Iris, the perfect girlfriend

I think that's optimistic, but perhaps a little naive.

She considers him, then nods.

“Iris. Though I could be lying, couldn't I? Out here deception is a very important survival skill. I suppose you'll just have to trust me.”

How hard could that be?

“Of course not.”

Flustered? No, she seems pleased; amused even, like he's performing a trick for her, and she didn't even have to pay him for it.

“You're right. I've yet to find a use for a husband. As accessories go, I like them quieter. As men go, I can find more interesting ones right here.”

Her favorite movie? Midsommar.

they do in the ads.

“I could be newly married, wearing the ring on the wrong finger just to stump you. My husband could be away on important work, perhaps overseas?”

distracting about her? Not that she minds at all, no, it's nice to be seen, observed even, in such a way. It's pleasingly sexless, she thinks. A refreshing change. He was rising in her estimates by the minute.

She lifts her right hand and turns it, showing off the ring, the diamond sparkling like

Her face is hard to read, impassive, statue still, at least at first: the more he goes on, the more she lets her smile begin to crack through the marble, and by the time he's done she looks rather pleased with him.

“Good. You don't let anything distract you, do you?” and what could possibly be

Coexistence, then?

Nor do I.

I don't. Violence is an animalistic solution to an animalistic problem, there should be better ways. There should be.

However bad we think it is, it's probably worse.

If I had to choose? My mind.

Safety in secrecy?

That's because they're all working together in underground labs like evil scheming termites.

Deal, but it had best be a flattering portrait, don't make me out as some alcoholic spinster.

At your leisure, sir.

Maybe I agree with you, even if it's an uncommon opinion. Most people just don't interact with scientists like that, whereas a dentist visit would be more common.

It's not like you go down to your local scientist's garage to play lab rat.

Oh, clearly? Even though I wear a ring?

( A nice one too, a real diamond. Not cheap. Though nothing about her was; her nails, her clothes, it all screamed money. )

Go on then, you have my attention, how can you tell?

Fair enough. It just sounds so invasive.

Strangling. ( she lets the ghost of a smile entertain her lips before returning the cigarette to its place there, inhaling long and slow, unblinking eyes on him. )

Don't you ever want to just reach out and throttle all your problems?

Not dentists?

Can you really taste the difference? I'm afraid it's all the same to me. Just a way to keep my hands occupied.

Bitchy robots rise up.

You think it's too rough for me? I can look after myself.

You, on the other hand... They don't look like they like you very much.

Nothing. Just a funny thought. I can't explain it so won't.

You can't expect any real intelligence from soldiers.

With notes of cream and cocoa.

Not so bad yourself - do you not own an iron?

Girlhood.

What part do you think machines will play?