[ WP ] As an endangered human male raised in captivity , you 've never actually met another of your kind . Today , you notice an extra chair added to your kitchen table . There 's a knock on the door .

The door swung open right after she knocked. She took a step in and looked around the place, glancing at me only out the corner of her eye. She gave out a whistle. `` Nice digs you've got here.'' 
 
 She was young, probably no more than 16. She was dressed in a more modern pair of Jeans and a short T-shirt. A more Rachel look, not at all like Laura. She wore her auburn hair in a long braid and sported a necklace that went down to her exposed midriff. 
 
 Despite my uncomfortableness, I tried not to react. I knew something was different when a second chair appeared this morning. I had prepared two meals all day, just in case something like this happened. The second breakfast and lunch were currently in the fridge. I had placed a second chicken with mashed potatoes dish at the empty spot at the table, fully expecting to put it away too. I had already sat down, but did not have a chance to touch my food yet when she knocked. And now that the thing I had been preparing for all day was here, I was at a loss of what to do. How would Robert react? 
 
 I cleared my throat. `` Wo n't you sit down?'' 
 
 She looked at me full in the face, her cool blue eyes staring into mine for an uncomfortably long moment. Finally, she nodded. She slung a bag from shoulders I had not noticed before and sat down. She picked up the knife and fork and began to eat. 
 
 `` So,'' she said with a mouth full of food. `` Do you got a name?'' 
 
 I shook my head. `` No.'' 
 
 `` No?'' 
 
 `` I have never been given a name. In fact, I've never seen another person before. Outside of the television, of course.'' 
 
 She grinned. `` Neither have I. And I do n't have a name either.'' 
 
 I nodded. `` Well, why do n't we give each other names.'' 
 
 `` Okay. But first, we need to know each other better. Let eat dinner, and then we can name each other at the end. We wo n't get up until we have names. How does that sound?'' She pointed at my plate. `` That means you have to eat too.'' 
 
 Despite her apparent age, this young girl seemed smart. Clever, even. I gave her what I hoped was a polite smile, and began eating. 
 
 We ate in silence for a few minutes. Even though this was the first time that either of us has ever been in the company of another person, it seemed like we did not have much to say. I tried not to stare, but it was hard not to when she was looking so intently at me, studying my face. 
 
 There were a lot of things to think about. My guess about other people and other boxes were true. With all the television shows showing people interacting with each other, it had made sense that there were more people than just me. I thought back to the Dick van Dyke show. What would Rob being saying in this situation? Something polite, innocuous maybe. 
 
 `` So, um, how did you get here?'' I asked, hoping that was polite enough. 
 
 `` I really do n't know,'' she said. `` I went to sleep in my own place, and then woke up inside your box. Out on your back lawn.'' She gestured with a slender thumb towards the kitchen door. 
 
 `` Yeah, that just showed up about a week ago.'' 
 
 She wrinkled her brow, scrunching up her nose in the process. `` It showed up?'' 
 
 I nodded. `` Yeah, the whole box has been growing recently. I have a few new rooms, some extra furniture, and a front and back lawn now. Was your box like this?'' 
 
 She dipped a piece of her chicken in the potatoes. `` No, it was a bit smaller. Maybe three or four rooms total, no outside.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, that sounds like how my apartment was at first too.'' 
 
 She bobbed her head in agreement. `` It looks like *they* have been planning this for a while then.'' She gestured to the black domes on the ceiling. 
 
 Confused, I asked, `` They?'' 
 
 `` Yeah, you know, they people who watch us?'' 
 
 I shook my head. `` I do n't know what you mean.'' 
 
 She cocked her head to one side. `` You mean you do n't know what those things are? Those things are cameras. I took one down a while ago, and there are tiny cameras underneath them. Whoever is keeping us here, is watching us too.'' 
 
 I never had thought of it like that. Was I being kept here? Where would I go besides here? Well, there was another person -- a girl -- here now, perhaps I could go to someone else's box. And who was watching me? Was I on their televisions in their boxes? 
 
 She interrupted my thoughts. `` So, you watch the TV too?'' 
 
 `` Oh, yes. Quite a bit.'' 
 
 `` Do you have a favorite show?'' 
 
 `` Um, yes. I really enjoy the Dick van Dyke show.'' 
 
 She nodded. `` That explains the decorations.'' 
 
 I looked around. I had never thought anything weird about my decorations before. I turned back to her. `` What show do you enjoy?'' 
 
 `` Have you ever heard of Dawson's Creek?'' 
 
 I wiped my face with a napkin. `` I've seen it listed, but I have never watched it.'' 
 
 `` Well, that's what I watch the most. Anyway, we are both done eating now.'' 
 
 I looked at my plate and, indeed, it was empty. A moment I did not know I was dreading suddenly presented itself. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. `` Yes we are. I guess we get to name each other now.'' 
 
 `` Alright, I'll go first.'' She leaned forward and gave a sideways smile. `` You seem polite, and it looks like you model your life off of van Dyke. However, you do n't really conform to that image. You're a little older than I am, and a bit on the tall side too. While clean, I can imagine you being kind of prudish. So...'' She pursed her full lips and narrowed her eyes. `` I'll call you Danny. Like Danny from Full House.'' 
 
 I let out a breath. Danny. Well, I suppose that could work. She could have chosen a worse name. And the more I thought of it, the more I liked it. `` Yeah, I think that's okay.'' 
 
 `` Okay, your turn.'' She leaned back in her chair, balancing on just the back two legs. 
 
 `` Okay, lets see. You're smart, I can tell. You are a bit young, but you do n't let that stop you. Hmm... have you ever seen Happy Days? You remind me a lot of Richie's sister. So I think I am going to name you Joanie.'' 
 
 She stood up and leaned forward across the table, taking my hand. With a firm grip, she shook it and looked me straight in the eye. `` Well, Danny, it's nice to meet you.'' 
 
 I stood and smiled back at her. `` Likewise, Joanie.'' 
 
 ___ 
 *If there is enough interest, I would consider doing more to this story. * 
 
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