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Camaro

Brand new black Chevrolet Camaro is pushed out from factory door. Car is left alone to factory's gated yard. A mechanic with a drill comes to car. He screws registration plates to front and rear bumpers. Mechanic watches car's rear panel and shakes his head. He goes to factory. Mechanic comes back carrying something in his hand. He seems to screw carried thing to rear panel.

After mechanic leaves, car's registration number is "WHK-101". Rear panel states, that car's trim is "R350 HF Jet". Car stands an hour alone in the yard. After an hour mechanic comes to car with elder gentleman and lady of 30's.

Mechanic goes in and starts the engine. Mechanic revs the engine few times. Revving brings out the engine's strange, muffled, steadily humming sound. Gentleman and lady glance each other. Mechanic opens the hood and shows the running engine to couple. When he closes the hood, man with a suit and clipboard hurries out from factory. He walks to the couple. Mechanic goes into car and powers off the engine. He doesn't come out. After a while car starts to whiz like airliner at airstrip. Strong air stream tries to tore lady's dress and hair towards car. Group takes distance to car. Man in the suit asks mechanic to shut down the car with his hands. After whizzing ends mechanic comes to suit and couple.

Suit offers papers to gentleman. Lady and mechanic walk back to car. Lady sits to driver's seat, mechanic seems to assist and advice woman with the car. After gentleman has read the papers, he accepts asked price without bargaining and signs the deal. After signing suit and gentleman walk to car. Gentleman goes into car. Lady starts the engine. Suit and mechanic wave goodbyes to couple. Lady pushes pedal and car slides smoothly away from the yard.

Camaro, lady and gentleman are cruising away from Detroit on Interstate 75.
"Wanna try the car" lady asks man.
"No ... Not yet ... Six hundred miles to New York. Can take the wheel after you get tired." man answers.
"Yes." lady agrees.

"I could drive the whole trip without getting tired." young Camaro joins the conversation.
"No you can't." lady and gentleman say together.

After a while Camaro asks "Why not ?"
"According to laws bio-mechanical brains must pass driving test and acquire driving license to themselves. Just like humans" lady educates Camaro's young and inexperienced mind.
"You could check, if you could find some nice music from the radio. Then you could cool down the temperatures few degrees." man says to Camaro.

After a while indoor temperatures raises to over 100 F. "Asked you to lower the temperatures." irritated man says to Camaro.
"You must be patient with young mind." lady softens the situation. Camaro blasts cool breeze into car and sets the temperatures down.

Trip from Detroit to New York continues. "Tired. Nothing to do. Can I go to sleep ?" Camaro asks from the couple.
"Go ahead. Sleep well. We'll wake you up before New York." man responds. In dashboard, green awake light changes to purple sleep light.

Journey continues quietly. Radio plays music in the background. At Falls Creek couple stops for coffee break and driver change. In New York they head directly to Hugh L Carey tunnel in southern Manhattan. From the tunnel Camaro raises to Governors Island. On the island Camaro curves into bigger yard. On the yard there is two store house and big building with many garage doors.

"Wake up. We are at the Governor Island." gentleman shakes the lady up. A man with jeans and jacket comes to Camaro. Couple comes out from the car. Man leaves driver door open.

"You got it." jeans say.
"Here it is. Mustang and Challenger are not yet ready. Get Mustang next week. Challenger after three months." lady says.

Camaro overhears the talks. "Are you going to leave me ?" it asks nervously from the lady and gentleman.
"No. Only temporarily. We come to see you tomorrow morning." lady explains.
Camaro doesn't know what to say. "Let me take you in." jeans says gently and jumps into Camaro. He opens one garage door and drives the car in.

Lady and gentleman watch how Camaro goes in. They wait until doors are closed. After escorting Camaro into garage, couple walk into building. Flags continue to wave faintly on empty yard.

- - Tuesday, the 2nd- -

Sun raises to horizon. Guy with jeans come to Camaro's stable. "Morning. How was your first night in here ?" Jeans greets Camaro.
"Didn't sleep much. But otherwise fine  ... au ... morning to you too." Camaro re-greets.

"You came so late yesterday ... I am John, your trainer-mechanic.  I work for lady Lily White and her husband, count Clifford White  ... and who are you ?" Jeans greets Camaro.
"I am Chevrolet Camaro. I have 5.7 liter rolling HF engine and a jet in trunk." Camaro responds.
"Of course you are. Meant your mind ... are you an animal or some synthetic construction ?" John corrects his question.
"I am human." Camaro says.
"Human ? ... That's not possible. Has someone fooled you to believe so ?" John wonders.
"No one has fooled me. I am human." Camaro says.

"But usage of human brains in androids is strictly forbidden. Cannot believe that Lady Lily and Count Clifford would take part to such crime. Should go and report your origin." John says.
"No need to do so, we know that already." lady Lily says from the stable door.
"His birth name is Bob. " count Clifford adds.

"But isn't it illegal ?" John asks.
"Not according to layers and judges ... Bob fell from the roof. He was clinically dead and also declared dead, when his brains were extracted and re-activated." Clifford explains.
"Laws of living do not apply to corpses. Bob died, when he was seven. Now he is ten." lady Lily adds.

"Are you ready for training ?" John asks.
"Yes. Lets go to the field." Camaro is also interested in getting away from the awkward situation.

Clifford opens the door, John takes the wheel. Clifford and Lily walks out with John and Camaro. On the day one John and Camaro trains common driving skills for getting a drivers license to Camaro.

At noon two FBI agents come to question Clifford and Lily. They want information about the Camaro's android unit seller. Clifford gives them seller's address and voucher-copy from the payment to android unit's seller. Agents leave the mansion. Few hours later two MP's from Pentagon comes to White mansion. Android unit's seller is also their primary interest. MP's seems to know the seller. 

Female MP checks the voucher from payment "You paid 1 million from the android unit."
"Is it stolen ?" Lily asks from her.
"No. Not stolen. Everything seems to be in order. We are good in here." male MP answers.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, mam. Goodbye." female MP says and couple leave the mansion.

