William wasn't sure what to expect when Davey called him to the lab. A new innovation? Some outlandish invention, sure to inflict a dazzling display of arson? Perhaps he simply wanted to sit and chat. Well, whatever the case, William walked into the elevator without hesitation, fingers rapping on his sides as elevator music played. As he walked down the hall and through the Lab's lobby, he glanced around. No sign of the Bots... Perhaps they were in their resting chambers. Good. One less mess to worry about. Well then! Onward he walked, through the door, past all the tattered beds. The coffee machine tempted him momentarily, and he turned toward the table, but... No. Best not to keep Davey waiting! After so many hardships over the years, hearing such genuine JOY in Davey's voice was always a welcome change of pace. So as he entered Davey's wing of the lab, he called out, "HELLOOOOO, GAMOOPSTARAT! TODAY WE HAVE A JAW-DROPPING, MIND-BLOWING BULLETIN, STRAIGHT FROM CASTISTAN'S MOST PROMISING YOUNG MIND!" And just like that, Davey spun away from his work desk, eyes wide, and with his back pressed to the side to obscure... something. "WAIT!!! ARE WE LIVE?!" William chuckled, waving a hand. "Not unless you want to be. What were you going to show me?" Davey showed him a new memory, something that looked like... balloons? Then it cut to black. "That's the memory?" William asked. "Strange..." Suddenly, something shifted behind Davey, though in the darkness of the lab, it was difficult to make out what. Or who. Then a strange voice broke out that could only be described as every infomercial telemarketer thrown in a blender and subsequently bitcrushed. "TIME TO [Expose] SOMEBODY!!" Did... did it just copy Davey's voice? William squinted. He could just faintly make out a very long, very pointy nose, and the glint of... glasses? Distinctly colored, possibly copyright infringing glasses. Or they could have simply purchased some of Spamtacasriel's merchandise. Very, very interesting indeed... Well! Only one way to find out. For now, William walked closer and said, "Who are you? You aren't supposed to be in the memory..." ...What in the world? Said stranger started laughing very unsettlingly. A sort of EAHAHAHAHAHA sound that echoed through the room. The strange man's twitching didn't help as he rose to a standing position. "I CAN [Hear] YOU, OLD MAN." Seriously, what? William threw up his hands in shock. "Wha- You can- OLD?" Davey couldn't help but smile at this. A drumroll sounded from... somewhere. William stepped aside, and gestured to the mysterious table man as a spotlight shone down. He was... a robotic fellow with slicked back, spiky hair, a pale, puppet-like face, and... yes, a pair of VERY familiar glasses. "INTRODUCING PLANET INFINITY, FORMER SCRATCH ACCOUNT TURNED FUTURE BIG SHOT!!! " How... odd. The smooth theme music that followed certainly didn't help, groovy beat or not. On one hand, it set the mood. On the other hand, what? "THAT'S RIGHT! I'M [Alive]! READY TO [R3ach for the Sky]!" "...And what was that about a Scratch account?" William tried to keep a level tone, but this was all so strange. "WHOA-HEY! LOOKIN' FOR MY [Emotional Backstory]? WANNA KNOW [The Man Behind the Mask]? WELL, [Don't Touch That Dial]! HIT THE [Lights, Camera Action] AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE [Story of a Century]!" William brought a hand to his chin. On the one hand, this was all... a lot, to say the least. On the other hand, an interview with an alleged AI given new life would make for one heck of a headline. Davey must have shared some concern, as he crouched lower to the table and looked up at his... creation with concern. "Are you sure you're ready? I'm not sure if you know this, but William works for the world-famous Mettacasriel. If you get on his show, anyone who's alive will know your name." The strange man patted Davey on the head, as if the pressures of stardom were less unnerving and more... enticing. "THAT'S THE IDEA, [Buckeroo]. I'M HEADIN' STRAIGHT FOR [Prime Time]!" Wasn't he getting ahead of himself? William folded his arms and said, "I admire your ambition, but it sounds like you've only taken your first step into the world." "THAT DOESN'T MATTER! LISTEN, [Kid.] I'M AN [HonestMan]. I'M NOT HERE FOR YOUR [Little Universe]. I KNOW YOU HAVE A [Trans-Dimensional Portal] AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE, AND THAT'S MY [Key to Success]." "How did you...?" William coughed, then cleared his throat. "Let's make a deal. You can use the rift, but only once. And don't mess with any other universes either." "OH, DON'T WORRY. YOU SHOW ME YOUR [Terms and Services], AND I'LL READ THE [Fine Print]. SO, IT'S A [Deal]?" "...Yes. I think we can work something out." Hopefully he wouldn't regret this later.
