Two evenings had passed since his talk with Emma. The park had consumed his thoughts the entire time. And now, approaching him wasn’t a machine, but a man. Colin had kicked the ball forward and was chasing it with all his might, aiming to dart past Daniel.

  Football was their favorite pastime. Almost every week, after the long chaos of workdays, they’d gather to kick the ball around. Today was no different—there they were with seven other guys. The teams were split into two, five players each. Jasper was on Daniel’s side, while Colin played for the opposition. The goals and field weren’t regulation size—about half as big—but it was enough for a few friendly matches.

  Jasper, tipping the scales at over 110 kilograms, usually stuck to the goal during these games. People his size were perfect for it—they filled the space, and at such short range, reflexes weren’t a big deal. Daniel was better as a striker, but in this match, he’d opted to hang back in defense.

  Colin, his other close friend, was on the opposing team and itching to play. Not because he loved football that much, but because Jasper was guarding the goal opposite. He got a kick out of scoring against him—it was their eternal rivalry. Colin had a powerful shot and bombarded the hefty keeper with the hardest kicks he could muster. Jasper caught every one, hurling insults back at Colin in return.

  In the end, Colin’s team won. The deciding goal came from him, left alone against Jasper. As their hefty friend cursed and tried desperately to trip him with a kick to the shins, Colin slipped the ball between Jasper’s legs and scored. Most of the other guys—mutual acquaintances—burst into laughter.

  After hitting the showers, they lingered in the steamy locker room. Jasper sat with just a towel draped over his privates. His hefty frame sagged where the fat gathered, and he breathed heavily. He had dark blond hair—almost reddish—and a faint mustache. He was likable, but very overweight. That didn’t stop him from charming women and cycling through them constantly. Daniel had long given up counting or trying to remember them. Jasper would introduce them, and Daniel would just wave dismissively. When it came to picking up women, Jasper was a walking miracle.

  Colin stood before them, naked save for his boxers, waving a towel in front of himself—more to fan some air than out of boredom. Fresh air was sorely lacking in the bathroom. Colin was the tallest of the trio, with strikingly light eyes and dark hair. He was clean-shaven and always dressed sharp. If he could’ve played football in a suit, he would’ve. Even now, next to his bag sat formal shoes, pants that leaned sporty, a white tee, and a light blazer.

  “Where’ve you been, Dani?” they called him that for short. “Haven’t seen you in two weeks. Emma’s got you on a tight leash, huh?” Jasper and Colin exchanged a glance and chuckled quietly.

  “Been swamped with work, guys,” Daniel said, looking first at Colin, then Jasper.

  “That’s what Jasper says too, but last night I saw him with some chick. No time to hang out, he claimed, yet there he was in a bar, wrapped around a redhead. Did you seal the deal, Jasper?”

  Jasper spread his arms wide and kissed the air with his eyes closed. No words needed. Colin and Daniel laughed.

  “At least you’re good at that, ‘cause as a goalkeeper…?” Colin teased.

  “No problem. I scored plenty of goals between a real woman’s legs last night, Colin,” Jasper said, snatching the towel—his only cover—and chucking it at their tall friend. “Lately, you’re only scoring against guys.”

  “If you must know, Jasper—”

  “No need to tell me. I’ve never once seen you with a woman.”

  “Actually—” Colin shifted to defense.

  “There’s no ‘actually,’” Jasper cut him off. “You haven’t gotten laid since last year.”

  Colin opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “He’s gonna lecture me about women and legs…” Jasper stood up, stark naked, his goods swinging freely, and reached out to yank the towel back from Colin.

  They bickered like this often—it was nothing new. It was an unspoken game: see how much you could rile the other up. Naturally, the bigger egos struggled to take it, but the sulking never lasted long.

  “Jasper, can you cover up?” Daniel tried starting indirectly.

  “What, like you haven’t seen it before, bro? Why’s everyone acting like a prude today?”

  Jasper pulled on his shorts commando-style and threw on a black tee that draped over his bulk—a size bigger than his already oversized usual.

  “Heard of FutureRobot?” Daniel decided to cut to the chase. He couldn’t wait any longer.

  Both looked at him oddly. They hadn’t heard of it—he could tell from their faces.

  “Some new virus or something?” Colin laughed.

  “No. A company.”

  “Right, more of your computer geek stuff.”

  “Sort of.”