Not an hour goes by, before door bells rings again. This time CIA pays a visit to Whites.
"I am not Russian. I was born in USA.  My great grand parents were born in royal Russia. In 1917 my family moved to Switzerland. Communists robbed, raped and massacred our Russian relatives and friends. My grandfather was born in Switzerland. In 1933 my family moved to USA.  My parents are native born Americans. I have no connections to Russia." Clifford explains. 
Before agents continue their questioning, Lily says helpfully "I was born in Germany. Moved to USA after I met and married count Clifford White. Rheinholtz family have lived in Germany at least seven hundred years.  My great-great-great ... great- great-great ... great-great-great ... hmm ... one more great must be added before saying grand pa ... King Wilhelm II ... married a Russian princess Olga. Olga was not a crown princess, just a princess. Princess Olga is my only connection to Russia."

"Khrrm. Great.  Think that we are finished ... happy and contended ... now."  a bit embarrassed and shy`d male CIA says and agents leave mansion White.
After CIA leaves the yard, Lily and Clifford glance each other. They go out and walk to training field.  Clifford winks John and Camaro to see them.

"How do you like training ?" lady Lily asks.
"Guess it's okay." Camaro answers.
"Can you tell us something about your past and life as human being ?" Clifford asks.
"Cannot remember it." Camaro answers.
"What about your afterlife. Remember anything from the time, before you moved in ?" John asks.
"I was in training. I operated all kinds of machines. I can drive cars and all kinds of vehicles." Camaro answers.
"Any chances, that he would've been in military training. Seen signs from such  ?" Clifford turns to John.
"Possible. Driving, aiming and triggering training programs are common to all androids. Not only in militaries" John wonders.
"Two MP's from Pentagon came to question us about the car's android unit." Lily answers to unspoken question.
"After MP's, CIA was sent to question our loyalty towards the state. Forced CIA to leave our premises." Clifford continues.
"Have a hunch, that I would have overheard someone saying, that I was 19 when I died. " Camaro joins the doubtful dialogue.

"What about your training. We were told that you had spent three years training." Lily says with her soft and soundful voice.
"You are very beautiful and nice. " Camaro says spontaneously to Lily.
"Thank you." Lily responds and Camaro continues . "Haven't spent an eternity in training. Three years could be right."

"It's getting dark. Lets go in." Clifford ends the conversations.
"Do we have to ? It is very lonely in stable." Camaro says.
"We go to Detroit tomorrow. Mustang has a female android, she comes to live with you in the stable." Lily says.

"Did you meet and greet any women in your earlier training ?" John asks.
"No. Never saw any other androids." Camaro says.

"How did they treat you ?" Lily asks.
"Everything was okay until I came here to live with you." Camaro says.
"You are connected to tv and big movie base. John can show you how to use them, before he leaves." Clifford says.
"Tomorrow you meet Patricia. Your teacher is a nice young woman." John informs.

"Overheard you saying, that Mustang is ready day after tomorrow." Camaro says.
"Decided to escape governmental red tape and it's next moves." Clifford sneers friendly.
"Don't open the gates to anyone, before we return." Lily advices John and Camaro.

Lily and Clifford are walking back to mansion. Cliffords phone rings. Man picks the call and starts to listen the caller.
After call is over Clifford says "Olivier called. It seems, that we got ourselves involved with something big and nasty. All White Industries breweries, distillers and cigarette factories were visited by governmental inspectors today."

"Did you know anything about these messes ?" Lily asks.
"No. Andronics, who sold the units, talked about unique chance to buy legal automotive androids, which are powered by well trained human brains." Clifford answers.
"And you took the chance just like that .. without giving a second thought ?" Lily continues her interrogation.
"I did present few doubts about humans usage in androids. The seller showed me the papers from supreme court's decision about the usage of re-activated human brains.." Clifford memorizes.

"What if we take Camaro's unit back to Andronics. Give up from Mustang and Challenger  ?" Lily tries.
"I'm afraid, that it doesn't help. FBI is investigating Andronics. Made few inquires in the afternoon. FBI is preparing murder charges against Andronics." Clifford answers.
"Going to sleep. Good night." Lily says and climbs to upstairs. Clifford goes to multimedia room and starts to watch a movie.

- - Wednesday the 3rd - -

Yellow cab stops at Central Station. Lily and Clifford come out and go to train that goes to Detroit.
After settling down, Lily asks "What did governmental instructors do in the factories ?"
"They searched androids from robotics and illegal immigrant from the personnel." Clifford answers.
"Did they find any ?" Lily continues.
"No. Our robotics are CPU controlled, we don't hire illegal migrants." Clifford says.
"Why factories are so close to border ?" Lily asks lazily.
"Great man imported grain, sugar and tobacco leaves from Latin America, just like now. Plentiful and cheap additional raw material resources gave Great and Grand Man big advantage against competitors. After Great Man died, Great Mam said that he smuggled raw materials from Latin America .. bribed customs, when needed.  Pa and his brother tried to check her talks. They didn't find any notes and mismatches from the old books." Clifford says.
"What if they are forgeries ?" Lily suggests.
"Possible, no one knows." Clifford agrees 

"Your great parents had only one kid ?" Lily asks.
"Four kids. Three died in Switzerland. Right before greats moved to USA. Kids went to skiing and sliding. They got lost and froze to death. Summer revealed their bodies. Grand man was too young to join the others. Great man suspected, that commies or socialists killed them. He wanted to move far away from Switzerland." Clifford explains 

Clifford takes phone from his pocket. He makes two rather short phone calls. After calls Lily watches Clifford, with a question on her face.
"Called Ford and Dodge. MP's visited both yesterday.  Ford said, that we are welcomed to pick up our ride anytime we want. They will send a car to station for our arrival. " Clifford informs Lily.
"And Dodge ?" suppressed Lily asks.
"Dodge said that our Challenger is ready by the end of the week. It is finished with advanced timetable. Both wants to get rid of us and our cars. Dodge said also, that Andronics is not answering to their calls." Clifford says.
"Hmh." crushed Lily sighs quietly.

News are too much to Lily's gentle, fragile mind. Lily drifts to the times, she met Clifford. First 21 year old Lily goes to German doctor, who says, that she can never have babies. After that her best friend comes to her old room. Friend tries to cheer Lily up. Unwilling Lily agrees to visit October festivals with her. After this Lily sees herself in a restaurant. She is the only one, who is not having fun. Lily's dream cam moves to a corner box in another restaurant. She is crying alone in the box. Blurred and teary eye-cam shows how some shady man comes to Lily's box. Shady man offers handkerchief. Lily takes it and her eye-cam becomes sharper. Lily sees, that 34 year old Clifford is standing in front of her. Lily comes back to reality. She crawls into Clifford's armpit and shoulder.

