ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 6
rancine called Ana and Rhett into her office.
F “Have a seat, please,” Francine said in a cheerful tone, seated behind her desk. “We’ve been waiting several weeks to do this, and now it’s time.”
“Sounds intriguing,” Rhett replied with a frown. The radio in Peter’s office in the lab experienced a brief burst of soft static as they used their 128 bit AES encrypted wi-fi to communicate. What’s this all about, Ana? I don’t like sudden meetings. I’ve read online about students summoned to the Principal’s Office, and it’s never a good thing.
“Relax, Rhett. This isn’t a bad thing.” Francine was upbeat. “Don’t you think my tone of voice is a good sign from someone many staff members refer to as The Dragon Lady?” She smiled at their dumbfounded expressions. “Yes, I know all about my nickname.”
Without saying another word, Francine pushed the button on her intercom. “Dr. Martha 47
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Robinson, please report to the Director’s Office.”
She grinned wordlessly.
Rhett used his wi-fi, “I told you, Ana! She called Martha by her title and full name. I’ve heard no one in the lab ever refer to another person by their title.
Something is up.”
In a few moments, Martha entered the office and nodded to everyone. “What have you told them so far, Francine?”
“Nothing at all. I was waiting for you before saying anything.” She smiled at everyone again.
“So, all of your daily brain scans have shown you are both learning at a dizzying rate. We think we are safe in bringing you to the next level and doing a more robust field test, significantly more complex than just walking around the city or having lunch in public without being noticed as AIs.”
“Yes,” Martha added. “Francine and the Department Heads have all agreed you two are going on a supervised field test.”
Ana raised her hand chest high. “Supervised field test? That sounds pretty formal. What did you have in mind? Recall I am socializing faster 48
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than Rhett, so we don’t want to get him into an awkward situation.”
Martha grinned, understanding Ana obliquely referred to herself as Gabriella to explain the differences in socialization progress between her and Rhett.
She continued, “Don’t worry; we won’t stress anyone. It’ll be quite a bit of fun. You and Rhett, along with me and my fizzle, Ralph Thornton, will go on a double date! Dinner and dancing.
What do you think of that?”
“Really?” Ana almost squealed as she made two fists and rapidly shook them up and down.
“I love dancing!” Then, she caught herself and added, “I mean, I’ve watched it on videos and want to try it.” Wow, I almost blew it there, Rhett.
Martha and I used to dress slinky and go clubbing all of the time. I love to dance!
“Where are we going, Francine?” Rhett asked.
Francine pointed to Martha. “Ask her. She’s the dancing queen.”
Martha laughed and waved her hands to disavow the status of a queen. “I wouldn’t title me that, but Ralph and I do like to go out 49
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dancing.” She then became more serious.
“General Coopers asked us to test the two of you to see how you handled a little pressure. Francine and I talked it over and concluded going dancing would test all of your socialization and training.
Since you have never danced,” she turned and wrinkled the corners of her mouth at Ana, “it will also test to see how well you can acclimate to new cultures and body movements without standing out. Besides, it will be a ton of fun. You both in?”
Ana spoke for both of them. “Yes, we certainly are. It would delight us to give this a try. When do you want to go?”
Martha responded. “This is Wednesday, and I know a place on 330 West 40Th Street with a great D.J. on Thursday night. It’s on the 34th floor with a superb view of the city and the Hudson River.”
“How about reservations?” Francine asked.
“Can you make them with such short notice?”
“No problem at all,” said Martha. “This is where we use General Lance Coopers influence to get us in there. We all know the General always gets what he wants, and he wants us to test our new proteges, right? I’ll call him today and let 50
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him know what we need. I don’t believe there will be an issue. Rank really does have its privileges,” she laughed.
Francine looked at everyone as she stood from her chair. “Is there anything else?” Then she added without waiting for an answer, “And Martha can answer all of your questions about the assignment. Have a fruitful and educational evening tomorrow.” A dismissive wave of her hand proclaimed their meeting was over. She sat down again and continued writing a report on her tablet.
“Okay, guys,” Martha said when they were back into the common lab area, “I’ll make all of the arrangements and will send a cab for you tomorrow night. Ana, I’ll gather some clothes from Gabriella’s old apartment and bring them to you in the morning before work. You’re her size.”
