It All Turns To Nothing

Thousand Lies

Zhang became the leader figure in an instant, perhaps the rector was Mansoor, but the actual caretaker of the situation became Zhang. Because Zhang truly knows how Petunia actually works, not just in a theoretical sense but in a practical one as well. No one knows exactly how Petunia operates, so Zhang decides to prepare a thousand questions.

He showers and puts on his white shirt over his white undergarments, a routine he's been accustomed to since childhood. Mansoor approaches Zhang and asks:

"Petunia should be interrogated. Here, ask questions to Petunia, and all will be recorded."

Zhang questions, "What questions?"

Mansoor replies in a serious manner, placing his hand on the white table, "Not just what questions, but also who questions, when questions, where questions, why questions, and how questions."

Zhang understood the assignment.

Mansoor, the head of the facility, urges Zhang to begin his work. Zhang is tired of all the chaos surrounding them, but so is everyone else. Anxiety, skepticism, and worry hang heavy in the air. Mansoor places a paper on the table in front of Zhang, who starts to jot down questions:

"What do you think about the soul, Earth, humans, existence, journey, adventure, struggle, joy, sorrow, growth, change, love, friendship, happiness, pain, hope, dreams, purpose, discovery, challenge, success, failure, opportunity, resilience, and passion? Belief, faith, balance, harmony, gratitude, compassion, empathy, generosity, patience, acceptance, forgiveness, reflection, wisdom, courage, determination, inspiration, creativity, imagination, wonder, curiosity, mindfulness, serenity, trust, honesty, integrity, authenticity, humility, kindness, selflessness, sacrifice, resilience, adaptability, flexibility, perseverance, optimism, abundance, simplicity, complexity, and mystery. Who is happy, sad, angry, excited, bored, tired, energetic, lazy, busy, relaxed, anxious, nervous, confident, insecure, brave, cowardly, strong, weak, wise, foolish, honest, dishonest, generous, stingy, kind, cruel, polite, rude, friendly, hostile, patient, impatient, punctual, late, early, quiet, loud, shy, outgoing, humble, arrogant, modest, conceited, sincere, fake, genuine, artificial, thoughtful, careless, cautious, risky, responsible, irresponsible, independent, dependent, resourceful, helpless, optimistic, pessimistic, courageous, fearful, curious, indifferent, creative, dull, imaginative, practical, emotional, rational, impulsive, disciplined, reckless, enthusiastic, apathetic, ambitious, lazy, determined, indecisive, confident, doubtful, charismatic, magnetic, repellent, diligent, slothful, agile, clumsy, graceful, awkward, patient, restless, jovial, gloomy, radiant, dull, vivacious, lethargic, prudent, foolhardy, serene, turbulent, reserved, open, assertive, passive, confident, timid, gregarious, introverted, fierce, gentle, vicious, affable, antisocial, unsociable, composed, agitated, steadfast, fickle, steady, volatile, deliberate, hasty, astute, oblivious, subtle, blatant, witty, dull, facetious, serious, loquacious, reticent, meticulous, careless, diligent, lazy, conscientious, ambivalent, decisive, hesitant, liberal, conservative, innovative, conventional, eccentric, normal, outlandish, predictable, unpredictable, methodical, chaotic, organized, disorganized, logical, illogical, rational, irrational, objective, subjective, pragmatic, idealistic, and realistic. When is when, tomorrow, yesterday, soon, later, now, next, after, before, during, whenever, afterwards, presently, instantly, yesterday, today, tonight, frequently, rarely, seldom, always, often, sometimes, occasionally, ever, never, immediately, suddenly, gradually, promptly, eventually, quickly, slowly, early, late, shortly, periodically, continuously, consistently, regularly, sporadically, rarely, frequently, once, twice, thrice, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, quarterly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, bi-annually, fortnightly, yesterday, today, tomorrow, last, next, this, each, every, in, out, up, down, forward, backward, right, left, inward, outward, here, there, near, far, ahead, behind, inside, outside, above, below, under, over, behind, before, after, until, while, meanwhile, soon, late, early, frequently, rarely, occasionally, sometimes, always, never, ever, suddenly, gradually, promptly, immediately, periodically, continuously, consistently, regularly, sporadically, once, twice, thrice, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, quarterly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, bi-annually, fortnightly, occasionally, systematically, seldom, usually, typically, frequently, sometimes, periodically, regularly, rarely, sporadically, occasionally, randomly, frequently, sometimes, never, rarely, seldom, occasionally, periodically, regularly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, seasonally, routinely, once, twice, thrice, weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, annually, yesterday, today, tomorrow, last, next, this. Where is street, square, avenue, alley, road, boulevard, lane, cul-de-sac, circle, parkway, bridge, park, plaza, promenade, court, garden, terrace, highway, path, trail, way, dock, pier, harbor, wharf, quay, market, mall, shop, store, boutique, gallery, museum, stadium, arena, gym, field, beach, shore, coast, seafront, lakefront, riverbank, mountainside, valley, canyon, plateau, plain, meadow, forest, woods, jungle, desert, oasis, dunes, hills, cliffs, castle, palace, mansion, house, home, apartment, condo, villa, cottage, bungalow, chalet, cabin, tent, campground, hotel, inn, lodge, motel, hostel, resort, campsite, campground, RV park, airport, train station, bus stop, subway station, port, terminal, depot, harbor, dockyard, marina, beachfront, city, town, village, hamlet, settlement, urban, rural, suburban, downtown, uptown, midtown, neighborhood, district, borough, municipality, county, state, province, country, nation, continent, hemisphere, region, zone, territory, land, waterside, riverside, seaside, lakeside, mountaintop, summit, hilltop, cliffside, overlook, lookout, balcony, rooftop, penthouse, attic, basement, cellar, loft, den, studio, office, classroom, auditorium, lecture hall, laboratory, library, lounge, cafeteria, restaurant, café, bar, pub, club, lounge, disco, venue, theater, cinema, auditorium, hall, field, park, garden, square. Why apple, dog, running, rain, car, pizza, book, sun, laughing, tree, elephant, swimming, guitar, sky, coffee, moon, painting, mountain, chair, sleep, horse, banana, soccer, phone, cake, friendship, television, dancing, bird, watermelon, gardening, pencil, music, winter, tennis, flower, breakfast, laptop, yoga, chocolate, football, forest, sunglasses, bicycle, reading, butterfly, plane, rainbow, sunrise, baseball, picnic, basketball, boat, sunset, snow. How to run, swim, eat, sleep, study, dance, cook, write, paint, drive, read, sing, draw, speak, code, walk, jump, fly, think, blink, climb, stretch, lift, solve, create, design, meditate, travel, calculate, organize, negotiate, plan, investigate, communicate, innovate, relax, collaborate, teach, learn, adapt, adjust, focus, balance, play, compete, navigate, volunteer, help, support, encourage, inspire, motivate, influence, care, share, express, analyze, prioritize, delegate, control, coordinate, manage, monitor, review, reflect, strengthen, develop, improve, transform, overcome, face, tackle, resist, embrace, adopt, emulate, utilize, explore, experiment, question, critique, interpret, evaluate, enhance, upgrade, maintain, repair, conserve, preserve, recycle, reduce, reuse, consume, contribute, serve, donate, participate, engage, connect, network, interact, socialize, empathize, mentor, guide, counsel, advise, assist, aid, facilitate, enable, empower, foster, nurture, build, sustain, bolster, amplify, fortify, guard, protect, defend, secure, ensure, assure, verify, confirm, guarantee, certify, validate, authenticate, prove, justify, explain, elaborate, clarify, simplify, demystify, decode, decipher, understand, comprehend, grasp, absorb, learn, acquire, obtain, attain, gain, secure, achieve, accomplish, realize, reach, fulfill, complete, succeed, excel?"

Petunia laughed upon seeing the questions, a surprising reaction from a robot. 

"A-aa-a-aa-a-aa-a!"

But just as quickly, Petunia returned to its emotionless state. Then it answered in a manner that hinted at Petunia's resignation: "A thousand lies."