Another yellow cab comes to the gates of White mansion at Governors Island. Cab asks permission to get in. Gates open and cab goes in. Cab drives to the mansion's main entrance. Young woman comes out. Cab driver open the trunk and lift a set of suitcases to the ground. Woman goes to the door and rings the doorbell. No one comes to door. Woman repeats the procedure few times.

Cab driver is still standing at the pavement with suitcases "Sure you got the right address ?"
John and Camaro comes to mansion from the field. "There is someone. You can go now." woman says to cabbie.

"Good morning lovely. Who are you ?" Camaro hurries to woman and opens the conversation.
"I am your teacher, Patricia. You can call me Pat. What is yours ?" woman answers kindly.
"Camaro White. White like my parents lady Lily and count Clifford." Camaro says with some proud in his voice.

"Hi. You got the wrong address. You will be living in first handmaids house. Moved here first and got the bigger first farmhands house." John comes and greet Patricia.
Camaro opens it's trunk and doors. "Okay, fill me in and lets go."

Train clonks toward Detroit. Quietness allows fears and depression conquer space from Lily's mind. Lily drifts back to Memory Lane and year 2008. Handkerchief helps a little. After Clifford sits down to the corner box, Lily sees herself crying out loudly about the misery of her life and that she is incapable of having babies. Lily comes momentarily back to real time : "Gee. Must have taken too much beer and booze in those festivals." she thinks anxiously and goes back to Memory Lane's auditorium. Clifford tries to sooth and calm Lily. Clifford proposes adoption as cure for Lily's incapability, and says also, that adopted newborn babies are much like your own. Lily slashes Clifford with hard words, because adopted kids are not her own. Sometimes Clifford succeeds better with his attempts. Suddenly Lily starts suspect her flashback dream. Lily cannot remember all events that takes place. Lily opens her eyes and starts to gaze Clifford. 
"We lived in the same hotel and at the same floor. Walked you back to hotel. Saw you at the breakfast and came to eat mine with you." Clifford says.
"After breakfast we went for a long walk in Munich." Lily closes the memory lane. 

- - -

Camaro comes to handmaids house. It opens door and trunk. "If you are not happy with your home. Game keepers house is vacant. It is the biggest of the three detached houses." 
"Should at least check the house first." Pat responds. : Pat and John goes in with Pat's luggage. 

John helps Pat in rooms redecoration.
"Is it always like that ?" Pat asks 
"Came here on Saturday. Camaro on Monday. " John slips from direct answer.
"What is that nonsense about it's parents and kinder-ship ?" Pat asks 
"Learnt yesterday, that you cannot be sure about anything. Car's android unit built over human brains and mind." John advises new employee.
"Never heard of such." Pat says. 
"Neither had I. But there it is. Standing and waiting on the yard." John says.

Pat is finally happy with the new order. "Thanks for your help. I'd like to take a shower ... after a long trip."
"Okay. I'll go to field, continue driving practices with Cam. Seeing you." John leaves Pat's new home.

- - - -

In the evening train arrives Detroit in time. Lily and Clifford are taken to Ford with black limo. 

White Mustang, with a plate "WHK-202" is standing on darkening yard. Clifford, Lily and Ford's rep walk to the car. Rep goes in to car and cranks it running. 
Rep comes out from the car "May I have your cheque and signature, please."
Clifford gives the check and starts to read the papers. "It's a fine car. Sad that the android unit resulted into a mess."  rep says.
After a while Rep continues "You have any idea, what is wrong in those units ?" 
"No. We bought them in good faith. Boxes are approved by federal government and supreme court. Our lawyers checked in the morning, that the papers Andronics gave us, are valid." Lily answers.
"A friend from NYPD said, that FBI is working with murder case against Andronics." Clifford says.
"Murder case doesn't explain Pentagon's and CIA's involvement to the purchase." Lily adds.
"Box in our Camaro is not very special. Difficult to figure out, what kind of special interest Pentagon and CIA has for it." Clifford says.
"Box can speak, listen and feel. Shy, scared and lonely box is poorly trained and educated." Lily explains.

"Can that car hear and understand what we are talking ?" rep asks.
"I can overhear everything you say." Mustang answers with woman's voice.
"Good." Clifford says.

"What if their special interest is to hide boxes lack of special interests ?" rep suggests.
"You mean, that they try to hide the nature and faults in these android boxes." Lily verifies the suggestion.
"Wouldn't be the first failure federals make and hide." Clifford raises momentarily his head from the papers.

Clifford signs the papers. Couple goes into car. 
"I can drive the whole trip, if you want to." Clifford says to Lily.
"Would be nice if you did so." Lily answers.

Clifford waves goodbyes to rep and drives away from Ford's delivery yard to privateers. On the way to New York, Clifford and Lily decide to have a supper and spend the night at some hotel in Youngstown.

Mustang and the travelers get closer to Youngstown. 

"Hello. Are you awake in there ?" Lily asks gallantly from Mustang.
"Yes. I'm awake." Mustang answers.
"You have to spend the night in car. You unit is mounted into car, can't take you in for the nights." Lily says with some sadness in her voice..
"Can you handle it ?" Clifford asks without intonation and expectations.
"If I have to." Mustang says quietly.

Mustang curves to hotel's parking plot.
"I'll come to see you later in the evening and night." Lily promises.
"Yes mam." Mustang says without much feelings.

In the supper quiet and thoughtful Clifford says. "Should change android units so, that you take them away from the car. Must check the situation in Andronics tomorrow. "
"Couldn't sleep last night. Checked that Camaro was awake and went to see him. He was devastated in his stable. Took a short ride and stroll with him on the Island. Talked all kinds of things ... said that he is and will always be our son ... part of our family." Lily says.
"I see." Clifford comments. Couple finishes their meals. Lily goes to see Mustang. Clifford goes to bar for few beers. Clifford comes to their room, he sees, that Lily is missing. He goes out, sees Lily sitting and talking Mustang and goes back, into bed.

