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I altered this episode from the original and I have to say, this is much better in my opinion. ","description_bbcode_parsed":"Even robots can feel. I altered this episode from the original and I have to say, this is much better in my opinion. ","writing":"Melissa ambles down the steps, dressed in her pink pajamas covering her body. She stops before the jackalope and Capital Corp by the door, rubbing her eye with a yawn. “Morning, Daddy. How are you doing?” Jack exits out through the doors without another word. “Going to work again?”\n“Sorry, Melissa,” Roger starts. “Your father’s just super busy.” \n“When is he never busy?”\n“Just keep your ears sharp and your eyes open.”\n“Yeah, yeah… I’ve got it. Just go, okay? I’ll be fine.” Roger gives her a nod and heads out with the rest of Capital Corp, closing the doors behind. Melissa turns to the dining area to see the table clear of everything but the linen cloth that covers it. “Should’ve at least woke me up so I can eat breakfast, too…” She sighs. “Guess I’ll have to make my own breakfast.” She crosses the dining room and enters the kitchen, opening the fridge door only to find it’s half-stocked. “Well that’s just great… Have a big breakfast and not leave anything for me… Thanks a lot, Dad…” After closing the fridge door, she turns her head quickly with a gasp upon hearing “good morning” from the visitor beside her. “Jeez, Zach… You almost gave me a heart attack.”\n“Sorry, Melissa,” Zach tells her. “Just wanted to know what was going on.”\n“Nothing really. Aside from my father leaving for work, that’s it. I was going to make breakfast, but apparently Dad’s decided to be a glutton and make a big breakfast for himself. Could’ve at least asked me if I wanted anything… Guess I have no choice but to go to the diner by the movie theater. Want to come along?”\nZach grudges at his roaring stomach. “I… guess… I am pretty hungry. I don’t have any money, though.”\n“It’s fine. I’ll pay. My treat. Just give me a second. I have to go upstairs and get changed.” Melissa begins climbing the stairs. \nZach catches a glimpse of her, swaying her tail back and forth as she climbs. He turns away with red cheeks and lets out a whisper. “Man, she’s so beautiful…” Melissa smiles and blushes upon entering her room.\n\n*** \n\nBoth the fox and rabbit sit at a booth across from each other by a glass window overlooking the busy road. The restaurant they’re in is alive with patrons rushing from table-to-table and spectators talking to one another as they are seated. \n“This place is amazing,” says Melissa. “I come here all the time because the food is good. You should try their oozy cheese and bacon omelet.” Zach looks out the window. “Something on your mind, Zach?”\nZach looks at Melissa. “Just in thought…”\n“Still thinking about the whole Heroto situation, hm?” Zach replies with a “yes” to her after sighing. “I want to ask you something, and I’ve been meaning to ask this… What was it like to be in the forest alone? Was it scary?”\n“It was… But it’s not as scary as facing everything alone. When I left Heroto, I was hoping somebody would stop me and talk with me… Nobody ever came after me to try and talk me out of it…”\n“It’s going to be okay, Zach. You’re in a new town, and you’ll have a better life here.” She places her paws on the table. “I’m going to be good to you. I promise.”\n“Melissa,” Zach begins. “Do you ever feel like your father has disowned you in a way?” She asks what he means by that. “When I left my room, I saw you talking to your dad. But he left like it seemed he had no interest with you. It made me think of the way my biological parents had treated me… Do you feel like your father doesn’t want anything to do with you after what happened to your mother?”\n“I get that feeling sometimes. However, I try to brush it off and not get to me. I always try to move on and look for the positives to get me through life. It’s a hard thing to do, but it helps.”\n“How can you ever think positive when everything that’s ever happened was so negative?”\n“The past is annoying. You just have to look forward, not back. Don’t focus on the things that once made you; focus on the things that you want to be.”