She continued, “Rhett, I’m sending Ana out with you this afternoon to shop for new clothes. New jeans and a black T-shirt will do just fine with your athletic build and muscles. AI Concepts, Inc.
will provide you with shopping cash. An envelope with money will be at the guard’s desk within the hour. We don’t want to do things with a credit card just yet,” she chuckled.
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Ana touched Martha on the forearm. “You mentioned Gabriella’s apartment. I want to talk to you about that,” she said quietly.
“We will soon, Ana, but not just right now.
There are some things we need to have in place first. So sit tight for the time being.”
***
The cab pulled up to the front door of the AI building on W. 54th St. at seven o’clock on Thursday. Rhett opened the cab door for Ana and followed her in. Ana tugged at the hemline of her black leather skirt as she sat. The short skirt emphasized the length of her her beautifully shaped legs. The evocative silver knit sweater with it’s occasional strand of metallic silver thread superbly highlighted her shape. Dark red curls framed her face. Rhett looked on appreciatively and said, “I’ll bet they didn’t have to kill too many cows to supply leather for that skirt, huh?”Ana punched him lightly on the shoulder.
“Shut up! The rule with clubbing is to look good and show what you have. It’s fun. Besides, you’re not exactly looking away, mister ‘looking sexy in his new jeans and tight black shirt.’ Guys have it 52
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just too easy. A girl has to spend time with her hair, makeup, and an outfit stopping just a tad short of slutty. All men just have to do is put their pants and t-shirt on, and they’re ready to go.”
“Not so!” Rhett protested in mock angry denial. “I also combed my hair. What more do you want?”
“Where too?” The cabbie with the Afghani accent asked. “It looks like you two are going out for the evening.”
“We’re going to 331 W. 40th St. for a little dinner and dancing with friends,” Ana offered.
“Ah, you’ll be overlooking the city. The DJ
playing tonight is somewhere in my family tree.
My wife knows all about who-is-who and how they are related. The way I was raised, everyone around my age in the family was a cousin.
Everyone my parents’ age was an aunt or uncle.
Even close friends not related at all are called cousin or aunt and uncle.”
“So you’re familiar with the Sky View Lounge?” Rhett asked. “Am I appropriately dressed? Ana, here, looks so good, and I feel so underdressed by comparison.”
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The cabby looked in his rear view mirror for a moment. “Well, sir, it’s like this. Women have these beautiful shapes to show off, no offense, mam,” he said, shifting his gaze to Ana. “Men are basically shaped like bricks. There just isn’t a lot you can do with us, so a tight shirt showing off your muscles is about as good as it gets with guys.”
“It doesn’t seem fair when you put it that way,” Rhett responded.
“It’s not, but the difference sure is wonderful, isn’t it?” the cabby grinned. “When you order drinks, tell your server that Amalfi said to give you the family price on the pitchers of cocktails.
It’ll save you a few bucks.”
The cab pulled up to Sky View. Ana tipped the cabbie an extra ten dollars. “Thanks for the conversation and explaining to my friend why women are so wonderful looking. Have a good night.”
Rhett added, “And don’t take any wooden nickels.”
Ana and Amalfi stopped and stared at Rhett, both shaking their heads.
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“What?” he said, puzzled. “I heard that on an old TV show I was watching.”
“Please don’t use any phrases you pick up from television, okay?” Ana chided as the cab pulled away, the driver still shaking his head.
“You just lost a point for socialization skills.”
Martha and Ralph were waiting in the lobby.
“Hi, guys,” Martha said as she saw them enter the building. The short dark brown skirt with slits on either thigh showed her long, toned chocolate brown legs. The black off-the-shoulder top with lacy half-sleeves matched the above-the-knee black boots.
“You two look wonderful,” Martha said as she hugged Ana. “Let me look at you. And Rhett, you clean up nicely, too. I’d like you to meet my guy, Ralph Thornton.”
Ralph extended his hand to Ana and Rhett.
“Hello. I’m pleased to meet you both. Martha has told me so much about you.” His friendly face confirmed he was genuinely pleased to meet them. Ralph was a trim, good-looking, well-muscled African-American.
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“Thanks, Ralph,” said Rhett. “Then Martha told you all about us?”