- - Thursday, the 4th - -

Clifford wakes up. He sees, that Lily is not in bed and in the room. First he thinks, that she must be out with Mustang. After few moments, he changes his mind. Lily don't usually do such. Clifford raises up and goes to window. He can't see Mustang. Lily could have driven it and parked it to a new place. Clifford dresses up and goes out. He cannot see Mustang in the parking plot and street sides near the hotel. Clifford walks to Hotel's entrance and starts to think, what to do. He doesn't notice how Lily comes to the entrance. Right beside Clifford and honks. Lily opens window.
"Morning. You're awake already." Lily says happily..
"Where were you ?" Clifford asks.
"Noticed, that you had run out of cigarettes. Hotel doesn't sell them, reception advised me to a nearby kiosk. Thought that you took so much in the evening, that you would sleep till noon." Lily answers.
"Cigarettes ... yes ... that's why I came so early to bed." Clifford remembers. "Lets go to breakfast and coffee. Must get my eyes open."
To Clifford's surprise, Lily comes out from the car.  Clifford is just about to ask, if Lily plans to leave the car to the entrance, when she says to Mustang  "Try to find yourself a place to park."
"Should I pick you up from the door ?" Mustang responds.
"It would be nice." Lily says.

Mustang closes front door. It goes to parking plot and curves to the first free slot. 
"I am impressed." Clifford says, after he sees how smoothly parking goes.
"You should. We practiced few hours parking routines and dialogues last night." Lily says.

Couple goes in, eats their breakfasts, packs their backs, checks out and comes back to main entrance. Clifford is bit nervous about Mustang. He is pretty convinced, that car will not come to the door. After a minute Lily notices, that Clifford is about to say something. Lily winks doorman and asks him to whistle a taxi for them. Doorman watches them a while ... wondering if this is a joke or a candid camera ... before he whistles. 

Whistle alerts Mustang. It comes out from the slot and drives to door. Doorman notices, that car misses driver and passenger. He hurries back to his place at the doors. Mustang slides to front door. It opens doors and trunk. Lily glances doorman, but Clifford throws suitcases to trunk, before Lily winks doorman to car. "I'll drive." Lily says and takes the driver's seat. Journey to New York continues.

"Your a count, where is your county ?" Mustang asks.
"It was in royal Russia, somewhere near Lithuania. Family lost it in late 1916. Germany was coming from south west. Reds were winning in Moscow and taking Russia under control. Family escaped to Sweden. From Sweden they sailed to France and moved to Switzerland. Title is the only thing left. Great parents visited the old county in 1950s. Their old house was crappy main building for Soviet collective ranch. No one knew about their old crofters. Land-less strangers lived in their old houses. Relatives and old friends had also vanished. After Soviets found out, who my great parents were, they were taken to American troops in West Berlin." Clifford explains his royal history.

"Your great parents spoke Russian ?" Lily asks.
"Both were born in Russia. They married year before escape. Great Ma didn't have any a single living relative. Her family didn't want to escape with mine. Great Ma was the second youngest daughter. She had eight siblings. Our families were not very close. After visit to Soviet Union, great ma started to say, that she wasted her life writing letters to ghosts." Clifford says.

After historical briefing, last evening and tiredness makes Clifford drowse. Lily starts to teach driving to Mustang.

- - - -

Cops SUV starts to tail Mustang. "Cops are after you." Mustang says.
"I know that. Thanks for reminding." Lily responds.
"Can I help ?" car asks politely.
"How could you help us ?" Lily says. Green "awake" light in dashboard turns to red. Mustang takes steering, pedals and all controls exclusively to itself. Car accelerates heavily. Cops SUV naturally follows, sets flash lights and siren on. Mustang and SUV shuffles from lane to lane. Traffic is too dense for Mustang to get rid of slow and clumsy SUV. 

Sirens awaken Clifford. He hears Lily's plea. "Please stop. I didn't mean what I said." and says "What did you say to her ?"
"Stop." Lily says desperately to Mustang.. 
"Stop Now !"  Clifford starts to help Lily. When car hears her owners voice, she responds with cold digital voice "Immediate threat detected. Operators request rejected."
SUV's front manages to raise aside Mustang. Mustang crashes cop's SUV to center rail. After crash cops fall few meters behind. Lane shuffling continues, until cars come to open highway. 

"Now you can get rid of cops."  Clifford says quietly aloud to himself.  Mustang moves to left lane and starts to slow down. Lily sighs from the relief. Cops SUV comes to right lane, beside Mustang. After SUV's front is at Mustangs front door, cop driver starts to wink Mustang to road side. But Mustang crashes cops SUV again. On right side there aren't rails and cops SUV gets off the road. On the slide it makes stepped half-flip, that turns it on it's roof.. Slide on roof ends to the bottom of ditch.

Red light is still on, Mustang accelerates heavily. Lily and Clifford glances each other. After five minutes speeding, digital voice says "Threat eliminated. Returning to cruse mode." Red light goes green and controls are released. Mustang starts to slide towards center rail. Lily takes the wheel and steers car back to right lane.

"Why did you do that ... didn't listen to me ?" Lily asks Mustang.
"I didn't do a thing. Lost control of the car after I asked Can I help ?" Mustang responds.
"Well, if you and Lily didn't do that ... who did those red-light tricks ?"  Clifford asks 
"Pentagon ... CIA ... Andronics " Lily proposes.
"Glitch or hidden routine in mind box." is Mustang's proposition.

"Take the first exit. We must take the car to Island with truck" Clifford says and starts to call a tow truck.
"Must get someone from Andronics to check and fix this." Lily says and turns to side road. She parks the car to first bus stop.

"Truck comes after an hour." Clifford informs.
"What do we say to cops. Hopefully they didn't get hurt in the roll over. They will get us with license plate. Probably at the island already." Lily ponders.

"How did you get involved with cops ?" Clifford asks.
"They came from the back with speed. Around 10 miles before incident. Then they started to tail us. Followed all lane and speed changes. Didn't let anyone come in between us." Mustang answers.
"Cops behavior could have triggered red light." Lily says.

Group comes to the conclusion, that cops triggered some safety mode. After voting, they decide to cancel tow-truck and continue their journey. Slightly damaged Mustang continues trip on smaller roads. 
"Cops. How do we handle cops ?" Mustang asks.
"If we forget you and appeal cops aggressive behavior, we could survive with small damages. add MP's and CIA's visits into appeal as a reason for getting too violent." Lily proposes.
"Could offer generous compensations from cops trashed SUV, possible hospital bills, general pains and aches." Clifford says.
"I have videos from cops, when they hang around the car." Mustang says.
"Someone could have tipped cops about the hidden safety routine. Or even asked them to activate the routine." Clifford says.

