The Mary Jane of Tomorrow
by Emily Short (2016)
Genres: Fanfic

You, Mary Jane Minsky, have a few things to clear up with your best friend Jenny Yoshida. When your robotic birthday gift doesn't go over as planned, you may need to reset your expectations, for her and yourself.

action: Y.
response: debugcheapnitfol quit with exit status: 0
action: %
response: Jenny tilts her head and squints at the Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow. It's dressed in pink and its chassis is chrome-embellished. You even gave it your own hairstyle.

"Do you like her?" you ask.

"Mary Jane, I-" Jenny gives you a sideways look. Things have been weird since you both almost died. You've been trying to listen better. "I wasn't expecting a present like this."

1) "You said you hate being cooped up in the store alone! So now
you can have a replica me. For company!"
2) "I had to recycle a lot of the supplies so my father wouldn't
know what I was working on, but she's got all the same hardware as the Wife of Tomorrow."
3) "Happy Birthday!"
action: 3
response: "Happy Birthday!" you say. You even throw in a cheerleading jump. That always makes her smile.

"This is amazing! And so impressive. You could have your own engineering company if you wanted." But. You can tell there's a but. "I just... couldn't you have made one of me? To run the shop? And then I wouldn't need robot company because I could spend the afternoon with actual you."

1) "I couldn't copy you, silly!"
2) "But... it would've been weird to give you a birthday present
that was another you."
action: 1
response: "I couldn't copy you, silly!" Just the idea of a Jenny of Tomorrow makes you feel strange. You'd be telling her what to do and how to be, a little like your father does with you, and...

"Could you try?" Jenny asks. "It doesn't have to be an exact replica. Just as long as it can ring up purchases and answer some basic plant care questions, it ought to be fine... And maybe you want to make sure it can bake, just in case."

1) "I really like Jenny of Today."
2) "Well, I might need some more training resources..."
3) "Anything you want!"
action: You look
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "I really like Jenny of Today."
2) "Well, I might need some more training resources..."
3) "Anything you want!"
action: 2
response: "I'd need some more training resources," you say. "I don't know all the things you know."

"If you really get stuck, call me," Jenny says. "But I bet you've got more around here than you realize... oh! I'd better get going. Speaking of the shop."

She gets up and gives you half an apologetic smile. You try to think of what to say. While you're thinking, Jenny kisses your cheek and goes out.

"Should I follow her?" The Pine Nut Queen turns hopefully to you.

1) "Not this time, kid."
2) "We've got some more training to do."
action: 2
response: "We've got some more training to do."

"I'd love to!" The Pine Nut Queen takes a seat on the sofa.
"I'd love to!" The Pine Nut Queen takes a seat on the sofa.# The Mary Jane of Tomorrow
Fanfic for Steph Cherrywell's Brain Guzzlers From Beyond! by Emily Short

There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny. Arranged on the coffee table in front of her (to make the room look more realistic) are a poem book and Le Dernier Regret de
Thérèse.
action: About yourself
response: You, Mary Jane Minsky, were the Pine Nut Queen of Canyonville, and before that, Pine Nut Princess. You ride in parades. You taste pies. You have an exquisitely efficient metabolism. You are beloved by the entire citizenry. And that was even before you helped Bonstance Noodleman save the town from the massive brain-suckage induced by incoming yellow-slimed monsters. That's all in the past now. They're probably not coming back.

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow looks at you. And blinks. Twice.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow watches you go through your possessions. "I did not take any of your things, if that is what you are worried about."

Okay, hang on, let's focus.

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow is still able to process new training documents: books, manuals, pamphlets, any kind of written document. You just need to give her something to work with.
action: Open purse
response: The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow changed the combination last week during training, and you never got around to writing down the new combo.

If anything goes too wrong with the training program, you can always reset the Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow back to hardware level with her reset button.
action: You give the poem boom to Pine Nut Queen
response: You can only do that to something animate.
action: You read the poem book
response: The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow has better things to do.
action: You give the poem book to the pine nut
response: (first taking the poem book)
The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow watches you pick up the poem book. "Is that for me?" she asks. "I've got lots of spare storage space still!"

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow scrutinizes the poem book, committing all of its details to memory. "Poetry: Learned! Ennui: Memorized! Would you refrain from boring me with your purposeless tasks?"
action: You ask the pine nut about the pine nut
response: Here we TALK TO people. I'll assume that's what you meant.

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there. I am the Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Your new name is Jenny Yoshida of Tomorrow."
3) "Could you hand me your sash?"
4) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
5) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
6) "How do you feel about parades?"
7) "Can you write me a poem?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 2
response: "Your new name is Jenny Yoshida of Tomorrow."

The Pine Nut Queen of Tomorrow shrugs. "Understood. I'm now Jenny of Tomorrow."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 7
response: "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow says, "Sorry, I don't recall. I need security training."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow puts her hands on her hips in a mock cheerleading stance. "Known skills: pine-nuts; cheerleading; poetry; ennui; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Goodbye, friend!"
action: You give le dernier regret to the pine nut
response: (first taking Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse)
The Jenny of Tomorrow watches you pick up Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse. "Another book. I'm surprised we're not training in the Canyonville Central Library."

Thérèse, but says, "Sorry, I need better French before I can understand such a text."
action: Reset pine nut
response: The button depresses. The Jenny of Tomorrow's head emits a metallic PING!! noise and her eyes flash twice. She is now back on line.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi! I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow plays a mood-enhancing chime. "Known skills: None. At all. I am skill-less. You'd better do something quickly."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Farewell, friend!"
action: You look around
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: Go east
response: "Say hi to Jenny if you call her," says the Jenny of Tomorrow, as you head for the kitchen. Apparently you haven't completely got rid of the training you did last week, imprinting her robot brain with a liking for Jenny. Some things are hard to get rid of even with a reset.

