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You really hope you’re not having a test today.
Only a few weeks into your apprenticeship, and it’s become a pattern: every Friday seemed to be a test day.
It makes sense, you’re still learning the basics, and Ford wants to make sure he can leave you unattended for more than ten seconds in his lab.
Can’t have an apprentice that sets off an explosion the moment he turns his back to read his notes.
But goodness, you’re a little tired of the tests; or rather, tired of the nerves that spring up at the thought of failing them.
You’ve been doing well on them, as far as Ford has made you aware, and you would really like to keep it that way.
Walking up to the wooden cabin, you adjust your backpack as you step onto the first step of the stairs, as per usual.
Normally, the front door is left unlocked for you to walk in without waiting outside in the elements for someone to let you in.
Today however, before you even make it to the top step, the door swings open with a barrage of bickering coming from inside, stopping you in your tracks.
“— and I swear, if I see a single scratch when you come back–”
“I’m not going to scratch up your car, Stanley. It’s just a quick drive up and down the hill–”
Stan and Ford go back and forth as they exit the shack, both stopping just outside the doorway when they notice you standing there at the same time.
In a moment of cartoonish awkwardness, the three of you just look at each other in silence, waiting for someone to speak up first.
Being the person he is, Ford takes the opportunity, asking in an awkward, attempting to be inoffensive tone,
“Er, what are you doing here?”
“… It’s Friday?”
You answer more as a question than as an answer, and you see Stan’s brows raise as he turns to his twin.
“You forgot to cancel today?”
“I…”
Ford ducked his head to rub at the back of his neck, looking rather sheepish.
“I supposed I misread my calendar…”
“What’s going on?”
You looked back and forth between the twins, a little worried you walked all the way out here for no reason and were going to be sent home.
“This guy right here is stealing my car to see his old college buddy.”
Stan explained as he lightly backhanded his brother on the shoulder, Ford shooting him a glare while smacking his hand away.
“I am not just going to see my friend, I’m picking up something important from him.”
Ford elaborated further, sighing to himself before turning to address you properly.
“I have a friend from college who lives up on one of the hills. He’s a mechanic and computer genius, so he does maintenance on my equipment and invents new ones for me. I was on my way to pick up a machine I commissioned him to make and have him run me through how to operate it.”
Ah, you see.
You give a little nod of understanding, already setting it in your head that you’re likely going to be told to head back home.
“Oh, okay.”
You try not to sound a little dejected, hoping that maybe with the car, Ford will just drive you back home.
He at least sounds apologetic that he didn’t warn you he was busy, maybe that will extend to him making it up to you.
“Forgive me for not giving you a proper heads up and having you come all this way for nothing.”
Ford speaks as he holds his hand out to Stan, who rolls his eyes as he pulls out his keys for his El Diablo, and Ford snatches them from his hand before making his way past you down the porch steps.
“If you want to wait for a lesson, I’ll be back in two hours tops, but I also understand if you prefer to go home–”
He stops in his tracks on his way to the car, standing there for a moment before he turns back to you.
“Well, actually… Why don’t you come with me?”
“Huh?”
You straighten your posture, moving to fully face him as you remain on the stairs.
“I think it would be good for you to come and meet him,”
Ford explained, voice raising in pitch with mild excitement.
“I was going to arrange for you two to meet eventually, as I plan on entrusting him with your studies during the times I’m away. I believe the sooner you’re both acquainted, the better.”
“Oh, uh, okay.”
You nod, understanding his reasoning, even if you’re hesitant.
You were not expecting to meet anyone new today, let alone someone Ford seemed to highly trust.
He didn’t seem like the guy to have many friends outside his family, and while you’re glad you’re wrong, you’re also a little frustrated you’re wrong.
You want to make a good first impression, and you have not mentally prepared yourself to be presentable when you left the house this morning.
This really was just going to be another test: befriend your mentor’s friend who would be your second mentor.
“I suppose I could tag along, if that’s okay.”
You give your answer sheepishly, seeing Ford’s face light up with a smile.
“Great! Go ahead and leave your bag here, we can do a small lesson once we get back.”
…
“So, what’s your friend’s name?”
You ask as you try to ignore the jitteriness in your stomach, wanting to get as much information as you could about this “friend” to better know how to act around him.
The car was already fast approaching the supposed hills where this friend lived, so you only had so much time to prepare yourself.
“Fiddleford McGucket.”
