The Savior and The Song

Chapter 2- The Painter

Nov 5th, 2038 9:58:04 AM

Markus's POV

I exited the bus and walked down the street until I reached home. I walk up the driveway to the door and the door opens automatically.

"Alarm deactivated. Welcome home, Markus," The automated female voice says. I entered and put the package down on the table and hung my jacket up on the rack. I turned on the Canaries and prepared Carl's breakfast, placing it on the tray.

New Objective: Take the Tray to Dining Table

I obeyed and placed the tray on the table.

Objective Complete

I then retrieved the new paint and placed it in the studio, tidying as I went. When I was finished, I made my way upstairs, into Carl's room. Drawing the curtains back, I heard the older man groan.

"Good morning, Carl," I said, turning around to face him.

"Good morning," He replied, slowly trying to sit up.

"It's 10 am. The weather's partly cloudy, 54 degrees, 80% humidity, with a strong possibility of afternoon showers," I told him.

"It sounds like a good day to spend in bed..." He said, falling back down on his back.

"I did go to pick up the paint that you ordered," I informed him.

"Oh yes, I'd forgotten! That is the difference between you and me, right Markus? You never forget anything..."

New Objective: Administer Carl's Medicine

I grabbed the medication, connecting the two pieces.

"Show me your arm please, Carl."

"No!" He replied.

"Carl..." I warned as I sat down next to him. He sighed, and reluctantly gave me his arm.

"Thank you," I said, as I administered his medication.

Objective Complete

"I just opened my eyes and I'm already gritting my teeth... Humans are such a fragile machine... They break down so quickly... All this effort to keep 'em going... Hey, what happened to your clothes?" He asked, grabbing at me.

"Oh, it's nothing... Just some demonstrators in the street, Carl..." I answered, not wanting to alarm him.

"What a bunch of idiots... They think they can stop progress by roughing up a few androids? I hope they didn't harm you..."

"Oh, no, no...They just pushed me around, Carl. I'm fine," I said as the tiny machine in Carl's arm beeped, "But someone did try to help, and it's funny she said something similar about the demonstrators..."

"She? Did she, by chance, have red hair and a snarky attitude?" Carl asked, obviously intrigued.

"Yes. She also had blue and purple eyes with flecks of white. Do you know her Carl? She said she'd see me again..."

"Well the Earth is big, but it's smaller than people realize. You probably will see her again soon," Carl smiled.

"I'll take you to the bathroom now," I said, realizing that he hadn't used it in hours. I picked him up bridal style and walked to the bathroom. After a few minutes we emerged and I set a fully dressed Carl down in his wheelchair and began pushing it.

"Anything special on the agenda today?" Carl asked.

"Yes, there's the opening of your retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. The gallery director left four messages asking to confirm your attendance," I replied.