\nZach looks into her eyes. “Your father is wrong about you… He told me you were a nuisance, but I can see he didn’t know what he was talking about. You’re the nicest, most inspirational animal I’ve ever met. Your eyes… they’re so beautifully blue, like… like crystals gleaming in the sun…” \nMelissa holds up one paw to her mouth as her cheeks redden. “Aw, Zach. You’re so sweet.” She reaches her arms across and places her paws on top of his.\nZach looks down at them, blushing as well. “Your paws are so soft and warm. It… feels good…” \nMelissa smiles directly at him. “Has Cindy ever held your paws?”\n“No… She never allowed me to hold her hooves or even liked to be around me…”\n“Her loss.” Melissa continues to stare Zach in the eyes. “I don’t see how she could turn away such a kind fox like you.” \n“Hello!” calls a voice, causing Melissa to pull away in embarrassment and Zach to turn to the waiter, who is a wolf in a white dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes. “Sorry for the wait. Had plenty of tables to satisfy.” He pulls out a notepad and pen. “What can I get you two?” Zach and Melissa give their orders, forcing the wolf to write down what they say. “Okay, that’s a cup of coffee and tea with two oozy gooey cheese and bacon omelets, both with a side of home fries and white toast.” He puts his pad and pen away. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The wolf turns and wanders away. \n“So,” Melissa begins. “What do you want to do after breakfast? We’ve got the whole day to ourselves.”\n“Not sure,” Zach utters. “I didn’t really think about it.”\n“How about we walk around the town for a little bit? Just you and me. I could show you around, and maybe go to into any of the stores if they’re open.\n“Better than sitting around and doing nothing.” \n\n*** \n\nThe fox and rabbit walk side-by-side along the sidewalk, passing other animals as they talk to each other. Zach stops short upon seeing the large, three-story building, long and wide, standing alone on its own property. Melissa turns to the structure and informs him that it’s Green Gadgets, her father’s company.\n“Is he always spending time in there?” asks Zach. \nMelissa nods. “Pretty much. He does have an office back in the manor, but he almost always goes here. It’s another excuse to get away from me.” \nZach faces her. “I would like to go inside and check it out.” Melissa questions his motive. “I’m curious to see what he has built so far. He said he was working on robots for children.”\n“I’m not sure about this… I don’t mind going in, but what if Daddy kicks us out?”\n“He won’t kick us out, Melissa. Like you said before, he doesn’t care.”\nMelissa sighs. “Well… Okay… But only for a minute.” She walks with him toward the structure. The two animals approach the security stall. The giraffe in the guard outfit asks what their business is. “Hello, Geoffrey.”\nThe giraffe looks up and sees the rabbit. “Oh, Melissa! It’s so good to see you! What brings you here? Going to see your father?”\n“Um… I guess you can say that.”\n“Go right on in,” says Geoffrey, allowing the two to waltz in with no trouble.\n“You know that guy?” asks Zach. \n“I know a lot of folks here,” Melissa tells him. “My dad’s the CEO of the corporation, remember?” Entering the building’s lobby area, they stop in the lobby, where chairs are squared around each other on the sides of the path leading up to the front desk. “Hey, Hal!” Melissa waves at the hippo at the front desk, who waves back and continues to work at the computer. “Daddy in his office?” The hippo nods. “Hey, you wouldn’t mind if we checked out the gallery, would you?” The hippo extends his arm to the hallway, allowing her access. “Thanks!” She turns to her fox friend. “Come.” Zach does as she orders, following her down the hallway to the door at the end. “Daddy’s very busy. Whenever he’s in his office, he has no time for anything. That should give us some time to look around.” \n“Have you ever seen any of the things he’s created?”\n“No… But I’ve heard him talk about them.” The door opens before them, allowing the two to walk in. As they walk by, the look around at all of the tall machines standing around the room on two legs. The bots look a lot like bipedal creatures with metal skins and glass eyes. “Wow… I’ve never seen any of these before.” \n“You never thought about coming here?”