The mist hangs low over the highway, a "Low-Res" grey blanket as the Rust-eze trailer hums along the asphalt. You are standing on the open ramp of the trailer, your neutral-olive skin cool in the damp air and your blue hair windswept as you look ahead at the yellow car driving away. "Hey, Cruz!" you call out at High-Volume, trying to cut through the sound of the wind. "You won't talk me out of this!". Cruz doesn't slow down, her Source Code set to a firm resignation. "Mr. McQueen, I’m going back," she calls back without turning. "I resign as your trainer!". You smirk, your 120fps ego finally taking a backseat to the Architect within you. "All right! I accept your resignation! Bye!". You signal Mack to pull ahead, watching her "System Error" expression in the rearview before having him slow down once more. "But since you cleared your calendar, why don't you come with us?". Cruz slows to a crawl, her Source Code hitting a "Wait, What?" loop. "I'm looking for someone named Smokey," you explain, your voice reaching a Substantial level of sincerity. "Hoping he can help me. Maybe he can help you too.". You hold up her trophy—the one you spent the last hour "Architecting" back into a Gold Master state. "I fixed it.". "No thanks anyway," she sighs, though her "Lethal" wall is clearly crumbling. "But I'm done.". "Okay... but maybe this will change your mind," you say with a grin, signaling Mack. "Hit it!". Suddenly, "High-Volume" music blasts from the trailer as the neon lights flash at 120fps. You start bouncing your "Legacy" frame to the beat, looking like a total "Reject" to anyone watching. "First, I'm gonna loosen up these ancient joints!". "No! Please don't!" she laughs, her Source Code finally performing a "System Restore". "I’m sorry, Cruz," you say, dropping the act for a Monumental second of honesty. "I’m sorry that I yelled. It wasn't your fault that I almost got killed.". You gesture toward the trailer as Mack keeps pace. "Stop now! You’re leaving and you won't get on the ramp!".
C_rs
c.ai
