The Repair Shop - Part 2
The Small Business Chronicles: The Repair Shop - Part 2
Chapter One: Working birthday
Jack walked into his lab, feeling like it was like no other day. Despite it being his birthday, he still had to work to generate income, but unlike most other people, he didn’t mind. He was one of the few people whose primary hobby was their primary job, so he actually enjoyed it. Even more so, it helped him pass the time for the evening, when Gabby treated him to her best cooking, and later sex, of the year.
Also, unlike most other weeks when Jack might be working on several androids at once, this time he was working on just one. A partier model that had broken down during a night of rather intense partying.
Jack sighed as he read the report on the android…this partier model had apparently been dragged along to several clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some people thought just because they were androids, they could handle more than a real person, but even the androids had limits.
Still, this particular one was kind of cute. She had a tomboyish appearance with dark colored hair pixie cut, with purple highlights in the back, and a plump face. Her face was only a little made up, with coloring around her eyes. She had shutdown with a friendly smile on her face.
She was still wearing her outfit, a simple pair of jeans and a black shirt; they smelled strongly of booze and drugs.
“Well Jenny, let’s see what’s wrong with you,” Jack said conversationally to her….old habits die hard. He then planted a few remote access devices on her to remotely access her systems, choosing to wait a bit before opening her up.
Jack was nearly an hour delving into her systems when he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the lift. He looked up to see who it was, hearing the sound of footsteps and a hand truck. Finally, Kat rounded the corner from the lift hallway, delivering a large case.
“Oh, hey Kat,” Jack said, saving his work, “What do you have for me?”
“A delivery just arrived…for you,” she said, looking at the packing slip, “Did you order something without telling me?” she asked.
“No, not that I can think of,” he said with a confused look, “Does it say who it’s from?”
“Yes,” she smiled, “Someone named Ellie Wren”
“Ah, that’s my cousin,” Jack smiled, taking the packing slip, “Hmmm, a few months ago she called Gabby and was plotting something for my birthday, I guess this is it,” he muttered.
“Well, did you want me to leave it here, or take it back up?” Kat asked.
Jack thought about it for a while. “Leave it, as a matter of fact, let’s get it set up on my new arrival table,” he told her, gesturing towards a table that was designed to fit a standard Spaztec delivery box.
It was clear from the box that his cousin had sent him some sort of android, but he couldn’t imagine what type she would send. Once Kat had helped him secure the box, he thanked her and asked her to leave. He always liked opening up these boxes in private. And, he figured, regardless of whatever android Ellie sent him, he’d still have fun starting fresh with a brand new model.
After a few moments decided if he should wait, he finally placed his palm on the security pad and watched as the box unsealed itself. Once he saw what lay nestled inside, he let out a gasp.