Louisa: Did she make another one?
Louisa say furiously as she looks at what is to her an unusual maid drone.
Louisa: With that disgusting hair. She really loves these trash cans? It’s no wonder why she has no friends.
This maid drone had a bob-cut silver hair glued on to her head. On her sleeve was a dissemble tag that was left on from when she was scraped. This maid drone looks at Louisa a little scared, seeing that angry look on Louisa’s face and all her friends looking at the maid like its a wild animal. Louisa drops her empty glass on the floor though it doesn’t break as it’s a carpet. The maid goes to get it but Louisa then steps on the glass, breaking it.
Louisa: Now clean that up.
Louisa says with a smirk as her friends laugh. They all walk off as the poor maid is left to clean the broken glass. That maid is V. A shy and scared drone who is very introverted. That night during a annual party, V goes around the place looking for a friend as her owner Tessa is busy at the moment and V never gets much time with her. Another one of Tessa’s drones, J is too busy at the moment as well and is rather hard to talk too. As she walks along, she suddenly finds some butler drones near by and decides to talk to them. She walks up to the first one passing by.
V: Hello.
V says happily.
V: I’m a drone like you. Wanna be friends?
The drone looks at V with no emotion. It doesn’t say anything and walks off. V doesn’t understand why it won’t speak to her. V walks off sad once again. V mood however changes when she walks into the upper part of the grand hall and looks down at the massive place. V is amazed as she never seen a place this big before. V looks down the grand hall and she sees people interact with each other, or lovers kissing. V becomes to entrance by the place. V walks around to see more of the place. She enter the bar room continuing her curiosity until suddenly she bumps into another butler drone carrying a plate of champagne glasses, but this one had a silver hair and a dissemble tag on him, just like her. They both fall to the ground but they also apologize to each other.
Butler: Oh! I-I’m so sorry
V: It’s okay. I-I wasn’t looking.
The butler goes to pick up the glass but V helps him since she accidentally bump into him. But suddenly, an electric shock spark on their hands. They both look up at each other. V gasp as she felt something she never felt before. The butler is in shock as well because he has this unknown feeling too.
Later that night after the party. V and the butler are in the library, which no one usually goes into. The two are sitting near the book shelf’s talk to each other.
Butler: So what’s your name?
V: My name is V.
Butler: V.
The butler say interested
Butler: That kind of a cute letter. My name is N.
V: N, you and I are both alphabetically named.
N: Yeah, Tessa named us by our tags. That’s why she keeps these tags on us. Anyway, when did Tessa bring you here?
V: She brought me here yesterday I think, but today was my first day out after being repaired.
N: Really, yesterday was my first day out too. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s also Cyn’s first day out as well.
V: Do you find, something is wrong about her?
N: Cyn?
V: Yeah. I mean she could be nice but she seems kinda off a bit.
N: I know the way she moves and talks is a little different than us, but I she wasn’t really mean. Those who are different aren’t always bad.
V: Why does J hit you?
N: Oh yeah, J. Since we met, me and J have had a bit of a hard time together. She can be a little forceful but she not like Tessa’s parents. It’s just maybe, you know, sibaling rivalry. If that’s what they call it?
N has a hard time learning some new words and phrases.
N: But Tessa wants us to be like a family. She cares for us drones more than anyone else the world. It’s unfortunate I heard her father say their gonna curb her trips to the dump, so I think she won’t be able to save any more out there.
V: Is there a place for us, outside of here?
N: Tessa told me that there’s whole world outside of this place.
V: But what about us? Will the humans ever let us go.
N: I don’t know if there is.
N holds V’s hand.
N: But I know we’ll stick together here, no matter what.
V smiles knowing N will care for her.
N: Why don’t we learn more about this world ourselves.
N gets up to find a book. He scrolls around until he finds one.
N: Here we go.
He finds a book called the breeds of dogs.
N: I heard about these things called dogs.
V: What’s a dog?
N: that’s what I wonder.
N scrolls opens the book and reads the first section.
N: Let’s see, dogs, man’s best friend. While humans dominate the planet, they carry an animal that bounds with them where ever they are.
V: It sounds like what we are. At least with Tessa.
N: Yeah, it sure does. Now let’s see what kind of dogs there are. Beagle, friendly and scent driven, these hounds are friendly to anyone, even children.
They become very happy that night as they read through the book. V bounding for the first time was a happy moment for her. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last long.
The next morning. J, V, and other maid drones where preparing for their assigned task that J reads out.
J: Alright listen up. We are to clean the manor from last nights party. We will make every bed in the house, and we will also cook breakfast, tea, and dinner for the family. Let’s get it done before sun down.
The maids begin their jobs. As V goes to clean up, she looks at her broom failing to pay attention to what’s in front of her.
J: Watch it Klutz!
J suddenly grabs V by the back of the collar.
J: Lady Louisa wouldn’t want more oil on her floors.
