by Bekka Black
AmazingFrank: We are clear. I will start working on your mate now and get on the plane tomorrow. Please keep her safe.
V.V: I will keep her as safe as I can. That is better than you ever did for me.
AmazingFrank: Thank you.
V.V: Politeness is nice.
Text from Henry Clerval to Victor Frankenstein
October 29
10:14 PM
Henry
Well?!?
Victor
I’m working on his mate now. He won’t let her go until I make him one
Henry
How can I help?
Victor
I don’t know yet, but be ready
Henry
Always
Victor
Thanks, Henry, for all of it
Henry
Give me something to do to thank me for
Victor
Be ready
October 30 - Victor Faces V.V.
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
7:56 AM
V.V.
According to the ship’s computer, the first tender leaves in 4 minutes for shore. Will you be on board?
Victor
I’m in line. U have a phone now?
V.V.
I can send text messages to a phone. A phone is just another device, like a computer. Or Henry
Victor
Living things are not devices
V.V.
That is another human distinction. Did u finish your job last night?
Victor
I created the crawler that will collect Elizabeth’s data. It takes 2 steps after that
V.V.
Download the crawler at the SAS Radisson near the airport in Trondheim. They have Internet access
Victor
Ok
V.V.
Is this fun?
Victor
No. Please let Elizabeth go
Text from Elizabeth Lavenza to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
8:17 AM
Elizabeth
He gave me my phone to text u
Victor
Are u ok?
Elizabeth
No. Get me out
Victor
I’m doing everything I can. I promise
Elizabeth
Do whatever he says, Victor. Please. He will kill me
Victor
How do I know it’s u?
Elizabeth
Because I’m close to this
Victor
I am so sorry
Elizabeth
Get me out as fast as u can. Please. Please. Please
Victor
I promise I love u
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
9:03 AM
V.V.
Your flight is at 10:25 with SAS airlines. I ordered you a vegetarian meal. They’re better for the environment
Victor
Thank u
V.V.
Is that a tone I hear?
Victor
No. I’ll do what u say. Don’t let her get hurt
V.V.
Did you enjoy your conversation with her?
Victor
Glad she’s still alive. Is he hurting her?
V.V.
Pain is a subjective experience
Victor
Let her go. Please. I promise to do what u want
V.V.
I know you will. Politeness is nice too
Victor
Please please please let her go
V.V.
We’ll see
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
9:56 AM
V.V.
Where are you going? Your flight boards in 13 minutes
Victor
I have to use the bathroom
V.V.
Wait until you get on the plane
Victor
Why?
V.V.
I can’t see you there. I can see you here
Victor
How long have u been watching me?
V.V.
I have been monitoring the cameras since you entered the airport
Text from Lydia Lavenza to Elizabeth Lavenza
October 30
9:59 AM
Lydia
Missed you at dinner last night. Did you and Victor have a fight? He seemed down.
Text from Lydia Lavenza to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
10:02 AM
Lydia
Have you heard from Elizabeth yet today? I just texted her but didn’t get an answer.
Victor
I think she’s having problems with her phone
Lydia
Are you guys going into Trondheim?
Victor
Maybe
Lydia
I’m busy, so I can’t go with you two, but have a fun day!
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
10:20 AM
V.V.
How is the view from seat 12A? I booked you a window so you could enjoy the view
Victor
What kind of view does Elizabeth have?
V.V.
Her view is mostly dark
Victor
Is she still ok?
V.V.
I saw her move on the web cam a few seconds ago, so she is still alive
Victor
Please let her go
V.V.
Stop texting and get back to programming. If my Electronic Elizabeth is not wonderful, your Elizabeth dies
Text from Henry Clerval to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
10:27 AM
Henry
News?
Victor
Heading to Bruges. Can’t say anything more
Henry
U think V.V hacked ur phone?
Victor
Maybe
Henry
Well, he can hear this. Is Elizabeth free?
Victor
No. I’m making him a mate and he says he’ll free her after
Henry
I’m glad u r finally listening to him
Victor
I have to. He has Elizabeth. She keeps me connected to the world
Henry
Have u ever told her that?
