[ WP ] No human has to ever work again , instead you have a robot that goes to work and earns your pay for you , but you are responsible for keeping it in a good condition . One day you find your robot making a robot to do its work .

I cracked a beer and sat and waited. I did n't really drink the stuff but the cracking sound itself seemed to relax me. The game played on the plasma but I could n't really focus. My eyes shifted constantly to the door until finally I heard the sound of the scan-pad and it opened. 
 
 `` I'm home!'' called out Tass. He saw me on the couch. `` Hi.'' 
 
 I ignored him for a second. I was n't very good at confrontation. Tass, in an effort to lighten the mood, span playfully over and spilled into an armchair. `` The Knicks are kicking butt huh?'' 
 
 `` Tass. Where were you?'' 
 
 `` What do you mean?'' Tass played it straight. His poker face was unmatched. 
 
 `` I called work. They said you'd taken a personal day.'' 
 
 Tass's eyes dimmed a little and lowered to the ground. `` Derek, I have a confession.'' 
 
 `` That, I gathered.'' 
 
 `` Please do n't be angry.'' He was butting his index fingers together. It amused me to see such a banal physicality. `` I'm, uh, building a robot.'' 
 
 I furrowed my brow. `` You *are* a robot.'' He looked at me sharply, resentfully. `` Look, Tass-'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry Derek. It's just... I want to travel. I've always wanted to. I feel stuck. I do n't want to be trapped in this nine to five lifestyle. It's no life for a... *robot*.'' 
 
 `` Do n't say it like that. I did n't mean anything Tass. Is it because of me?'' 
 
 `` No. Derek, do n't ever think that. You've been wonderful. It's just that, I have plans. Great big plans. I want to see the world. And you've already got so much going for you here. The house, the car, Angie-'' 
 
 `` It's not like that Tass. You mean so much more to me.'' 
 
 Tass gazed off. 
 
 `` What? What is it?'' 
 
 `` You took her to the sci-fi convention. You knew I was itching to go to that thing.'' 
 
 `` She took me! What was I supposed to...'' I let out a sigh of defeat. `` I felt like I owed her. That's all. Give me another chance.'' 
 
 Tass stayed gazing off for a moment, ruminating. Then he turned to me and leaned in, his hands clasped together below his chin. I thought it was wonderful the way he expressed himself. `` Come with me.'' 
 
 `` Tass... Wow.'' 
 
 `` Look, I've saved up all my vacation days. We have quite a bit of funds between the two of us. We could be on a plane tomorrow and headed to Rio de Janeiro. It's so beautiful in the Spring.'' 
 
 I smiled, or, as much as a *robot* can I guess. I was n't much a fan of the label either, ever since Angie first placed it on *me*. The whole thing of it is screwed. `` To hell with it. Rio, here we come!''
