Deviant Heart

Chapter 2: The Manfred Family

November 5th, 2038 9:42 pm

Two hours earlier, across town, a taxi pulled in front of the home of famous painter Carl Manfred. Carl is rolled out of the taxi by his android, Markus.

Markus rolled Carl inside the house, the automatic door opening and chiming, "Good evening, Carl. Welcome back."

"That was by far the most boring party I've ever been to in the last 25 years," Carl commented. "Every time I go to one of these, I ask myself: what the hell am I doing here?" Markus put away the umbrella he was holding and hung up his uniform coat. "I hate cocktail parties and all the schmoozes that go there."

"Well, it's a chance for all those people who admire your work to meet you," Markus pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah. No one gives a damn about art," the older man responded as he shrugged off his own coat. Markus grabbed it and hung it up with his. "All they care about is how much money they're gonna make out of it." Markus moved behind Carl's wheelchair and started to wheel him to the living room

"Come on, let's have a drink! All the excitement of this whole thing has made me thirsty..."

There, they find a sleeping Clara on the dining room table, sitting in a chair and using her arms as a pillow.

"Oh dear," Carl sighed. "Markus, wake her up, would you?"

Markus walked over to the sleeping woman and gently shook her awake. Clara stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Hm? Oh, hi Markus."

"Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" Carl asked as he rolled himself closer to her.

"Mh hi Dad," Clara greeted her father as she stretched her arms. "I thought I'd stop by and say hi, but you weren't home so I'd thought I would wait. Guess I fell asleep," she gave a light chuckle.

The man sighed. "Clara, are you getting enough sleep? I'm worried about your health."

She smiled at her father. "Don't worry, Dad. I'm ok. I'm doing the work I love, and keeping the city safe," she stood up, grabbed her wrist and twisted side to side, cracking her aching back.

Carl shook his head. "If you're sure, sweetheart," he turned his attention to the android. "Could you get that drink for me now, Markus?"

"Of course," Markus replied. "Scotch, neat as usual?"

"Absolutely," Carl confirmed.

"Okay! But you know what your doctor would say..." Markus warned.

"Yeah... Well, he can kiss my ass! I'm old enough to choose my own medication..." the man retorted.

"Dad..." Clara gave him a look.

"Oh calm down, I'll be fine," Carl waved his hand as Markus poured his drink. "Why don't you have one, too? Been a while since you've shared a drink with your old man."

Clara checked the time on her phone. "I'm okay, thanks Dad. I have to go and meet up with Hank soon anyway. Captain Fowler told me today that CyberLife was sending some kind of advanced android prototype to test out, and he assigned me and Hank to them."

"Suit yourself," Carl shrugged. He turned towards Markus and noticed the lights were on in his large painting studio. "Did you leave the lights on in the studio?" He asked his android.

Markus looked over and set down Carl's finished drink. "No... No, I'm sure I didn't."

Carl turned to his daughter. "Did you, Clara?"

She shook her head. "No, they were off when I got here."

He glanced back at his studio. After a moment, Carl instructed Markus. "Call the police."