In the afternoon car comes to New Jersey. "Do we take direct or indirect route to the Island ?" Lily asks Clifford.
"Lets take the main route." Clifford answers. 

When Mustang arrives, there is no one waiting at the main gate or on the yard. Lily glances Clifford.
"If cops didn't play fair, they will not come to here. If cops were acting on their own, they might report the crash as common accident, without saying a word from us and our involvement." Clifford answers.

Lily drops Clifford to the mansion and takes Mustang to it's stable, Stable 2. Camaro is at it's stable, when Lily and Mustang come in. Lily introduces cars to each other and hops that they get along well. Tells them also, that in tomorrow evening they get third friend, Dodge Challenger. From the stables Lily walks to Handmaid's house, to see and greet cars' new teacher, Patricia.

At the house there is no one around. Lily starts to walk back to mansion. At the halfway Patricia and John walk against Lily. Lily greets John and introduces herself to Patricia. Lily explains that training and education starts for real on Monday, after they get Challenger. Patricia is governess, her job is to teach communications, language, behavior,  pronunciation, traffic rules and other literals to cars. Lily wishes couple good evening and continues to mansion. 

After Lily goes away John says "She is a real princess from Germany."
"Really. Never heard of German princesses." Patricia answers.
"She descends directly from some German king and old kingdom. Germany has given old royals their titles back." John explains.
"Her family lives in castle ?" Patricia asks.
"Not that I know. German government justifies only titles. Justification doesn't include old properties, land areas and powers." John says.

"How do I address her ... princess Lily ?" Patricia asks.
"People in here talk about lady, lady Lily, countess and countess Lily." John explains.
"Mr. White is count ?" Patricia queries.
"He is exiled Russian Count." John explains. 
"Thought that Whites are bankers from Switzerland." Patricia says.
"Whites escaped Russian revolution to Switzerland. They came to USA in 1930's as Swiss settlers and bankers." John tells.

Couple comes to servants house complex. They wish good evenings and go to their homes. After getting in, John realizes, that he was tempted to give a good night kiss to Patricia.

Clifford closes phone and comes out from his study. He starts to search Lily. She is reading a book in library. 

"Called law department. They said, that Pennsylvanian police knows nothing about our daily incident with cops. It's like nothing had happened." Clifford says.
"What do you think. Is it good or bad ?" Lily asks.
"Don't know. Don't have to be afraid of cops, that's for sure." Clifford says.
"Did you ..." Lily asks.
"Yes. Managed to catch technician ... from his home number ... who worked with Camaro. He told me, that there would've been a cancel-emergency touch button in dashboard. It lights up every time red light goes on, and unit shifts to emergency mode. We failed to notice it. He comes to job interview on Monday. You should take care of it. I have additional board meeting and additional share holder meetings on Monday. Must go to San Antonio for Monday." Clifford says.
"Are those meeting connected to our messes ?" Lily asks.
"Indirectly. They are about the unexpected inspections, which were made to our facilities"  Clifford replies.

"Job interview ?" Lily wonders.
"He was the only one I managed to get into phone. He is no longer working for Andronics. He hasn't found another job yet."  Clifford says.

"And you saw an opportunity, you cannot miss ?" Lily smiles.
"Sort of.  He would be ... "  Clifford says.
"Don't. I believe you. And take care of the interview. Don't have rehearsals on Monday." Lily says and returns to her book.

Clifford doesn't leave library. "Interesting book ?" he asks quietly.
"It's okay. Romantic novel, that takes place in early 20th century France." Lily answers.
Clifford sneaks away from library and goes back to his study.

After half an hour Clifford comes to see Lily. 

"You have never been at Niagara Falls ?"  Clifford asks. 
"No. What about it ?" Lily puts her book aside.
"I was wandering, if we would go from Detroit to Niagara. Spend an evening and night in there. Go to see my sister in Boston. Get an authorization for her votes to shareholders meeting. Her youngest is sick, she is not coming to San Antonio. We could spend night at her home. Come down to New York via ocean side roads on Sunday morning."  Clifford proposes.
"Just for fun ?" Lily asks.
"Not just for fun. Also a precaution for another incident." Clifford explains.
"Okay. I'll go and pack for few days trip." Lily answers and leaves library. Clifford goes back to his study for reserving a suite from Niagara Falls.

After an hour Lily comes to Clifford's study.
"Got the bags ready. Loaded new album to music library. French Chansons .... Best of Charles Aznavour ... Would you like to listen it with me." Lily asks.
"Yes of course."  Clifford raises from his desk and go to Lily. 

Couple goes to multimedia room and starts to listen.
"How are you doing with violin and orchestra ?"  Clifford asks. 
"Violin goes fine. Seat in orchestra is a bit awkward. Feel often, that I'm stealing bread from those, who are in need. Have been thinking, if I would leave the orchestra." Lily tells.
"Anyway you want. If you leave, orchestra's secret sponsorship deal with White Industries will be published. You have a special term in that deal."  Clifford replies. 

"Is immigrant office still working in White Industries ?" Lily asks.
"After we moved to New York, your office was integrated to personnel.  We have immigration clerk at personnel."  Clifford replies. 
"Illegal immigrants are mostly a domestic problem. When you hire a Mexican or Latin American , immigration papers are merely a formality." Lily says.
"Illegal immigrants are much more cheaper than legally hired and imported Latin Americans. Quite sure that Olivier re-opens your old office, if you want to."  Clifford says.
"I don't. We would have to move back to San Antonio." Lily says.

"New York offered an extension to mansion some time ago. One billion per house complex and plot. Said that they have been satisfied with our house care policies."  Clifford says.
"Can we afford it ?" Lily asks.
"Can get a cheap loan from company. We don't have any at the moment. Mansion and it's tunnel works are fully paid."  Clifford responds.
"They need money. Might be a good idea to buy one ... keep city happy ... on our side. I would like to get farmhand's and handmaid's houses back to us ... as guest houses. If that technician comes, Game keepers house is the only vacant apartment we have and can offer to him. Housemaid is getting married, she would like to move into handmaid's house with her husband and baby in waiting." Lily says.

