Holiday Time

That time of year. The decorations start covering almost every part of open blank space on the ground floor of the office building. Humans climb up on ladders, attach green looking leaves along the walls. Odd, no one waters them, yet they stay the same color, bright and shiny. Then the leaves are taken down. Every year, same thing. Humans talk a different language from during the year. Interesting concept.

"How ya doing Laura", a guest said, walking past the information desk?

"Doing well, you, Mr. Jenkins"?

"Great. I love the holidays. These decorations are absolutely beautiful, don't you think"?

"Yes". Laura's eyes followed Mr. Jenkins as he walked to the elevator.

Don't I think? What does that mean? Do I think? Am I thinking now? How do I think if I have been programed for every possible human reply? Is that thinking? Laura sat motionless. I don't breathe. I don't need to breathe. I don't have to. Is that thinking?

"Good morning Mrs. Tarron".

"Good morning to you Laura. How are you doing today"?

"Well. It is going to be another lovely day", Laura responded.

"Good to hear. Great to be alive. I love the holidays", Mrs. Tarron replied, "everything so pretty". Mrs. Tarron walked up the stairs to the second floor, where the shops were located.

Pretty, the decorations are so pretty. What does that mean? The concept of pretty or not pretty.

"Have a great rest of your day Laura".

"Thank you, you as well Mrs. Tarron.

Great to be alive. But I am not alive. I am a highly functioning machine. Have a great day. How would I have a not great day? Am I thinking? No, just the correct programed responses.

Laura looked up at the stairs. Decorations were being wrapped around the railing. These humans were laughing and saying the works with a constant changing of the sounds, flowing along. Singing. Laura listened to the sounds.

"Don't you love to hear the caroling"?

"It does flow. Good morning, Keith. No school"?

"Yup, got out early. I think the teachers just wanted to annoy us. Wake up early, shower, choose what to wear, scarf down food, rush to the bus, sitting in those hard seats with no seat belts hoping I didn't forget anything important. Then at school, sit in for an assembly, get some homework packets, then back on the bus. And guess what? The busses never left. A total waste of time and money, on both sides". Laura sat motionless, again.

"Well, enough talk. I'm off to my parents' shop. Hey, there is the tree lighting event tomorrow. You should join us. There is food and drink". Laura looked at Keith. Keith looked at Laura. She smiled. "I don't eat or drink".

"Whoops. Sorry. I forget. You look and act so real, so human".

"Thank you, Keith".

"Welcome. Come to the tree lighting anyway, okay"?

"Yes". Keith turned and ran up the stairs, two steps at a time.

Come over and see the tree lighting. Love to hear the caroling. Shower, dress, scarf down food, rush to the bus. I have no programing to respond to those comments. Something to write down and submit to John.

"Good afternoon, Laura".

"Good afternoon, Tanner".

"What a day. chillness in the air. Feels like snow. You can almost breathe it".

"This is a great day", Laura said.

"It certainty is. You have a great day".

"Thank you, Tanner". Laura watched him walk up the stairs. "Oh, you are invited to the holiday tree lighting bash tomorrow, around 6p", Tanner yelled from the stairs, "Hope to see you there".

"Ok", Laura replied. Tanner continued up the stairs, singing. Laura listened to the song, jingle bells, jingle bells. Laura wrote this on the sheet of paper for John.

"Mr. and Mrs. George, welcome", Laura said.

"Greetings to you Laura. Happy holidays", Mrs. George said.

"Same to you", replied Laura.

"Tell Laura to have a happy holiday", Mr. George told his 5-year-old twin sons.

"Happy holidays", the twins said together. Laura smiled.

"Are you going to the holiday party tomorrow? My mom is going to sing", one twin said.

"Yes I am. After work".

"Cool". The twins bolted to the stairs.

"Gotta go. Last minute stuff to do", Mrs. George said, laughing.

"Indeed, see you tomorrow then".

"Ok". Laura watched the twins jump up each stair while their parents walked, one foot on each stair. Laura added to the list.

6pm. Laura's shift was finished for the day. A couple of late guests rushed in before she locked the doors.

Doors locked. Now only those with key cards were able to gain access to the building.

"Have a good evening, Laura", Craig, the night security human said while walking over to the information desk. "How was the day"?

"A lot of movement".

"I bet. Getting close to the big day now".

"Yes. Are you going to the event tomorrow"?

"Which one"? Craig laughed. "There are enough parties to keep me in food and drink for a week". He winked.

Laura put her notebook and pen into her shoulder bag, rose from the chair and pushed the chair under the desk.

"Ready. Have a safe evening Craig".

"Thank you, Laura. Say hi to John for me".

"I will". Laura walked to the elevator, pressed the up button. She entered when the doors opened. She pressed #6. Doors closed. Laura let herself into the operations room. John was sitting at the control panels. Many TV monitors that light up the room. He turned.

"Craig says hi".

"Tell him hi from me. How was your day, Laura"?

"I have a list of comments that have no meaning to me. It was a day, light then dark". John smiled.

"Ok, phase 4 now. You are ready".

Laura smiled.

Laura was at her desk 5 minutes early; she is every day.

"Good morning, Laura".

"Good morning, Nate. How are you doing today"?

"Great. Getting closer to the big day, food-fun-drink, especially the drink", Nate said, then laughed.

"No over doing it, ok", Laura said.

"Oh no. Can't do that anymore. Ok, you have a fun day".

"I will, thank you".

Humans with dogs coming in and out. Humans without dogs coming in and out. Some walking up the stairs to the shops. Some using the elevators to the business offices.

More decorations were hung. A huge wreath is to be hung over the front door. A forklift was needed to put it on the hook, only to see that there was no hook. After the wreath was hung, the lights were turned on. They twinkled white. Silver and gold ribbons and bobbles hung on the wreath. It was a sight.

The tree, decorated with all the holiday colors. There was a large star placed on the top of the tree. It was a large tree, off to the side by the windows. It was 20 feet tall. Neatly wrapped packages were underneath. The tree lighting will be at 6p. Laura watched all the movement, the fussing around the tree. More decorations were added.

The caterers were setting up the food and drink tables. There were plates of different foods. So much food.

6p. Laura watched at the clock hands make a straight up and down line. Groups of Humans were walking down the stairs and right over to the food and drink festively decorated tables. Nate was the first to the wine bar.

Laura completed her closing chores, put her bag over her shoulder, rose up and pushed the chair under the desk. She walked over to the tree. John and Craig walked through the elevator doors and toward the tree, talking.

Everyone was silent. The twins had the honor of lighting the holiday tree. The crowd let out a whoosh of excitement, ooooo's and ahhhhh's.

Laura stepped up in front of the tree, placed her purse on the floor next to her. She turned to face the group. John watched with the others. Silence. Laura smiled.

"Happy holidays all", and she began to sing, "Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, your branches green delight us"...