  “Bro, spit it out, ‘cause I’m running late,” Jasper said, glancing at his watch and tapping his foot impatiently.

  “Have you heard of Hugo Barnes? The Historical Park, anything?”

  “Heard of this, heard of that… Are we on some quiz show?”

  Colin was getting annoyed too.

  “Short version, guys: I’ve got two invites to something new. Something this Hugo Barnes has been working on for forty years.”

  “Wow… How grand,” Jasper mocked without even looking at him.

  “They’re opening a park with robots. Real robots.”

  “Real robots?”

  “Absolutely. With faces, hands, legs, blood.”

  “And where is this thing?”

  “Outskirts of the city. For now, it’s only open to invitees.”

  “And you’ve got invites because…?”

  Déjà vu hit. He had to explain himself again, just like with Emma.

  “Let’s just say I have two invites. For a week in the park.”

  “A week? What are you gonna do there?”

  “No clue, but it’s huge, I swear. No one’s heard much yet ‘cause Barnes wants feedback from the invitees first. He’s invited people from every profession.”

  “And you’re one of them?”

  “Let’s say yes.”

  “Cool, so you’re saying we won’t see you for another week?”

  “No, guys. I want one of you to come with me.”

  “What about Emma? Did you two break up?” Jasper stood, raising a clenched fist.

  “No, no. Nothing like that. She just doesn’t want to.”

  “Doesn’t want to? And she’ll let you go off for a week with robots? Actually, it does sound kinda childish. Her man comes home and invites her to a metal show. Big whoop. And for a week, no less.”

  Hearing it from the outside, it did sound pretty juvenile. Had he explained it right to Emma? Maybe he’d messed up. He’d just talked about robots. What woman cares about robots?

  “Guess I’m not explaining it well…”

  “You’re not. And you’re wasting our time,” Colin said, already standing near the locker room door. The steam had mostly cleared, and the air was fresher now.

  “The robots are real. No metal on them. The metal’s inside, but you don’t see or hear it. And their consciousness, from what I know, is fully independent. That’s how they pitched it to us.”

  “So it won’t be a mess of cables?”

  “Not a single cable in sight, I promise. No cables, no oil drops.”

  “And what’ll we do there?”

  “No idea. But it’s a whole city. Depending on what era we step into, there’ll be everything—cops, diner vendors, prostitutes, you name it.”

  “Prostitutes? You mean I can screw robots?” That was the magic word that always piqued Jasper’s interest. Daniel was starting to regret not leading with it.

  “I guess so, but I don’t know how safe that is.”

  “Bro, I’ve been with all kinds of women, but never a robot. Though, gotta say, I wouldn’t stick it in metal. You never know… that thing’s precious to me.”

  “We’re not going to screw robots, Jasper. We’re going ‘cause it’s free. Once it’s public, none of us will afford it. People like us will just drool over the TV ads.”

  “I’m in. Anyway, I’m dealing with this one chick… Never mind, long story.”

  “And that’s not stopping you?”

  “She wants me to meet her folks. Your idea’s the perfect hideout for a week. But I’ve seen tons of movies. Robots always turn on humans. If that’s the deal here, tell me now. I’ll go crash at her parents’ instead—safer bet.”

  “Look, that’s not guaranteed. But the park’s fine, bro. It’s all in testing.”

  “That’s exactly what worries me.”

  “You coming, Jas?” Colin was still by the door, listening but not chiming in. His expression was part confusion, part irritation.

  “Wait, Col. This is starting to sound better. I’m picturing myself by a pool, lounging on a chair while four blonde bots bring me drinks and sit in my lap.”

  “Blondes, but made of metal,” Colin corrected.

  “Hey, Dani,” Jasper turned to him, “you said two invites?”

  “Yeah. That’s the other option. Don’t know which of you to give it to. If you both want in, I’ll sit it out.”

  Jasper and Colin locked eyes. Colin pulled back almost instantly.

  “You guys go. Sounds dumb to me anyway,” Colin said, opening the door and stepping out. Jasper stared at the door a bit longer before turning to Daniel.

  “Think I pissed him off earlier. I don’t really think he’s gay—just haven’t seen him with a girl in forever. Set it up with the metal hookers, bro. I wanna be the first guy to stick it where oil leaks out.”

  “Well, you probably won’t be the first…”

  They both cracked up.