Chapter Text
'So how's work been going?” Spark Man asked. Across the table was Vesper Woman, who had been left there by her sister.
“You know,” Vesper Woman said. “Pretty great. I collected some samples from the Adirondacks last week, and they're being analyzed at the lab right now. The company that owns the lab wants to breed a new type of Kalmia latifolia, but needs more genetic data to inform what they should do.”
“Really?” Spark Man asked. While the topic of botany didn't interest him much, he did find other robots' lives interesting.
“Yeah,” Vesper Woman said, holding her empty glass. “E-tank blend, please!”
“Here you go, pretty lady!” Oil Man said, pouring e-tank blend oil from a pitcher.
“Thanks,” Vesper Woman said, leaving a few screws on the table.
Not waiting for her to ask, Spark Man started talking about his work. “Well, there was a problem with the transformer at the west end of the plant, so I had to help power anything they were using as they were fixing it,” he explained. “It was really fun being around the maintenance crew, and doing something different. I normally work alone.”
“That must suck,” Vesper Woman said. “I normally have someone on speed dial, usually Tempo, but she always hangs up on me, saying she ‘needs to focus on work'. Well, I can do it and talk.”
Spark Man nodded his head, listening attentively. “Everyone is different,” he said. “She should do whatever works for her.”
“I know,” Vesper Woman said. “But everyone works during the day and doesn't have time to talk, not to mention the reception out in the mountains. It sucked, even Mom couldn't talk to me.”
Spark Man just listened. I wonder what it's like out there, he thought. The station was pretty lonely, but at least I could talk to everyone before they shut down.
Vesper Woman looked at Spark Man before thinking about what to say. He looks sad, she thought. Then she thought of something. Maybe he's upset because he can't get a drink and participate, she thought. He doesn't have hands, so maybe I should request a straw.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Vesper Woman asked, making eye contact with Spark Man.
“No thanks,” Spark Man answered. “I can't drink.”
Vesper Woman had never thought of it. He did have a mouth, but he couldn't drink with it? Where did his fuel go?
Spark Man looked bashful, then said: “I have a nuclear core inside of me, which means I can't regulate my energy levels and produce too much.” He pointed at the electrical prongs at the ends of his arms, which were, as they almost always were, shedding visible amounts of electricity.
“Why did I not know this?!” Vesper Woman said, seemingly feeling guilty for getting a drink when her companion couldn't.
Spark Man looked even more embarrassed, but couldn't blush. He did otherwise make a facial expression like he was.
“I'm so sorry!” Vesper Woman said. “Is there anything you can have?”
“Not really,” Spark Man replied. “There is this stuff Dr. Light lets me and Elec have at parties, which I think is joint lubricant.”
You get joint lubricant…at parties? Vesper Woman thought. “So can you have it here, if you brought it and stuff?” she asked.
“I don't know,” Spark Man said. “I only get it at some parties. Dr. Light said it'd hurt me if I drunk it too often.”
Then does he chew on straws or something? Vesper Woman thought. Or is he used to not having anything?