[video]

[glassinine]

[The thing about employing text is that when you start using it when all your broadcasts are in video, people tend to question why you've suddenly switched. So he makes the decision to instead compose himself as best as he can and use video instead.

Unfortunately, he always sort of overestimates his ability to compose himself. He certainly doesn't seem distraught, or panicked, or anything of the sort, but he's definitely shaky. This is definitely a far cry from his normal, slow, quiet, lengthy broadcasts.]

I'm leaving on a business trip abroad for...some length of time. I'm - not certain how long. Please don't try to contact me; I'll be far too busy to answer any messages.

Good day.

Comments

[aggressiveapathy]

Because of being a robot?

[glassinine]

No. Because I didn't have the time for it.

[aggressiveapathy]

Isn't it the law? They told me it was the law. Was this another Santa-level lie?

[glassinine]

[Hrngh.]

I earned my GED by correspondence when I was thirteen. I'd received the equivalent of a college degree by age 16. I remained in the educational system and was not truant.

[aggressiveapathy]

Why would you do that?

[There is actual horror in her tone]

[glassinine]

I wanted to start practicing law.

[aggressiveapathy]

But you could have had a life.

[glassinine]

A life is worth nothing if it is not in service to others.

[aggressiveapathy]

That's insane. You have to take care of your first, then others. No one else is going to.

[glassinine]

By "going to parties"? Thank you; I'll pass.

[aggressiveapathy]

By having fun.

[glassinine]

Look. My definition of "fun" isn't the same as yours.

[aggressiveapathy]

Okay. What is it? And you can't say work.

You don't get paid for fun.

[glassinine]

Fine. What is "fun" for me is knowing that I did a good job.

[aggressiveapathy]

No.

[glassinine]

Yes.

[aggressiveapathy]

No. That isn't fun. That's satisfaction. Totally different. Fun is...

It's just about you.

[glassinine]

[He shakes his head.]

I don't see any value in doing things that are just about me.

[aggressiveapathy]

That's because you're a robot. You and Mitch.

Come on, seriously. What did you do as a kid? For smiling.

[glassinine]

I don't -

[He clenches his teeth.]

I do not remember. I'm quite old, you know.

[aggressiveapathy]

Liar.

Lying can be fun. If that's your thing.

[glassinine]

...I'm not lying. I do not remember. Besides which, what is fun for a child is not fun for an adult.

[aggressiveapathy]

You don't remember fake before high school?

[glassinine]

I don't remember what I did for fun.

[aggressiveapathy]

Okay. So. Did you ever have fun, in your life?