"Are we still the only residents on the island ?"  Clifford asks.
"Yes. Big words and stunning numbers in the news don't make you a billionaire." says Lily.
"Remember when we bought the mansion, New York planned to convert Governors Island into a billionaires paradise. We were supposed to be the first of many."  Clifford chuckles.

"How did Whites get rich ?" Lily asks.
"White capital originates to Peter the Great and 18th century Russia. In 1917 my family managed to preserve lots of gold and valuables from White's fortune. White bank in Switzerland was doing swell. It tripled preserved assets. Great Pa founded White Industries with his own money. Over half from the imported Swiss fortune was left unused. Later great deal from the saved assets was used to expand White industries."  Clifford explains.

Record ends and couple goes to bed.

"Why do we have to pick the cars personally and drive them home ?" Lily asks.
"Andronics demanded it. It is written in the terms of purchase. Said also, that we must buy at least three units. For lowering the modification costs."  Clifford says.
"How much units cost to us ?" Lily says.
"Units cost one million a piece. Bill from modifications was almost ten millions. It was pre estimated to be much smaller."  Clifford answers.
"Andronics is not answering your calls ?" Lily queries.
"After we came home, operator said, that the line is not connected."  Clifford responds.

"How did you get the android units. Did you call and asked for them ?" Lily asks.
"No. Some salesman from Andronics contacted me and offered special android units for private cars. I was looking car for you. Somehow he managed to make me interested from the units."  Clifford memorizes.
"Unique opportunity, with bargain prices ?" Lily asks.
"This sales tech seems to work well with me. Should be more careful with these special offers in the future."  Clifford replies.

"Good night darling" Lily wishes.
"Nighty night."  Clifford responds.

- - Friday - -

On early Friday morning Lily and Clifford take taxi to La Guardian International airport. After arrival to Detroit, they step into limo, Dodge has sent to them. This time they are picked with lengthened Chrysler limo. On the delivery yard metallic wine-red Challenger  ( plate WHK-303 )  rep and mechanic are waiting for the couple. 

After mechanic have proved, that car works, Clifford takes drivers seat. Mechanic goes to pick and carry luggage. After mechanic opens trunk, Lily comes to trunk and checks it from the inside.  Mechanic comes and drops bags into trunk.
"It is lower than standard trunk. Jets are under the trunk, nozzles are behind rear bumper. They take some height from trunk." mechanic says.
Lily nods quietly.

Clifford scrolls Challenger's control panel. He disables emergency modes. Then he shouts "Lily come here ! You and and your voice must be registered as car's primary user."

Clifford comes out, Lily goes in and gives required sound samples, finger and eye prints. Lily gets her things done and Clifford goes back to car and continues to scroll settings. Mechanic slams trunk lid and walks away from the car. Clifford starts the engine and comes out.

Clifford turns to Challenger and says "Jump". Challenger crouches. Then it straightens quickly and jumps around 10 cm from the ground.  

Clifford says "Jump higher."
Challenger starts to talk "How high you want me to jump ?"
Clifford asks "How high you can jump ?"
Challenger answers "Around 70 cm. Want me to show it ?"
"No. Front wheels up." Clifford commands. Challenger starts to  lift it's front wheels up "I can raise to almost upright position."
"Okay. Rear wheels up." Challenger drops front wheels to ground and lifts it's rear wheels into air.

"Want me to lift both sides, too ?" car asks after dropping rear wheels.
"Yes. I do." Clifford responds. Challenger lifts it's sides up and down.

Clifford winks Lily to him. Lily comes and says "Open and close hood, trunk and doors in given order."
"No problem, milady." Challenger says and performs the given commands.

"Can you show us sideway driving on this yard ?" Clifford sets a bid. Challenger goes to another end of the yard and turns around. It starts to approach Lily and Clifford. First it pushes it's rear to left. Then it makes a push to right and comes to Lily and Clifford.

"Happy ?" Challenger asks from the couple. "Yes. We are happy with your performances."
"Show us the stand-by jet-mode." Clifford sets the last bid. Challenger locks the wheels and starts the jet.
"No awkward storms, please." Lily remembers Camaro's man made, manual jet test. Challenger  raises jet's rpm a little and shuts it down.
"You can stop the engine and rest." Clifford releases Challenger from duty and walks to rep. Lily and Challenger follow.

"Wow ... Nice car. How much it cost ?" mechanic asks.
"Almost five millions in total." Clifford answers.
"It's sibling took full control to itself ... right after purchase ...  it intentionally crashed itself two times with another car." Lily explains maneuvers on the yard.

"Papers ?" rep hands his clipboard to Clifford. Clifford starts to read it.
"How fast it goes ?" mechanic asks Lily.
"My top speed is over 200 mph. Maximal speed and acceleration depends on tires." Challenger grabs Lily's question.
"Challenger is registered as male humanoid. His name is Chip White." Lily corrects mechanic's language and misunderstanding.
Clifford stops reading and glances Lily with some curiosity on his face.
"You're not the only one in our family, who can use phone. Registered android units and their names, when you were sleeping in the plane. Mandatory registration is mentioned in android's court order. Andronics hadn't registered them . Cars were illegal up till morning." Lily responds to Clifford's glance.

Clifford has finished reading. He signs the agreement and gives Dodge's rep a check for payment.

"We are finished here. Thanks for your purchase. Godspeed to your trip home." rep wishes. Challenger starts the engine and opens the doors after it hears reps words.
Lily and Clifford goes to car. Journey to Niagara Falls begins.

After goodbye waving, mechanic turns to rep and asks "Who were they ?"
"They were Whites. Rich tobacco and beer makers from Texas. Count Clifford White and his wife princess Lily White live in New York." rep answers. 
Whilst walking back to compound, mechanic takes a cigarette pack from his pocket and starts to examine it  "Hmh. I smoke White's cigarette label."  Men come to door and vanishes into compound.

- - - -

Clifford and Lily are driving to Niagara Falls. Chip is driving, Clifford supervising.

"Chip White ... How did you get White to his name ?" Clifford asks.
"It was very easy ... pressed space bar after Chip. And began White with capital." Lily answers.
"May I inquire the names of other two." Clifford says.
"Chose the names so, that they are easy to connect into cars. Mustang is Mandy White, Camaro is Colin White. You cannot get a drivers license without last name." Lily answers.

