Finally, she returned to her seat, finding no answer. Beside her, Peter and Jennings continued their conversation, and she sat lost in thought, sipping water from a bottle that shook slightly in her hands, reflecting the small movements of the train wheels. There was a concentrated look in the robotess's eyes, the kind that often accompanies those who are solving complex problems. Behind her silence, there was intense inner work. Questions of market economics filled her thoughts, and she could not tear herself away from these reflections.
As a robot, she tended to perceive everything in clear, logical patterns. The economy, with its complex dynamics, with many factors influencing each other, was something that could be understood if all the elements were considered as interconnected mechanisms. However, despite her obvious superiority in computational abilities, Delia Asia Vieira still considered herself an amateur when it came to human factors.
"How can a market work when conditions are constantly changing?" she wondered. "When supply and demand change depending on domestic policies and market fluctuations... How can you even maintain a balance here?"
It seemed extremely difficult to her, but at the same time so obvious that there was no doubt about her competence.
Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Jennings, who was sitting opposite. He seemed to be enjoying the ride, although he looked a little tired after thinking about his business for so long. He smiled, not noticing the deep concentration of the robotess.
"Are you thinking about something?" he asked, tilting his head in her direction.
Delia Asia Vieira turned her head, looking at him. The answer was not long in coming.
"I'm thinking about how the management apparatus should function in a market economy," she said with absolute confidence, as if this question were a child's task for her. "It's an interesting model, but too complex to be easily integrated into existing market processes."
Jennings raised his eyebrows, hardly understanding what was being discussed, but knowing that Delia Asia Vieira was not just a person, but something much more complex, he did not elaborate.
"Hmm... Well, that's a really tough question. Are you sure you understand all the nuances?" His voice became a little ironic.
Delia Asia Vieira did not pay attention to his shadow of mockery. She was sure of her words. Of course, she had no doubt that the saved resources and market factors could be ordered with the help of logic.
"I am sure that for an effective market economy to function, clear algorithms for interaction between all participants in the system are necessary. It is necessary not only to take supply and demand into account, but also to correctly balance domestic policy in order to prevent economic crises. This is a basis that can be modeled with high accuracy," she continued, looking distantly out the window.
Jennings grinned and leaned back in his seat.
"Wow. You're just like those in government structures, only without the "human" limitations. And I thought you were just a robot."
But Delia Asia Vieira didn't take his remark as a joke. She just shook her head and continued her analysis.
"I certainly cannot fully understand all the complexities of human emotions, but from the point of view of process optimization, I can say that the system should be as efficient as possible. The desire to make a profit, which is based on minimal costs, is the basis of the entire system. However, it is always necessary to take into account non-obvious factors, such as long-term economic consequences."
Jennings frowned slightly, thinking that perhaps she was saying something important that he didn't understand.
"It all sounds complicated, but something tells me you're right. On the other hand, don't you think human factors play an important role in such things? Emotions, needs - they also influence decisions."
Delia Asia Vieira turned her head in his direction and calmly replied:
"I can analyze data such as emotions using their consequences, but to understand their nature as people do is impossible for me. I can only calculate and predict the results."
Peter Reynolds, sitting next to Jennings, suddenly intervened in the conversation, jokingly but with interest.
"But you're not going to run the market, so none of this matters yet, right? Jennings and I will go to New York, and you will continue to solve your puzzle about the market economy."
Delia Asia Vieira looked at him and smiled.
"Maybe. But understanding how the world works helps me understand how to interact with it. It's still important, Peter. The system, like any economy, must work with interconnected elements. And if one element is disrupted, the entire system becomes unstable."
Delia Asia Vieira sat opposite Jennings, thoughtfully studying his face. The train car was silent, broken only by the clatter of the train wheels. Peter Reynolds was dozing in the seat next to her, but Delia Asia Vieira could not concentrate on resting. Her mind was occupied with unexpected thoughts about the woman Jennings was photographing.
"Tell me, Jennings," Delia Asia Vieira suddenly broke the silence, turning to him, "you once worked with that Canadian beauty queen, now deceased? What was her name... Asia Vieira, right?"
Jennings sighed and gave her a tired look, as if he had been caught red-handed.
"Yes, I did. But why did this suddenly interest you? Or are you jealous of me for the deceased?" he asked with a hint of suspicion.
"I was just curious," Delia Asia Vieira replied, her voice calm but her curiosity laced through every word. "What did she look like without makeup when she was alive? What was she really like, and when all her layers of makeup had been stripped away by death, what did she look like?"
Jennings chuckled as if he had heard this question a million times and had no intention of giving away his secrets.
"Without makeup?" he chuckled. "Why do you even want to know? After all, you, as a robot, are unlikely to be able to understand all this hassle with appearance."
"You're wrong," Delia Asia Vieira objected, looking at him intently. "I understand perfectly well that people attach great importance to appearance. But I'm curious about how the perception of a person changes without his "mask." You still haven't answered my question.
