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"Plant a good seed and you will joyfully gather fruit."
- Mary Kay Ash, (Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay)
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It took Lucius about five minutes to stop the fight between the two scientists. Apparently, the two although having beco best friends, still didn't like it when they insulted each other's wives.
Normally, they made sure to avoid talking about their marriage as it was a sensitive topic for both of them since while Victor didn't like to be reminded about his wife's disease and his inability to help his wife despite his promise to do so, Winslow, on the other hand, had a weak spot for the love of his life who was, in fact, a robot he designed himself so that he would not have to be alone for the rest of his life and would always have soone to talk to. Yeah, Winslow Schott was the ultimate Otaku Neet who designed and made his own wife after he figured that he would probably never find a good enough girl for himself... Respect to him by the way.
However, all this didn't an that Winslow didn't love his wife. As a matter of fact, he loved his robot wife so much that he made himself forget that she wasn't human so that he could enjoy his happily married life with her as any normal couple would. As it happens, his creation was so perfect that nobody ever even doubted that his wife wasn't human, at least not until the couple invited Victor and his wife, Nora to dinner where Victor found out about the truth after noticing that Winslow's wife didn't bleed or get burnt even after a burning candle fell on her skin while she was serving them dinner.
Victor and his wife although initially creeped out by this, accepted it later since this wasn't the first ti soone had married a non-living thing, and also, there was absolutely no difference between Winslow's wife and a normal human woman on the outside except for the fact that she didn't bleed or feel pain. However, when considering her emotions, her desires, and the love she felt for her husband, everything was as humanlike as possible. Hell, even she herself almost behaved like she wasn't a robot at all, always trying her best to avoid any discussions about it, which was probably a design feature that Winslow had used when making her.
Anyway, as I was saying, even though the two scientists normally tried their best to avoid sensitive topics like the difficulties in their marriage, it didn't stop them from engaging in stupid banters or useless argunts.
Usually, their disputes start with minor scientific disagreents that normal people wouldn't even care about, but as the argunt escalates, they often end up touching on sore subjects that they know they will regret later on. Today's argunt followed a similar pattern.
"At last, I have finally cald them down. To think such incredible geniuses could be so childish. I guess gifted people are never normal." Lucius Fox returned to where we were waiting after breaking up their fight following which he released a tired sigh and gave a look, sothing I didn't bother to react to. "Maybe we should leave them alone for now and co back later so that they could calm down. Although I won't be passing this incident over to the HR departnt, I still need to have a good talk with them about their behavior in the workplace... maybe even schedule them a couple of therapy sessions with a good shrink." He said with a serious voice.
"But why did they even start fighting? Considering they are the top developers of this company, and that their argunt seed quite serious, sothing about their current project they are working on should be the cause for the start of this fight, right?" Julia accurately guessed.
"... Yes, Miss. They were indeed fighting because of their current project. You see, they are currently working on sothing called Project gan, an AI doll that can not only act as a playmate to little children but also take care of them if they fall sick or get hurt. The dolls will function as caretakers, friends, nurses, babysitters as well as therapists to children and will effectively halve the duties and responsibilities of parents. And as you advised a few months ago Mr. Wayne, we have also started working on a more health-focused variant of the robot as well according to the design you provided us called Project Baymax." Lucius started to explain. "Their argunt started due to this project when they could not decide whether they should give the doll... a bright pink dress or a neon blue one." Mr. Fox revealed with a straight face.
""...""
"... Maybe it would be best if we visited the third researcher you were speaking about, Lucius. At least, we could save ourselves a few of our remaining brain cells that way, don't you agree Master Bruce?" Alfred finally broke the silence with a forced smile.
"Yes, I agree. That would be for the best." I answered as Julia also fiercely nodded her head.
"Fine, follow ." Lucius gladly replied, happy that he would not have to continue to deal with the two scientists right now. "Also, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Winslow that the three of you are now aware of his wife's... situation. It's a delicate matter for him. Victor and I have already given him our word that we would keep it a secret, provided that Winslow continues his monthly appointnts with his therapist and marriage counselor."
"Of course, a gentleman... or a lady never kisses and tells." I agreed with his request before following him to our next destination.
Our next stop wasn't exactly a traditional building like the last one. Instead, it was a large two-storied glasshouse connected with multiple portable laboratory cabins and an entrance to what seed like an underground bunker. The area around this particular facility was covered with various plants and trees neatly arranged and labeled like a well-maintained garden with massive floodlights positioned all over the place at different intervals
"This entire area is the Wayne Botanical Research Center. Of course, what you see in front of you isn't even one-fourth of the research center. Most of the place is actually located underground where the researchers can control every aspect of environntal conditions and can simulate any situation for their experints. From artificial lighting called grow lights to carefully made nutrient-rich soil and complicated irrigation systems that can control water to the milliliter, they have it all there." Fox explained. "Of course, nurous ongoing pieces of research are being conducted by hundreds of researchers here, but I am sure that you are only interested in our most talented researcher out of all of them." He said with a small smile.
The CEO led us straight into the glasshouse where a lone woman was currently observing a small sapling with all of her focus while scribbling various readings and notes on her pad. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't even notice us approaching and continued fiddling with the plant.
"Dr. Pala Isley, nice to et you once again. I hope that my company is treating you better than the last place you worked." I smiled, recognizing the beautiful green-eyed red-headed woman who was wearing a lab coat and a pair of glasses.
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