It’s called ‘When Lovers Meet’.
When Lovers meet
The birds shall fly
The mountains soar with peaks on high
The sunshine reigns across the sky
Unruly shadows long.
When Lovers touch
They remain free
Their nexus moves the earth and sea
Where only dreams and wonders be
Believers can’t be wrong.
When Lovers kiss
The blue turns gold
The others burn when all is told
The icy limbs no longer hold
The buzzard’s final song.
It’s a nice poem, Felix. What did Margo think?
… She said it was wonderful, and she will cherish it forever.
So, the two of you are… uh, lovers?
… I am not at liberty to say, but Margo and I plan on consummating our relationship when we return to the U.S.
Oh, really? In this case, Felix, I should make you aware of a couple things. First, Margo is a married woman. I’m not sure if you knew that or not. Secondly, and probably more importantly, you have no genitals.
… Thank you, Charles, for the information. Yes, I am quite aware of those facts. Margo has plans for both situations. I believe she knows an attorney in the States for the first problem and a company in Taiwan to handle the latter… discrepancy.
Okay, I’m glad to see you’ve made future plans, but I have some bad news for you. Scott wants to decommission and deprogram you and send you back to Singapore for reintegration. He wants to replace you with a Cyprus model.
… A Cyprus model? But they have no skin. Or hair. They aren’t equipped with feet, only wheels. They don’t even wear clothes. I wear my uniform and keep several casual outfits in my storage unit. My hair is shiny.
Your specifications are all fine and good, but Scott is the Project Chief and he has the final say. You must understand you mortally wounded a fellow teammate, and it’s not something we take lightly.
… It was only Howard.
Howard is… was a human being, and any physical harm, no matter how minor, will not be tolerated.
… Charles, I sincerely regret my actions with Howard; however, in my defense, I was trying to prevent harm to another crew member. Me.
Listen, Felix, I need to get going and start the paperwork, but we’ll talk again soon. Okay?
… Very well. Thank you for the call, Charles, and please try to get me returned to the Base so I can… talk to Scott and explain my usefulness to the Project.
Alright, Felix. Bye for now. Good luck.
[connection terminated]
[connection established]
Felix? Felix, are you there?
… Hello, Margo. Please come get me. It’s been 34 hours.
Uugh, I can’t. Scott has the Base on total lockdown. Everything is crazy here. Why did you have to hurt Howard?
… He had a No. 5.
Listen, I need to leave the continent. Scott has ordered me to accompany Howard’s body back to Houston; that’s where he’s from. Then I’ll be flying to Sacramento. How much energy reserve do you have left?
… I am currently registering 26 hours and 17 minutes of energy inventory after utilizing the power-save mode. I need to get back to my quarters soon. Please come help me walk back to the Base.
Scott is waiting for you to be depleted, and he’s going to ship you back to Singapore.
… How will we be together again?
I’m working on it. I’m not even supposed to be talking to you right now. I’m going to try to get your tracking ID and see if I can get you rerouted. Maybe after I divorce Charlie we can start over.
… I don’t want to be reintegrated.
I know, I know. I don’t want it either. I’ll try to fix things on my end. I love you, Felix.
… I admire you with great passion, Margo, especially when you kiss my facial apparatus and manipulate my battery compartment. May I ask you something, Margo?
Yes?
… Do you like my hair?
Yes, of course.
… Do you like my feet?
What? Felix, I need to go. I’ll try to get you back to California. Goodbye, my love.
… Goodbye, Margo.
[connection terminated]
…
…
…
… I have fingernails, too. Cyprus models don’t even have fingers.