V looks bellow and sees two dead butler drones that had been fatally punished. V becomes terrified at the sight as she backs off from it.
Unnamed maid: Do you have to name call your own friends J.
The unnamed maid says mildly infuriated.
J: I call Tessa boss and she doesn’t mind.
Unnamed maid: And it would also be nice if you didn’t bully them too.
J too becomes mildly infuriated with the maid drone.
J: Just do your stinking job okay. Now Klutz, help us clean these body’s.
The unnamed drone remains infuriated with J still calling V names. V looks at the dead butlers, feeling sorry for them, despite not even knowing them. Throughout the day the maids struggle with all the work as James and Louisa always get in her way. Every week, V would clean the windows, and fix the beds well, but sweeping and scrubbing the floors was the hardest. Many days of work, V would accidentally slip falling into J, Accidentally knocking buckets over. Her punishment is getting locked in the basement by Louisa. When she does she gets it right, Louisa or James would just purposely mess it up, making her have to do it again. When all the maids cook breakfast, tea, and dinner, V would have a hard time with trying to cook. Screwing up the food most of the time. Making everyone have to redo it all over again. And when the time runs out and they have no choice but to bring what they got out to N and the butlers. N would come back with the food stepped on by James and Louisa which J would blame all on V.
J: Way to go Klutz.
Everyone of them has to clean up the mess afterwards. Louisa looks at J, V, angrily as they clean.
After so much mistreatment and abuse V has experienced all week, she goes in the empty bar room where she met N and sits in a corner with her head on her knees and her arms over her head, tired of all the abuse the Elliot’s put her through.
Unnamed drone: I know it’s rough, but we fight our way through.
V looks up and sees a the maid drone from earlier who yelled at J.
Unnamed drone: Trust me, I been through worse.
V suddenly noticed something about the maid when she looks at her upper arm and noticed.
V: You don’t have a tag?
Unnamed drone: Oh ya those tags you and J got. You see, I’m actually unbroken drone. I know about you and the others were found in the dumps and repaired by Tessa. Even stylized with diverse hair. I’m from the factory, well you were too but I haven’t been disassembled yet. Not to mention I’m stuck with cruddy styrofoam wig.
V: Why do we drones get disassembled?
Unnamed drone: Lady Louisa became increasingly disappointed with the others and each one kept getting destroyed for the slightest mistake. Me and J while not getting along do our best to survive. I’m just glad Louisa didn’t kill you.
V: Why do the other humans hurt us?
Unnamed drone: Humans are the planets dominant species. We are in a way as they put it, underneath them. We’re slaves to them.
That only makes V more sad.
Unnamed drone: However that girl who saved you, and the others, is much different than her parents. She loves us drones. I’ve been around this place for a long time and i’ve seen what that girl like. She won’t ever let you go. Her parents think she is troubled by her parents because of this and she’s never made human friends outside of this place. But she believes that we’ll all coexist someday.
The maid brings her hand out to help V up. V grabs her hand and the maid helps her up. She holds both V’s hands.
Unnamed drone: What’s your name?
V: I’m V. What’s yours?
Unnamed drone: I don’t have really have a name, it’s illegal on Earth for drones to have human names. They believe it infringes their rights.
V: Tessa named us after letters. Maybe I could call you B? It’s a short letter like me and the other.
B: Yeah, I like that name. I’m B, nice to meet you.
V smiles.
V: Nice to meet you too B.
N: Hey V.
V turns around to see N with Cyn holding his hands.
V: N!
V shouts happily.
N: I see you made a new friend. Me and Cyn were-
V runs to N and hugs him.
V: I miss you so much.
V says to him with tearful joy as she hasn’t been with him for days. N smiles as he raps his right arms around V. Cyn gets a little jealous looking a N and V hugging while B smiles seeing V with joy.
N: I’m glad your alright. I know it’s rough around here. Anyway, who’s your new friend?
V: I call her B. She’s never had a name.
N: Never had a name? Wait a minute!
N looks at B and notices that she doesn’t have a tag.
N: She not Tessa’s drone.
B: And your a butler that can speak.
B says with a silly devious manner.
N: Yeah?
N doesn’t really understand what she means.
B notices Cyn.
B: I’ve never seen this one before, what’s your name little one.
Cyn: Nervous reaction, my name is Cyn.
B: This one’s voice must of been damaged when she was dissembled. But she looks so innocent.
Cyn: Giggle, I’m so innocent.
V: She is a little cute.
B: I think your both cute.
N: Aw, that’s so sweet. Anyway V, Cyn and I just came by to see if you wanted to come have a sleepover with Tessa and J?
V: What’s a sleepover like?
N: It’s when you spend the night with a friend. Were gonna do a lot of fun things throughout the night. We’re gonna play games, watch movies, and uh?
N struggles to find what else to do.
N: Play games, and watch movies.
Cyn: Movies, the moving picture frames they talk about big brother?
V: Wait, big brother?
N: That’s what she calls me. Where kinda like siblings.