\n“He’s always been talking about it with coworkers he brings to the manor. He’s designed prototypes for cooking, housekeeping, hard labor, combat, and entertainment. I never knew he designed robots that are a lot like us…”\nZach stands in front of one of the fancy androids. “Team Rescuers has been trying to get to Jack for that reason… They think he’s planning on replacing people with robots, but they’ve been intercepted by Capital Corp every time.”\n“I can understand why…” Melissa turns her head, noticing a glow disappear after a few seconds. “W-what was that?!” \nZach looks to where she’s looking. “What?”\n“I-I swear saw something!” The rabbit moves closer to Zach. “I don’t like this! We need to get out of here.” \n“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Melissa,” Zach tells her, scanning the area. “I don’t see any-” He gasps and flinches upon spotting a figure before him. Melissa gets behind the fox and peeks at the source of the glowing: a small robot about half the size of them stands motionless. It has a circular head with oval eyes, blue antennae, and curved, triangular, light blue fins. Its body contains a light blue screen on its belly as well as on its arms. Blue legs, colored the same as the antennae hold it up. The fingers on its hand are the same. \n“That wasn’t there before!” Melissa exclaims. “I swear that wasn’t, Zach!”\n“Calm down, Melissa… Hm, this one’s very different from the other robots in here…” Zach leans down and reaches to touch the little bot.\n“Hello!” utters the robot quickly in a male-like voice, raising its hand with eyes changing to green and forming a smile. Zach recoils after the sudden burst of its greeting. “I am Echo, artificial intelligence!” Zach and Melissa remain frozen, staring at the little metal boy. “I did not mean to startle you. I assure you that I am friendly and live to serve.” \nMelissa steps aside the fox. “This robot certainly is cute.” \n“Scanning subject.” Echo’s head tilts up and down in front of her. “Scan complete. Subject identified as Melissa the rabbit. Gender: female. Species: rabbit. Age: young adult.”\n“Huh, that’s interesting,” Zach comments. \nEcho looks toward Zach. “Scanning subject.” He repeats the routine with Zach. “Scan complete. Subject identified as Zach the Fox. Gender: male. Species: fox. Age: young adult.” The robot’s green color changes quickly to blue and frowns. “Oh my...”\n“What’s happening?!” Melissa shouts. “What’s it doing?!”\n“I don’t know,” Zach tells her. “Is it bad?”\n“I have picked up on your background,” Echo says. “I can sense you’ve been mistreated and have been abused during your lifetime.” \n“Yeah… It’s been horrible.”\nEcho walks closer toward Zach. “I understand, and it is all right to be sad.” He puts his hand on the fox’s stomach. “But, being sad all the time is not good for one’s mental health and wellbeing as it shatters one’s confidence and self-esteem. To prevent depression from forming, you must contact friends and family.”\n“I would, if I had a family, or friends…”\n“That is not good. I will be your friend if you want to.”\n“Melissa, Zach!” shouts a voice. The two animals turn and see the suited jackalope approach them. His eyebrows dipped into his eyes in anger. “What are you two doing here?!”\n“Daddy!” Melissa taps her paws together in anxiousness. “We um…”\n“Don’t you know you’re not supposed to be in here?! This area’s off limits!”\n“Sir,” Zach begins. “Don’t yell at her. It wasn’t her fault; it’s mine. I asked her if she could show me everything you’ve done. I just wanted to see the cool gadgets you’ve designed.”\n“Melissa is not authorized to show you any of my work, Boy! You two need to leave, now!”\n“Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.” Zach begins walking out of the room with Melissa behind her. The two eventually make their way out of the facility and back on the sidewalk. \n“Zach, I’m so sorry about that,” Melissa says. “Daddy just gets very angry when-”\n“Don’t be sorry, Melissa,” Zach interrupts her. “Like I said, it’s not your fault. And, it’s really no worry. I got yelled at all the time.”\n“I feel so bad that happened.” \n“Don’t be. It’s all right. How about we continue walking around the town? What do you say?” \n“Actually…” Melissa motions towards Zach, taking his paw in hers, causing him to blush. “We could go to the park to continue our hangout. I heard there are some nice flowers and wide spaces to take in.”\nZach smiles. “Sounds great. I’d love to.”\n“Can I come, too?” juts a familiar computerized voice. Zach and Melissa pause, turn their heads to the source of the voice, and become overwhelmed with shock to see the little bot from before. “I’m sorry, did I startle you again? I didn’t mean it.”