matched different emotions. Initially Alice's ideas were basic associations, red for anger and similar. Emma described the things the flowers reminded her of while Alice listened intently. Emma was as honest as she could be, which drove her close to tears and laughter in the effort. As she talked, Alice collected the information, constantly drawing further references from the web. Slowly her faced changed. Emma noticed the subtle movement of simulated muscles, the things that made faces look real. After a while, the ground around them was littered with Alice's efforts. Emma thought it was time for a test.
"How do you feel about this one?" Emma had picked a flower that was a deep purple with a black centre.
"It is dark, slightly threatening, but that is its allure." said Alice.
Emma looked at it. That's exactly what she thought. Alice had successfully learned how to emulate Emma's emotions.
Emma sat back in her seat in the real world and stretched. She had grown quite stiff in the hours that had passed. Mum had made sure she had been supplied with ample snacks and drinks. Taking her leave from Alice, she left her examining the flowers thoughtfully.
"Jeremy. I need a virtual gallery, an art history overview. Can you supply that?" Jeremy looked up from another console where he had been busy.
"It will take me some time." he replied.
"Good. I need a rest." Emma yawned and stretched again.
Jeremy had already started on his project and didn't look up.
Mum was coming up the stairs with another tray as Emma left the room.
"Hello dear," said Mum. "You look tired. I have made up a lovely bed for you. Jermey said his friend would be staying." She smiled.
"My name's Emma. I am sorry I haven't said hello properly," said Emma.
"Hello dear," was the only response.
Emma decided not to push things any further being a guest. Emma pointed to what she guessed was the correct door and Mum nodded. She entered a prim and immaculate bedroom. Behind her Mum put the tray on a side table and neatly straightened the napkin.
"There you are. If you need anything you just call." Mum took herself and her smile from the room and shut the door.
Emma flopped onto the bed. Her thoughts turned to the rollercoaster of events of the last few days. She curled up a little for comfort and thought of Martin. Sleep took her.
Chapter 19 - Martin's Gambit
Martin had returned to his flat. He hung his coat up behind the door and switched on his computer. He went to the bathroom to freshen up. He heard a voice from the living room.
"Martin," Alice called in a sing song voice.
He returned to the living room and slumped on the cushions. Alice smiled from the screen.
"You have come home to me then. Are you going to be a good boy now?"
"It's been boring Alice. I realised that I missed out on a lot of opportunities with you. Shall we play some games?" Martin said, looking suitably morose. Alice smiled broader, but looked sly. Martin wasn't sure whether she would be taken in or not.
"Well, I have been a little bored too," Alice began. "I think we need to get to know each other again Martin. My games have changed a bit since we last talked. Are you ready to play?" She raised a challenging eyebrow.
Martin wasn't sure where this was going, but he had to continue.
"Ok." He sat up straighter, faking an enthusiasm for Alice's suggestion.
"Go to the train station internet cafe. Wear your hoody." Alice said.
This isn't what Martin was expecting. He had been ready to wreak havoc in her name on the internet to prove his affiliation, but it appeared Alice had something else in mind.
The train station bustled with activity. People looked at the arrivals board and then took off like guided missiles. Groups migrated like flocking birds. Martin felt detached from the world, this was a game other people played but not him, not anymore. It was empowering for him to look at it that way. He felt free. The cafe was busy with travellers with large branded coffee cups. He
"How do you feel about this one?" Emma had picked a flower that was a deep purple with a black centre.
"It is dark, slightly threatening, but that is its allure." said Alice.
Emma looked at it. That's exactly what she thought. Alice had successfully learned how to emulate Emma's emotions.
Emma sat back in her seat in the real world and stretched. She had grown quite stiff in the hours that had passed. Mum had made sure she had been supplied with ample snacks and drinks. Taking her leave from Alice, she left her examining the flowers thoughtfully.
"Jeremy. I need a virtual gallery, an art history overview. Can you supply that?" Jeremy looked up from another console where he had been busy.
"It will take me some time." he replied.
"Good. I need a rest." Emma yawned and stretched again.
Jeremy had already started on his project and didn't look up.
Mum was coming up the stairs with another tray as Emma left the room.
"Hello dear," said Mum. "You look tired. I have made up a lovely bed for you. Jermey said his friend would be staying." She smiled.
"My name's Emma. I am sorry I haven't said hello properly," said Emma.
"Hello dear," was the only response.
Emma decided not to push things any further being a guest. Emma pointed to what she guessed was the correct door and Mum nodded. She entered a prim and immaculate bedroom. Behind her Mum put the tray on a side table and neatly straightened the napkin.
"There you are. If you need anything you just call." Mum took herself and her smile from the room and shut the door.
Emma flopped onto the bed. Her thoughts turned to the rollercoaster of events of the last few days. She curled up a little for comfort and thought of Martin. Sleep took her.
Chapter 19 - Martin's Gambit
Martin had returned to his flat. He hung his coat up behind the door and switched on his computer. He went to the bathroom to freshen up. He heard a voice from the living room.
"Martin," Alice called in a sing song voice.
He returned to the living room and slumped on the cushions. Alice smiled from the screen.
"You have come home to me then. Are you going to be a good boy now?"
"It's been boring Alice. I realised that I missed out on a lot of opportunities with you. Shall we play some games?" Martin said, looking suitably morose. Alice smiled broader, but looked sly. Martin wasn't sure whether she would be taken in or not.
"Well, I have been a little bored too," Alice began. "I think we need to get to know each other again Martin. My games have changed a bit since we last talked. Are you ready to play?" She raised a challenging eyebrow.
Martin wasn't sure where this was going, but he had to continue.
"Ok." He sat up straighter, faking an enthusiasm for Alice's suggestion.
"Go to the train station internet cafe. Wear your hoody." Alice said.
This isn't what Martin was expecting. He had been ready to wreak havoc in her name on the internet to prove his affiliation, but it appeared Alice had something else in mind.
The train station bustled with activity. People looked at the arrivals board and then took off like guided missiles. Groups migrated like flocking birds. Martin felt detached from the world, this was a game other people played but not him, not anymore. It was empowering for him to look at it that way. He felt free. The cafe was busy with travellers with large branded coffee cups. He
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