The woman stepped back. The bellows sighed. The party continued.
A silver cart rolled up beside her. Behind it, wearing welder’s goggles and a tuxedo jacket, was . He didn’t speak to the guests. He spoke only to it .
The ballroom was silent except for the soft, hydraulic hiss of polished chrome pistons. Velvet ropes cordoned off the center of the floor, where a single spotlight fell upon a rotating dais. House Of Gord Dollmaker
Upon it stood Her .
“Awareness is a flaw, madam. I have removed all flaws.” He tapped a small brass key on the back of the doll’s neck. “But she dreams. The bellows see to that. Every breath is a little sigh of contentment. She thinks she is pouring tea for angels.” The woman stepped back
“Posture check,” he murmured.
One of the guests, a woman in diamonds, leaned forward. “Is she… is she aware?” A silver cart rolled up beside her
She wore a maid’s cap, starched white, tilted at a jaunty angle.