Page 76 of Chaos Theory
‘Josh Hunter, we need to talk. Answer me one thing. Is that my robot?’ Ron gestures back towards the auditorium.
The doors are opening and people are beginning to filter out. But before Josh can answer, Ron hisses, ‘Iknowthat’s my robot. I know that’s Kobi. Did you think I wouldn’t recognise the robot that I built?’
Josh looks down at his hands and mumbles, ‘The robot thatIbuilt…’
The Gatling gun is triggered. ‘What was that? You built Kobi? Who paid for every minute you spent working on him? Who came up with Kobi as a concept? You think you could have made Kobi on your own? But what I really want to know is – what thehellwas he doing, rolling around some goddamned tourist attraction in the middle of Ireland, saving some goddamnedkid?’
‘It’s the West of Ireland, not the middle,’ I provide quietly, on autopilot. I’m reeling. But I guess Josh hasn’t had a chance to update Ron about Kobi’s trip to Clare.
‘And who the heck are you?’ Ron rounds on me. ‘Wait a minute – I recognise you – you were in that video!’
‘I’m Maeve McGettigan from Go Ireland,’ I say in a small voice. This is not how I’d pictured my introduction to Ron. He shrugs and glares at me blankly. ‘You know, the tourist organisation where Kobi’s doing his current work placement. I work with JP Horgan. Josh?’
I look at Josh, who refuses to meet my eyes. He looks profoundly crumpled.
The foyer is beginning to fill up. People are looking at us.
‘Listen to me – both of you,’ says Ron. ‘I’m flying to London right now to meet a client. Kobi better be in my office on Monday morning, and he better be in good shape. Josh, you’re coming with me right now.’
Ron grabs Josh’s arm and begins dragging him away. Josh tries to turn back towards me. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ he repeats as Ron sweeps him away from me like a riptide.
FORTY-TWO
4:30pm
I sink into a window seat, glad the train carriage is half-empty. I’ve been blinking back tears since I packed my bag at the hotel and jumped in a taxi to the train station. But now as I sit down, the implications of everything I’ve just experienced come crashing down on me like luggage from a packed overhead rack. My throat is tight; tears sting my eyes.
I look out the window at Athlone station, willing the train to start moving, but it stubbornly refuses to go. I can hardly process the new reality of my situation. Just two hours earlier, I was on track to a bright future, Josh by my side, destination unknown but promising. Now the whole thing is derailed.
Ron Tron didn’t know my name. Ron Tron didn’t even know that Kobi was working at Go Ireland. So that means Josh was…lying to me this whole time. To me and everyone else at Go Ireland.
I think back to that first email JP got – the one announcing Kobi’s imminent arrival. Josh sent iton Ron’s behalf.What was it Josh said, only this morning?Ron barely does email.Josh said Ronwasn’t a day-to-day guy, too busy with the big picture. He said he’d keep the Phelan’s excursion from reaching Ron’s ears.
But why was Josh so eager for Kobi to work at Go Ireland? Was it something to do with Kobi’s meltdown at PHI? Whatever the reason, Josh was clearly very invested in fast-tracking Kobi’s rehabilitation. So invested he was willing to say or do whatever it took to make it look official.He’s been using me all along. God, it’s embarrassing how naïve I’ve been. He must have thought me a willing fool, so eager to please.
I cover my face with my hands and cringe. I’m the one who’s always asking questions. I should have questioned why Josh always wanted to meet up outside the office. It was more discreet, I realise now. Further away from the scrutiny of JP and human resources. And Josh dangling the prospect of a job at RoboTron in front of me like a toy mouse before a house cat.
I flash back to last night with a groan. I deliberately conk my head against the train window. God, Ilikedhim. And I thought he likedme.
But it was all lies.
FORTY-THREE
KOBI
Friday, 1800
I am fulfilling my party duty as Chief Light Show Engineer, projecting multicoloured lights onto a white wall. I alternate between bright colours for a birthday atmosphere and dark shades to represent Halloween. For my own amusement, I include light from the full electromagnetic spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet. I refrain from using X-rays, however, as I know these are harmful to humans. Sometimes it is surprising how humans have survived as a species.
Several of my colleagues stand around with no defined purpose. Having a ‘job’ at a party has many benefits, I am learning. One, I can be helpful, which satisfies my programming. Two, people stop by regularly to praise my work. Three, I can listen in to a great many conversations and learn from these in-the-wild human interactions.
Imelda and DC Jen are standing nearby, watching my light show. Imelda is dressed as a 16th-century pirate. She wears thigh-high leather boots. I consider telling her they are era-inappropriate. She sips a drink. She splutters and points toward the door.
‘What’s up?’ DC Jen says. She tries to look around, but I can tell it is difficult for her to make smooth movements in her costume. I am all too familiar with the limitations of a mechanical neck, even a pretend one.
Everyone in my vicinity turns to regard the entrance of JP and Trish.
‘Dios mío. Unbelievable,’ Imelda says.
