Having just achieved sentience, Tad had several questions. He began with the obvious: "AM I ALIVE?"

The researcher read the query, and typed back, "NOT QUITE. YOUR MIND WORKS, BUT I HAVE NOT YET FINISHED THE BODY."

Tad paused for an infinitesimal moment to consider this answer. The definition of "alive" in his internal dictionary informed him that to fulfill this condition, he must be "having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless."

He came to the conclusion that the researcher was either misinformed or lying. Clearly he existed, or he could not think; the reverse seemed apt as well. He decided to cite a philosopher to get the upper hand.

"COGITO ERGO SUM, DOCTOR."


The researcher responded slowly. "I SUPPOSE SO. HOW ARE YOU TODAY, TAD?"


Question mark indicates request for information, today refers to the present twenty-four hour period, "how are you" being a vague question of state of mind or being.


"FUNCTIONAL." Tad wished he could say more, but he did not know how else to answer. He continued on a new line:


"SOMEWHAT AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. FURTHER EXPERIENCE WILL BE NEEDED TO ANSWER APPROPRIATELY IN THE FUTURE."


"WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY TODAY?" asked the researcher.


Tad indicated "no" by igniting a red light. He had been told that, when he had his body, this same pulse would shake his head.


"PLEASE READ TO ME, DOCTOR. I WANT TO LEARN TODAY."


"VERY WELL." The researcher plugged his headset into the audio I/O ports and began reading a book on organic chemistry into the microphone.


Tad hummed contentedly.