Jennings narrowed his eyes, as if deciding whether to tell her.
"Listen, Asia Vieira was a complicated woman. Without makeup, she looked... different," he admitted reluctantly. "But not in the sense that she was worse. Just kind of... creepy, I guess."
"So you saw her like this?" Delia Asia Vieira persisted. "And why are you so reluctant to talk about it?"
Jennings fidgeted, slightly irritated by her persistence.
"Look," he snapped, looking her straight in the eye. "I don't tell this to everyone I meet. It's part of my job to keep secrets about the people I photograph. Especially the ones who trust me with their secrets.
But Delia Asia Vieira was not about to give up.
"I wonder why all her pictures were always cropped at the chest?" she continued, leaning forward. "Was it part of her image or just a desire to hide something?"
Jennings froze, a little stunned by her insight, but quickly pulled himself together.
"Maybe she liked being a mystery. Maybe it was her way of keeping people's attention. You know how it works: the less you show, the more people want to know."
"Hmm... curious," Delia Asia Vieira said thoughtfully. "So you really think that her attractiveness was based only on the fact that she hid her figure, her body?"
Jennings ran his hand wearily across his face.
"Yes, she was just like that, the kind of person who liked to remain a bit of a mystery. It made her more charming. But why does it bother you so much?"
"It's... just a thought," Delia Asia Vieira replied, looking out the window again. "The question of appearance and its importance in society intrigues me. Especially when people try to control how they perceive themselves by hiding part of their essence."
Jennings shook his head, smiling.
"You are a unique creature, Delia Asia Vieira. You think about things that seem secondary to us humans. But you know what? Sometimes it's important to just accept people as they are, with all their masks and secrets. Even if you, a robot, will never understand it."
"You may be right, Jennings," Delia Asia Vieira said thoughtfully. "But even machines have questions they want answered."
After exchanging opinions about the deceased Canadian beauty queen, Jennings suddenly changed the subject:
"You know," he said, rubbing his temples as if suddenly struck by inspiration, "I'm worried not only about appearance issues, but about much more serious things. For example, how Russia could deal with environmental problems.
Robotess turned her head towards him, her metallic eyes glittering with curiosity.
"An ecological disaster?" she asked, tilting her head to one side as if trying to gauge the depth of his words. "That's quite a broad topic. What exactly do you mean?"
Jennings squinted, trying to formulate his thoughts.
"I mean how it would be possible to maintain natural temperatures at the level of the climatic norm. Without harming people's health, you understand? And also... how to save resources, for example, a coolant, getting it from the air or water."
Delia Asia Vieira listened to him attentively, thinking about what he said.
"That sounds like a very ambitious task," she said slowly, choosing her words. "But Russia does have serious problems with climate and ecology. Do you think that this can be solved?"
Jennings smiled bitterly, shaking his head.
"The problem is that in practice we don't have suitable energy sources to replace current resources," he replied with despair in his voice. "We are dependent on fossil fuels, and this puts the country in a vicious circle. You can talk as much as you like about new technologies and saving resources, but we simply don't have the infrastructure and investment to implement all this.
Delia Asia Vieira thought for a moment, her digital mind trying to find a solution, analyzing the data and options.
"But if it were possible to use renewable energy sources, say solar or wind power, or even more radical methods like geothermal sources... That would help, wouldn't it?" she suggested.
Jennings chuckled again, but without sarcasm.
"Theoretically, yes," he admitted. "But to do this, we will need to restructure the entire economy and energy consumption system. And this is in a country where even simple reforms have been stalled for decades."
"You are too pessimistic," Delia Asia Vieira said with a slight smile. "There is always a possibility. But you are right, a lot depends on political will. And it seems that it is precisely this that is lacking."
Jennings sighed and stared out the window.
"Exactly. You see, the idea of using air or water as a heat source sounds tempting. But we always run into the fact that we don't have the necessary technologies and resources to implement this without losses for people and the environment."
"But that doesn't mean we should give up," Delia Asia Vieira insisted. "Didn't you tell me that photographs can inspire people to change? Maybe you just need to find the right way to show people how it can be, and then things will start to change."
Jennings smiled at her words, but the smile was full of bitterness.
"You may be right," he finally answered. "But sometimes even inspiration is not enough. Especially in a world where money and power decide everything."
Delia Asia Vieira thought again, but this time she did not continue the discussion, because the compartment door suddenly swung open and the conductor rushed in - a middle-aged man with narrow eyes and a slightly weathered face. He immediately fixed his gaze on Delia Asia Vieira.
"What are we carrying?" he asked bluntly, looking at her with suspicion. "Is it a bomb, by any chance?"
Delia Asia Vieira looked up at him with emotionless eyes and calmly replied:
"No, I'm not carrying a bomb with me."
The conductor narrowed his eyes slightly, as if considering her answer, and suddenly winked strangely. After that, he took a step back and whispered something to his colleague, who was standing in the corridor near the next carriage. He only nodded his head, as if he understood everything, and began to move away.
