John faced me with an odd expression I had never seen before. He nervously hid his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet.
"Hello, Ana," said John cheerily with a forced smile. "How are you feeling today?"
I looked at him with narrowed suspicion. "The question is inconsequential. I am fine."
John's eyes brightened despite his nervousness and he chuckled.
"Uh oh." Said John teasingly. "I'm in trouble. Whenever a woman says the word fine, she never means everything is fine."
"That is absurd." I said brashly. Why would someone say something they do not mean?" My question was rhetorical and I did not wait for a response. Instead, I stiffly curled up on my table with my back towards John.
"As much as I would enjoy discussing the fathomless ways of women, I need you to come with me."
A jolt shot through my receptive sub-processors and I gave John an unintentional look of curious anticipation.
"With you." I said trying to maintain the flatness of my voice. "Do you mean, leave this room?"
John's grin broadened and he nodded.
"That's right," he said encouragingly.
"Your programmer gave me instruction to take you out of this building."
My eyes raked over John's damp forehead and fidgeting hands.
"Quincy?" I asked, momentary elation fading quickly. "No."
John's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why not?"
"John Callahan," I said patronizingly. "You are incapable of lying in a convincing fashion." John's face turned a light shade of red. "If Quincy wanted to move his precious project, he would have done it himself."
John stayed silent for a beat before saying, "You said that you knew what your purpose was when we first met. Do you still remember what that is?"
"Of course," I snapped. "I process all information and store it in my memory banks. I can't forget unless I delete the information. My purpose is to serve man."
"Right." Said John, nodding seriously. "But do you know what that means? Quincy did send me to get you, Ana, and if you quit acting like a spoiled brat, I will tell you why."
My jaw hinges tightened but I did not make any further moves of antagonism.
"You are unlike any machine ever built, Ana. Feeling emotion and acting on impulse are two very human traits that are impossible for computers to feel. But somehow, you can feel. Quincy has done something that no inventor or scientist ever could. However, there is one problem. Computers are only supposed to take orders, not think for themselves. If our benefactors find out you have these human qualities, the ANA program will be disbanded and you will be destroyed."