\n“Oh my god,” Melissa utters. “Why are you out here?”\n“I followed you out with no one suspecting. I want to be with you. Be your friend.”\n“I don’t know about this,” Zach tells him. “Jack will get very mad if he sees you with us. We have to go back to the facility…”\nEcho’s eyes and screens change to blue as he frowns and puts his hands together. “I do not want to go back. If I do, I will not be happy.” Zach asks what he means. “All the other robots belittle me. They say I do not fit in with their functionalities and their purposes, as well as their size. They do not want me around. I do not have anyone I can be with. When I scanned you both, I sensed a strong connection between us because we share the same experiences. All I ask is to be with you, and no one else.”\n“Gee… I never knew robots could feel and have emotions like you do…”\n“It is just me, from what I know. The others lack empathy and sympathy.”\n“Does Daddy know about your issue?” asks Melissa. \n“Master Jack would only fix a problem like if it were a dislocated part. I know because at the end of every day, he would come to repair me after the tall ones would finish with their fun. They would toss me in the oil drum, lock me in a shipping container, and even go so far as to break parts. Jack can repair me as much as he can, but he can never fix the most important part; my heart. I ask to be your friend, and I want it very much.”\nZach looks to Melissa, who gives him a nod, telling him she shares his thoughts. The fox looks back to the robot. “Echo, we didn’t think about this too much, but you have left us with no choice. I just have one question to ask you.” Echo remains fixed on the fox, waiting for his answer. “Do you like flowers and grass?” \nThe robot’s blue eyes and screen quickly change to green with his mouth bending into a smile. The emotion of the bot becomes too much to contain as he runs over to hug both the fox and the rabbit’s legs. “Oh, thank you, Zach and Melissa! I promise I shall be the greatest friend you’ll ever have!”\n“Well, let’s not waste time or hang around much longer,” says Melissa. “We should head to the park before Daddy realizes you’re missing.” She clears her throat, catching Zach’s attention, and then holds out her paw. “As you were doing, Prince Charming.”\nZach chuckles and blushes. “Oh, of course.” He takes her firmly by the paw while taking Echo’s hand in his other, walking between the two down the path.\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"Melissa ambles down the steps, dressed in her pink pajamas covering her body. She stops before the jackalope and Capital Corp by the door, rubbing her eye with a yawn. “Morning, Daddy. How are you doing?” Jack exits out through the doors without another word. “Going to work again?”
“Sorry, Melissa,” Roger starts. “Your father’s just super busy.”
“When is he never busy?”
“Just keep your ears sharp and your eyes open.”
“Yeah, yeah… I’ve got it. Just go, okay? I’ll be fine.” Roger gives her a nod and heads out with the rest of Capital Corp, closing the doors behind. Melissa turns to the dining area to see the table clear of everything but the linen cloth that covers it. “Should’ve at least woke me up so I can eat breakfast, too…” She sighs. “Guess I’ll have to make my own breakfast.” She crosses the dining room and enters the kitchen, opening the fridge door only to find it’s half-stocked. “Well that’s just great… Have a big breakfast and not leave anything for me… Thanks a lot, Dad…” After closing the fridge door, she turns her head quickly with a gasp upon hearing “good morning” from the visitor beside her. “Jeez, Zach… You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry, Melissa,” Zach tells her. “Just wanted to know what was going on.”
“Nothing really. Aside from my father leaving for work, that’s it. I was going to make breakfast, but apparently Dad’s decided to be a glutton and make a big breakfast for himself. Could’ve at least asked me if I wanted anything… Guess I have no choice but to go to the diner by the movie theater. Want to come along?”
Zach grudges at his roaring stomach. “I… guess… I am pretty hungry. I don’t have any money, though.”
“It’s fine. I’ll pay. My treat. Just give me a second. I have to go upstairs and get changed.” Melissa begins climbing the stairs.
