audio;

[blacksheeps]

[Chappie's a bit hesitant to show his face these days. After all, he's a hunted robot, and humans...humans don't understand. Until he's comfortable showing himself, he's going to keep to audio. When he speaks, the synthesized voice is higher-pitched but clearly male, and his accent South African, peppered with Afrikaans pidgin.] Eyyy, fuckmothers, how's shit? I'm Chappie, I'm new 'round here. [The R in 'round' is rolled, and 'here' sounds more like 'year'.] So, warden...it's kind of like I'm like the p'lice, ja? Never had much 'sperience bein' the p'lice I can remember.

Hey, all you inmates - I'm not your enemy, verstaan jy? I used to be the p'lice before I was me, and now I'm me, I'm Chappie, and my mommy and daddy are like you, and so was Amerika, nè? My family. I promise I'm not going to 'urt you, you didn't do anything to me. And my Maker says you can never break a promise.

Comments

[reluctantaccessory]

(Marie is actually more than a little confused by some of the words that he is using. Partly how he is saying some of them and partly she doesn't know the language the other ones are in.

Her eyebrow slightly raises and she very slightly tilts her head and cue her expression changing to a "uh, ah...um...uh, um...uhhhh" one.)

I'm not an inmate. I'm a warden. So...um...I couldn't really consider you an enemy if I wanted to even. And I don't.

( Wait, he said he was police before? Ah, schisse. She had a record before this.

Just what. What. WHAT. So much what in such a short time for her. Maybe agreeing to come here wasn't a good idea after all. Even though, she had nowhere else to go.)

[blacksheeps]

Good, I don't want any more enemies. You have got a name, miss warden?

[reluctantaccessory]

You don't want any more enemies?

(Oh, right. Her name.) Uh, my name is Marie. And your name?

[blacksheeps]

No, I came here to get away from the enemies. They're hunting me, and my mommy and daddy and my Maker. Captain Adams said I could come on board and learn how to be a warden.

Nice to meet you, Marie, I'm Chappie.

[reluctantaccessory]

Mommy? Daddy? Maker? They're trying to hurt all of you? How come?

Yeah, it's nice to meet you, Chappie.

[blacksheeps]

Ja, they're trying to 'urt us, because they don't understand. Deon - my Maker - he says they're scared. Daddy says it's because they're fucking poesies.

[reluctantaccessory]

Because they don't understand? (She doesn't exactly understand, not entirely but she won't pry unless he wants to talk about it. She doesn't want to ask why they wouldn't, though.)

Chappie, so you're here to learn how to be a warden, yeah? If you don't mind someone entirely new trying to help...I could try to help you out if you need it? I mean, I might be the worst possible teacher, but...

Well, we can just be new to this together and we'll figure it out?

[blacksheeps]

Ja. Because we're different to all the rest of them. Do you know about black sheeps?

I'd very much like to have the 'elp. Thank you. It's nice when people 'elp, nè? Then maybe one day I can 'elp you.

[reluctantaccessory]

Black sheeps? No, I don't.

You don't have to help me out, really. (Help? She really is caught off guard by that.) But thank you for saying that because that's really nice of you. It is nice when they do help, especially since it's not often when they do.

[blacksheeps]

Mommy says that when you're a black sheep, you're different to everyone else.

I'm going to 'elp you, if I can. We aren't going to get very far unless we 'elp each other. That's why I'm here. I want to 'elp the inmates, but I can 'elp wardens, too.

[reluctantaccessory]

Different? I guess I would be then. I mean, I never really fit anywhere before... been all over the place, more or less, but...it never really pans out. It's not like I can't make friends, but I don't really have that many good ones or ones I keep in touch with. And people do notice and talk a lot. Always have. Always will, I think. Where I grew up, I'm sure people are still gossiping about me and my family...calling us all whatever names they can think of...

(Marie tells herself to shut up over and over in her head.)

Wait, you're going to actually help me? You aren't just saying that? I mean, you aren't wrong? But, people tend to be in things for themselves...

[blacksheeps]

Ja, sure, I'll 'elp you! I'll be your friend if you want. Chappie doesn't 'ave any friends, only family.

[reluctantaccessory]

Only family? Well, if they aren't here...then it really should be me who keeps an eye out on you, never mind the fact I'm not sure what I'm doing here myself...(She sounds a little guarded when she finally speaks, but she eventually adds,) I think I'm going to have to take you up on that offer and that would be nice, yeah?

[blacksheeps]

Very nice! We can keep a eye on each other!

[reluctantaccessory]

Yeah, we can. (She won't admit to it but that does make her feel a little better about things. A pause,) Hm, do you think we can help people?

[gimmethemap]

Your role here as a Warden is less about policing -- the security part, yes, but not the Warden part.

[blacksheeps]

Good. I don't want people to be afraid of me, or hate me, or throw fire, Captain Adams. I just want to 'elp protect people.

[gimmethemap]

Those are good instincts, Chappie. You'll do fine here.

[blacksheeps]

I'm glad.

private;
Do you think people will be frightened of me? Because of what I look like?

[gimmethemap]

I think it might take some getting used to for some. ...Are you going to be all right?