Ford answered fondly, using a tone that successfully convinced you that he was not joking, but still…
What a name.
“Fiddle-ford… McGucket…”
You repeated the name slowly to yourself, getting a nod of approval from Ford as he focused on the road.
“You got it.”
“You said you two met in college?”
“Yes, we shared a dorm room together.”
“So, is he a Dr. McGucket, like you? Or Mr. McGucket?”
You ask earnestly, looking over at Ford when you hear him chuckle.
“No doctorates, but he won’t have you calling him mister either. He’ll likely ask you to call him by his first name.”
“Mr. Fiddleford.”
“Well, he also goes by Fidds.”
“Mr. Fidds.”
Ford shot you a quick, amused look before turning back to watch the road, shaking his head.
“I cannot wait to see how this unfolds. Unstoppable politeness against immovable hospitality.”
“I just want to make a good first impression.”
You shrug as you stare out the front window, hearing Ford hum.
“You already have left a good first impression.”
“Pardon?”
You turn your head back to him, confused.
Did you already meet him? Maybe he came into the library you worked at before taking the apprenticeship.
Though judging by the way Ford rubs the back of his neck, you suspect it was more his doing than your happenstance meeting.
“Well… I may have mentioned you to him.”
He confesses a little sheepishly, quickly turning defensive.
“We call and visit each other every now and again to catch up! I couldn’t not tell him about taking on an apprentice, he should know I now have a student I’m mentoring.”
“Oh, I see.”
You nodded in understanding.
Made sense, especially since they’re friends.
“Did he at least have a good reaction to that news?”
“Eh, he was admittedly a bit skeptical at first.”
Ford went onto explaining,
“Let’s just say I haven’t had the best track record in the past with making trustworthy alliances. Though after I explained that you’re definitely human, he seemed more delighted I found someone like-minded to me.”
You’re about to question what “definitely human” means, but the car hits an incline as Ford drives up a hill, saying a quick,
“We’re almost there.”
“Oh– Quick, I need to know anything important that I should be aware of.”
You shuffled in your seat to give Ford your full attention, and he briefly glanced at you from seeing the movement in his peripheral.
“What?”
“I need to know what I should do or not do. I don’t want to accidentally offend him, so what should I avoid bringing up?”
You hear a small huff of amusement from Ford as he smiles, keeping his eyes on the road.
“Alright, then. A crash course on Fiddleford McGucket.”
You sat up straighter in your seat, prepared to listen.
“He has degrees in both engineering and computer science. He’s a brilliant mind, and any rumors you’ve likely heard about Southern hospitality? He proves them all right, so I imagine you both will get into a politeness-off.”
Ford chuckles at his own comment.
“You two will either get along great or have the friendliest rivalry known to man.”
You nervously laugh, some of your earlier anxiousness dying down, but now a new issue arises.
You’re glad this friend of his has a politeness streak, but you worry it’s to an overwhelming degree, which would then naturally mean you have to meet that expectation to match him, and it becomes an exhausting competition of trying to out-do the other.
… And then another potential new issue arises when the treeline parts and reveals that the hill road you’re on leads to a giant mansion at the top.
“Is that where he lives??”
You pointed to the building you’re supposedly traveling to, seeing Ford nod.
“Yes. It’s quite spacious.”
“How much did that cost?”
“Oh, he made a fortune overnight selling his patents to the government.”
Ford explained as he slowed the car to a stop at the closed front gate of the mansion.
“This used to be the mansion of the Northwests, the fraudulent town founders. They lost their fortune last year and had to sell their mansion, and Fiddleford swiped it up the moment it hit the market. Give me a moment.”
He rolled down his window to poke his head out, and from where you can see, there’s a rather janky-looking intercom machine just outside the closed wooden gate that Ford shouts at for it to hear,
“Stanford F. Pines.”
“ACCESS GRANTED.”
A robotic voice came from the intercom, and the mansion gate began to slowly open.
Oh boy, this was it.
You’re about to meet the rich, polite friend of your mentor.
You’re not intimidated, absolutely not!
Watching out the window as Ford drives past the gates and into the front yard, you’re astounded to find not only a luscious garden, but also a fountain that centerpieces it all, right outside the front door.
Whoever had this house originally built had a disgusting amount of money…
Ford pulls the car up to the front to park as close to the large double doors as possible, shutting off the car and signalling for you to get out and follow him to the front.
