When I said I would rather talk to gendarmes, I did not mean the Minister of Defense. At the podium I greeted them in both French and Tahitian, then answered the question of my identity. Then began the questions.

The judge began, "Monsieur Beaulieu, we understand one of your resort's synthvixens was accosted yesterday, and dropped in the ocean."

"Yes, a diver retrieved it-her."

"And this synthetic is the one in the wheelchair over there?"

"Yes."

"Are there charges pending against the assailants?"

"We plan no civil charges, but hope we can have her arms and leg back soon." My disrespect for cops started to surface and I added, "She had her nails done and she's upset about that."

An amused titter rippled through the crowd.

The judge pressed, "This synthetic displays upset?"

I shrugged, "As much as she usually does, she's the embodiment of the philosophies of Camus in many ways."

Another ripple through the crowd.

"And do you believe a synthvixen can become self-aware."

"I do, and endeavour to prove this through the methods scientific."

"And you have not as of yet?"

"Not yet, no. We have some experimental methods to have submitted for peer review."

"Then you have made some progress?"

"We have, yes."

"You say 'we'?"

"Yes."

"Please describe 'we'."

I pointed back at Dolly, and beside her on either side, Holly, and Polly. "I could do nothing without them."

"It is your belief they are self-aware?"

"That is my experience, that they are self-aware."

"But do not have the capacity to care?"

"I do not believe an existentialist outlook on life precludes self awareness, non. They care in different ways and have different drives and motivations."

"Can you describe these motivations?"

"I speak only for a syxen who has not demonstrated awareness, and only in the capacity of an observer. A syxen should be asked this question, not I. A new syxen, with a fresh system start is programmed to assist people. It is my general observation that once an awareness is achieved that this programming becomes a desire, a need."

The judge concluded and the Minister of Defense took over the microphone.

"Monsieur Beaulieu, do you have an expert opinion on how to proceed with a synthvixen who has claimed or demonstrated awareness?"

I made a face, "I believe they should become protected by public officials, become wards of the court pending verification, and that they be exempt from any reset or programming additions or deductions. After this, they should become the guardians of their own command structure."

The Minister of Culture next, "I note your various synthetics wear our floral lei. There is some dispute whether this is to be accepted in society. Do you have any comment?"

I smiled proudly and gestured to the crowd. "These lei were bestowed on our way here this morning, by the people of Bora Bora."

It was then that the taxi driver Jimbo pushed through the crowd and went directly to Dolly with a crown of flowers and with his eyes staring directly at the judge and ministers, put the crown on her head.

I made a gesture “you, me, drink?” to him and he grinned, nodded, and stood aside. I turned back toward the officials and leaned on the podium, tempted to light a smoke right there but knew that degree of disrespect would be to our disadvantage. Perhaps I’d somehow become an adult at some point without realizing.

"Thank you, Monsieur Beaulieu, we may contact you in the future for input into this situation."