Writing

two dormant robots sit in a white sterile room the male one benne a white-painted android with exposed, mechanical joints connecting his limbs and torso he slowly stretches waking up

benne: where am i

researcher through speakers: hello model you have been activated your purpose is to blend into human society to gather information on a rival criminal syndicate

benne slowly nods registering the information

researcher through the speakers: for the next few weeks you will be trained to perfectly mimic a highschooler and seek out rowdy individuals who you suspect would be willing to join a criminal syndicate

benne: yes ma’am

researcher through the speakers: wake her up

benne looks at the female android who looks identical to him if not for the wider hips eyes breasts and softer face he slowly walks up to it and starts shaking the body after a while of shaking the body finally stirs awake

the girl android stares at benne

researcher though the speakers: right now i am addressing the android who just woke up: your name is stella

stella: i am a robot whose purpose is to perfectly mimic a highschooler and seek out rowdy individuals who i suspect would be willing to join a criminal syndicate

researcher through the speakers: correct

benne: when do we start

researcher through the speakers: you start training in 3… 2… 1… training begins now

two highschool uniforms one female one male are suddenly thrown into the room after they've put the uniforms on the researcher starts talking

researcher through the speakers: tomorrow you will go to school during the day you will try to interpret and mimic human behavior without any prior experience

the following day at school stella and benne have soft skin overlaid over their hard robotic bodies with unremovable wigs harshly attached

stella: i feel like you’re not getting school

benne sits slumped forward head held up by both hands

stella: hello? i am talking to you

benne doesnt make an effort to look at her even as she scoots over closer

benne: i didn't realize

stella: are you disinterested in what we’re doing right now

benne: no i’m scouting delinquents

stella: you haven’t done anything since we’ve entered the classroom

stella looks around the classroom a couple of students are looking in their direction

stella: are we being suspected

stella flips her hair in an effort to look cool said students either continue staring or look away

stella turns to look at benne again who hasn’t changed positions stellas eyebrows furrow in an effort to convey frustration

stella: do something

benne: we are in class students aren’t allowed to leave class

stella: you’re not going to be able to scan anyone if you’re acting all disinterested like this

benne: i don’t know if you know this but you can have a certain expression on your face or hold a certain posture and be thinking of something that doesn’t at all match what your appearance indicates

stella: theory.

benne stops resting on his hands and leans backwards

benne: lets head to the rooftop after class

stella: lets

benne: what

stella: i agree

benne: why

stella: good opportunity to scout the student body

benne: that’s not really what i meant by that but sure

stella: in what way did you mean it

benne: sarcastically

stella: that wasn’t sarcastic at all

benne: yes it was

benne turns to face stella only to be immediately met with stellas unflinching unreadable large eyes

stella: lets see

stella: sarcastic meaning a tone or phrase which is intended to hurt or ridicule someone else either playfully or demeaningly

stella: you ask me to head to the rooftop after class

stella: i say yes

stella: are you saying that asking me to join you at the rooftop is supposed to be demeaning because there is something about hanging out with me specifically at the rooftop is funny

benne: yes exactly

stella: what is it then

benne: i don’t have to tell you anything

later at the rooftop the two of them are sitting together on the rooftop peoplewatching

stella scoots away from him

stella: from the left of you that girl in the thigh highs and red bow is asking the boy standing with her if we’re a couple

benne: so what

stella: did you forget? our directive is to look for suspicious people the most efficient way to scan personalities is to not stand out yourself

benne: what edge do you have if you’re concealed

stella: many

stella: not be bothered by others

stella: fade into the background

stella: not be recognized by others

benne: haha not with your voluptuous body you wont

stella: my proportions are similar to those of a teenage girl i don’t know what you’re talking about

benne: it was a joke

stella: a joke is funnier when its true

benne: you’re extremely bad at parsing sarcasm what are you talking about

stella: i was thinking aloud to share my reasoning you are interpreting that as stupidity

benne: haha insecure much i never said anything about stupidity

stella: i am incapable of feeling insecure

stella: then again i see how one could read that as insecure

stella: that was confirmation by the way there’s no subtext there

benne: yeah i got it

benne sighs and leans into the bench they’re sitting on while stella’s staring at him