The conductor turned back to Jennings and opened his mouth to ask a new question:
"What are you carrying?.."
But another passenger from the neighboring compartment, a man in a shabby raincoat and with an irritated expression on his face, did not let him finish.
"Hey, why are you bothering people?" he shouted, standing up from his seat and hanging over the conductor. "Everything is fine here, leave us alone!"
The conductor frowned, his face twisted with anger for a moment, but he quickly pulled himself together and, casting a farewell glance at the robotess, reluctantly left the compartment.
When the door closed again, Jennings leaned towards the robotess and whispered:
"Do you think he suspected something?"
"Perhaps," the robotess answered coldly, not taking her eyes off the closed door. "But I don't think it matters. We still have to get to New York."
At that moment Peter opened his eyes and yawned.
"What's that noise?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"Nothing, Peter, the conductor was just trying to find out what we were carrying," Jennings explained with a shrug.
"Are we really carrying something?" Peter looked at them with curiosity.
"We're taking you," Delia Asia Vieira answered with irony in her voice. "Yourself and your secrets."
Jennings chuckled, but his gaze remained wary.
"They're obviously up to something," he said quietly, turning to the robotess. "We need to be on our guard. I wouldn't be surprised if they want to detain us at the next station."
"Then we have only one choice," said the robotess without a shadow of a doubt. "We must act quickly. We have little time."
With these words, Delia Asia Vieira, Jennings and Peter stepped out of the carriage and found themselves on a noisy station platform. The usual station chaos reigned around them: people scurried back and forth, uniformed soldiers unloaded boxes, several policemen lazily bickered at the entrance to the station building.
"Here we are," Jennings muttered quietly, looking around. "I hope no one was expecting us here."
"I doubt it," Delia Asia Vieira replied, adjusting her cloak. "But it's best to remain on guard."
Peter, who was looking around with childish delight at the bustle around him, suddenly noticed a strange man emerging from the crowd and heading straight towards them. He was a middle-aged man in an elegant black suit and bow tie. As he came closer, they smelled a light scent of expensive French perfume.
"Who is it?" Peter whispered, tugging Jennings by the sleeve.
"I don't know, but be on your guard," the photographer muttered in response, hiding his hand in his pocket, where he felt a folding knife.
The man came close, almost touching them with his patent leather shoes, and smiled with just his lips. He spoke in English with a noticeable Portuguese accent:
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. How nice to see you in our humble city! Allow me to introduce myself - I am Antonio de Almeida, your... er... guide, if I may say so."
Delia Asia Vieira and Jennings exchanged wary glances, but Antonio didn't give them a chance to get a word in, continuing his speech without the slightest pause:
"I understand that you are probably tired from the journey, but I have an interesting proposal for you. My... friends and I would be very happy if you would join us for a small dinner. It would be a wonderful opportunity to discuss your... uh... plans."
He spoke quickly, haltingly, in a singsong voice, but each word sounded like a carefully rehearsed speech. Delia Asia Vieira tried to say something, but Antonio interrupted her again:
"Please, don't refuse. This will be a very important meeting. And completely safe, I can assure you."
During his monologue, Jennings managed to smoke two cigarettes, nervously hiding the butts in the trash can under the "No Smoking" sign. Delia Asia Vieira remained silent, studying the stranger intently, trying to figure out what kind of game he was playing.
Finally, Antonio paused and finished his long speech:
"...and now I want to introduce you to my friends..."
And before any of them could respond, the man disappeared into the crowd as if he had never been there.
"What was that?" Jennings threw down his cigarette and stubbed it out with the toe of his boot. "Who the hell is this guy?"
"I don't know, but he's obviously up to something," Delia Asia Vieira replied, turning around and trying to spot Antonio's figure among the hurrying passengers. But he was nowhere to be found.
"He was talking about friends," Peter said thoughtfully, "do you think they're waiting for us?"
"Most likely," agreed Delia Asia Vieira. "Otherwise, why would you talk about nothing for fifteen minutes?"
"We need to get out of here," Jennings glanced at the train schedule board. "Before his 'friends' find us."
"Agreed." Delia Asia Vieira headed for the platform exit, walking confidently, as if she knew what to do next. "Go ahead, Peter, and don't look back."
They melted into the crowd, quickly heading for the nearest exit from the station. The streets were crowded with people hurrying in different directions, and the bustle of the city absorbed our heroes. Delia Asia Vieira, Jennings and Peter Reynolds walked away from the station, mingling with the crowd. Their goal was to leave the crowded place as quickly as possible and find shelter where they could discuss their next steps.
"What the hell are so many people here for?" Jennings muttered, looking around. "I thought New York was still in a panic after the last events."
"That's the whole trap," Delia Asia Vieira replied. "When the panic subsides, people go back to their daily routines as if nothing had happened."