“Uh, is there anything else I should know before meeting him?”
You ask in a hurry as you and Ford climb up the steps to the front door. … Doors…
“… Are you nervous?”
Ford quietly laughed as he turned to look back at you, stopping right in front of the doors in preparation to press the doorbell.
You give a little shrug, unsure how to answer, and Ford lets out a small huff from his nose as he rings the doorbell.
“You have nothing to worry about. I’m certain you two will get along just fine.”
Sure, maybe.
You’ll try to be more sociable, though this seems more like a business meeting between two friends.
You wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.
Barely a second after Ford had pressed the doorbell, you see him dig through his coat pocket to pull out a second set of keys not belonging to Stan’s El Diablo, and your brows furrow when you see him starting to unlock the door to the mansion.
“Uh, shouldn’t we at least give him a chance to open the door for us?”
You question as politely as you could muster, seeing Ford shake his head as he opened the door and began walking inside.
“Oh, no. The manor is so large, it takes about twenty minutes to get across from one end to the other, not to mention going between the floors. Ringing the bell is just to let him know we’re here and coming in.”
He beckoned you to follow behind him, holding the door open for you as you carefully stepped inside.
Damn, he wasn’t kidding.
This place was huge.
The first thing in front of you as you walked in was a large staircase that split off into two across from each other, the ceiling high, and every bit of the interior walls looking like an antique, luxury wooden cabin.
The only things that threw off the coziness such a space would normally give, were the numerous pieces of incomplete machinery and random wires littering the place, though those were at least pushed closer to the walls to leave a clear walkway through the long halls on either side of you.
“Fidds!”
Ford called out loud enough to make you jump, and you’re not sure if you’re entirely surprised to hear it echoed in the empty halls.
“I’m here! And I brought someone I’d like for you to meet!”
You’re briefly stricken with the uncomfortable thought of being an uninvited surprise guest at a stranger’s house, but it lasts all but a few seconds when you hear footsteps from up the stairs, and–
“Stanford! ‘Bout time!”
Another older gentleman— potentially older than Ford— made his way down the stairs at a speed that was rather impressive, Ford stepping up to meet him at the bottom, looking rather excited.
Clearly these two are close, especially when you see them go straight for a quick hug once they were in close enough range of each other.
“Was startin’ to think ya got lost.”
The man, Fiddleford McGucket, smacked Ford playfully on the shoulder as he let go of the hug, his height a little shorter compared to your mentor’s, but you think he may be taller if he were able to straighten his hunched posture fully upright.
But that wasn’t always an option for older folk, so you keep the observation to yourself.
In fact, with the long, almost-white beard and round glasses, he would make a rather convincing, albeit scrawny Santa.
Your silent observations are quickly halted when McGucket’s attention goes from his friend to you, spooking you into standing more properly with your hands clasped in front of you, and he gives you an acknowledging nod with a kind smile.
“Who’s this ya brought with ya?”
“Oh, yes, introductions.”
Ford quickly stepped back over to you to put you in the metaphorical spotlight, gesturing to you with one hand, while he used the other to nudge your shoulder to get you to step closer to his friend.
“Fidds, I told you about my new apprentice. I figured it was about time the two of you met.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”
You blurt out automatically, holding out a hand to shake as you introduce yourself.
“Dr. Pines speaks very highly about you.”
At the proper title of “Dr. Pines”, McGucket shoots Ford a look with a raised brow, something knowing in his expression making you think he’s trying to silently call Ford out on something he won’t say aloud.
However, he doesn’t keep it for long, giving his attention back to you as he takes your hand and gives it a firm shake.
“Fiddleford McGucket, at your service.”
He introduces himself pleasantly, smiling wide as though thoroughly pleased to make your acquaintance, and some of the nerves from earlier begin to fade away.
Perhaps Ford was right, as usual, you had nothing to–
Right as you’re about to let go from the handshake, McGucket quickly snatches it back with both of his hands, pulling you in closer as he leans in to loudly whisper conspiratorially,
“It ain’t too late to run while ya still can.”
“… What…?”
You ask in genuine confusion, barely even processing what he even said before Ford steps over and pries your hands off each other.
“Ignore him.”
Ford speaks rather hurriedly, as though embarrassed by what was told to you.
… That’s new…
You don’t think you’ve heard that tone from him before.
“That’s just Fiddleford’s very morbid—”
Ford glared at his friend for emphasis, who just smiled back as though having done nothing wrong.