"From now on we will call you Chip ... Chip White." Clifford says to Challenger.
"Understood ... you have two other cars ?" Challenger replies.
"Got Mustang yesterday, Camaro on Monday. You share the stable with them. Hope you get along." Lily answers.
"You get more freedom soon. You mind is bolted to body. We asked that Andronics would make your minds detachable." Clifford says.
"So that we can for example take you in for the night." Lily adds.

"Can I do things in the case ?" Challenger asks nervously.
"I don't know. Technician said, that he builds the cases from your lab-case. Never seen them." Clifford answers.
"Okay." Challenger says quietly.
"You get also a trainer and governess. They train, teach and educate you on weekdays" Lily says.

"What am I ?" Challenger asks.
"Supreme court ruled, that you are a human without body." Lily says.
"What happened to me ?" Challenger asks.
"We don't know." Lily says.

Clifford notices that Chip is losing his touch to steering and driving. "May I interrupt. Chip could you pass all steering and driving controls to me. Would like to drive a while."
"Okay" Chip says.

"You died in an accident. After you died, your head and brains were cut off from the body and placed into some life support system.  Then your brains were re-activated with electric shocks. And that's all we know about your backgrounds." Lily continues.

"Cannot remember a thing from such. Wonder why ?" Chip Challenger says.
"Don't know. " Lily says and starts to think. Whilst thinking, she notices, that Canadians are driving very slowly. Clifford is passing cars and queues all the time.  Lily turns her head towards Clifford, for making comment about her observations. Turn brings speed-o-meter to her sight. Meter shoes that Clifford is driving 170 mph. Lily reforms the intended comment.
"Gee. Chip goes very smoothly and quietly. Couldn't believe my eyes, when I saw, that you are driving 170" 
Comment embarrasses Clifford. He drops the speed to 100 mph. "It goes like a dream."

Soon after incident Lily turns back to Chip "Do you remember how we picked you from Dodge ?" 
"Yes. My memories begin from Ben and Camille, my old caretakers." Chip answers.
"There is nothing wrong with your brains and memory ... something or someone has wiped out memories from your past." Lily says.
"It is good ?" Chip asks.
"It means that there is a chance, that someday lost memories come back to your mind. No idea what kind of memories you have forgotten. Some memories are very depressing" Clifford answers.

Clifford slows down and turns to highway 403. "Hundred miles to Falls. Want to have a coffee break ?"
"I have been searching fuel gauge, shouldn't you be low on fuel already" Lily says.
"No. Chip, Mandy and Colin work with nuclear reaction. They run without fuel. How about the coffee break ?" Clifford says.
"These seats big and comfortable. On my behalf we can continue without breaks." Lily says.
"How about you Chip. Do you need a break ?" Clifford asks.
"No." Chip answers quietly. Clifford raises speed back to over 100 mph.

"Clifford, you are not afraid of tickets and license loss ?" Lily asks.
"No. Car slows down automatically, when cops comes near." Clifford says.

"This is not entirely true. I need your permission to scan police frequencies and patrol cars locations." Chip corrects.
"Well. You have my permission to scan police frequencies." Clifford says.
"Okay. Permission expires after 24 hours." Chip answers.

"Hmm ... Can you make it so, that you ask permission, when we are over speeding." Clifford says.
"It is possible. Might need me to do some changes into sub routines. Your wish is not in pre-programmed options." Chip answers.
"You do the required programming ?" Lily startles.
"Yes. I can do small changes to my programming. Not authorized to make changes into driving and critical routines. I can change common settings, so that they please you." Chip explains.
"You cannot remove that 24 hour expiration time." Clifford says.
"No. No way." Chip says.

Clifford slows down and turns to Hamilton town. He stops the car in front of a mall. "Driver change. I'll pick cigarettes, beer and snacks." Clifford raises up and goes to shop. 

Lily goes to driver's seat. "You can restore my seat and steering settings, when you see that I come to drivers seat ?" Lily asks.
"Yes of course. Do you want to enable this feature. It can be enabled to you or all known passengers. And both seats separately." Chip replies.
"Put it on to all known passengers and both seats. Nice to see Clifford's looks, when his seat takes his old settings automatically. In our old Bentley he was often complaining how me and my driving messes his complicated setting systems." Lily chuckles.
Clifford comes back, right after he opens the door, his seat start to searches new settings. Clifford watches the adjustment and nods. After Clifford sits down, the trip continues.

Clifford takes two beer cans from the bag and shows them to Chip "You have a fridge for these ?" 
"I have two cooled cup holders in center console. I can put their coolers on for you. Otherwise you have to activate coolers with a button, right beside holder. When you push the can deep enough, lid closes and cooling works better. I have bigger cooling unit in the trunk." Chip explains.
Lily passes wheel to Chip  "Do you want me to over speed ?" Chip asks. "No. Drive within limits." Lily says and relaxes.

- - Falls - -

Chip curves to hotel's entrance, opens doors and trunk. Piccolo comes and takes Whites luggage. Lily and Clifford walk to reception. Chip goes to parking area.

"Good afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. White." Lily asks their room. Receptionist checks computer "Mr. and Mrs. White ... honeymoon suite one."
Lily is a bit surprised and watches Clifford, who chuckles. "Didn't forget our 10th wedding anniversary. It's on next week."

Whites and piccolo go to suite. Piccolo introduces living and bed room. He shows how suite's equipment is used. Clifford takes his wallet and watches in. He watches Lily with a plea. Lily opens her handbag and gives 50 dollar tip to piccolo. Piccolo leaves the suite and Whites start to unpack their bags.

"Ten years. Time has gone by with wings. Still think that we got married few years ago." Clifford says.
"You didn't say anything about anniversary. How did you know, that I pack evening gown ?" Lily puts her gown into closet.
"You leave better dress from luggage only then, when we visit Catherine or Olivier." Clifford answers.

After settling down, Lily and Clifford come to restaurant for a dinner. Butler escorts couple to a window table, with a view to falls.

"You said that Hilde is getting married and having a baby ... shotgun weddings ?" Clifford says.
"No. Hilde and Vince have been together almost five year. Decided to have a baby and get married." Lily says.
"Five years ... Don't remember ever seeing the man." Clifford says.
"They met, when we went to see a play at Broadway." Lily says.
"You and Hilde ?" Clifford says.
"You were with us. They met in the after-party. You were dead-drunk, when Hilde invited Vince to our table." Lily clears the mystery.
Clifford gets quiet, for a moment. 
"But afterwards, never seen the man in mansion." Clifford says.
"They spend their time in handmaid's house." Lily says.