Nothing has ever been prepared in the Ordinary Kitchen, so it is extremely clean and a little short on food and utensils. Still, there are the cabinets (faux walnut) and the sink (functional) to help teach your robot how to interact with a real kitchen. And there's a stove, though to the best of your knowledge the oven has never actually been used.

The telephone hangs on the wall, if you need to call Jenny.
action: You open the cabinet
response: You open the kitchen cabinet, revealing The Polite and Cheerful
Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining.
action: You take the guide to the elegant dining
response: Taken.
action: You go west
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.
action: You give the elegant dining to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow eagerly studies The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining. "Etiquette: Learned! That's cooler than a dead man's nose."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there! I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 2
response: "Could you hand me your sash?" you ask. She looks down at it thoughtfully.

"I really like parades! And sashes! So... I'd rather not."

Admittedly, it's what you'd say in the same situation. You did a great job of training her.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 5
response: "How do you feel about parades?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow lights up. "That's my favorite thing! I am super excited about sash-wearing!!"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Goodbye, friend!"
action: You give the poem book to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the poem book, committing all of its details to memory. "Poetry: Mastered! Ennui: Memorized! No one ever asks what is the purpose of all this reading."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi. I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 6
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow sighs faintly. "Sure." She clears her throat.

"The apocalypse horse grumbles in the basement! Rot! Skeleton dressed in Salmon! Gray suits!"

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Blue rivers! Green valleys! Body of our Mother Earth! Blue Gum tree! The sky is ivory with mushrooms! War! Genocide!"

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Salmon! Pork! The insurance salesmen are everywhere! Salmon! Ham! Buy! And don't be home when the debt comes due!"

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Shrimp! Beef! The traitors swim in the sewers! Ham! Tuna! War! Genocide!"

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 2
response: "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."

"Uh, thanks."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 8
response: "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow shrugs. "Yes. Though honestly they weren't that much worse than the citizens they were replacing. Have you met a guy called Jimmy?"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: You examine the sash
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: You follow you
response: Here we TALK TO people. I'll assume that's what you meant.

The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there. I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

"Where did Jenny go?" Jenny of Tomorrow asks conversationally. "I miss her."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: Go east
response: Nothing has ever been prepared in the Ordinary Kitchen, so it is extremely clean and a little short on food and utensils. Still, there are the cabinets (faux walnut) and the sink (functional) to help teach your robot how to interact with a real kitchen. And there's a stove, though to the best of your knowledge the oven has never actually been used.

The telephone hangs on the wall, if you need to call Jenny.
action: You open the cabinet
response: That's already open.
action: You look in the cabinet
response: The kitchen cabinet is empty.
action: Close cabinet
response: You close the kitchen cabinet.
action: You open stove
response: You open the oven, revealing a stove manual.
action: You take manual
response: Taken.
action: You call Jenny
response: Jenny answers the phone on the first ring. "Yoshida Floral," she says. "What can I do for you?"

"Jenny, it's me," you say.

"Hey," she says. It's only when she's talking to you that her voice settles down to what you think of as its normal sound. Around other people, it's higher and faster.

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could you give me your recipe for Snickerdoodles?"
3) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"

"Well... she'll need to know plant types, so she can answer questions in the shop. She should have enough finance skill to handle the register. And if she can bake, that would help with the illusion. Otherwise... you know what I'm like!"

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could you give me your recipe for Snickerdoodles?"
3) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 2
response: "Could you give me your recipe for Snickerdoodles? Not so I can make it, I wouldn't be good at it, but I need to train the Jenny of Tomorrow."

"It's not written down," Jenny says. "I'd have to work out the quantities... Oh wait! We did write it down and donate the recipe to the Canyonville High Fundraiser Cookbook. I could send it to you by telepod, if you want."

You gave Jenny a telepad. It comes in handy when she wants to send you pies while you're working. You've always been generous like that.

A moment later, you hear the familiar activation sound of the telepod.

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 2
response: "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"

"Ummm." There's a long, tense silence down the phone. "I don't think she needs to know that kind of stuff. Some of what I wrote in there is kind of personal." It stands to reason. Jenny never lets you read her diary, so it makes sense she wouldn't let your robot read it either. But it means you can only make the robot so Jenny-like.

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 3
response: "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."

"Back to painting signs," Jenny says.

Before you can hang up, she adds, "Thanks so much for doing this! ...uh. Actually. Granny's started me doing some ad sign painting. It would save a lot of time if she could do that too...? I don't know if that's too much to ask... Oops, I'd better go. Call me later if you need anything."

You hang up.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)
action: You look
response: Nothing has ever been prepared in the Ordinary Kitchen, so it is extremely clean and a little short on food and utensils. Still, there are the cabinets (faux walnut) and the sink (functional) to help teach your robot how to interact with a real kitchen. And there's a stove, though to the best of your knowledge the oven has never actually been used.

The telephone hangs on the wall, if you need to call Jenny.
action: You go west
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.
action: You give the manual to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow slowly flips through the stove manual, obviously bored. "Advertising: Committed to memory. Fire-safety: Simple enough, I suppose. Poetry: Canceled. Would you refrain from boring me with your purposeless tasks?"
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi. I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 4
response: "Could I have the contents of your chassis?" you ask.

"I'm not that kind of girl," says the Jenny of Tomorrow. Apparently her social conditioning around propriety runs pretty deep.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 6
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow sighs faintly. "You won't be sorry you asked." She clears her throat.

"Bloodshed is red
Mood swings are blue
taffy is sweet
I like it."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"The Trundle Bed of Tomorrow
now available in pink and blue."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 3
response: "That was terrible."

The Jenny of Tomorrow looks annoyed. "I'd like to see you do better."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 3
response: "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow shrugs. "Um... plant early, plant often."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 7
response: "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow sounds exasperated. "You won't be sorry you asked." The Jenny of Tomorrow gets to work trying to draw a flower, but she gets bogged down when it becomes obvious she's never seen an actual flower at all. Her rendition looks a lot like the pattern on the upholstery.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 10
response: "Farewell, friend!"
action: You go south
response: Sink, taps, toilet, even a bath: this is a fully functional bathroom in every sense except that it's not meant to be used by anyone. There's a little closet, not big enough to step into, that would be used to store clean towels if this were a normal household.

