Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 5th, 3rd period

[momslilassassin]

Ben's workshop was meeting in the Danger Shop because he'd met mechanics at Fandom before and a little extra fire protection never hurt anthing, okay?

"Hey," he said with an easy smile. "I'm Ben Skywalker, and this is Popular Mechanics." He tilted his head at Barry. "And that's Barry, he's my TA and will man the fire extinguisher if any of your projects get a little too exciting."

He gestured to the tiny herd of Roombas at his feet. "When I was a student here, I wasn't much of a sleeper. I'd make droids--robots--AI--whatever your term is--instead. Thought my roommate would kill me for all of the little friends I ended up making the first six months. Tinkering helped cleared my mind, which some of you might be familiar with."

He handed a Roomba to each student. "Poke at this and see what you can turn it into before our time's over. There's a book of ideas if you need one. For now, talk among yourselves--I always got better ideas when I shot them off of other mechanics. I'll wander around and get your names. Tell me about the last project you've been working on, okay?"

Comments

Sign in 5/5

[momslilassassin]

Droids!

Listen to the lecture!

[momslilassassin]

Such as it is.

Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

Make it fly! Make it play basketball!

Don't make it shoot laserbeams unless you want some serious side-eye.

Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Either of whom might be adding lasers to their own Roombas. Shhh. Don't judge. They're professionals.

OOC

[momslilassassin]

I miss my Roomba. Used to freak the dog out.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

It was almost the end of class when Ender entered - calmly, though the look on his face said he'd came very close to just bursting in.

"Ben?" he called. "A word?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben's eyes went wide. "Kreetle?" he said, closing the distance quickly.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"We need to go," Ender said.

He held up his phone. "It's Val. It's time."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned at him. "Got the bags?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"No, I got the call when I was at the Perk," Ender said wryly, sticking the phone back into his pocket. "Sorry about interrupting your class, but..."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben waved it off. "Meeting our daughter is much more important than five minutes with droids." He reached for his comlink. "I'll call Portalocity."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"I'll go get the bags," Ender said, turning back for the door. "Meet you at the causeway in fifteen?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Wouldn't miss it for anything," Ben said.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

Ender very nearly turned around and kissed him, but-- class.

Instead he vanished back down the hall.

Re: Sign in 5/5

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

Ronan Lynch

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

This was more Adam's thing than Ronan's and Ronan found himself ten seconds from texting Parrish before he thought better of it. He'd do it himself.

He looked at the Roomba from all sides and wondered if he could make it answer his phone with some ridiculous snotty message.

Re: Sign in 5/5

[dwarvenswagger]

Thorin

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[dwarvenswagger]

Well, this was... something. Thorin was indeed reading the book for a better idea of what he was to do with these little toys.

This was going to end with steampunk creations messing up Middle earth, Ben. Hope you're happy.

Re: Sign in 5/5

[sciclone]

Cosima Niehaus

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[sciclone]

Cosima found a corner and sprawled out, tools and sheets of scrap paper arrayed in a way that made sense to her but probably wouldn't to anyone else on earth. She could find things, that was what mattered.

She examined the Roomba closely and closed her eyes. Maybe she could cover it with fur and make it more like a pet?

The idea appealed to her sense of whimsy, so she started poking at the jumble of components in search of a way to rig miniature speakers. It wouldn't be a proper Roomba-pet if it didn't meow.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"What are you thinking about trying?" Ben asked.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

Can't be weirder than deus ex eagle...

"Finding any ideas?" Ben asked.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"You look like you have a plan," Ben said, crouching next to her.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[dwarvenswagger]

Hey. Hey. Questioning the eagles is a slippery slope. Next you're gonna be all 'why the fuck didn't Elrond just shove that bitch in the volcano right away?'

Story ruiner.

"Many. I have never seen things such as this before."

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[sciclone]

"I think I do, anyhow," Cosima said, turning to smile at the teacher. "The shape and the way they follow you around -- it reminded me of a pet, right? So I figured I'd make it more like a pet. Put fur on it and fit it with speakers so it purred."