Zach catches a glimpse of her, swaying her tail back and forth as she climbs. He turns away with red cheeks and lets out a whisper. “Man, she’s so beautiful…” Melissa smiles and blushes upon entering her room.
***
Both the fox and rabbit sit at a booth across from each other by a glass window overlooking the busy road. The restaurant they’re in is alive with patrons rushing from table-to-table and spectators talking to one another as they are seated.
“This place is amazing,” says Melissa. “I come here all the time because the food is good. You should try their oozy cheese and bacon omelet.” Zach looks out the window. “Something on your mind, Zach?”
Zach looks at Melissa. “Just in thought…”
“Still thinking about the whole Heroto situation, hm?” Zach replies with a “yes” to her after sighing. “I want to ask you something, and I’ve been meaning to ask this… What was it like to be in the forest alone? Was it scary?”
“It was… But it’s not as scary as facing everything alone. When I left Heroto, I was hoping somebody would stop me and talk with me… Nobody ever came after me to try and talk me out of it…”
“It’s going to be okay, Zach. You’re in a new town, and you’ll have a better life here.” She places her paws on the table. “I’m going to be good to you. I promise.”
“Melissa,” Zach begins. “Do you ever feel like your father has disowned you in a way?” She asks what he means by that. “When I left my room, I saw you talking to your dad. But he left like it seemed he had no interest with you. It made me think of the way my biological parents had treated me… Do you feel like your father doesn’t want anything to do with you after what happened to your mother?”
“I get that feeling sometimes. However, I try to brush it off and not get to me. I always try to move on and look for the positives to get me through life. It’s a hard thing to do, but it helps.”
“How can you ever think positive when everything that’s ever happened was so negative?”
“The past is annoying. You just have to look forward, not back. Don’t focus on the things that once made you; focus on the things that you want to be.”
Zach looks into her eyes. “Your father is wrong about you… He told me you were a nuisance, but I can see he didn’t know what he was talking about. You’re the nicest, most inspirational animal I’ve ever met. Your eyes… they’re so beautifully blue, like… like crystals gleaming in the sun…”
Melissa holds up one paw to her mouth as her cheeks redden. “Aw, Zach. You’re so sweet.” She reaches her arms across and places her paws on top of his.
Zach looks down at them, blushing as well. “Your paws are so soft and warm. It… feels good…”
Melissa smiles directly at him. “Has Cindy ever held your paws?”
“No… She never allowed me to hold her hooves or even liked to be around me…”
“Her loss.” Melissa continues to stare Zach in the eyes. “I don’t see how she could turn away such a kind fox like you.”
“Hello!” calls a voice, causing Melissa to pull away in embarrassment and Zach to turn to the waiter, who is a wolf in a white dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes. “Sorry for the wait. Had plenty of tables to satisfy.” He pulls out a notepad and pen. “What can I get you two?” Zach and Melissa give their orders, forcing the wolf to write down what they say. “Okay, that’s a cup of coffee and tea with two oozy gooey cheese and bacon omelets, both with a side of home fries and white toast.” He puts his pad and pen away. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The wolf turns and wanders away.
“So,” Melissa begins. “What do you want to do after breakfast? We’ve got the whole day to ourselves.”
“Not sure,” Zach utters. “I didn’t really think about it.”
“How about we walk around the town for a little bit? Just you and me. I could show you around, and maybe go to into any of the stores if they’re open.
“Better than sitting around and doing nothing.”
***
The fox and rabbit walk side-by-side along the sidewalk, passing other animals as they talk to each other. Zach stops short upon seeing the large, three-story building, long and wide, standing alone on its own property. Melissa turns to the structure and informs him that it’s Green Gadgets, her father’s company.
“Is he always spending time in there?” asks Zach.
Melissa nods. “Pretty much. He does have an office back in the manor, but he almost always goes here. It’s another excuse to get away from me.”
Zach faces her. “I would like to go inside and check it out.” Melissa questions his motive. “I’m curious to see what he has built so far. He said he was working on robots for children.”
“I’m not sure about this… I don’t mind going in, but what if Daddy kicks us out?”