"And she wants to move to there. What's wrong with game keepers house. It's bigger and fits better to family ?" Clifford asks.
"You. You visit the house." Lily answers.

Main course is brought to table, discussion ends.
"On my behalf she can take the house. Not in love with it." Clifford continues after waitresses go away.
"I'll talk about it with Hilde." Lily promises. Couple start to eat and discussion ends.

On dessert Lily says "We could go to see the falls next. You don't have any and I don't have much cash with me. Must go to ATM, too."

Lily and Clifford arrive to falls. Start to astonish it's beauty and force. Clifford take photos from Lily. Lily from Clifford. One unknown visitor from both.
"You are still best friends with Hilde ?" Clifford asks.
"Could say so ... we wouldn't have met, if she didn't drag me to that festival. " Lily says.

"What made you stay at my box then. Did you know about my royal roots ?" Lily asks after a while.

"No idea ... natural unexplained attraction ... had never seen that crying young women before." Clifford begins and continues "I was in private October party with Catharine and Olivier. Olivier was picking a woman at bar. Cathy was surrounded by men ... as always. Got bored and decided to go and see nightlife in Munich. Came to your restaurant for a beer. Saw you all alone in the corner box and came to see you. Wasn't in the best moods. When I saw that you are crying, I just stayed at table ... tried to sooth you ... make you stop crying. You were very open with me."

"Are you best friends with Olivier ?" Lily says.
"Yes. We grew up, studied and partied together. He is closer to me than brother Peter. Cathy started to hang around with us, when she was 16 or 17. First she found us a handy way to slip into restaurants, without age checking."
"I have never been very popular amongst men." Lily says sadly.
"You are beautiful, men are still looking after you ... most men finds or found Cathy very attractive and desirable. Some women are like that. Parents compared her to aunt Irene." Clifford says

"You mean that bitter old nag ?" Lily wonders.
"Irene wasn't always like that. She had a big fight about one boy-friend with grandpa. Grand pa said, that he is gold digger, who doesn't care about foolish Irene. Grand-pa and great-pa changed White Industries so, that only blood relatives can inherit company's shares. Grand pa revealed these changes at shared Christmas dinner. He managed to manipulate Irene's boy friend so angry, that he started to insult Irene. He called her hooker, traitor, threatened to sue family into court from fraud, and what-so-ever. Boyfriend left Irene and house right away. Afterwards heartbroken Irene tried to find out what happened. She even hired a private detective. She suspected, that pa and grand pa had bought her boyfriend or something like that. Parents said, that the fight changed Irene a lot. Afterwards she married Carlos, flimsy gold-digger beach-gigolo, she found from Spanish beaches. Mom said, that marriage and kids have changed Carlos. He was quite a revelation, when Irene brought him to see family for the first times."
"Cathy is very nice ... it's getting dark and chill ... could we go back to hotel ." Lily says. Lily and Clifford walk away from the falls.

On their way to Hotel, they pay a visit to Chip.
"Hi. How are you ?" Lily asks. "Hi Chip." Clifford shouts from the back.
"Just fine. A bit lonely here." Chip answers. Lily and Clifford glances each other.
"We talked about you." Clifford says.
"Are you putting me away ?" Chip asks with slightly shaky voice.
"No. Nothing like that." Lily smiles warmly.
"We talked about your accent. Memory losses hardly ever affect to your speaking." Clifford says.
"Your accent hints, that you would have lived in India or Arabia." Lily says.
"If you are interested, we could try find out more about you." Clifford says.
"I'll come to see you later in the evening." Lily says before they got hotel.

<< Newest >>

In the suite Lily and Clifford dress up for supper and evening in night club. After supper, they move to ballroom restaurant. 
"Those android cars are much like kids." Lily says.
"So they are. Have been too shy to ask before ... but what is the reason, that prevents you from having kids." Clifford says.
"Latin term, that I cannot understand." Lily says.
"Was there anything special in the process, where the diagnosis was done ?" Clifford says.
"Doctor examined my vagina and breasts many times before he gave me the diagnosis and told me, that I can never have kids. It is almost impossible for me to get pregnant. Got a description for pills, because pregnancy will kill me." Lily says.
"Ever asked a second opinion ?" Clifford says.
"No. Tests were very depressing. I was very reluctant to go through the test process again." Lily says.
"You have been very interested in mothering of our new cars. You are not yet too old for kids." Clifford says.
"Don't know. Somehow settled into my destiny." Lily says.
"Cathy's gynecologist lives in New York. You could get easy and discreet second opinion from her." Clifford says.
"Not sure. I'll talk about it ... you want kids ?" Lily says.
"Not, if you can't have them and you don't accept adoption. Seeing you playing with those cars, gave me an impression, that you would like to have children ... take care of the little brats." Clifford says.
"I do not accept adoption ... from where did you get such idea ?" Lily says.
"From you, darling. You talked often about it during our first dates." Clifford says.
Orchestra stats play waltz.
"Let's go dancing," Lily says and couple goes to dance floor.
After an hour, Lily goes to talk with Chip. Clifford goes to  night club for stronger drinks.

On  Saturday morning Lily and Clifford sign out from the hotel. Lily begins the 500 mile trip to Boston and Cathy's big mansion. Soon after turning to interstate 90,  Lily enables cop-scanner and raises speed to 100 mph. Lily stops at Van Buren for a toilet, coffee and snack break. She shakes Clifford up for the break. After coming back to car, Clifford wants to continue sleeping and resting. Lily drives vine-red Challenger back to Interstate 90. Soon after getting back to road, Lily passes wheel to Chip and starts to supervise his driving. Lily and Chip make second pit stop at Chicopee. After Chicopee Clifford starts to drive. Cathy's mansion is on New Squantum island, around 10 miles south from Boston. Cathy's big mansion is in seaside forest. It is surrounded by dense fir-wall. Clifford curves to Cathy's gates at mid-afternoon. Challenger traveled 500 mile trip in around 7 hours. 

Cathy is in doctor with her youngest, Tom. Her husband Steven opens the gates. At the main entrance Lily leaves luggage to Clifford and Steven. She goes inside to see Cathy's three older kids. Cathy and Steven have two boys and two girls.