On the back of the toilet, someone has left Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth.

The telepod sits in the corner here, just to keep it out of the way.
action: You examine the telepod
response: A large, egg-shaped pod about the size of a garbage can, but lightweight enough for you to lift. There's a closed hatch in the side.
action: You open the telepod
response: You open the telepod, revealing Great Eats From Canyonville
High!.
action: You read the great Eats
response: Most of these were sold as a fundraiser, featuring all the most delicious recipes from teachers and parents at Canyonville High, 1958! There aren't any pictures, so you'll just have to imagine what the Cauliflower Instant Rice Surprise is supposed to look like.
action: You read Goodwyfe
response: Renee describes it as historical literature. It's bound in leather, so it must be quality.
action: You open closet
response: The closet is usually crammed with things that were used to set-dress the Showroom during other training sessions: the Wife of Tomorrow, the Butler of Tomorrow, and so on.

You open the closet, revealing some melted scissors, a collapsible hula hoop and a French Rhyming Dictionary.
action: You examine hoop
response: It makes a very handy circular template when you need one for engineering purposes. Which you currently do not.
action: You examine the scissors
response: At some point, they took a partial blast of pure anti-scissor. The handle is still there, but the blades are completely gone.
action: You drop the scissors
response: Dropped.
action: You read French
response: (Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse)
Supposedly, a famous 19th-century novel about the love affair of model and painter. You are unable to read it, since you didn't take French at Canyonville High. But given the right training, Jenny of Tomorrow would be able to process it. Who knows what she might learn?
action: You read the rhyming
response: This might come in handy if you ever wanted to write books for little Parisian children.
action: You look
response: Sink, taps, toilet, even a bath: this is a fully functional bathroom in every sense except that it's not meant to be used by anyone. There's a little closet, not big enough to step into, that would be used to store clean towels if this were a normal household.

Everything is very tidy in here.

The telepod sits in the corner here, just to keep it out of the way.

You can also see some melted scissors here.
action: You examine the bath
response: The bath is empty.
action: You examine the sink
response: The sink is empty.
action: You examine the tap
response: The sink tap is currently switched off.
action: You turn the tap on
response: You turn on the sink tap.
action: You look at the sink
response: The sink is empty.

The water flows from the sink tap.
action: You examine the water
response: (the bath tap)
The bath tap is currently switched off.
action: You turn off tap
response: You turn off the sink tap.
action: You examine the sink
response: The sink is empty.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)
action: You read the manual
response: "Congratulations, consumer! You've chosen wisely in selecting the MinSystems Stove of Tomorrow for your wife! The Stove of Tomorrow truly is the most advanced stove technology available today. Please review a few simple guidelines in order to enjoy your new stove in safety..."
action: You read the poem
response: It's a thin paperback, barely more than a pamphlet. The cover is black, except for the poet's name, T. Brandt. You've never gotten further than the first page or so, but The Jenny of Tomorrow might be able to do something with it. If for instance you need to teach her a disdain for authority and a general lack of enthusiasm.
action: You read dining
response: Full of helpful hints and line-drawings of utensils in silhouette. If you've ever wondered whether the dessert fork should be placed to the right or the left of the steak knife, this is the book for you. The narration of the guide, as with all the works in this series, is relentlessly positive and enthusiastic. There is nothing negative in the wide world of utensils.
action: You examine table
response: The table is modern and low to the ground. Things are constantly rolling under it and getting lost.
action: You look under the table
response: Hey look, it's Cheyenne Rose! So that's where that went.

The Jenny of Tomorrow practices looking bored.
action: You take Rose
response: You already have that.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)
action: You read rose
response: Someone left this book in the locker room at high school, and it's been making the rounds.

The cover of the novel shows a rugged man on a horse in the foreground, and in the background a woman standing in front of a burning ranch house. "One cowboy! One notorious safe-cracker! And the heart of a woman, forever locked!"

There's a lot about what good, down-home folks the heroes are - not like the snobs and bank people, who deserve to be robbed.

The book tends to fall open on its own to the page about the Dubuque Bank Robbery, where the safe-cracker is listening to the fall of the tumblers, and he realizes he can open a woman's heart by listening just as closely.

The Jenny of Tomorrow says, "I don't know if you've considered constructing the Cowboy of Tomorrow?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow emits a pre-recorded gusty sigh.
action: You look
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.

The Jenny of Tomorrow practices looking bored.
action: You look at the sofa
response: The sofa's been upholstered in large, cheerful pink flowers.

The Jenny of Tomorrow emits a pre-recorded gusty sigh.
action: You look under the sofa
response: You've already found more things tucked under other things than you should expect in a mostly empty showroom. To be frank, the housekeeping isn't all it could be.
action: Go east
response: Nothing has ever been prepared in the Ordinary Kitchen, so it is extremely clean and a little short on food and utensils. Still, there are the cabinets (faux walnut) and the sink (functional) to help teach your robot how to interact with a real kitchen. And there's a stove, though to the best of your knowledge the oven has never actually been used.

The telephone hangs on the wall, if you need to call Jenny.
action: You examine the sink
response: The sink is empty.
action: You turn the tap
response: Nothing obvious happens.
action: You examine Stove
response: (the stove manual)
"Congratulations, consumer! You've chosen wisely in selecting the MinSystems Stove of Tomorrow for your wife! The Stove of Tomorrow truly is the most advanced stove technology available today. Please review a few simple guidelines in order to enjoy your new stove in safety..."
action: You open the oven
response: That's already open.
action: You examine the oven
response: The oven is built-in and has the perfect shininess that results from never baking anything at all.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)
action: You go west
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there. I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow practices looking bored.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow shrugs. "Known skills: etiquette; ennui; advertising; fire-safety; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: Reset
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: Reset
response: What do you want to reset?
action: Reset Jenny
response: The button depresses. The Jenny of Tomorrow's head emits a metallic PING!! noise and her eyes flash twice. She is now back on line.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and closed and locked)

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give the guide
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow avidly studies The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining. "Etiquette: Learned! Holy moly, that was some reading!"
action: You talk
response: What do you want to talk to?
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi! I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 2
response: "Could you hand me your sash?" you ask. She looks down at it thoughtfully.

