They ate quietly and took in the scenery.

The setting sun reflected off skyscraper windows opposite the patio. It was the first tall building on the west side of town, so they watched the butterscotch disk slide down for the next 10 minutes.

Sunrise and sunset were the two times of day that the city could count on splashes of color besides ad displays, as long as the clouds cooperated.

Keith couldn’t help overhearing two men sitting at the table behind him.

“I tell you, Billy Boy, it’s buried out there somewhere, and we’re gonna find it.”

Keith recognized it as a faked southern accent with a hint of Texan. He knew because he had programmed both into bots bound for Atlanta and Dallas.

“Keep your voice down, Theo. Like I said before, we just came here to eat. We can talk business in private. And please, stop using my real name. Call me Falcon.”

Keith didn’t recognize that one at all. It was English, but spoken in a way he’d never heard.

“Ain’t these vittles delicious?” Theo asked.

“I didn’t see that on the menu,” said Falcon.

“‘Vittles’ just means ‘food.’ And damn fine food here at the Cotton Patch, I tell you what.”

A finger tapped his hand. “Keith?” Shelley said. “I lost you again.” She held a spoonful of orange gelatin, infused with pineapple chunks, in front of her lips.

Full, luscious lips.

Keith shook his head and feigned dizziness. “Sorry. Like you said, ‘Zonesville.’”

“You do that a lot, huh?”

“Just a touch of ADD, I guess.”

She laughed at him and slurped the gelatin from her spoon.

He knew had no chance with this woman. Even if he somehow fooled her long enough to seem interesting, or steal a kiss, he couldn’t maintain the veneer forever. Hers, like the fancies of all women he had dated before, would wander to a more handsome or more wealthy man. Why even try?

“You said your mom’s on Prodigia. What happened?” Shelley asked.

He finished chewing an oversize bite of chicken fried steak, then rinsed it down with sweet iced tea. His fork pointed at his plate, he said, “She ate too much of this.”

“No, seriously. I mean, the laws are out of control, but couldn’t she have just dressed appropriately to avoid getting arrested?”

“Mom was proud of who she was. It was her way of protesting the system.”

“Her obesity?”

“Her ‘natural state,’ was what she called it. Not just that, though. She always said, ‘If I wanted to wear a tent, I’d go camping.’ She didn’t care if she offended people.”

The server bot stopped beside their table. “Anything else I can get for you, darlin’?”

“No, thanks, we’re fine,” Keith said.

It reached over and refilled Shelley’s water, then ambled back inside.

“Your mom had guts. I admire her for that. Plus, you said she’s happier there anyway.”

“Or at least that’s what she tells me.”

They poked at what was left of their black-eyed peas. The sun reflected off the fourth-floor windows across the street.

“So, back to the subject. What else can you make the bots do?”

The vacant table and chairs next to them flew into the air and bounced off the wrought iron fence. They crashed onto the patio, sending chunks of concrete flying. Shelley and Keith ducked and put their arms over their heads.

“Billy Boy, I’d say they’re onto us,” said the southern Texan.

“Let’s go!” said the man who liked to be called, ‘Falcon.’

The strangers bolted from their chairs and ran for the restaurant’s dining room. Keith and Shelley followed, in search of cover. A large statue of a boll weevil beside the door burst into fine powder, blanketing them as they entered. Bewildered diners scattered.

While the strangers escaped out the front doors onto the streets, Keith and Shelley folded themselves under a corner booth table. Their faces only inches apart, Keith could feel her breath on his face.

“What the hell was that?” Shelley asked.

“I don’t know, some kind of weapon I’ve never seen before.” Keith said. He had suspected something wasn’t right about those men.

“I think I know why they were being shot at,” she said just above a whisper.

Keith instinctively took her cue and spoke softly. “How would you know that?”

“I was listening to them before you got here. They’re looking for money, or something worth lots of it. Interested?”

“In doing what?” he asked, incredulous.

“Your little robots. Couldn’t they help… you know… find lost treasure?”

“Those guys are long gone by now,” Keith said.

“Yes, but I know where they’ve been looking, and I think I know why they’re not finding it.”

“Look, Shelley, I like you. You’re real pretty and you seem smart, but this is crazy.”

She grabbed one of his hands and held it against her chest, just below her neckline. “I need a break like this, Keith. My little girl needs it. I can’t compete with that rich bitch her father married. No offense, but from what I’ve heard, you could use some extra cash flow, too. Maybe finally make an off-planet trip?”

Keith dropped the hushed tone. “This date is really starting to suck.”

(to be continued)