Machine Man (serial)

I am not a people person. I don’t know why. Maybe you can figure it out and let me know. All I know is any time I’m evaluated, I score very low on social metrics. Also, if there is a party, I’m not invited. Or if I am, the people I’m seated between will both talk to the person on their other side. There’s something about me that is repulsive. I don’t mean disgusting. I mean like magnets. The closer people get to me, the stronger their urge to move away.

I am a smart guy. I recycle. Once I found a lost cat in the city and caught it and took it to the cat home. Sometimes I make jokes. I can tell what’s wrong with your car just by listening to it. I think women are beautiful and can do anything they put their minds to. I like kids, except the ones who are rude to adults and the parents just stand there, smiling. I have a steady job. I own my own apartment. I don’t lie. These are qualities I keep hearing that people like. I can only think there must be some other ingredient no-one is letting on, something vital, because I have no friends, am estranged from my family, and haven’t dated this decade. There is a guy in Lab Control who once killed a woman with his car, and he gets invited to parties. I don’t understand that.

5.