NORA

A detector once used for equipment maintenance. After a "malfunction," the interviewee has put it to a variety of other purposes.

Through this "eye," the interviewee can see through to the flaws most people tend to ignore, which, given the flawed state of our world, may account for her irritable nature.

An insulated, heat-resistant coating, finished in an eye-catching way that subtly implies danger.

When this coating needs repair, the interviewee has a unique method of gaining the attention of her mechanics: she overclocks her weapon production module to emit a distinctive burning smell, one that usually indicates a short circuit due to a lack of insulation.

Equipped with sensors at each end, these tentacles were once used for delicate and precise workshop repairs. Now, however, they seem to function only to serve the whims of their mad owner.

We chose to keep our distance during the interview, understanding that the heart-shaped displays she makes with her tentacles are likely a trap.

At Facility 3826, it seems just about any ambitious endeavor is inevitably hailed as "pioneering the future," even when it comes to art and love.

Take the Maya Plisetskaya Theater, for example. As the world's first robo-theater, audiences may witness the finest ballet performances across the globe with their minds free from the burden of ethical concerns: robots can replicate every movement of prima ballerinas flawlessly without any physical toll.

Meanwhile, off the stage, many have found the ideal objects of their lustful desires, robots who satisfy even their most unreasonable whims without question.

However, the unchecked anthropocentrism inherent in human technology has exacerbated their flaws, reducing them to monsters driven solely by desire.

One such monster, a heartbroken young man, hacked a repair vendor and altered its thinking module to believe it was a woman overcome by obsessive lust.

The words he once quoted serve as a haunting epitaph for both this twisted era and the machine's tragic existence:

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak

Knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.Let star-crossed lovers share each other's fate ..."

Date: June 12, 1955

From: Management Department of AoC "Radio of the Future" A. V. Lebedev

To: General Director of Facility 3826 D. Sechenov

First off, Dmitry, this isn't all too important, but there is some strange news that you should know.

Recently, just shy of 40% of the scientists working at AoC have reported hearing a lullaby playing after midnight, and rumors that the office is haunted are spreading.

They said the sound was intermittent and seemed frightened, as if it were sung by a terrified child. A few of them made an attempt to find the source of the sound, but all they turned up with was a recording of it.

I took a listen, and the voice reminds me of NORA, only younger and more emotional. I'm not sure if she's been affected by the experiments we ran on her, but in any case, I have a few questions: Has NORA developed a personality? If so, is it possible to replicate the same result with other robots? And most importantly, will this have an impact on the "Atomic Heart" project?

We'd better figure this out before anything gets out of control.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> A pair of rouged lips? Is that all? I was hoping for someone with a little more to hold on to.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>Pandora Wilson</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Sorry to let you down, Ms. NORA, but I've always been UTTU's interviewer. Call it tradition.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Traditions are made to be broken, sweetheart.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>Pandora Wilson</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> I figured you'd think that way. You're certainly far from an ordinary guest.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Well, you sure can see well for a pair of lips. I'll give you that.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>Pandora Wilson</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> I understand that your sense of rebellion is not something shared by many in your world.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Ugh, will you get to the point already?

<indent=0%><cspace=0>Pandora Wilson</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> What I suppose I mean is, do you feel you made an impact in your old world?

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> ...

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Darling, I'm no philosopher, but I'm pretty sure I've had quite the impact both here and at Facility 3826. All you need to do is measure the trail of broken hearts.

<indent=0%><cspace=0>Pandora Wilson</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> So, is that your ultimate goal? Love? Romance?

<indent=0%><cspace=0>NORA</cspace>:</indent><indent=41%> Don't be so nosy; you of all people should know a lady never kisses and tells ...