Aug 27 18:11:46 109 PA - Flagging Down for an Interview
From Chronicles
Aug 27 18:11:46 109 PA.
INSIDE THE GATES
A mid-summer's eve, just after rush hour and Alex is dragging a congestion source out of traffic to the mechanics shops north. One may find it hard to believe you can still get wood paneled station wagons that rival yachts in size these days. But Alex is dragging proof otherwise. The fact the machine is dragging it is also proof nothing has improved about them with age..
It truly is a day of days, or at least evening of evening. One of the people currently in the traffic is Gabriel, sitting behind the wheel of a stretch Diplodicus and making his way north out of the plaza. A mottled brown, moderately large dog rides happily in the passenger seat, her face out the window. Of course, he's being a bit of an obstacle himself. Straight and slow with only mild turns is something that he clearly has down. Looks like me might actually be able to drive it like a real person in a few weeks, but for now he's still on training wheels. Spotting a giant floating robot pulling a woody out of the lane, he makes one of his characteristic wide, slow turns cutting across traffic to find a place to bring himself alongside it.
Having 360 degree dual axis vision has its perks. Like no blind spots in traffic. So Alex turns to regard the large vehicle making its way alongside the robot a bit in advance just to let the other driver know that the cumbersome robot is aware the cumbersome vehicle is there.
Gabriel saw the 'bot, but appreciates the head's-up anyway. Though it's a risky maneuver, he does his best to drive one-handed while waving the other out the window. "Hey! Ah... Alex, right? Do you have a minute or two?" Perhaps because of all of the horns blowing at him, he finally pulls off the road and into what is a surprisingly decent version of parallel parking - even though there were no other cars in that particular area. The dog gives a loud bark, tongue lolling as she watches the floating saucer.
Alex cocks its head to indicate speculation at the request but when the large Vehicle pulls over Alex follows suit with much less annoyed honking. No one honks at a robot that could chew through your car faster than your brother in law chews through meatloaf.
The car's huge engine winds down nicely, gears slipping where they're supposed to, and Gabriel steps out, shushing the dog to stay inside before closing the door. He's in uniform, but clearly coming to the end of the day; the upper portion has been unlatched and peeled back at a rakish diagonal. A gentle lean against the hot hood allows him to wait for the robot to come within something resembling a common speaking distance. He could go toward the robot, but that take him away from the shelter of a the stretched vehicle.
Alex simply lets go of the chain tied around the station wagon's axle once it is safely out of traffic. Allowing the robot to hover over the large vehicle that flagged it down. It moves ahead, coming to a stop above the hood and inverting itself. "Do you require mechanical assistance sir?" The mecha asks.
Gabriel stands, glad that the machine flipped itself over. "You know, you look kind of like a table when you fly like that," he says, opening with a joke. "Alex, right? I remember you gave me a lift to the Museum. Looks like you're doing well for yourself!" He actually seems to stop and scan the 'bot over a few times. "Do you only work on automobiles?"
Alex cocks its head at the unexpected question before shaking in the negative. "Not at all. I am skilled in all levels of mechanics, from the most basic to top secret coalition Skelebots. Automobiles are simply more common." The robot answers, crossing its arms as it seems repairing this vehicle is not necessary.
The colonel smiles at that. "Okay," Gabriel begins, "What about *very* simple things? Like simple buildings, perhaps piping, things like that? Even electrical, at the really exotic. If you had the right materials, could you build things like that?"
Alex shakes its head in the negative. "I am not carpenter or architect. I can do electrical engineering, but, it would be rather unlikely I could fit in the domicile you require wired."
Gabriel gives the robot another nod, extending a hand to shake, were such a thing possible. "Okay, thanks for you time, Alex. I don't suppose you might happen to know anybody good at basic construction projects like that?"
"There is a smith name Pavel who might be capable. He did good work for the refugee compound. Big strong foreigner, has a lovely hammer." Alex suggests with an approving nod.
"Yeah, heard the name a couple times," Gabriel says, then starts walking back to his car. "Thanks again!" Someone with good hearing might catch on the wind as he approaches the dog, "Who's a good girl? Friday's a good girl! That's right, back in the seat. Nope, back. Back! Good girl..."