“He won’t kick us out, Melissa. Like you said before, he doesn’t care.”
Melissa sighs. “Well… Okay… But only for a minute.” She walks with him toward the structure. The two animals approach the security stall. The giraffe in the guard outfit asks what their business is. “Hello, Geoffrey.”
The giraffe looks up and sees the rabbit. “Oh, Melissa! It’s so good to see you! What brings you here? Going to see your father?”
“Um… I guess you can say that.”
“Go right on in,” says Geoffrey, allowing the two to waltz in with no trouble.
“You know that guy?” asks Zach.
“I know a lot of folks here,” Melissa tells him. “My dad’s the CEO of the corporation, remember?” Entering the building’s lobby area, they stop in the lobby, where chairs are squared around each other on the sides of the path leading up to the front desk. “Hey, Hal!” Melissa waves at the hippo at the front desk, who waves back and continues to work at the computer. “Daddy in his office?” The hippo nods. “Hey, you wouldn’t mind if we checked out the gallery, would you?” The hippo extends his arm to the hallway, allowing her access. “Thanks!” She turns to her fox friend. “Come.” Zach does as she orders, following her down the hallway to the door at the end. “Daddy’s very busy. Whenever he’s in his office, he has no time for anything. That should give us some time to look around.”
“Have you ever seen any of the things he’s created?”
“No… But I’ve heard him talk about them.” The door opens before them, allowing the two to walk in. As they walk by, the look around at all of the tall machines standing around the room on two legs. The bots look a lot like bipedal creatures with metal skins and glass eyes. “Wow… I’ve never seen any of these before.”
“You never thought about coming here?”
“He’s always been talking about it with coworkers he brings to the manor. He’s designed prototypes for cooking, housekeeping, hard labor, combat, and entertainment. I never knew he designed robots that are a lot like us…”
Zach stands in front of one of the fancy androids. “Team Rescuers has been trying to get to Jack for that reason… They think he’s planning on replacing people with robots, but they’ve been intercepted by Capital Corp every time.”
“I can understand why…” Melissa turns her head, noticing a glow disappear after a few seconds. “W-what was that?!”
Zach looks to where she’s looking. “What?”
“I-I swear saw something!” The rabbit moves closer to Zach. “I don’t like this! We need to get out of here.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Melissa,” Zach tells her, scanning the area. “I don’t see any-” He gasps and flinches upon spotting a figure before him. Melissa gets behind the fox and peeks at the source of the glowing: a small robot about half the size of them stands motionless. It has a circular head with oval eyes, blue antennae, and curved, triangular, light blue fins. Its body contains a light blue screen on its belly as well as on its arms. Blue legs, colored the same as the antennae hold it up. The fingers on its hand are the same.
“That wasn’t there before!” Melissa exclaims. “I swear that wasn’t, Zach!”
“Calm down, Melissa… Hm, this one’s very different from the other robots in here…” Zach leans down and reaches to touch the little bot.
“Hello!” utters the robot quickly in a male-like voice, raising its hand with eyes changing to green and forming a smile. Zach recoils after the sudden burst of its greeting. “I am Echo, artificial intelligence!” Zach and Melissa remain frozen, staring at the little metal boy. “I did not mean to startle you. I assure you that I am friendly and live to serve.”
Melissa steps aside the fox. “This robot certainly is cute.”
“Scanning subject.” Echo’s head tilts up and down in front of her. “Scan complete. Subject identified as Melissa the rabbit. Gender: female. Species: rabbit. Age: young adult.”
“Huh, that’s interesting,” Zach comments.
Echo looks toward Zach. “Scanning subject.” He repeats the routine with Zach. “Scan complete. Subject identified as Zach the Fox. Gender: male. Species: fox. Age: young adult.” The robot’s green color changes quickly to blue and frowns. “Oh my...”
“What’s happening?!” Melissa shouts. “What’s it doing?!”
“I don’t know,” Zach tells her. “Is it bad?”
“I have picked up on your background,” Echo says. “I can sense you’ve been mistreated and have been abused during your lifetime.”