"I really like parades! And sashes! So... I'd rather not."

Admittedly, it's what you'd say in the same situation. You did a great job of training her.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 5
response: "How do you feel about parades?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "That's my favorite thing! I am really excited about pie-eating!!"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You give Cowboy
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You give Cowboy
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow rapidly studies Cheyenne Rose. "Cowgirl culture: Mastered! Security: Learned! Active listening: Acquired! I feel like we're really communicatin' now."

"You know, pardner, I don't have a hat," says the Jenny of Tomorrow out of the blue. "Six gallon would be good."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there! I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
8) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
9) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow plays a mood-enhancing chime. "Um... I think I would have advised you to set the combination based on something important. Like years of peak pine-nut production!"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
8) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
9) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: You examine the purse
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
8) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
9) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 11
response: "Adios, buddy!"
action: You look at the purse
response: It's pink, and it locks with a combination, so that your most personal and private possessions can't be snooped-on by other people.

Thing is, the Jenny of Tomorrow changed the combination last week during training, and you never got around to writing down the new combo.

You haven't dialed the purse to any combination yet.
action: Unlock
response: What do you want to unlock?
action: Unlock purse
response: What do you want to unlock the pink purse with?
action: You give the bodice to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth. "Medieval times: Learned! Innuendo: Memorized! I feel like we're really communicatin' now."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "How be ye! I'm ye Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

You catch the Jenny of Tomorrow giving you a smoldering stare.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "Could I have the contents of your chassis?"
5) "How do you feel about parades?"
6) "Can you write me a poem?"
7) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
8) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
9) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 4
response: "Could I have the contents of your chassis?" you ask.

"Sure!" The Jenny of Tomorrow opens up her chassis and produces an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report and a Style Handbook of Proper English.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You read Handbook
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You read Handbook
response: According to the introduction, it promises to eliminate foreign, archaic, and slang usages from the owner's vocabulary, leaving behind only that which is idiomatic and suitable for written prose and broadcast television. There are no pictures.

"Why is it a cowboy, and not a cowman?" muses Jenny of Tomorrow.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Howdy, friend! I am ye Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 5
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow mimes drawing a pistol, spinning it around her finger a few times, and holstering it again. "Sure!" She clears her throat.

"Roses are red
violets are blue
sugar is sweet
I like it."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Roses are red
violets are blue
thou lookest funny
but I don't mind."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Mary had a little lamb,
a little Pigeon,
a little Mutton."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
action: 1
response: "Bravo! Well done!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow accepts your praise with a modest smile. "It just came to me. The world is my inspiration."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow says, "Known skills: etiquette; cowgirl culture; security; active listening; medieval times; innuendo; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 10
response: "Goodbye, pardner!"
action: You read the report
response: The report covers the pine nut harvest and pine nut futures. It describes pine nut stockpile levels and average pine nut size. It projects pine nut earnings for years to come. There are graphs representing different weather possibilities. It even has a map of the three different agricultural zones in New Mexico, with charts of how many frost days you can expect in each.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give the report to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow eagerly studies the annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report, committing all of its details to memory. "Finances: Acquired! Pine-nuts: Mastered! Weather: Learned! Well now, that was super intriguin'!"
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Good day to ye! I'm ye Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 8
response: "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her legs. "Oh yes! We based the combination on something important! The years of peak pine-nut production were 13, 34, and 45."

She reaches over and spins the dial a few times, and your purse clicks open.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You examine the purse
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 10
response: "Adios, bud!"
action: You look at the purse
response: It's pink, and it locks with a combination, so that your most personal and private possessions can't be snooped-on by other people.

Thing is, the Jenny of Tomorrow changed the combination last week during training, and you never got around to writing down the new combo.

In the pink purse is a library flyer.

You haven't dialed the purse to any combination yet.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You take the flyer
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow watches you pick up the library flyer. "Is that for me?" she asks. "I've got lots of spare storage space still!"
action: Examine flyer
response: New technology comes to the Canyonville Library! Call the Canyonville Librarian and receive books delivered directly to your personal telepod! No waiting! No lines at the circulation desk! The ultimate convenience for all your reading needs!

* Some restrictions apply.
** Offer valid only to households that possess a telepod.
*** No more than one book per household per week.
**** Book selection is at the discretion of the librarian. This
week's special topic is botanical history!
 Only rhyming requests can be accepted at this time.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You go north
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.

You catch the Jenny of Tomorrow giving you a smoldering stare.
action: You look at the closet
response: Nowadays, the closet is used as a dumping place for Showroom set-dressing props that aren't currently in use.

In the closet is a French Rhyming Dictionary.
action: You go north
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting bolt upright on the sofa and wearing a sash. The sash was a good touch, but it's not very Jenny.

You can also see a coffee table here.
action: You give Dictionary to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the French Rhyming Dictionary. "Rhyme: Acquired! French: I did not spurn what thou asked me to learn! I feel like we're really communicatin' now."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Bonjour! I am ye Jenny of Demain." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 5
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow blinks slowly. "But yes, absolument!" She clears her throat.

"There's a colorful man baptized Max
qui est toujours on guard for attacks
He was gifted at snipin'
And General ass-wipin'
And his medals he piled in stacks."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 5
response: "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for her," you say.

"Ayup!"

The Queen heads over to the kitchen and places the call.

You're not able to hear everything from her side of the conversation, but she comes back a moment later, complaining that the person at the other end described her composition as "drivel" and "doggerel."

