The cat, a creature of epicureanism. It only does what it pleases. The one in the room ate incessantly, and when it was not eating it was cleaning itself, and when it was not cleaning itself it was sleeping. In no particular order. The cat does what it pleases. The cat only does what it pleases. They were in the apartment now.
So what is your name?
He thought about it, and then he said his name.
Well, I have come here to ask you an important question.
Then you must have already known my name then, didn't you?
She presented an object. He observed it. They made eye contact, and held it for a time.
Have you ever wanted to disappear?
In what context?
Reality.
To Stuart Spade, the world was an ever expanding dome. He believed, quite simply, that the places he had never been, did not exist, until he visited them. He was much an advocate of "seeing is believing", but, quite honestly, he really didn't even believe in that. He watched the news, like any other human, and still did not believe. He really thought his life was one large experiment, a simulation, an exercise. Perhaps being executed exclusively in his mind, run by some mainframe. He told this to no one, as these beliefs were...not commonly shared, and he confided in no one. He doesn't know why he believes this, as there is no one experience that can be attributed with giving rise to his theory. At times when his sense of reality is disintegrating, he closes his eyes, and thinks of a place where the only thing that exists is his mind. He goes here quite often, as it brings him peace (which is so valuable). He thinks about this as disappearing.
Who are you.
He posed this question quite seriously.
She stared at him, and then turned her gaze toward the object.
I see the world through the negative images that fade out of focus.
He said this in a strange manner.
I see the world through the flashing of the lights.
She said this as she was becoming more dream-like, Stuart looked at her quite seriously. He leaned forward. He embraced it: the belief that she might be some messenger, some one from the other side of the simulation he believed he was in.
I want to know what happens when my heart stops beating. I want to know what happens when I lose my mind, and everything I think I know goes away. I want to know...
I can show you Stuart.
She said this as her voice became quite soothing.
He looked at the object again. Reality was a strange place, indeed.
I think I'll need a cigarette.
So he lit one, and puffed on it a few puffs, and exhaled like some great giant, and the reward centers in his brain activated, and he began to think...
...and he began to think about reality.
He puffed some more, and, as he spoke, smoke billowed from the opening in his face.
What are you.
I'm here to serve you. I was built over many years, but I was built to come here, to you, and serve my purpose.
Which is?
To ask you as series of questions, and respond to you accordingly, as per was planned. However, the questions are to be asked at the correct intervals.
He took a long drag.
And then to serve you indefinitely.
Who sent you?
I cannot recall my origin.
Do you have an ID number? Or any sort of barcode identification? Are you registered...?
I cannot recall my origin.
A few more puffs.
She had not blinked in some time, he noticed. He brought his face close to hers. She was facing down, toward to object she was still presenting to him. He put his hand softly on her chin, and directed her face up toward his. He looked into her eyes...She blinked slowly while a short breath of hers rolled across his face. He leaned back, and finished his cigarette.
You have to believe me, she said. I'm the only one who can help you.
