In the Lives of Puppets

by T.J. Klune

“I like that very much. If I’m like you, that means I’m strong and brave. And if you’re like me, that means you like to clean.”

Reality was clawing at him, but he ignored it for the moment. It would be there, waiting.

“Yes, we. I would not let you go by yourself. You will most likely die without me. If that happened, I would not be there to tell you ‘I told you so.’ I want to have that experience.”

“I’m going too,” Rambo said. “I can help. I can do so many things like clean. And vacuum. And … okay. That’s mostly it, but that’s still a lot.”

“Hugging,” Rambo said. “He’s hugging you. It’s how you show that you’re thankful and happy and best friends.” “That makes n-no sense,” Hap said. “Why not j-just say it instead?” “Because it’s wonderful,” Rambo said, spinning in circles. “Vic’s hugs are the best hugs.”

“And I’m trying not to think about that part so I don’t fall into a never-ending pit of despair that is not only destructive, but self-defeating.

“Rambo, do not lift that. You will die, and then who will I complain about?

“I do declare. This one knows how to handle a lady. I take back every mean thing I have ever said about you.”

“Do not look at my undercarriage.”

“Five. Four. Three. I do not need to count down. I am just trying to make it more dramatic because I can. Two. One. Liftoff.”

“It’s okay, Vic,” Rambo said, bumping against his foot. “I promise. I know it seems hard, but we have to be brave. Your brain is telling you that you can’t, but you don’t always have to listen to it. Sometimes, it tells you white lies. I know it does to me. It says, ‘No, no, you aren’t brave.’ ‘No, you’re scared of everything.’ ‘No, you won’t make it because you’ll die a horribly painful death where your entire body will be crushed and all your innards will fall out.’”

They had a destination, a goal, and it allowed Victor to keep the worst of the hopelessness at bay.

“I doubt the others you have seen are anything like me,” Nurse Ratched said. “I am the best.”

I happen to know that employers once did keep their employees in cages called ‘cubicles’!”

I will remember this moment forever, or at least until my body breaks down, leaving only my deteriorating consciousness that will undoubtedly devolve into a mimicry of human insanity.

“The adults are speaking. Engaging Flirting Protocol. Yoo-hoo. Coachman. One of my arms secretes a viscous liquid not unlike lubrication. Do with that what you will.”

“Sorely wishing we could be anywhere else,” Nurse Ratched said quickly. “Because robots cannot be sore.” On her screen came the words WE ARE BEING RECORDED.

“Maybe we should wait until after the show,” Rambo said. “I’ve never been to one before and I’m curious if it’s as awesome as I’ve made it out to be in my head.”

“Are we there? I’m not ready! I know I’m supposed to be a vacuum, but now I don’t know if I can do it.”

Remember, there are no small parts, only small actors.”

human tastes were very subjective, but a painting of dogs playing cards while smoking cigars was considered art, even if we don’t completely understand why.”

“Please, we’re not supposed to be here.”

Like in the zoo

“Great,” Rambo said. “Now we’re in cages and it’s dark. Anyone else get the feeling that the Coachman has a few screws loose?”

Hap wasn’t happy about it, but Vic knew that was his default setting.

Do humans really experience joy when they see kittens?

“I love humanity. I love their grace. Their faults. Their idiosyncratic ways. They loved, they hated, they destroyed, and yet there has never been anything like them in all the world.”

Though Vic knew this, had turned it over in his mind again and again, hearing it laid bare so clearly tore at him. In his secret heart, hope had flickered like a dying flame.

“Truly? You love him?” “Yes,” Nurse Ratched said. “We do. It may not be quite what Victor feels, but it is there all the same. I do not know how to explain it. I do not know if it is evolution or if it has always been there, waiting to be unlocked in all of us. I do not have a heart. Rambo does not have a heart. But we know how we feel.”

Humans were foolish. Careless. Cruel. But only a few. Most were full of light.”

Socrates. He believed that happiness comes not from bodily pleasures or wealth or power, but from living a life that’s right for your soul.”

“Death … has its usefulness to the living. The moment you were born, you began to die.”

You are finite. Your time is already slipping through your fingers. It creates an urgency within you. To do all that you can. To make things right. I wonder what that must feel like, to have a sense of true motivation.”

There must be no greater feeling in the world than to know that this isn’t forever.”

others could be difficult, but f-forgiving yourself c-can sometimes feel impossible.”

home didn’t have to be a place. Something righted itself in Vic’s chest. He had made his choice.

Think of it as a collective: a group of programs whose sole purpose was to create structure, guidelines, a path for all machines to follow.” “It sounds like religion,” Nurse Ratched said.

“Ah, I see your heart has made you imprudent,”

Never forget what beats in your chest. It will be your guide, and with a little luck, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

“And above all else, be brave.” “Yes. Above all else. We have come this far, Victor. Our odds of success are low. But that has never stopped us before.” “We’ve never tried anything like this,” he reminded her. “Perhaps, but if anyone can do it, it is us.

They died, and the world survived. And now, here you are, flesh and blood and bone. Will you leave destruction in your wake? Or will you be different than those who came before you?

How are we any better than our forebearers?”

There has never been anything like him in all the world. But I also never knew grief before him. Grief that I could create something so fragile from the ashes of the fire I’d set.”

“It’s not just about the heart, is it? It’s more than that.

“A conscience. He grew a conscience and found himself buried in grief.”

It does not matter. It was never about the heart. It is about what we will do for each other. You will build it again. You will make it how it is supposed to be. But it will have to wait until we return to the forest.”