"They refused to lend any books on that basis," she says, flouncing back to the sofa.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: You check what you're carrying
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 11
response: "Blessings to ye!"
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You give the dernier to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow rapidly studies Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse, committing all of its details to memory. "Fromage: I've maximized ye merchandise thou requested me to memorise! French: Already know that one. Ennui: Learned! Snobbery: Got it. Painting: I've maximized ye merchandise thou requested me to memorise. I notice thou hast not paid me to read these."
action: You give the flyer to Jenny
response: Sighing, the Jenny of Tomorrow dubiously reads through the library flyer. "Advertising: Thy demands for attention elude circumvention. Meh."

The Jenny of Tomorrow emits a pre-recorded gusty sigh.
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow languidly peruses the Style Handbook of Proper English, obviously bored. "French: Canceled. Cowgirl culture: Canceled. Medieval times: Canceled. I feel like we're really communicating now."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi. I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 4
response: "How do you feel about parades?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow sounds exasperated. "Overrated."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Could you hand me your sash?"
3) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
4) "How do you feel about parades?"
5) "Can you write me a poem?"
6) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
7) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
8) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
9) "What's the weather forecast?"
10) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"
11) "I'm done talking now."
action: 2
response: "Could you hand me your sash?" you ask. She looks down at it thoughtfully.

"Parades are the cattle-drives of the bourgeoisie." Then, when you don't reply, she adds, "Help yourself." She takes off the sash and hands it over.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: You examine the sash
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Cheerio, friend!"
action: You examine the sash
response: Every Pine Nut Queen needs a sash. This used to be yours: pink satin with white lettering.
action: You wear sash
response: You slip the sash over your own head. It feels good. Familiar. "I observe you take refuge in roles assigned by other people," remarks the Jenny of Tomorrow.
action: You look at Jenny
response: The chassis doesn't contain a drinks cabinet, because the Pine Nut Queen is clean-living and doesn't imbibe. Her mini-micro brain uses some of the same circuitry as the Wife of Tomorrow, though.

There's also a gleaming yellow button on the back of her neck.
action: Examine button
response: The button resets the Jenny of Tomorrow, booting her with a new personality and causing her to forget any training she's undergone so far. It has been pressed two times today.
action: You look
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa, and looking frankly a little on the underdressed side.

You can also see a coffee table here.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there. I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 7
response: "What's the weather forecast?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow says, "We can expect high temperatures most of the week."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 4
response: "Can you listen to my troubles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow looks down her nose. "You won't be sorry you asked."

1) "My father wants me to go to a technical college, and I'm not
sure I want to."
2) "I'm afraid of being separated from Jenny if I go to college."
3) "I keep having flashbacks to the Brain-Guzzlers attack."
action: 2
response: There's a lot to explain, and it's hard to get started, so you circle around the topic for quite a while.

Jenny of Tomorrow nods. "College isn't forever, but it is a big change in a person's life, and it can change relationships. Unfortunately, you've a difficult decision in front of you. But there are more possibilities than you've currently considered. For instance, there are correspondence courses if you wish to study without leaving Canyonville. Most of all, you've not talked to Jenny about this, and it would help a lot to get her opinion. She's probably worried about that part of the future too."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

If it's possible to look both seductive and bored at the same time, the Jenny of Tomorrow is doing a good impression of it. "Known skills: etiquette; security; active listening; innuendo; finances; pine-nuts; weather; rhyme; fromage; ennui; snobbery; painting; advertising; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Okay, whatever."
action: Go north
response: You can't go that way.

The Jenny of Tomorrow eyes the sofa upholstery. "Would you say these flowers were better described as puce, or venetian red?"
action: You call Jenny
response: Jenny answers the phone on the first ring. "Yoshida Floral," she says. "If you're calling about the misprinted coupon in the Canyonville Gazette, we will be honoring it through next week."

"Jenny, it's me again," you say.

"Oh, hi!"

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup."
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
5) "I'm worried about moving away from you for college."
action: 5
response: You take a deep breath and then just say it. "I'm worried about moving away from you for college."

Jenny is silent for a long moment. "Me too," she says. "But I didn't want to sound like I'm keeping you from doing what you want. And I know it means a lot to your father, for you to go."

"Yeah."

"I really want to talk about this more," Jenny says. "Sometime when I'm not watching the store. We need to talk in person."

But at least now the topic isn't lurking like one of those Guzzlers in a creepy yellow egg-seed, waiting to climb out.

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup."
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"

"Well... she'll need to know plant types, so she can answer questions in the shop. She should have enough finance skill to handle the register. She should be able to paint ad signs, too. And if she can bake, that would help with the illusion. Otherwise... you know what I'm like!"

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup."
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 4
response: "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."

"Back to painting signs," Jenny says.

Before you can hang up, she says, "Thanks again!"

You hang up.
action: You call Jenny
response: Jenny answers the phone after a couple of rings. "Yoshida Floral," she says. "You'll never exceed a bouquet from Yoshida."

"Jenny, it's me again," you say.

"Oh, hi!"

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup."
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 3
response: "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup," you say. This is it: Jenny's going to judge your work.

"Wait, really? I'll be right over!"

" Jenny's at the door. She looks... like someone has just given her the key out of prison. Wow. Maybe you didn't quite realize how much she hates working in that shop every day.

"Go for it," you say, and gesture at Jenny of Tomorrow.

"Okay," says Jenny. "I'll just try to think of stuff I would ask her... I mean that I would ask me. Or, no, stuff that other people would ask me."

You give her a little nod. It's a sensible approach.

"

If it's possible to look both seductive and bored at the same time, the Jenny of Tomorrow is doing a good impression of it. "Pine-nuts are a tolerable plant highly recommended by the local Nut Farmers Association."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"How much change would you give if I bought an apple sapling with a five dollar bill?"

If it's possible to look both seductive and bored at the same time, the Jenny of Tomorrow is doing a good impression of it. "That would be four dollars and sixty-nine cents, accounting for the six cents of local tax on top of the standard sapling price of twenty-five cents."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Can you listen to my troubles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow shrugs. "You won't be sorry you asked."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 3
response: You don't try to say anything. Best just to wait and see how this plays out.

"Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow sniffs commandingly. "If I must." The Jenny of Tomorrow gets to work trying to draw a flower, but she gets bogged down when it becomes obvious she's never seen an actual flower at all. Her rendition looks a lot like the pattern on the upholstery.

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 1
response: "I don't know why she does that," you say.

Neither Jenny of Today nor Jenny of Tomorrow look your way.

"What's the weather forecast?"

If it's possible to look both seductive and bored at the same time, the Jenny of Tomorrow is doing a good impression of it. "We're looking at light rainfall starting by mid morning and stopping by Wednesday. I mean, I think. I can't look outside from here."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Where are you really from?"

If it's possible to look both seductive and bored at the same time, the Jenny of Tomorrow is doing a good impression of it. "I was manufactured right here in Canyonville!" she says brightly.

Jenny giggles. "That's... yeah. That's perfect."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"I'd be worried about her trying to use the oven when she doesn't know how," comments Jenny. "Fire safety is important."

It looks like Actual Jenny has something else to add, so you wait for it.

"Um," says Jenny. "This is what you think I'm like? I don't even recognize me."
action: Reset
response: What do you want to reset?
action: You go west
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa, and looking frankly a little on the underdressed side.

You can also see a coffee table here.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: Reset Jenny
response: The button depresses. The Jenny of Tomorrow's head emits a metallic PING!! noise and her eyes flash twice. She is now back on line.
action: You give the dernier to Jenny
response: Thérèse, but says, "Sorry, I need better French before I can understand such a text."
action: You give french Dictionary to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow avidly studies the French Rhyming Dictionary. "Rhyme: Mastered! French: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise! That's cooler than a fish."
action: You give the dernier to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse, committing all of its details to memory. "Fromage: All of this learning sends my positrons churning! French: Already know that one. Ennui: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise! Snobbery: Simple enough, I suppose. Painting: Your demands for attention elude circumvention. Would you refrain from boring me with your purposeless tasks?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give the guide to Jenny
response: You can only do that to something animate.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You give polite to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow slowly flips through The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining, obviously bored. "Ennui: Canceled. Etiquette: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise! Merci!"
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Bonjour! I'm le Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow mimes smoking a cigarette in a very long holder. "Known skills: rhyme; fromage; french; snobbery; painting; etiquette; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
7) "What's the weather forecast?"
8) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
9) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Great talking to you, friend!"
action: You give Rose to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow dubiously reads through Cheyenne Rose. "Cowgirl culture: All of this learning sends my positrons churning! Security: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! Snobbery: Canceled. Active listening: All of this learnin' sends my positrons churnin'! That's cooler than a cast-iron commode on the north end of an iceberg."
action: You give Handbook
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the Style Handbook of Proper English. "French: Canceled. Cowgirl culture: Canceled. That's cooler than a frog."
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You give the report
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report, committing all of its details to memory. "Finances: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise! Pine-nuts: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! Weather: All of this learning sends my positrons churning! That was really a high-value use of my time!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You give Eats
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow eagerly studies Great Eats From Canyonville High!. "Cookery: Acquired! I feel like we're really communicating now."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi! I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "Known skills: rhyme; fromage; painting; etiquette; security; active listening; finances; pine-nuts; weather; cookery; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 3
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow lights up. "Sure!" She clears her throat.

"There's an angular man from St Kitt's
who ate nothing but affluent grits
Seems his sister, named Nan,
Stole his money and ran,
And he found being broke was the pits."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"There's an arduous man of San Juan
and in contests of brain, he lacked brawn
He juggled with maces
In low-ceilinged places
And instead of an ox bought a fawn."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: Reset
response: While you're conversing, you can only pick conversation options.

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 1
response: "Bravo! Well done!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow accepts your praise with a modest smile. "It just came to me. The world is my muse."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 10
response: "Farewell, prospective investor!"
action: You give French
response: Which do you mean, the French Rhyming Dictionary or Le Dernier
Regret de Thérèse?
action: You give Dictionary
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the French Rhyming Dictionary. "Rhyme: Memorized! French: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise! Merci!"
action: You give Handbook
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the Style Handbook of Proper English, committing all of its details to memory. "French: Canceled. That was fascinating!"
action: You give the guide
response: (to the Jenny of Tomorrow)
The Jenny of Tomorrow avidly studies The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining, committing all of its details to memory. "Etiquette: All of this learning sends my positrons churning! Golly, that was eye-opening reading!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there! I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 3
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow plays a mood-enhancing chime. "Sure!" She clears her throat.

"Roses are red
violets are blue
taffy is illustrated
and so are you."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"Roses are red
violets are blue
onions stink
peonies are pink."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 5
response: "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for her," you say.

"I'd love to!"

The Queen heads over to the kitchen and places the call.

You're not able to hear everything from her side of the conversation, but she comes back a moment later, complaining that the person at the other end described her composition as "drivel" and "doggerel."

"They refused to lend any books on that basis," she says, flouncing back to the sofa.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 3
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "Sure!" She clears her throat.

"I once knew a small lad from Lahore
who signed up for a stint in the war
But at his first muster
the war lost its luster
As his hairline had done just before."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 3
response: "That was terrible."

The Jenny of Tomorrow looks annoyed. "You are the one who programmed me!"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You give the report to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report. "Finances: Acquired! Pine-nuts: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! Weather: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! That's cooler than a fish."

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: 3
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow lights up. "I'd love to!" She clears her throat.

"I once knew an old person called Thor
of whose sense there was no guarantor
He juggled with maces
In low-ceilinged places
His diploma's sent back to the store."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 4
response: "Ooh, do me another one!"

