Machine Man (serial)

I hesitated. Because, really, is anyone perfect? I don’t think so. Perfect has a strict definition. You can’t be mostly perfect. You can’t be perfect some of the time. You’re either perfect or not. And, honestly, I don’t think biology does perfect. Biology is about good enough. Efficient approximation. A vacuum is perfect. Pi is perfect. People are not.

But I knew this would be a difficult sell to Angelica, as she stood there in the bathroom with a syringe full of meds. Anyway, she wasn’t really asking if I thought Lola was perfect. She wanted to know if I thought Lola was good enough. And the answer to that was yes. Lola far exceeded my expectations, and not just because my expectations were to die alone and friendless. She was amazing. I was too new to the concept of love to feel completely comfortable throwing that term around, but I knew Lola was about the most important thing in my life. So I said: “Yes. She is.”

“Too late,” said Angelica. “You hesitated.”

“What? I was thinking. I was giving your question due consideration.”

“What’s to think about? You either want to cut off parts of her or you don’t.”

“I really object to your characterization. It’s not about cutting off parts. It’s about enhancing functionality.”

“Does Lola know you want to enhance her functionality?”

“I don’t want to enhance Lola!”

“I don’t believe you.” Angelica raised the syringe. This time I was sure she was going to smash it. My legs hiccuped forward of their own accord.

I held out my hands. “Please. Wait. There’s no problem. I promise. Everything’s going to be okay. Please, please, believe me.”

Angelica eyed me. “Now that was sincere. But you’re on notice. I’m watching you.”

At first I was confused. It took me a few moments to figure it out: Angelica thought I’d been talking to her.

113.