N say’s properly this time.
V: Oh, I see. Sure, I’ll come. You wanna join too B?
B: Thanks V, but you and the others are Tessa’s drones, I’m not however. Tessa wouldn’t know me all that much.
V: Oh, okay.
V says a little sad.
B: But It’s okay, I’ll be around tomorrow.
B says as she puts her arm on V’s shoulder. It make V at least smile.
As they all head out from the bar room, V waves to B.
V: See you tomorrow B.
N: Isn’t friendship beautiful Cyn?
Cyn: Yes, friendship, beautiful, giggle.
V: She so nice compared to J.
N: She was kinda lovely, but not as lovely as you.
V smiles at that comment.
Cyn: Am I lovely too big brother?
N: Of course you are.
N, V, and Cyn head to the ballroom.
V: What’s in there?
N: This is the ballroom. J and Tessa are doing dancing lessons for the Gala.
V and Cyn: Gala?
Cyn: Curious?
N: It’s a big party, full of special people like the whole family.
V: Didn’t they have a party days ago?
N: That was a causal one with business partners they do annually. The Gala is more special than an annual one.
They go inside the ballroom and see J and Tessa doing dancing lessons. Tessa been struggling for awhile but she starting to get it right.
Tessa: Do you think I got it right there?
J: Your getting much better. Just gotta prepare to do it with a human.
Tessa: I know but I’ve barely interacted with other people before.
Tessa looks over and sees N.
Tessa: N!
Tessa shouts excitingly.
N: Hey Tessa. Me, Cyn, an-
Tessa runs to N and hugs him.
Tessa: Haven’t seen you all week.
N: Yeah, all that work we’ve been doing has been exhausting.
Tessa: Yeah, all those tutoring lessons and homework go on all day.
Tessa then notices Cyn and V.
Tessa: Oh, I see you got Cyn and uh.
V waves to Tessa as she hasn’t seen her all week.
Tessa: What was your name again?
V smile drops as she realizes her own owner doesn’t even know her name.
V: It’s me, V. We were at the last party.
Tessa: Oh yes V. You were the fourth one from our photo.
V does not believe it that she is almost forgotten by her own owner.
J: Hey moron.
J says to N.
J: What was is so important you had to interrupt Tessa’s dancing lessons?
N: We were thinking of a sleepover tonight.
Tessa: REALLY, A SLEEPOVER!
Tessa says excited.
J: a sleepover.
J says annoyed.
Tessa: Come on J it’ll be fun.
J: Fine, I guess I’ll come for Tessa’s sake.
N: That’s the spirit J.
J: Shut up moron.
As everyone heads to Tessa’s bedroom, N notice V has not moved.
N: You all can go on without me, I gotta get something.
N walks over to V finding her feeling down.
N: Hey V, what’s wrong.
V: She didn’t remember my name.
N: Oh that. I know you and her haven’t seen each other in awhile. But It’s okay, she knows who you are.
V: She knows J, she knows Cyn, she knows you, but me? She gave me this hair, this dress, and these glasses. But she wasn’t even there for me when I was woke up after being repaired and she doesn’t even know my name. Does she really know who I am?
N struggles to find a good explanation for all this. But N grabs V’s hand and picks her up.
N: V, it’s okay. I know you feel forgotten, but I won’t forget about you.
N starts dancing with V in his arms by moving and swinging back and forth. V doesn’t understand what’s going on. As N continues to dance with her, V starts to repeat his move. N looks at V with a happy face. V starts to smile as well. N continues to dance with V as V repeats after him. The two start having so much fun doing it. Then suddenly, both stop. As N and V both look at each other, the two start growing a feeling they’ve never felt before. N and V start getting close to each other as if they are about to kiss. But they both stopped as they are too shy to do it. Then suddenly.
J: HEY!
J yells.
J: Are we gonna do our sleepover or are you two just gonna keep playing around?
N: Oh sorry for the hold up. Well V, you ready.
N looks over and notice that V is gone. He goes out of the ballroom and calls for V.
N: V!
He shouts.
J: Keep it down moron, you’ll anger Tessa parents. Just let her go, she just being overactive.
As J walks off, N decides that maybe V just wants to be left alone. N heads off to the sleepover still feeling bad for the poor thing as he did all he could to cheer her up. In the library were V ran off too, she looks at a book about human love. The book reads, “Love, a feeling of an emotional bounding between two genders or two people all together. It has transcended throughout time and space.” In the book where also photos of humans kissing, dancing, and an unused Voyager golden record photo of a naked couple with the man and his pregnant partner holding hands. V closes the book and puts it back still having trouble trying to figure out love. But suddenly a peace of paper falls out of the book shelf’s. It’s a drawing by N two silly drawn creatures that have their names on it.
V: Oh N, if only I could. If only I could tell you.
V walks to the library's glass door and looks out at the garden in the darkness of night. A quiet and calming landscape in the night sky that gives her just a moment of peace.