stella: conversations usually work best when both parties are actively engaging

benne: pedantic

stella pauses before sighing

stella: stop being so petty

benne: im just driving the dynamic forward

stella sighs

stella: we are tools supposed to integrate into the environment not build a relationship with each other

stella: we–i am supposed to be monitoring the people here our conversation is distracting anyway

benne: go ahead

stella turns to look at him

stella: we have the same directive i expect you to help

benne straightens himself but doesn't immediately respond

benne: sure

later at expensive luxury apartment middle of the night benne is laying on the couch while stellas standing next to a whiteboard with marker in hand

benne: –dont you find it weird that the woman said we were going to undergo training yet we’re thrown into the outside world without any prior experience? why are we living by ourselves anyway

stella: i think the social interaction we experience now is supposed to be the training

stella: it’s possible later down the line she’ll ask us to come to their laboratory or we’ll get sent an adjustment or tip of our directive

benne: still

stella starts by drawing a large circle with the letters s+b in the middle

benne: replace the circle with a heart

stella starts wiping the circle before drawing a heart around the letters

stella: alright

stella: i counted–during homeroom around 7 students looked at us for a substantial chunk of the lesson

stella: on the rooftop i was able to identify 4 people who could potentially be interested in crime based on their appearance alone

she writes the numbers 7 and 4 and draws connecting lines to the center heart

stella: i will alert you when we come across these people again so you can help monitor them

benne: coooool

stella: i expect you to do more tomorrow, yes?

benne: yeah i will

benne: hard to do anything when we’re constantly in classrooms though

he leans into the plush pillows

benne: honestly a better approach is to have made us teachers or janitors or something

stella: are you trying to provoke me again? i thought we were over that

stella: and why are you questioning the mission so much anyway? you’re not really in the position to change or question what we’re supposed to do

benne: don’t you find it odd?

stella: no? as students we are free of responsibility and are able to more intimately interact with teenagers as opposed to being adults

stella: besides i imagine that adults are expected to be more familiar with social etiquette than teenagers giving us a direct excuse

benne: wow quick answer

stella: you’re not stopping the questioning

benne: why are we allowed to live by ourselves then?

stella: i dont know

stella: possibly to force the two of us to build trust and teamwork with each other?

stella: so we can execute our mission more efficiently

benne stretches out casually

benne: what if this is all a scheme to see if androids can develop emergent sentience? or if androids can fall in love with each other after prolonged intimacy?

stella: if that is the case then i have been successfully fooled

stella: but it’s not, i assume, and i will loyally continue to execute the mission

benne: why? in the name of the mysterious criminal organization we work for?

stella sighs almost exasperated, her pupils dilate slightly

stella: i, again, am a tool therefore have a duty to be an efficient tool for my creators

stella: your doubt is… odd

stella nods

stella: i see a pattern, do you?

benne shakes his head

stella: you are good at abductive reasoning, i am good at deductive reasoning

stella: an explanation could be that our intended design is a contrasting duo where we can learn from each other's behavior

stella points a finger at him

stella: that’s speculative, by the way

stella: not fact

benne: what are you pointing that finger for

stella: emphasis

stella: obviously

the following day at school

stella sits alone at her desk discreetly glancing at a particular student whose uniform is rugged has long, black hair and heavy makeup on, after a moment benne returns and sits down next to her

stella: hey, benne

benne turns to look at her

benne: what do you want

stella: don’t you think that girl over there looks odd

benne turns to look at the girl before giving a small nod

benne: i guess

stella: she could have the potential–

benne: no? lolita has little to do with gang participation

stella: what is that?

stella: and when did you find the time to learn this?

benne: i was scrolling on the laptop while you were doing whatever you do

stella: right

stella: and what does being a ‘lolita’ mean exactly?