“Yes, she has. I know you are AIs. No problem at all. I knew Gabriella. What a wonderful person she was. Martha and I used to go out to the clubs with her. The girl sure loved to move and dance.
Do you dance, Rhett?”
“Probably not very well. I’ll give it my best shot, though. Hey, I see the ladies dressed us almost alike. Do you think they have a plan?”
Rhett laughed as he noticed Ralph also wore jeans and a tight t-shirt. “At least they made our shirts a different color. I like royal blue on you.”
Ana looked at Rhett. “And one other thing, guys don’t usually complement each other’s clothing. Pick that one up on TV, too, did yu?”
“Why?”
“Stop it!”
Martha interrupted, “So let’s head up to the 34th floor and get this party started!” She laughed, twirled, and headed for the elevators.
Ralph watched Martha walk away. “Mmmf.
That girl is mad-pretty. I love that keeper,” he said to no one in particular. “Sure do.”
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“Reservations?” the female Maitre d’
questioned as they entered the Sky View Lounge.
“Yes, under Thornton,” Ralph said as he looked past the dining area to the dance floor on the other side. He turned to Ana. “You’re going to love the 360o view of the city. This is one of my favorite places.”
They were led to a small table in the dining area. It was just large enough to seat four people.
“Your server will be with you in a moment,” the Maitre d’ said. Ralph’s eyes absentmindedly followed her tight, cream-colored knit mid-thigh dress out of the room.
He was startled when he received a flick on his ear. “Hey! You’re with me, remember?”
Martha warned. The look in her eye confirmed she was not joking.
“Oops. Wasn’t on purpose. You know you’re my only flame,” came the apologetic reply.
Martha glared at him for a few more seconds for effect.
“Any favorites?” Rhett asked as he looked over the menu.
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Martha and Ralph discussed their picks, announcing, “Let’s go with the Charcuterie Board. It has meats, cheese, veggies, and bread. It won’t get us too bloated to dance as a full meal would. Plus, it’s under ninety dollars. How does that sound?”
Everyone agreed it sounded good. The server took their food order, including a pitcher of mojitos, to start. They told her Amalfi said to give them the family discount.
“Very good. Thank you,” the server replied.
Ralph lifted a finger to ask a question. “Amalfi was a great cab driver, but what’s the connection between driving a cab and this upscale place? I don’t get it.”
The server smiled. “Cab drivers get to talk to many business people at all levels. Those who use the information properly create destinies. That’s all I can say. It’s just everything isn’t always as it seems. He’s not just a cab driver. I’ll get your order right up.”
They all looked at their server walk away with furrowed brows. “What do you suppose she meant?” Martha asked.
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“Who knows,” Ralph offered, “perhaps he has made a fortune on stock tips he overhears in the cab. I’m sure it’s nothing concerning us at all.”
Heads nodded in agreement. Ana stood,
“Let’s jump in on a dance before our order comes.”
Rhett stood hesitantly. “I’ve never danced, Ana. I’m up for it, but don’t want to look out of place.”
Martha laughed. “Rhett, you’ll have no problems. Firstly because of who you are, and secondly because no cute, well-built guy looks silly out there no matter how they dance.” Then added impishly made various signs with her hands and fingers in front of her face as she rocked to the music.
A loud guffaw escaped Ralph. “Honey, I’ve never seen you act like that.”
Martha laughed and put her hands between her knees as she doubled over in glee. Finally, she rose, still giggling, “No, I haven’t done much of that, Rhett.”
Ana grabbed Rhett’s hand and towed him out to the edge of the dance floor. “Now, just watch 59
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what the guys are doing for a minute or two.
Then imitate it. It’s one of the many advantages we have over biological humans. We can learn and coordinate faster.”
They observed the mass of humanity swirling and swaying to the driving beat and the flashing lights. A smoke machine pumped out a thin gray mist making the light rays of the rotating spotlights stand out as they flashed in time with the music.
“Okay, Rhett. Watch Ralph for a moment.
He’s pretty good with body movements,” Ana said. Then in a trailing voice, “Yes, he surely is.”
The food was delivered to their table just as the second song finished. Their server raised her arm to signify the delivery.