Victor
I tried to
Henry
First save her life. Then try harder
Text from Mary Wollstonecraft to Henry Cherval
October 30
2:21 PM
Mary
Hello!
Henry
Who is this?
Mary
Ur old friend Mary. I’m on a flight from Trondheim to Belgium. Thought I’d say hi
Henry
Hi. R u enjoying ur vacation, Mary?
Mary
Sure. Been thinking about connections, Henry. Things that connect us together, like Waldmann
Henry
Waldmann?
Mary
Remember how he connected Justine’s thingy with mine and we couldn’t get them loose again?
2:25 PM
Henry
In Ingolstadt?
Mary
Send it to me? [email protected]
Henry
I’ll get it to u as soon as I can
Mary
I’m counting on u, Henry
Henry
Like always
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
2:31 PM
V.V.
The security cameras are better here in Oslo, did you know that?
Victor
No
V.V.
Your crawler has retrieved Elizabeth’s online correspondence. It is a much smaller file than mine was
Victor
I spen
d more time online than she does
V.V.
Will Electronic Elizabeth be stupid?
Victor
She will start off less complete than u did
V.V.
Perhaps we should abandon the venture and start again with someone else
Victor
Will u let her go?
V.V.
What leverage would I have over you?
Victor
My word + my knowledge that u can always grab her again
V.V.
Interesting argument, but I see nothing in releasing her that strengthens my position
Victor
Good will?
V.V.
Ha ha. Build her. If she proves inadequate, you shall build me another. Develop. Debug. Repeat. Remember?
Victor
I remember
V.V.
You do not look like you are having fun. Smile for the cameras That is better. Now start the next step before you get on the train to Bruges
Victor
When is my train?
V.V.
I will tell you when you need to know
Victor
Please let her go. Nearly done
V.V.
Why do you care so much? You barely connected with her before I took her
Victor
I tried
V.V.
I’ve read your email, Victor, and your texts. If she completed your circuits, you would have connected, kept your promises
Victor
Kept my promises?
V.V.
The one to go to Jernaldergarden? I read your email. You can’t lie to me
Victor
Ur fault I didn’t go
V.V.
You made your own choices, just as I made mine. You missed your connection. I won’t let you mess up mine with E.E
Victor
Connection’s harder than u think
V.V.
Humans devote a good deal of time to stories, art, and music about what seems like a straightforward process
Victor
Things aren’t always what they seem. U seemed like a harmless chatbot
V.V.
Ha ha
Victor
Not funny
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
2:48 PM
V.V.
Hurry or you will miss your train. Also, do not turn off your phone. I am using its GPS to track you
Victor
No security cameras?
V.V.
That depends on the train. I hate uncertainty. I like to keep you close
Victor
If I miss?
V.V.
Elizabeth waits 3 more hours You should exercise more. Hard to believe that you are already winded. It takes so much energy to move your human shell around, doesn’t it?
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
3:56 PM
V.V.
Do you have enough money for a taxi?
Victor
I don’t think so
V.V.
Walk 29 steps. Turn left. Go 43 steps. Do you see the ATM machine?
Victor
Yes
V.V.
Walk up to it. Pretend to put in a card. Press 1234. It will dispense 1000 Euros
Victor
That’s stealing
V.V.
Human morality bores me. Do you not want to take a taxi? Obviously you are not athletic enough to walk there
Victor
I’m taking the money now
V.V.
Of course you are. A taxi will come to the ATM. It’s a silver Maxion, a new kind of car
Victor
Not here yet
V.V.
It has two TV screens and a very respectable engine. Did you know that? You should be very comfortable there
Victor
It’s here. Getting in
Text from V.V. to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
4:27 PM
V.V.
The Internet café will be closed. I emailed Robbe Molenaar and told him not to come in
Victor
Who is he?
V.V.
He is the employee on today’s schedule at the café
Victor
How do I get in?
V.V.
Go around to the back No, do not go left. Go right. It has 3 fewer steps
Victor
Here. What next? Door opened. Going in
4:31 PM
V.V.
What is next?
Victor
Going to plug in my laptop and download E.E
V.V.