“— sense of humor. Don’t take it to heart.”
As though agreeing with him, or just to be ominous, McGucket let out a cackle with no further explanation, and you feel the only appropriate response is to nervously laugh along.
“Ah, I see…”
You can’t think of much else to say, but you’re thankfully saved from having to speak further as McGucket breaks the tension.
“Y’all have brunch yet?”
He asks, looking expectantly between you two.
“I already had my supplements.”
Ford answered dryly, McGucket rolling his eyes while shaking his head.
“That ain’t eatin’, Stanford.”
“It keeps me healthy.”
McGucket just shook his head in bemusement, then turned to you.
“What about you?”
“Uh, I had a light breakfast.”
You answer honestly, seeing McGucket’s eyes light up in intrigue.
“Light breakfast!”
He says incredulously, reaching an arm out to nudge you to walk with him, leading you down one of the long hallways.
“Unacceptable! Yer workin’ under that man, ya need t’ keep up yer energy! Come along, let’s get ya somethin’ extra.”
“Fidds, that isn’t really necessary.”
Ford tried to argue, likely wanting to get straight into business.
“We’re just here to check on and pick up the–”
“Agh, pay him no mind.”
McGucket patted your shoulder as he kept leading you along.
“City boy ain’t got no manners.”
“Double negatives, Fidds.”
“Double negative yourself!”
McGucket cackled as he argued back, though with you stuck in the middle of their playful feud, you decide to take the side of the one who you have to see more often, and try to gently slow yourself to a stop.
“Actually, Dr. Pines is right, it’s not really necessary, but thank you for the offer.”
You offer a more polite counter to move things along as originally planned.
“I just tagged along last second to meet you, you don’t have to go through the trouble.”
For a moment, you think your soft decline worked, McGucket having stopped nudging you along and letting you both stand in the middle of the hall.
He gives you a look as though thinking about what you said, and he gives you a warm smile.
“Oh, well ain’t you mighty sweet, try’na make my life easier.”
He gave you a soft pat on your shoulder. … Then continued to nudge you along to who-knows-where (he was surprisingly strong for being so thin), looking over his shoulder to address Ford.
“Stanford, you could learn a thing or two from yer student.”
“Fiddleford.”
Ford scoffed while rolling his eyes, begrudgingly following behind where you were being led, which after a few minutes of walking, turned out to be a large dining hall.
… How many people lived here before McGucket took over…?
“Have a seat, help yerself to whatever ya like while I talk with Mr. Bossy Boots.”
McGucket nudged you towards the table, and you heard Ford sputter behind you.
“I am not bossy!”
“Sure ya ain’t!”
McGucket cackled, turning his attention to speak with Ford, while you followed his direction to sit at the table, which…
There’s a lot of chairs, and the table is clear of food, only containing a singular centerpiece of a mini robot.
Sort of hard to “help yourself” when there seems to be nothing to get, but when you turn to try and ask for specification, it seemed McGucket and Ford were already deep into conversation about something.
You certainly don’t want to interrupt, so you do as you were suggested: picking a nearby seat and sitting yourself down.
Then immediately, the mini robot centerpiece sprang to life, little green LED lights for eyes switching on, and it hauls itself over to you on a single, wide wheel.
It stops right in front of you, and you stare at it in intrigue.
How cool. Ford did say McGucket was a mechanical genius, but you couldn’t exactly imagine something like this.
Especially when the tiny body of the robot flips a panel to show a retro screen and a button pad similar to a vending machine.
The screen switches on with lines of letters, and once you read them, you realize it’s a menu with a corresponding button combination.
Ah, this was the “help yourself” part.
You really did have breakfast earlier, and your previous nerves from meeting McGucket had left your appetite rather small, but you don’t want to be rude.
So you pick something light, a small sandwich, just something to please everyone and get the day moving along.
Once you placed your order, the robot flipped its panel to the smoother outer side and turned away to wheel back to the center of the table, returning to its decorative state as the lights dimmed off.
What a cool little contraption. You’re curious about how it works.
You steal a glance over at the two older men, seeing them still conversing, though McGucket catches you looking and gives you an acknowledging nod with a smile.
He does seem like a good friend to Ford, in both caring and wanting to embarrass his friend in front of someone new.
Typical old men relationship, you see.
