Fiction and learning–what could be better?
“I like reading mystery novels,” you say. “It’s fun to guess what’s going to happen next, and I am wrong every time. But it’s still fun.”
“One point,” Yui says. “I don’t like books, but you can have your own hobby. Next, do you want to stay on Mars for the rest of your life?”
“I like collecting hats,” you say. “I have collected hats since I was three years old, and I have five hundred hats back on earth. I want one hat from every station on Mars.
“Wow, two points,” Yui says. “You get an extra point because that’s so cool. I love a man in a good hat.”
“Well, all my hats are really cheap and ridiculous…”
Next question! Do you want to stay on Mars for the rest of your life?
“I like movies,” you say. “I especially like Ed Wood. His movie about aliens is my favorite.”
“One point,” says Yui. “Though movies are pretty bad here. We don’t even get Netfilms. Okay, next question. Do you want to stay on Mars for the rest of your life?”
“I want ten kids,” you say, thinking that if Yui wants kids at a young age, she probably wants a lot of kids.
“Zero points,” Yui says. “That’s crazy on Mars. We don’t need that many kids here yet. Next question is, what’s your hobby?”
“I want two kids,” you say. “Really, I hope for two boys. But two girls or a boy and a girl is also okay. They can play together, you know?”
“One point,” Yui says. “Realistic. And you have your own opinion. I think that’s important. Great. Next—what’s your hobby?”
“I think it’s best for you to decide,” you say. “I know you want babies, and it’s your body. You can decide how many babies.”
“Zero points,” Yui says. “Come on, you need to have your own opinion—even if you are a nice guy. You need some strength in your ideas. Okay, question two. What’s your hobby?”
You nod your head and try to smile. You actually like strong women, and Yui is the strongest woman you have ever met. Yui smiles and puts down the huge packages she is carrying. She sits down.
“Question one,” she says. “How many kids do you want?”
“I don’t want any kids,” you say. “They are too much trouble.”
“Zero points,” Yui says. “But maybe I can convince you later. Babies are great. Okay, time for question two. What’s your hobby?”
You say no, and Yui picks you up with one arm and carries you out the door and puts you in the elevator back to your room. She waves at you, but doesn’t smile. You think about what happens next.
You decide to date Yui the laborer. You have to go down to the packaging center. When you see Yui, she is carrying several large boxes. You notice that she has muscles that are bigger than your head. When she sees you, she dashes over to you and shakes your hand. Before you can open your mouth, she is already talking.
“You must be the new man on Mars,” she says. “The robots told me you were coming. They always want to marry the ladies off to the newest staff members. And look, I am young. But I want to get married. Life is short. I want kids while I am young and healthy. So, let’s not waste any time. I’m going to ask you five questions. If you give a good answer, I will give you one point. If you give a bad answer, no points. If you get three points or more at the end, I am happy to go on a date with you and talk about marriage. Okay?”