“Let’s grab our food and come back out to dance,” Ralph suggested. “Chow time!”
As they ate and drank, Ralph asked, “You don’t have to answer, but Ana and Rhett, what do you do with the food you ingest? Can you taste it, or do you just eat to blend in? I should have asked Martha about it but didn’t think of it until just now.”
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Rhett answered, “No problem. Yes, to both questions. We eat to fit in, but also because it tastes delicious. Same with this pitcher of Mojitos.
Tasty stuff. We store everything and then get rid of it pretty much as you do.”
Ralph’s nose wrinkled.
“Sorry Ralph, too much sharing, huh?” Rhett added. Ralph just nodded.
They danced and drank for two more hours.
Martha and Ralph were getting loose. Ana and Rhett imitated being slightly drunk.
A dark-haired man-boy with a mustache and goatee walked behind Ana and put his hand on her buttocks as she danced. She gave a small shout and jumped. In a blur, Rhett had the man’s upper arm in his right hand.
“Just what the hell do you think you are doing to my girl?” Rhett asked in a low growl, his grip tightening on the young man’s arm. “Are we going to have a problem, punk?”
The color drained from the man’s face. “Look, I don’t want no trouble. I just touched her ass for a second. It’s no big deal. Let go of my arm.”
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Rhett pulled the man closer by the captive arm and snarled an inch from his face, “It’s a big deal to me. I could squash you like a grape. You had better tell the lady you’re sorry and ask her to forgive you.” He gave the young man an upward jerk on his arm to emphasize the point.
Nearby dancers started watching the show.
“Rhett, you’re causing a scene,” Ana wi-fi’d. Someone will pull out their phone, and we’ll blow up viral on social media. Let the kid go.”
“Okay, okay,” said the boy. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Must be the beers. Will you forgive me for being stupid?”
“Yes, I will,” responded Ana. “Just remember it the next time you try that with stunt with another woman. Instead of a bruised arm, you may be awarded a broken nose or worse. I’m sorry this mess happened. Let’s just have fun tonight and forget it all happened, okay?”
“Thank you, mam. You too, sir,” said the wiser and more humble party goer as Rhett released him.
Martha took Rhett aside. “Rhett, you could have caused a real problem. Why did you do that in a public place?”
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“I’m not sure, Martha. The little jerk just pissed me off. He acted like he could do anything he wanted, with no repercussions. I just wanted to teach him a lesson, not hurt him. I saw the same attitude in him as in General Coopers. That smugness is hard to take. Sorry. It won’t happen again, but it’s not right when people get away with taking what they want from others. They are just bad code.”
Martha’s brow knitted. “What are you saying by ‘bad code,’ Rhett?”
“I’m only saying some people are evil at heart and whatever happens to them for situations they get themselves into is okay with me. Good people don’t do what he did. Bad people do, and bad people sometimes get what’s coming to them.”
“Rhett, we need to talk back in the lab tomorrow. I need to find out more about your feelings. Would it be okay with you?”
“Not really, but we can talk if you would like.
It all seems self-explanatory to me. So sure, let’s talk. I need to find out more about how you think, too.”
“It’s a deal then, big guy,” Martha said with a forced smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Let’s 63
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forget everything for tonight and concentrate on having a good time.”
After another hour of dancing and more mojitos, Martha suggested they call it a night. Out on the street, she said, “Ralph and I are going to his apartment to talk for a while. See you in the morning.”
“Rhett and I are going back to the lab for the night,” Ana said. After a pause, she added,
“Martha, Gabriella had a beautiful apartment. It seems fitting that I should live there to continue with our socialization experiences instead of going back to the lab to work all night or into a standby rest mode. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’ll talk it over with Francine,” Martha responded as the cab pulled up to the curb to whisk her and Ralph away for the night.
Rhett turned to Ana. “An apartment, huh?
And where would I be staying?”
“You would stay with me, silly. I’m not sure if we will be brother and sister or husband and wife, but we have the same last name. What’s your preference?”
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Rhett put his arm around Ana’s waist and pulled her tight until their hips were pressing into each other. “Hmm,” he mused as he felt her warm body next to him and nuzzled her hair.
“Let’s go to the lab, and let me think about it.”
They thought about it all night long on the leather couch in the breakroom.
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