A noise coming from the opposite end of the room pulls your attention away from the two friends, and you turn your head to see another larger robot wheel in from a swing door, potentially leading to a kitchen.
Unlike the smaller one, this robot takes on a less human-ish appearance, looking more like a decorative side table on wheels, and it rolls up to your side with a shiny silver tray and cover.
Fancy.
Carefully, and assuming you’re meant to as it’s next to you, you lift the cover up to reveal the sandwich you had requested, and you take it with the plate it was on to set on the table.
“Thank you.”
You pat the robot as you utter quiet gratitude, watching it immediately go in reverse and wheel back to the (assumed) kitchen at a speed that seems a bit like a safety hazard if anyone happened to be walking in its path.
Oh well, that’s not a problem that’s applicable in this situation, so you focus on the food in front of you while you try to listen in and follow along with Ford and McGucket’s conversation.
It’s probably not anything you’ll fully comprehend yet, but no harm in attempting to grasp some of it.
Occasionally peeking over to make sure neither are looking, you try to eat inconspicuously quickly, wanting to hurry for Ford’s sake and get on with your day.
You could tell this was a speed bump in his plan for today.
Though about half way through your light brunch, you’re distracted from listening in about robotics and engineering when you see tiny, hand-like paws reach up onto the table across from you, and you pause mid-bite.
What was that?
Another robot with little wolverine nails?
Popping up over the table shortly after, you see small, fluffy ears, then a fluffy face with a bandit mask…
A raccoon.
It’s a raccoon— a live one!— in the seat across from you, peeking up on the table.
“Oh, hi there.”
You coo with a small smile, not entirely bothered, so long as McGucket was aware this creature was here.
If he wasn’t, there would be some issues you’d like to address.
The raccoon lifted its little nose up in the air to sniff around, bringing its hind legs onto the table to climb up, and you chuckle at how round its body is.
Spoiled little thing.
Especially when it feels comfortable enough to stalk over to you, sniffling around your plate and getting close to the sandwich in your hands.
“Can I help you?”
You ask with a chuckle, pulling your food closer to yourself in case this isn’t a domestic creature.
It’s apparently the wrong move, as the raccoon lunges forward with angry-sounding chittering, trying to make a grab at your food, and you yelp as you bolt up from your seat, more worried about being bitten.
“What happened?”
You hear Ford call out, seeing him quickly move towards you at your noise of distress, until he sees the irate creature on the table.
“Oh for the love of– Fiddleford!”
“Priscilla!”
McGucket marched over with his arms outstretched towards the raccoon, who hissed at him while curling away from his reach, but making no effort to run away.
She (you’re guessing it’s a she) doesn’t even fight when she’s picked up by McGucket, growling loudly and squirming, but making no attempt to bite or scratch while she gets scolded.
“I know this is yer house too, but we have guests!”
You watch in amusement as he tries reasoning with the irritated raccoon, and you decide to step in.
“Can she have any of this? I don’t mind sharing.”
“That’s mighty kind of ya,”
McGucket gives you a smile, ignoring the growling and leg kicks of the raccoon in his arms.
“But if ya haven’t noticed, Priscilla here ain’t hurtin’ for a bite.”
“Oh.”
You deflated in slight disappointment, understanding his stance, but a little saddened that you couldn’t interact with the needy creature.
From the corner of your eye, you can see Ford step closer to his friend, leaning to say something quietly to him, and you swear you something similar to “really likes animals” over all the raccoon growling.
Whatever it was, McGucket seemed to rethink his stance.
“Well, I guess a small bite won’t hurt. Might even calm ‘er down.”
“Are you sure?”
You ask, not wanting him to feel pressured into giving in, and he nods.
“It’s alright, a little ain’t gonna fill ‘er to burstin’. Say ‘thank you’, Priscilla!”
McGucket held out the squirming creature closer to you, and she seemed to immediately understand the situation and calm down at the promise of getting food, making an adorable squeak as she looked to you expectantly.
Well, who are you to keep a lady waiting?
You rip off a small corner of your sandwich and hold it out to Priscilla, watching her little paws make a grab for it, and once it's in her grasp, she stuffs it in her mouth and wriggles herself free from McGucket’s hold to dart away elsewhere.
“Ungrateful lady.”
McGucket shakes his head with a quiet laugh, clearly quite fond of the creature.
“I’m awfully sorry ‘bout her, hope she didn’t scare ya too bad.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m more sad she didn’t let me pet her.”