"There was once a large sailor of Bonn
who in matters of wit was no swan
But he flattered the Queen
and paid court to a Dean
And he took out a loan for a lawn."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 1
response: "Bravo! Well done!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow accepts your praise with a modest smile. "It just came to me. The world is my inspiration."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow plays a mood-enhancing chime. "Known skills: rhyme; etiquette; finances; pine-nuts; weather; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: You give poem to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the poem book, committing all of its details to memory. "Poetry: Memorized! Ennui: Learned! Would you refrain from boring me with your purposeless tasks?"
action: You give Rhyming to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow languidly peruses the French Rhyming Dictionary, obviously bored. "Rhyme: Committed to memory. French: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise. That's duller than a post."
action: You give cheerful to Jenny
response: Sighing, the Jenny of Tomorrow slowly flips through The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining. "Ennui: Canceled. Etiquette: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise! Merci!"
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the Style Handbook of Proper English, committing all of its details to memory. "French: Canceled. That was fascinating!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hello there! I'm the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "Known skills: poetry; rhyme; etiquette; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 3
response: "Can you write me a poem?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "I'd love to!" She clears her throat.

"Although we ne'er may meet again,
Enticed by you I shall remain.
You graced the front of Pine Gazette,
That meeting I shall ne'er forget.
I would not say, 'I love,' but still,
Forgetting you is all uphill.
Sweet girl! though only once we met,
you'd ornament my new Corvette."

1) "Bravo! Well done!"
2) "I'm really coming to respect you as an artist."
3) "That was terrible."
4) "Ooh, do me another one!"
5) "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for
her."
action: 5
response: "Let's phone the librarian now and you can recite that for her," you say.

"Sure!"

The Queen heads over to the kitchen and places the call.

You're not able to hear everything from her side of the conversation, but a few moments later, there's a familiar sound from the telepod.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You look at the telepod
response: A large, egg-shaped pod about the size of a garbage can, but lightweight enough for you to lift. There's an open hatch in the side.

In the telepod is a French botanical book.
action: You get the book
response: (the French botanical book)
Taken.
action: You read the botanical
response: The stamping on the spine says Société botanique de France, and there are lots of very pretty drawings of flower types inside. Unfortunately, you can't read a word of it. But the Jenny of Tomorrow might be able to, with the proper training.
action: Go north
response: There are plenty of actual laboratories at MinSystems Labs. This isn't one of those: you train your robots in an ordinary household setting.

Off to the east is the kitchen area, panelled in faux walnut, and there's a bathroom, south, just for the sake of verisimilitude. The robots do not need to use it.

The Jenny of Tomorrow is sitting properly on the sofa, and looking frankly a little on the underdressed side.

You can also see a coffee table here.

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give Rhyming to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the French Rhyming Dictionary. "Rhyme: Already know that one. French: All of this learning sends my positrons churning! Merci!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You give botanical to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over the French botanical book. "Botany: Acquired! Merci!"
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a French botanical book
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give the report to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow rapidly studies the annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report, committing all of its details to memory. "Finances: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise! Pine-nuts: Mastered! Weather: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise! That was très très a high-value use of my time!"
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the Style Handbook of Proper English. "French: Canceled. That's cooler than a toad's nose."
action: You give Rose to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over Cheyenne Rose. "Cowgirl culture: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! Security: All of this learnin' sends my positrons churnin'! Active listening: Memorized! I feel my brains expandin' just lookin' at this!"
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the Style Handbook of Proper English, committing all of its details to memory. "Cowgirl culture: Canceled. That's cooler than a dead man's nose."
action: You give Rhyming to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow avidly studies the French Rhyming Dictionary. "Rhyme: Already know that one. French: Learned! Gee whiz, that was some reading!"
action: You give the dernier to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow eagerly studies Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse, committing all of its details to memory. "Fromage: I did not spurn what you asked me to learn! French: Already know that one. Ennui: Mastered! Snobbery: I've maximized le merchandise you requested me to memorise. Painting: Your demands for attention elude circumvention. That's duller than a bucket of ditchwater."
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow dubiously reads through the Style Handbook of Proper English. "French: Canceled. No one ever asks what is the purpose of all this reading."
action: You give the guide to Jenny
response: You can only do that to something animate.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a French botanical book
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You give the elegant to Jenny
response: Sighing, the Jenny of Tomorrow dubiously reads through The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining. "Ennui: Canceled. Etiquette: Already know that one. I feel like we're really communicating now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.
action: You give Eats to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow regards the cookbook with contempt and crosses her arms. "That calls itself a cookbook?" she says. "There is nothing in there that would be fit for a dog."
action: You give the bodice to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow rapidly studies Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth. "Medieval times: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise! Innuendo: I did not spurn what thou asked me to learn! I feel like we're really communicating now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give Rose to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow dubiously reads through Cheyenne Rose, committing all of its details to memory. "Cowgirl culture: Learned! Security: Already know that one. Snobbery: Canceled. Active listening: Already know that one. I feel my brains expandin' just lookin' at this!"

The Jenny of Tomorrow crosses her metal legs, the opposite way from before.
action: You give Eats to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow pores over Great Eats From Canyonville High!, committing all of its details to memory. "Cookery: Acquired! That was fascinating!"
action: You give Handbook to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow rapidly studies the Style Handbook of Proper English, committing all of its details to memory. "Cowgirl culture: Canceled. Golly, that was eye-opening reading!"
action: You give Stove to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow scrutinizes the stove manual. "Advertising: Learned! Fire-safety: I've maximized the merchandise you requested me to memorise! Poetry: Canceled. That's cooler than a frog."
action: You talk to Jenny
response: The Jenny of Tomorrow begins to speak: "Hi! I am the Jenny of Tomorrow." She looks nothing like actual Jenny, which is disconcerting.

The Jenny of Tomorrow tosses her hair.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 1
response: "Remind me what you're trained in right now."

The Jenny of Tomorrow lights up. "Known skills: botany; finances; pine-nuts; weather; rhyme; fromage; painting; etiquette; security; active listening; cookery; advertising; fire-safety; ...and that's it."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 2
response: "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow says, "Plant summer squash in late May and expect to harvest by fall."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 4
response: "Can you listen to my troubles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "Sure!"