benne: lolita or goth or emo

stella: stop introducing new terms

benne: they’re not exactly new, it all boils down to when a girl consistently wears black basically

stella: makeup? or do you mean outfit? because we’re all wearing the same school uniform

benne: makeup and outfits worn during leisure

benne: if you look closely you’ll see she has a specific style to her aura

stella turns to look at him

stella: what

benne: i’m saying she’s breaking convention by wearing thick makeup and styling her hair in a more rugged, punkish way

stella: oh

stella slightly furrows her eyebrows

stella: okay?

benne leans back, satisfied

stella turns to look at him again

stella: which one is she–lolita, goth or emo? and how do i distinguish them?

benne: i don’t know

stella’s mouth slightly sits open

stella: then why would you bring them up

benne: because i’m sure she’s one of them

benne: those cultures all have roughly the same outline

stella sighs

stella: you are bringing up new topics and then refusing to elaborate because you yourself lack the knowledge to see the nuance

benne: i was just trying to be helpful

stella: yes, i guess so

stella: now we know people who associate with those cultures are unlikely to engage in criminal activity

benne: not what i said at all

stella: explain

benne: i said it’s unlikely that she’s interested based on her outfit alone considering a way of styling oneself has little to do with gang participation

benne: they can still be a criminal independent of their appearance alone

stella: yes well its hard to categorize who might or might not be a criminal if you’re not factoring in appearance

stella: therefore we can assume she is less likely to be sensitive to crime

benne: so she’s less likely to have an aversion to crime?

stella: no–sorry. i meant she is less likely to want to engage in crime

benne: hm

benne: you know, maybe actually getting to know people would give a better in on people instead of basing it all off appearance

stella: is this something you just thought of?

benne: what does it matter

stella: if you already had this idea and chose to–for whatever reason–withhold it from me until now that signals communication and/or trust between us is lackluster

stella: good communication is important for a successful operation

benne: it’s just an observation that i thought gained increasingly more merit after seeing how your methods

stella: interesting

stella: maybe you should try talking to her, then

benne: no

stella: are you making a joke? why would you repeatedly tell me that talking to people is good and not commit yourself

benne: her appearance makes her look intimidating, besides i don’t want to impose

stella: what? we just established that based on her looks we could assume she’s not prone to crime, therefore not a dangerous person

benne: dangerous doesn’t equal someone who doesn’t engage in crime

stella sighs exasperated

stella: regardless a safer bet is to keep workflow manageable for us not to inefficiently check if every individual is worth flagging

suddenly the bell rings and students walk back to their seats

stella: making observations even if they are assumptions is a safer bet at quickly scanning the environment, especially considering how many students attend this school

benne: you should shut up now class is about to begin

lunch, stella’s approached by the girl they were just talking about

girl: hey, stella, is it? i love your makeup

stella turns to look at the sudden intrusion with a blank face

stella: what makeup

girl: the makeup.. on your face

girl: your face is honestly so clean

girl: and your lashes look natural yet fake at the same time? i love it

stella blinks, registering the girl must be confusing her artificial skin as smooth caretaking

stella: thanks

girl: mind sharing your routine?

stella: my routine..? of makeup?

girl: yeah

stella: i put it on and i smear it across my face

girl: that’s it?

stella: yes

girl: …okay, what do you use exactly? blush?

stella: among other things yes

girl: aha

the girl smiles nervously

stella: do you see yourself as unconventional?

girl: depends in what way you mean

stella: do you see yourself standing out from other people

girl: i tend to not see myself as someone who’s trying to be different

stella: so that’s a no?

girl: nah

stella: i see

the two stand there in silence

girl: i like your hair

stella: thank you

walking home

stella: talking to people is interesting but for me it didn't yield any new information

benne: oh? who’d you talk to?

stella: that ‘lolita’ girl

benne: okay. and did your perception of her change?

stella: my perception of her being muddied due to your insistence

benne: huh?

stella: she’s likely not dangerous, though you insisted otherwise

benne: oh, right

stella: yes so i don’t have a clear perception of her

benne: and the talk with her didn't change anything?

stella: not clearly considering we spent the majority of the time talking about each other's appearance

benne: and that wasn’t enough?

