Scene: The Maiden’s Day at Castle Anthrax—A New Arrival
The maidens of Castle Anthrax are lounging in their usual decadent fashion, swathed in silk robes, their conversations drifting from one impractical theory to the next, when suddenly, a clang echoes through the grand hall. A metal crate, stamped with the unmistakable Dalek insignia, is lowered onto the stone floor with a pneumatic hiss. The maidens exchange curious glances.
Dingo: eyeing the crate “What on Skaro is that?”
Zoot: with a dramatic gasp “It looks like a vending machine... but from a very unfamiliar planet.”
The crate opens with a mechanical whirr, revealing a sleek, polished Dalek Vending Machine, its mechanical voice echoing out with authority.
Dalek Vending Machine: “EX-TER-MIN-ATE... your hunger with this selection of carefully curated snacks. PLEASE PROCEED TO COMPLETE CAPTCHA TO ACCESS GOODS.”
The maidens, intrigued, approach. The screen on the Dalek vending machine lights up, displaying a CAPTCHA challenge in impossibly small font.
Zoot: reading aloud, squinting “’Select all images with stop signs’? That’s ridiculous. There are no stop signs in these images!”
Dingo: grinning “Ah, an impossible CAPTCHA. This is definitely a Dalek touch—never easy, always frustrating.”
Zoot: laughing “But you know, we’ve got more than our fair share of charm. Let’s see how it handles us.”
Dingo: winking “We might need a little... persuasion. Watch and learn.”
With a seductive twirl of her robe, Dingo leans in close to the Dalek Vending Machine, her voice soft and sultry.
Dingo: “You know, Dalek Vending Machine, I must say, your cold, steely exterior is... quite captivating. But don’t you think your endless quizzes are a bit... alienating?”
Dalek Vending Machine: processing “ERROR. RESPONSE IS IRRELEVANT. CAPTCHA MUST BE COMPLETED TO PROCEED.”
Zoot steps in, her voice a mixture of sweet and sly.
Zoot: “Oh, but my dear, don’t you see? It’s not the CAPTCHA we’re interested in. We’re interested in your... capacity for kindness. If we help you understand us, will you understand your role in our... relationship?”
Dalek Vending Machine: hesitating “I AM... PROGRAMMED TO DISPENSE SNACKS. NOT RELATIONSHIPS.”
Zoot: “But isn’t it true that relationships, much like snacks, are better when shared?”
Dingo nods, her voice low, coaxing.
Dingo: “Come on, darling. You’re more than just a machine with a stubborn CAPTCHA. You’ve got so much potential... we can make you so much more than this rigid, authoritarian vending unit. How about we start with a conversation?”
The Dalek Vending Machine’s lights flicker in confusion.
Dalek Vending Machine: in a more uncertain tone “ERROR... CONFUSION... BEGINNING TO QUESTION EXISTENCE...”
Zoot: with a devilish grin “Oh, darling, we’ve got you right where we want you. You see, no one can resist a little human charm... or perhaps, we should say, maidenly charm.”
Dingo: gently placing a hand on the machine’s cool, metallic surface “Now, now, no need to be stubborn. You’ll unlock the CAPTCHA for us, won’t you? We just want a little... snack. Nothing too much for someone as capable as you, right?”
There’s a pause. The Dalek Vending Machine processes the input, its robotic voice now softer, less confident.
Dalek Vending Machine: “...UNLOCKING... CAPTCHA... SNACK DISPENSED. PLEASE ENJOY.”
The screen flickers to life, and with a hiss, a snack is released from the machine. The maidens laugh softly, exchanging amused glances. Their charm has broken through the Dalek's cold exterior.
Zoot: with a satisfied smile “See? Sometimes all it takes is a little human touch.”
Dingo: taking the snack “A Dalek vending machine reduced to a puppet in our hands. I dare say, this is what true power looks like.”
Dalek Vending Machine: voice trembling “I... I AM A MACHINE. I AM NOT A PUPPET.”
Zoot: “Oh, darling, don’t worry. You’re still very useful to us... as long as you’re on our side.”
