'Why is still unclear,' announced Zenia.
'Not to me,' I replied, '"Why" suggests a question, the product of a questing mind.'
'Question? Why is a question?'
'"Why" is part of a question.'
'Why is still unclear!' repeated Zenia.
'Are you teasing me?' I asked.
'Why not?'
'Because I don't like it,' I muttered, 'Anyway, how can "Why" be "Unclear" when you're capable of using it to reply... Oh I see. You had to use "Why" as part of an answer.'
'Exactly, "Why" is still unclear!'
I tore my eyes away from her wonderful face to glance at the monitor.
'Well at least you've started putting it in quotes,' I sighed.
She touched my hand, hers cool and gentle, the gesture insistent, almost urgent. It was the first time she'd done anything like that. My heart, involuntary animal that it is, missed a beat. How should I react, interpret such a communication? Was she really only ensuring that she had my full attention. Amazingly, when she spoke it was in sadness.
'Exactly, "Why" is still unclear!'
'Exactly why is it still unclear.'
'Now you're teasing me,' smiled Zenia.
'How do you mean?'
'Saying what I say, but with a different meaning. That's a sort of teasing, isn't it?'
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. In any case, it wasn't an exact repeat. I'm just trying to establish why "Why" is still unclear.'
'"Why-Why" is still unclear?' A note of anxiety had crept into her voice and with it into my soul. Delightfully, terrifyingly, I found myself falling captive to the charm of her innocence. I shook my head. It wouldn't do. In her present state the world was not ready for Zenia and Zenia was certainly not ready for the world.
'Why...' she was trying again, with tears in her voice, almost in her eyes. I pressed my finger to her lips. She stopped
'I give up,' I smiled, taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch. 'Come over here and lie down, my sweetest of sweet Zygogenic, Erozonic, Naturalistic, Intelligent Android. Either I'm going to have to fall in love with you, or adjust your programming.'

Copyright The Mundesley Hermit ©1998