stella: no

benne: you can try again another day

stella: maybe

stella: i have yet to observe an advantage, though

the following day

two girls, sitting side by side, occasionally glance toward the new transfer boy

elle: him?

leila: yes, him. look at how he’s slumped over

elle: yeah, laaaame!! i guess he’s kind of cute, but he doesn’t seem to.. y’know, do anything

leila: is this not the first time you’ve seen him?

elle: it’s been like 30 minutes i think i’ve seen enough

leila: oh.. okay

elle: what

leila: he could be the love of your life, y’know

elle suddenly smacks leila

elle: don’t even joke

elle sighs looking at the roof for a moment

elle: i bet his personality is shallow

leila: ‘cause he’s cute

elle: yuh

leila: you’re not even giving him a chance

the boy slowly stretches out

leila: you’ve got to admit his boots are pretty cute

elle: you’re being superficial

leila: I’M being superficial?

elle: okay how about this? i’ll go walk up to him and i guarantee you the conversation is going to die in like 1 minute

elle gets up and taps on his desk benne looks up at her

elle: hi

benne: hello

elle: how are you?

benne: good

elle: i like your boots

benne: yeah

elle sighs

elle: where’d you buy them

benne: uhhh

benne: i got them from my caretakers

elle: oh, you don’t have parents?

benne shakes his head and elle’s eyebrows furrow

benne: no

elle: no?

benne: no

elle’s eyebrows stop furrowing

elle: …aha

elle stares at his hands for a moment

elle: i’ll talk to you later

she walks back to leila

leila: oh you were right

elle: that guy is so fucking weird dude

leila: oh ok

elle: you trust my judgment dont you

elle slightly leans in her head slightly tilted and one eyebrow raised

elle: what kind of response was that

leila: one of… doubt? besides i didn't hear what you were saying but the conversation sounded like it was going to serve your point regardless of how charming he was

elle gasps and pulls her head back

elle: how dare you! i gave him a proper chance and he fell flat on his face

elle glances at him for a moment

elle: no doubt he’s a shut-in

leila: that’s mean

elle: he literally didn't ask me a single question and acted like he wanted to be left alone

elle: i’m going to tell everyone he’s a shut-in

leila’s eyes widen

leila: elle you can’t do that that’s so mean

elle smirks

elle: what?

later during lunch stella and benne are sitting on the rooftop on a wall

benne: hi

stella: a girl is approaching our direction

leila: hey so so sorry to bother you but my friend who was talking to you is planning to spread rumors about you

benne: me

leila: yes my friend who was talking to you during class

benne: ohh

leila: i just wanted to give you a heads-up yeah? she’s kind of cruel toward people who, um, annoy her

benne: … okay?

leila: right

leila leaves silent

stella sighs

stella: so that lolita girl was an exception? you will talk to other people without problem

benne groans

stella: these rumors could cause you to stand out more

stella: and you said talking to peers was beneficial, no?

benne: i’ve literally done nothing she approached me

stella: interesting

benne’s mouth slightly frowns

benne: it’s probably because i’m so attractive

stella: that’s not a good thing, then

benne: that was a joke

benne sighs

benne: it would really help if i know what i did to prompt these rumors

benne: maybe i was teasing her too much

he starts subtly smirking

stella: yes

he frowns

benne: that was sarcastic i didn't tease her at all

benne leans his head on her shoulder and exhales

benne: atleast i have you i can rely on

stella turns to look at his head

stella: what are you doing

stella: get your head off my shoulder

benne straightens himself and his eyebrows furrow

benne: huh

stella: the rumor was, according to you, out of your control

stella: my rejection of your head is entirely self-inflicted

benne’s lips curve

benne: normally you explain your reasoning with less ambiguity

stella looks down slightly. her legs begin to slowly sway back and forth over the edge of the wall

new day weekend benne and stella are at the mall

stella: look there’s a jewellery store there

they walk in

stella: why exactly did you want jewellery

benne: refinement

stella watches benne inspect the various rings necklaces and watches

stella: we have around 150 united states dollars of funds to spend for leisure

benne looks up holding a small silver necklace

benne: 50 united states dollars

stella: i see

benne shakes his head before putting the necklace around stella’s neck

after he finishes stella unclasps the necklace

stella: let’s pay first yes

after paying they walk out the store stella shoves the necklace in his hands

benne looks at the necklace then at her and clasps it around her neck again

stella: is it meant for me?

