Robots Inc.
© 2004 Bobette Bryan
Adam paused at the door of the dilapidated Queen Anne and took a deep breath, excitement filling his blood. Was he dreaming or had he finally found her? As he rang the door bell he sighed, telling himself that he should never have come here. He shoved a gloved hand into the pocket of his duster, fingers skimming the .777 demagnetizer. But the weapon gave him little assurance. He knew Julia well, and he was certain that she'd have more fire power than an arsenal in there, and she knew how to use it. But if worse came to worse...
Before he'd finished the thought, the door was flung back on creaky hinges and a giant who looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger gazed down upon him through narrow eyes. One of her latest masterpieces?
"May I help you?"
"Yes you can. I'm here to see Julia."
"I'm sorry, but Doctor Hayes is indisposed. If you'd like to leave a message, I'll give it to her as soon as possible."
"I'll bet you'd give it to her. I bet you give it to her every night. Well, sorry, bud, but this is one message I'm gonna deliver in person."
"Sir, I assure you that Dr. Hayes is quite busy and..."
He looked like Arnold, but he talked like an English butler. He was an improvement over the real thing. Her toys were always an improvement over the real thing--or so she thought. Well, Adam was determined to show her how wrong she was--determined to show her how great it would be to be with a real man again.
"I don't care if she's the one-legged man in the infamous butt-kicking contest. I want to see her now, or I'm going to kick some butt!"
"If you'll tell me your name, I'll let her know you're here, and..."
"I'm her husband, damn it all, the man who has scoured plains, deserts, mountains, and hell to find her. Now get out of the way, you blue-blooded hard drive."
