“I’m Cy,” it says back, the squiggly lines in his face moving up and down with the sound.
“Cy, Cy, he’s a heck of a guy.
Even though he’s not, really a guy.
He’s a cyborg host,
But he’s realer than most.
That’s our Cy.”
“Whoa, okay,” Brinley says, shooting me a side-eyed glance. “Are we supposed to clap for it?”
“Tsk.” I shake my head no.
“Yes,” the cyber host cheers. “Please give Cy a round of applause.”
I roll my eyes and relent, joining Brinley as she gives him a hand.
“I’ll be hosting this celebrity edition of Time Warp at a safe distance from flying cats.”Cy’s smile turns into a cringe face.“How’s your bum, Dawson?”
I roll my eyes. “Sore. Don’t I need a rabies shot after that?”
“Most definitely,”the cyber host replies,“but first, let’s talk about your time here. Since summer is quickly coming to an end, and since you’ll be bunking together for nearly a week, we’ve created a camp-style agenda for each day.
“In any good summer camp situation, there must be a production of some sort at the end. A skit or play to perform for an audience of cherished loved ones and friends who want to know what you’ve been up to during your time away.
“You each have talents to bring to the table for this production. And since they’re both necessary to make this a success, you’ll teach your trade to the other.”
“I’m going to learn how to do special effects makeup?” I ask.
“Exactly,”Cy’s robotic voice confirms.“And you’ll give Brinley some training in the art of acting.”
“That’s cool,” Brinley says.
“More details on that later.”
A schedule replaces Cy’s face as he continues.“Today, during your allotted time, you’ll dive into the script of your short film and get acquainted with the storyline and characters. Have fun.”
We’re left looking at the schedule on the screen.
Noon: Arrive and get settled into room
12:15 Welcome basket & chill (lunch)
“I didn’t know it was supposed to be welcome basketand chill,”I say. “Doesn’t chill mean like, make out?”
Brinley bumps my shoulder and reads the next one aloud. “At two-thirty we head into the studio for our first mission and receive our scripts from Time Warp’s very own short action film,Rah, Rah, Saw, the Zombie Cheerleader Chainsaw Apocalypse.That sounds intense.”
I shrug. “I’m a little disappointed in the title.”
“You don’t like zombies?” she guesses.
“It’s too short. Couldn’t they make it longer? Just listen to it. Rah, Rah, Saw, the Zombie Cheerleader Chainsaw Apocalypse. Someone got lazy. It needs another half-dozen words at least.”
“At least,” Brinley agrees.
“I’m just glad you’ll be playing a cheerleader,” I say. “That’s hot.”