You chuckle and scarf down the rest of your sandwich, wiping your mostly clean hands on your pants.
“Anyway, thank you for brunch, I’m ready whenever you two are.”
“Wonderful, you’re finished, we can get what we came here for.”
Ford impatiently feigned enthusiasm for getting back on his schedule, and he began moving to exit the dining room.
“I’m assuming it’s out in the garage, per usual?”
“Yes, yes.”
McGucket chuckled at the eagerness, and when you tried to follow behind your mentor, he held an arm out to stop you.
It seemed he was waiting for Ford to be out of earshot, as he waited for a moment before leaning in to whisper,
“Don’t let ‘em bully ya, ya hear? He don’t mean to be pushy, but, well… He is.”
He let out a fond chuckle, something that hints he’s very aware of Ford’s habits, and you give a half hearted nod and smile.
“Uh… Okay, I’ll try.”
“Don’t try, do.”
He gave you a pat on your shoulder and motioned for you to walk ahead after Ford, keeping pace beside you as you both power walked to catch up.
“You have a lot of impressive gadgets, Mr. McGucket. You build them all by yourself?”
You ask in an attempt to make friendly small talk outside of McGucket’s cryptic messages, seeing him raise an amused brow at the polite title you gave him.
“Yep! All my doin’!”
He announced happily, giving you a playful smack on the shoulder.
“An’ ain’t no need for that ‘mister’ nonsense! Any pal of Stanford’s a pal of mine.”
In front of you, you see Ford turn to shoot you a look, smiling in a way that silently screams “I told you so” before turning back to watch where he was walking, and you stare at the back of his head in hopes he can feel your silent retaliation to his sarcasm.
Jerk.
Before you could continue any potential small talk, the three of you reach the end of the long hall that leads to a set of double doors, Ford having no issue with opening them and walking straight inside, and your pace slows when you realize just how massive this supposed “garage” is.
It looks less like a garage and more like a plane hangar; wide open indoor area with a tall ceiling, and an equally high sectional garage door.
Of course, like the rest of the mansion, mechanical bits and bobs are strewn around, though there appears to be a proper welding section with gear hung on the wall, and much larger, incomplete projects taking up most of the space.
“Whoooaaa…”
You uttered in awe under your breath, only managing to get a brief look-around before your attention is drawn back to the task at hand; McGucket sneaking past you making you focus on him as he led Ford to a table where some microwave-sized contraption sat.
That was probably what you two came here for, and judging by what Ford explained to you earlier, him and McGucket would be going over how to operate it and would likely be a few minutes.
No problem, you could just look around and take in the room better. See just how much of a mechanical genius you were in the presence of.
… Which didn’t take long at all, as the moment you turn to the half of the “garage” you haven’t seen yet, you’re immediately spooked by the sight of your muddied reflection extremely close to you, reflecting off some shiny metal.
It doubly startled you, as you didn’t immediately recognize yourself with how warped your reflection is, the metal bent and curved in a way that makes your proportions unnatural, and when you step back, you realize it’s meant to be a giant metal shoe nearly twice your size.
And attached to a giant metal leg, which was attached to a giant metal body…
As your eyes keep traveling up the pieces of welded metal, you start cautiously taking steps back as you come to the slow conclusion: that’s a giant, humanoid robot.
Like, one’s that you see from those robot animes, but way smoother and less box-y.
More human proportions but… A giant metal person.
It’s obviously unfinished, given that the shoulders and up still appeared to be nothing but framework and wires, though you’re curious if the face will take resemblance of anyone you know (unlikely).
You must’ve been staring at this thing for longer than you thought, and you jump with a yelp when you feel a hand at your shoulder, whipping around to find McGucket standing next to you.
“Sorry!”
He chuckled, sounding a little too joyous to be apologetic.
“Ya like it?”
“It’s incredible…!”
You managed to get out as you caught your breath from the scare, looking back up at the giant mechanation.
“And you did this all on your own?”
“Yes’siree.”
He answers as he looks up at his creation with you, putting his hands on his hips proudly.
“Still workin’ out a few kinks, but hey! The arms work! Ya wanna see?”
“Would I?”
You ask rhetorically, fully excited to see the thing in action, and your enthusiasm is taken as permission to operate the robot.
McGucket steps up to the shoe of the robot, and with the lack of scaffolding around, you wonder how he’ll get up to wherever the control panel was (you doubt it’s in the feet).