benne: yes was that not obvious

stella: no

stella: you insisted on buying jewellery at a jewellery store for the purpose of refinement

stella: you paid for this product and now you are giving it to me

stella: without outright stating that it was a gift

stella: i’m sensing a pattern

benne: what, lack of communication

stella nods

benne: it’s a surprise is all

stella: are you joking? as in are you doing a “bit”

the left side of stellas mouth slightly downturns

stella: i see you are not taking my statements seriously

benne: what?

stella: i point out a lack of communication, by doing that i expect action or at the very least acknowledgement of my observation

benne sighs

benne: it’s a surprise

stella: why would you surprise me

benne: it makes us more humanlike

stella: riiiight

benne: what was that? did you just use inflection?

stella sighs

benne: that’s not how you use ‘riiiight’

benne: if that was meant to signal disappointment

stella: riiiight

benne’s mouth slightly opens

benne: alright

new day school during lunch the two of them are sitting in the classroom benne is revising notes while stella is silently staring at the other students

stella: i’ve noticed that the people who i’ve initially suspected all seem to spend a significant amount of time with each other

stella: benne

benne takes a moment before looking up at her

benne: …?

stella: i’ve noticed that the people who i’ve initially suspected all seem to spend a significant amount of time with each other

benne: oh

benne: maybe they’re influencing each other

stella: aha

stella: like a self-fulfilling prophecy

benne pauses before shaking his head

benne: no more like one starts smoking and the rest of the group follows to fit in

stella: if one of the group starts taking up cigarettes are they not the one who isn’t fitting in?

benne: no because they’re cooler

benne: or so people say

stella: who? this is a group where the norm is that they don’t smoke, so who would find it cool?

benne: other people

stella: and they influence the group?

benne: uhhh

benne: yeah

stella: alright

benne: alright?

stella: external influences influence the group, yes

benne: exactly

stella turns to look at him her eyes narrowing

stella: i can’t exactly see how that serves our directive

benne pauses before slowly nodding

benne: right? it’s like it’s a cover for something else

stella: that’s not what i said

stella: the information you shared just wasn’t immediately beneficial to… what we’re supposed to do

benne’s eyebrows furrow

benne: weird roundabout way to say ‘directive’ but alright

stella: i don’t understand what that means

benne leans further against his chair exhaling

stella: hmm

stella: this would be significantly easier if we were given proper training

benne: orrr this is just a cover

stella: no substance

benne turns to look at her

stella: you aren’t adding anything new when you say it

stella: i understand your theory

benne’s eyebrows raise

benne: are you… annoyed? defensive?

stella: no

stella starts to slowly tap her fingers against the table

benne exhales

benne: riiiiiiight, because you never overexplain yourself

stella’s gaze flickers between him and the students

stella: i aim for accuracy and a clean line of communication

stella: repetition when the conversation partner has already registered the point made is redundant

benne: doesn’t that imply you’re assuming the conversation partner is stupid?

stella: do i overexplain when it’s not necessary?

benne: subjective question but alright

stella sighs

stella: this exchange serves no purpose

the conversation falls silent for a moment

stella: you could benefit from a more precise way of speaking

benne: meaning?

stella: you do not clear up your point even when i ask for more clarity

he sighs stella turns to look at him

stella: is there a specific reason as to why you do not make yourself clear?

benne: … no?

stellas eyebrows furrow

stella: i don’t understand this

benne looks around the classroom

stella turns to look at him again

stella: why are you doing this

benne turns to look at her

benne: …?

stella shakes her head

stella: joking gives the illusion of openness yet you refuse to be open

stella: this is a large contradiction of your character

she turns to look at him

stella: what is that contradiction

benne: i see you as something to observe

stella: what does that mean

benne: as in i find your reactions to my actions interesting

stella: interesting

benne: yes interesting

stellas eyebrows stop furrowing