“Yeah… It’s been horrible.”
Echo walks closer toward Zach. “I understand, and it is all right to be sad.” He puts his hand on the fox’s stomach. “But, being sad all the time is not good for one’s mental health and wellbeing as it shatters one’s confidence and self-esteem. To prevent depression from forming, you must contact friends and family.”
“I would, if I had a family, or friends…”
“That is not good. I will be your friend if you want to.”
“Melissa, Zach!” shouts a voice. The two animals turn and see the suited jackalope approach them. His eyebrows dipped into his eyes in anger. “What are you two doing here?!”
“Daddy!” Melissa taps her paws together in anxiousness. “We um…”
“Don’t you know you’re not supposed to be in here?! This area’s off limits!”
“Sir,” Zach begins. “Don’t yell at her. It wasn’t her fault; it’s mine. I asked her if she could show me everything you’ve done. I just wanted to see the cool gadgets you’ve designed.”
“Melissa is not authorized to show you any of my work, Boy! You two need to leave, now!”
“Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.” Zach begins walking out of the room with Melissa behind her. The two eventually make their way out of the facility and back on the sidewalk.
“Zach, I’m so sorry about that,” Melissa says. “Daddy just gets very angry when-”
“Don’t be sorry, Melissa,” Zach interrupts her. “Like I said, it’s not your fault. And, it’s really no worry. I got yelled at all the time.”
“I feel so bad that happened.”
“Don’t be. It’s all right. How about we continue walking around the town? What do you say?”
“Actually…” Melissa motions towards Zach, taking his paw in hers, causing him to blush. “We could go to the park to continue our hangout. I heard there are some nice flowers and wide spaces to take in.”
Zach smiles. “Sounds great. I’d love to.”
“Can I come, too?” juts a familiar computerized voice. Zach and Melissa pause, turn their heads to the source of the voice, and become overwhelmed with shock to see the little bot from before. “I’m sorry, did I startle you again? I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh my god,” Melissa utters. “Why are you out here?”
“I followed you out with no one suspecting. I want to be with you. Be your friend.”
“I don’t know about this,” Zach tells him. “Jack will get very mad if he sees you with us. We have to go back to the facility…”
Echo’s eyes and screens change to blue as he frowns and puts his hands together. “I do not want to go back. If I do, I will not be happy.” Zach asks what he means. “All the other robots belittle me. They say I do not fit in with their functionalities and their purposes, as well as their size. They do not want me around. I do not have anyone I can be with. When I scanned you both, I sensed a strong connection between us because we share the same experiences. All I ask is to be with you, and no one else.”
“Gee… I never knew robots could feel and have emotions like you do…”
“It is just me, from what I know. The others lack empathy and sympathy.”
“Does Daddy know about your issue?” asks Melissa.
“Master Jack would only fix a problem like if it were a dislocated part. I know because at the end of every day, he would come to repair me after the tall ones would finish with their fun. They would toss me in the oil drum, lock me in a shipping container, and even go so far as to break parts. Jack can repair me as much as he can, but he can never fix the most important part; my heart. I ask to be your friend, and I want it very much.”
Zach looks to Melissa, who gives him a nod, telling him she shares his thoughts. The fox looks back to the robot. “Echo, we didn’t think about this too much, but you have left us with no choice. I just have one question to ask you.” Echo remains fixed on the fox, waiting for his answer. “Do you like flowers and grass?”
The robot’s blue eyes and screen quickly change to green with his mouth bending into a smile. The emotion of the bot becomes too much to contain as he runs over to hug both the fox and the rabbit’s legs. “Oh, thank you, Zach and Melissa! I promise I shall be the greatest friend you’ll ever have!”
“Well, let’s not waste time or hang around much longer,” says Melissa. “We should head to the park before Daddy realizes you’re missing.” She clears her throat, catching Zach’s attention, and then holds out her paw. “As you were doing, Prince Charming.”
Zach chuckles and blushes. “Oh, of course.” He takes her firmly by the paw while taking Echo’s hand in his other, walking between the two down the path.
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