Danger: Tampering May Lead to Complications

“What are you doing?!” Frankie hissed as Lisa’s parents walked into the kitchen, eager to taste more of Lloyd’s works from the previous day. “No, wrong question! How are you doing this! Why do you look like a nerdy lumberjack?!”

Lloyd’s smile widened, and half his face dissolved into green light before letting the girls see his metallic visage underneath. “Holo Grid. It’s a system we use where I’m from to give artificial soul constructs a more pleasing appearance. I could be any race, any gender, and with the body compression systems in my body, I could even alter my age if you wish.”

“But why are you talking to my parents like you’re some regular guy?” Lisa asked, looking back at them enjoying a plate of chocolate dipped fruit, hoping the children wouldn’t notice their not sharing.

“Because I wish to protect you,” Lloyd said, his face reforming. “My natural appearance will cause you trouble. Now I can build a persona to be close to you without scaring or upsetting anyone.”

“But you don’t have an ID or past or money or…or anything!” Frankie said.

“I should be able to forge whatever documents I need. A quick scan of your mother’s mind told me everything I needed to be a full fledged citizen in your world. Wonderfully smart woman, your mother, Lisa!” Lloyd said.

“I heard a compliment!” Lisa’s mother said, walking in with the chocolate fruit and some cheese. “And if you think I’m hot stuff, wait until you meet my partner in crime, who should be here any minute now.”

“No…you didn’t…please, tell me you didn’t invite over…” Frankie said softly as their front door opened and her mom rushed in.

“Jan! Is this the genius who taught our girls how to make a gourmet meal?” Frankie’s mother said excitedly, zipping right to Lloyd. The robot man stood, extending his hand.

“Lloyd Roberts, my dear and charming woman!” Lloyd said cheerfully. Frankie’s mother took it eagerly.

“Gracie! Gracie Baker! Though ironically I’m not the one who bakes in the diner!” Frankie’s mom said. “I’m glad you taught our daughters some skills. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. Right, Frankie?”

“Oh yeah, mom. I’ve definitely got a mind to do some stuff right now,” Frankie said, giving Lloyd the stink eye.

“The Folgers said you would be interested in meeting me,” Lloyd said to Gracie as they and Lisa’s parents sat again. Frankie and Lisa hovered at the edge of the room.

“Why are you so uptight?” Lisa asked softly.

“Mom has been complaining recently. High food costs, low customer support. She won’t ever abandon our crappy diner, and she’s been looking for a thing,” Frankie said, her eyes locked onto Lloyd.

“Thing? Like, a hook for the diner? Wait, you don’t think…” Lisa trailed off, both their minds whirling. The adults laughed at a joke Lloyd told. He beamed, delighted his attempt at humor worked.

“So, where do you live?” Gracie asked, leaning in closer.

“I woke up in a hole yesterday,” Lloyd said, and they all laughed again. “Honestly, I am still looking for permanent residence. I have…temporary lodgings, but my situation is precarious. I recently experienced a loss, of a sort, and I need a new direction in life.”

Gracie’s eyes widened as fraction, and she nodded sympathetically. “Rebuilding a life is hard. I know. But, I think I can help! I own a diner in town, the Launch. Its right on the lake. Business is a little…hell, a lot slow. If you can bring the cooking skills you taught the girls to my place, I’ll give you a job right now! Plus, bonus, there are two apartments above it. Frankie and I have one and you can have the other at a discounted price. What do you say, Lloyd?”

Lloyd looked to Frankie and Lisa, those green eyes of his twinkling behind glasses which didn’t actually exist. “My dear woman, I would love to serve you,” he said proudly.

*

Lisa biked through the light snow, her body still hot from the game, her breaths coming out in small puffs of air as they pierced the cold. Upon reaching the Launch she parked her bike in the alley along the side of it and walked in. The warm air hit her, overwhelming her with the scents of a busy diner and the body heat of a packed house.

“Hey, Frankie! Where are you? Won my game!” Lisa called out. Frankie came out from the kitchen carrying two plates wearing her black work shirt and a pasted on grin.

“If you loved me you would throw me in the lake,” Frankie said to Lisa as she set the plates down onto the table. The couple sitting there looked up at her with concerned faces. “My last comment wasn’t reflective of the food. Dig in, guys, it’s great.”

“I know the place has gotten packed since our favorite talking toaster became a chef, but…” Lisa started to say, following Frankie back to the kitchen.

“It is not the business bothering me, you chipper goon,” Frankie said, sliding her glasses back up her nose as the entered the kitchen. The two other waitresses passed by, happy business had picked up so drastically in the past few weeks. Bubba, the other chef behind the line with a beard like an unkempt lawn and a gut like a sack of potatoes, worked the grill like a champ, flipping burgers and grilling veggies with more discipline than his look suggested, the skills Lloyd had taught him adding a new zest to his work. But beyond him, at the cutting board, stood Frankie’s problem.

“Perfect. Even strokes. One after the other, no hesitation, and you will have perfectly cut carrots!” Lloyd said, his hands over Gracie’s as he helped her slice a carrot.

“You are a miracle worker! I can work a kitchen, manage a staff, but knife skills have always been my Achilles heel! But you…you can do it like a perfect machine each time. I am so lucky to have found you,” Gracie said, looking up into Lloyd’s green eyes with more than appreciation for a job well done on her mind.

“The luck is all mine, dear woman,” Lloyd said, his grin growing a bit wider. Frankie crossed her arms watching the scene, perturbed beyond belief.

“My mom has a crush on the robot…” Frankie said, softly and reluctantly.