1) "My father wants me to go to a technical college, and I'm not
sure I want to."
2) "I keep having flashbacks to the Brain-Guzzlers attack."
action: 2
response: You talk about the ooze, and the noise of the saucers. You talk about the nightmares. You talk about the time when you thought Jenny was dead. It's not a very organized explanation.

Jenny of Tomorrow listens for a while. "I fear you've experienced something very frightening," she says. "It's almost as though you've been to war. After something like that, you may expect some long-term effects."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 5
response: "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "Sure!" The Jenny of Tomorrow gets to work with pastels on board. Thirty minutes later, there's a full-color sign wreathed in a border of botanically-accurate heather blooms, surrounding exquisite lettering inviting the buyer to buy seedlings now, 5 cents for a packet.

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 6
response: "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow lights up. "I could, though I could also do something else if you wanted. Would you like a Finn, perhaps paired with some Orange jam?"

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 8
response: "What's the weather forecast?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "We're looking at decreasing winds starting later today and persisting until Wednesday."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 9
response: "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost singlehanded?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "Not quite singlehanded. But I was part of the team that pulled it off."

1) "Remind me what you're trained in right now."
2) "Can you give me some tips about plant care?"
3) "Can you write me a poem?"
4) "Can you listen to my troubles?"
5) "Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"
6) "Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"
7) "Do you remember how to unlock my purse?"
8) "What's the weather forecast?"
9) "Is it true you fought off the Brain Guzzlers almost
singlehanded?"
10) "I'm done talking now."
action: 10
response: "Goodbye, prospective investor!"
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a French botanical book
a sash (being worn)
a French Rhyming Dictionary
a library flyer
a Style Handbook of Proper English
an annual Canyonville Pine Nut Harvest report
Cheyenne Rose
a collapsible hula hoop
Great Eats From Canyonville High!
Ye Goodwyfe's Bodice Overfloweth
a stove manual
The Polite and Cheerful Girl's Guide To Elegant Dining
Le Dernier Regret de Thérèse
a poem book
a pink purse (being worn and open but empty)
action: You call Jenny
response: Jenny answers the phone after a couple of rings. "Yoshida Floral," she says. "We have a special on roses all this week."

"Jenny, it's me again," you say.

"Oh, hi!"

1) "Remind me what the Jenny of Tomorrow should do?"
2) "Could I borrow your diary to train her with?"
3) "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup."
4) "Okay, thanks! I'll call you back when she's ready."
action: 3
response: "Fake Jenny is ready for her closeup," you say. This is it: Jenny's going to judge your work.

"Wait, really? I'll be right over!"

" Jenny's at the door. She looks... like someone has just given her the key out of prison. Wow. Maybe you didn't quite realize how much she hates working in that shop every day.

"Go for it," you say, and gesture at Jenny of Tomorrow.

"Okay," says Jenny. "I'll just try to think of stuff I would ask her... I mean that I would ask me. Or, no, stuff that other people would ask me."

You give her a little nod. It's a sensible approach.

"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "In this part of New Mexico, plant beans indoors in early May, outdoors in late May, and expect to harvest in September to mid-October."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"How much change would you give if I bought an apple sapling with a five dollar bill?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "That would be four dollars and sixty-nine cents, accounting for the six cents of local tax on top of the standard Conkling sapling price of twenty-five cents. Or, if they went for the more deluxe Tom Blake Hard Times, the base price would be fifty cents with twelve cents tax, for change of $4.38."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Can you listen to my troubles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "Sure!"

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Can you paint a sign advertising seasonal flowers?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow plays a mood-enhancing chime. "You won't be sorry you asked!" The Jenny of Tomorrow gets to work with pastels on board. Thirty minutes later, there's a full-color sign wreathed in a border of botanically-accurate lavender blooms, surrounding exquisite lettering inviting the buyer to buy seedlings now, 5 cents for a packet.

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Do you know how to bake Snickerdoodles?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "I could, though I could also do something else if you wanted. What would you say to Arugula Mashed Potato Divinity?"

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 3
response: You don't try to say anything. Best just to wait and see how this plays out.

"What's the weather forecast?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow pauses a moment before replying, "We're looking at rising pressure starting in a few hours and stopping by Monday."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Where are you really from?"

The Jenny of Tomorrow tilts her head pleasantly. "I was manufactured right here in Canyonville!" she says brightly.

Jenny giggles. "That's... yeah. That's perfect."

1) "I don't know why she does that."
2) "Good, isn't she?"
3) "..."
action: 2
response: "Good, isn't she?" you say.

Jenny flashes you a smile.

"Is it true you knew Tokyo Rose?" Jenny asks the robot.

"I don't know who that is," says the Jenny of Tomorrow.

When people find out Jenny was at Gila River Internment Camp, they come out with all kinds of questions, even though she was still a little kid when she left. Questions about whether she knew spies there, and what it was like, and why her family didn't go back to Fresno afterwards. Since Jenny's Granny doesn't talk about that topic, Jenny doesn't know the answer either. She told you once that the main thing she remembers is being warned to look out for scorpions.

Jenny's being very quiet, looking at the Jenny of Tomorrow, so you say, "She isn't able to get upset about stupid questions."

Jenny nods. "That's good. Useful feature."

The Jenny of Tomorrow looks at Jenny hopefully and smiles.

Everyone is quiet for a moment, waiting for Jenny to say whatever she's going to say.

It looks like Actual Jenny has something else to add, so you wait for it.

"I'm... honestly I'm kind of amazed," says Jenny. "She's so detailed. And definitely a better painter than I am."

1) "I've had a lot of time to study the original."
2) "I love you."
action: 2
response: "I love you."

It gets easier to say with practice. And it seems to need repetition, because every time you think things are finally clear between you and Jenny, they get muddied up again. But you're getting better at it. Maybe now you can actually talk about what's going to happen after this summer.