The answer apparently was a lot more horrifying, as you watched McGucket climb onto the shoe of the robot…
And climb up the leg and side like a damn spider.
You gasp and take a step back, startled.
The man looks more like something out of a horror film, either an unsettling poltergeist, or a man possessed.
As you step back, you quickly feel yourself bump into something behind you, causing you to jolt and look back to see it was Ford, who gently grabs your shoulders to keep you from tripping over in a panic.
“Just me.”
He assures you, removing his hands once you seem steady enough, and he looks up at his friend climbing up his giant creation.
“Wanted to see what had you so fascinated.”
“Is he… uh…”
You motion precariously to McGucket, who was now reaching the open framework of the robot and hopped in.
“He’s quite dexterous, yes.”
Ford gave you a nod, staring up where his friend disappeared behind the metal before seeming to realize,
“Yes, I suppose it is unnerving to watch him do that without proper warning. That’s his preferred method of climbing his larger inventions.”
“Oh.”
You nervously laughed, looking back up at the robot when you heard some revving of an engine followed by McGucket’s maniacal cackling.
Shortly after, the arms sprang to life, lifting up from where they hung limply at the sides, and the metallic fingers flex in and out of a fist in calibration.
The logical, human survival section of your brain is terrified of such a thing that much larger than you in motion; you feel like a tiny ant compared to it.
Though the scientific section is utterly fascinated, curious of all the work that went into building and wiring everything together, and just what its intended purpose was.
“How’s it lookin’ down there, fellers?”
McGucket’s voice comes out loud and with an echo, obviously from some intercom and speaker mechanism, and the robot’s fingers waggle in a wave.
“It looks great!”
You try shouting over the loud metallic sounds, hoping he can hear you.
“So cool!”
“Yes, impressive as always!”
Ford called out after you, and you heard another cackle from the loud speaker.
“Want me to pick y’all up with it?”
“No thank you!”
…
You’re a little sad to leave so soon.
Yes, you’ve been here for a little over an hour or so, but it felt incredibly short.
After helping Ford and McGucket haul out the commissioned machinery out to the car, you stand by as the two friends get some last few words in before parting ways.
It was both very sweet and a little awkward standing by and listening in as they chatted away.
Sweet; it was nice to see them smiling and laughing as friends.
Awkward; you feel like a platonic third wheel at a reunion to something you were never a part of.
But you still try not to look bored or annoyed, nor do you make eye contact to insinuate you have anything to say; not wanting to make them feel like you’re in any hurry to leave.
It only works for a few minutes, as you eventually notice McGucket is looking at you in wait, and you give him your full attention.
“You don’t be a stranger, now.”
He tells you with a smile, holding his hand for you to shake, and you oblige.
“If your ol’ teacher picks on ya, you know who t’call! I’ll give ‘em an earful!”
Ford claps his friend on the shoulder in irritated reprimand, McGucket paying him no mind as he lets go of your hand.
“You two take care, now! Be good to each other, play nice.”
“Yes, yes, you’re so wise.”
Ford rolled his eyes in sarcasm, smiling when his friend smacked him back in retaliation, and the two gave each other a quick hug before it was officially time to go.
You wave McGucket farewell as you climb into the passenger seat of the car, buckling your seatbelt as Ford slid into the driver’s seat, starting the car to begin the drive back down the hill.
You’re both silent as Ford drives across the yard and out the gate, conversation commencing once the gate begins closing behind you both.
“Well… What did you think?”
He asks cautiously, as though worried about your answer.
You don’t know why he would be nervous about that, McGucket was quite pleasant company, albeit slightly off.
But mostly pleasant.
“I like him. I can see how you two are friends.”
“I can’t tell if that’s an insult or not.”
“It’s not an insult! You both are very intelligent with complimenting personalities!”
You refute his claim vehemently, and Ford seems to consider your words silently.
“Ah, I see.”
“I would love to know how you both met.”
“I told you, we were roommates.”
“Yeah, but I wanna know when you officially became friends!”
The corners of Ford’s lips twitch as he tries to hold back a smile, slightly shaking his head.
“Perhaps another time.”
He says, and you mentally sigh in disappointment.
Another time, then…
“In the meantime, let’s discuss your assignment for today once we get back to the shack.”
He changed the topic, still focused on driving.
“How about a pop quiz on lab safety?”
Nooo!