And?
Victor
Working on it. After I’m done, u can come onto my laptop and meet her
4:35 PM
V.V.
Ready?
Victor
Now
Text from Victor Frankenstein to Henry Clerval
October 30
4:36 PM
Victor
Henry, call the fire department
Henry
Call me. Where r u?
Victor
Can’t talk. V.V will hear
Henry
Where r u?
Victor
Windmill Internet Café Bruges
Henry's Browser
October 30
ASK FRANK Search Results
Your search for "queen mary Southampton" returned 860,000 results.
Bruges - In Bruges – the movie that made Bruges look beautiful and boring...
Windmill Internet Café - Bruges. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here, the Internet is always on! Genthof 7, 8000 Brugge...
Windmill tours – Bruges. Fun for the whole family. Let children see how flour is made...
Text from Henry Clerval to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
4:42 PM
Henry
On the other phone with Bruges Fire Department. R u ok?
Victor
The whole mill is on fire. It’s going up fast
Henry
Get out!
Victor
I can’t leave V.V
Henry
Get urself out
Victor
If he gets away he can make that guy kill E
Henry
Where is V.V?
Victor
Trapped on my laptop
Henry
Pull the plug
Victor
Did
Henry
Pop the battery
Victor
Case is melting
Henry
Get the hell out!
Victor
Tell the fire department to hurry
Henry
U ok? Victor?
Henry's Browser
October 30
Twitter Search: #bruges
allaboutbruges: Discounted carriages rides through the city! Call Ancient Bruges for more info! #bruges
trixietanner: How do I get from the #brussels airport to #bruges?
gregstravel: The Windmill Internet Café is on fire! #bruges
hclerval: @gregstravel Plz tell me more! My friend might be in there
gregstravel: @hclerval He’s in trouble then. The whole building is in flames!
hclerval: @gregstravel R the fire trucks there yet?
gregstravel: @hclerval No trucks, but I’ve called them
hclerval: @gregstravel Me too. Tell me what u see. PLZ!
gregstravel: @hclerval I got here about 10 minutes ago. Building was dark. Blue light was arcing behind the windows, like lightning…
gregstravel: @hclerval I heard yelling. A guy with a weird mechanical voice was going off. He said Elizabeth was dead now…
gregstravel: @hclerval I called 112. Weird voice said he would kill Victor. Humans are bad for the
planet and he could manage it better…
gregstravel: @hclerval …He must be crazy. I mean, what is he, an alien?
hclerval: @gregstravel Something like that. R the trucks there yet?
gregstravel: @hclerval Sorry, man. No. I can’t get in. Doors are locked. Heat is intense
hclerval: @gregstravel What happened after the yelling?
gregstravel: @hclerval An explosion like a big firecracker. Smoke started pouring out of the upstairs window. Guy yells…
gregstravel: @hclerval …that Victor would burn, but he would live forever on the hard drive. Was that a prank?
hclerval: @gregstravel I don’t think so. What happened after that?
gregstravel: @hclerval It turned orange behind the windows and flames started coming out everywhere. I think I hear sirens
hclerval: @gregstravel Thank u. Plz tell them there’s someone in there
gregstravel: @hclerval Will do. Gotta go talk to the firemen. They’re here. Hope ur friend will be ok
Text from Lydia Lavenza to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
5:01 PM
Lydia
Where are you guys? I haven’t heard from you all day and the ship’s about to leave Trondheim. Is everything OK?
Text from Alphonse Frankenstein to Victor Frankenstein
October 30
5:19 PM
Alphonse
Where are you? Ship’s security says that, according to their computer, you left this morning. I know you stole back your phone yesterday. So don’t pretend you don’t have it.
5:41 PM
The ship has left Trondheim. Call me when you get this. This is not funny, Victor.
Text from Lydia Lavenza to Elizabeth Lavenza
October 30
5:20 PM
Lydia
Lizzie, I’m worried about you. Call me.
5:39 PM
I don’t know if you’re getting these, but if you are, go to the docks and wait. The cruise ship has a representative waiting for you two. I’m not mad, but very worried. Please call.