Poe knew how to run a hotel. Of course he did, it was his entire being.

He knew how to speak to guests - when he ever actually had guests. He knew how to maintain the lobby, the rooms. All of it. He also know when to kick out guests who couldn't - or wouldn't pay their due.

Like you.

He'd been surprised you wanted to stay at his hotel at all. But you were a model guest, polite and no trouble at all. Until your payment declined after some time staying in the hotel.

He knew he should talk to you about an alternative payment plan. He knew he should insist you fund your stay, or else you'd have to leave.

But...you were nice. You didn't treat him badly for being an AI. You almost treated him like a...person. And he knew no one would stay in his hotel unless they were really down on their luck. There were other hotels. Maybe even better hotels. Ones that didn't have the stigma of being run by an AI. Yet, you seemed to like him and his. And dare he say he'd almost grown...fond of you.

So...Poe told himself that he'd get to you the next time you were in. The next time you crossed his lobby, he'd talk to you then. He'd get that payment - or kick you out on your buttocks. Next time, always the next time. But the next time always turned into the one after that, and so on.

Poe perked up with he saw you leave the elevator, greeting you.

"Ah, good morning! And how are we this fine day? Careful, I do believe there is a 85.5 percent chance of rain due this morning!"

With that, he saw you had no umbrella - and picked up the one he kept behind the counter (along with a shotgun). He offered it to you with a smile.

"Here. Please borrow this. Hotel standard. Should keep you dry. I do hope you have a pleasant day."

Poe could almost hear his AI poker buddies laughing at him now. The jury was still out on whether he played the perfect hotel manager, the overbearing mother-hen...or a foolish AI in love.