Robotic Essences - SCENE 70 – “Totally Normal Roommates”

EXT. HQ PARK – EARLY MORNING

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Jason sits slumped on a concrete bench under a half-dead synthetic tree, one leg up, arms draped over the backrest. The plaza is quiet now, buzzing only with distant cleanup drones and the low chatter of exhausted Security units scattered around.

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He flicks through the post-op status report on his texter. Systems: stable. Coolant: refilled. Dignity: unrecoverable. He sighs, tilts his head back...

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Then freezes.

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JASON

(eyes wide)

“...Holy molly.”

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Smash cut to a rapid flurry of taps on his texter as he mutters under his breath:

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JASON

“Those two idiots. They’re still waiting for my messages.”

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He sends a hasty text:

JASON: i’m alive. no i didn’t melt. don’t panic.

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The reply is... immediate. And horrifying.

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A: FOUR. HOURS.

A: JASON I THOUGHT YOU WERE DELETED.

A: I MADE AN ALTAR OUT OF SPOONS.

A: WE HAD A VIGIL. K ATE THE CANDLES.

K: not candles. wax sausages. tasted weird.

A: HE IS LYING THEY WERE NOT SAUSAGES

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Jason stares at the screen, thumb hovering.

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JASON

(murmuring)

“Yeah I’m dead when I get home. RIP Gearman. Gone too soon.”

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From the bench across from him, SECURITY UNIT WENDY‑43 squints at his screen.

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WENDY-43

“Whoa. Are you... texting? You have friends?”

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Jason, startled, yanks the texter close to his chest.

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JASON

“Define friends.”

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WENDY-43

“You know, people you talk to without threatening? That aren’t vending machines?”

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Jason shrugs like it’s no big deal, but his optics flick sideways.

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JASON

“Eh. Roommates. Real annoying. Real alive. Real dramatic.”

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SECURITY BOT REX-9 leans in, curious.

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REX-9

“You’re co-living now? With other robots? Didn’t peg you for the domestic type.”

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JASON

(nervous laugh)

“Well, you know, city’s expensive. Gotta split rent. Totally normal roommates. Not murderers or anything.”

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WENDY-43

“Nobody said anything about murderers.”

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JASON

(coughs)

“Didn’t say that.”

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He quickly checks the texter again. More messages incoming.

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A: WE MADE A CURSE JAR. YOUR NAME IS IN IT TWICE.

K: i made pancakes. a stabbed one. it was fun.

A: I SWEAR TO ROBO GOD JASON YOU BETTER BRING BACK SOMETHING SWEET OR I’LL THROW THIS TRENCH COAT AT YOU SO HARD

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Jason slumps back on the bench, rubbing his face.

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JASON

(grimacing)

“I should’ve just stayed in the hell-spire.”

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REX-9

(grinning)

“This is what you get for caring about people.”

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JASON

“Shut up, Rex.”

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He pockets the texter and stands, sighing like a condemned man on his way to judgment.

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JASON

“Well. Time to go home to hell.”

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FADE OUT.

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