“Hey, mate,” Jasper said, turning to the man with the hat waiting for them.


    The man looked up, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. He pushed off the wooden wall with one foot and straightened, growing a bit taller.


    “Watch it, friend,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly. “You don’t look local. Where you from?”


    “Blimey, this guy’s straight out of a movie,” Jasper said, pointing at him and looking at Daniel.


    “Better answer him, Jasper. Don’t forget—they’re learning.”


    The local kept staring. His hand had moved from his belt to the pistol tucked in the brown holster at his waist. His gaze flicked between them and the others nearby.


    “We’re from another town, mate,” Jasper said. “Came to see how you folks live.”


    The man glanced back at the train.


    “Came by the railroad?”


    “Yeah.”


    “Our people are building a line through the village,” he said, gesturing toward it. “Soon it’ll stop right there.”


    “You? You can see the train? I mean, the railroad?”


    The man looked up at them again. At least this time, he wasn’t gripping his gun.


    “Starting to think you’re mocking me. What’s that about, boys?”


    “Not at all,” Daniel cut in, nudging Jasper aside. “Let’s drop it, Jas. He’s probably busy.”


    “What’s your name?” Jasper pressed on.


    “Name’s Jake,” the bearded man said, tapping the badge on his lapel. “But you’ll call me Sheriff Jake. Behave yourselves, and I might treat you to a drink at Victoria’s.”


    “At who’s?”


    “Victoria’s. Only bar in our little town. Might wanna check it out.”


    Daniel and Jasper exchanged a look.


    “That’s why we’re here, friend!” Jasper nearly shouted.


    “Alright,” Sheriff Jake said, brushing past them toward the train. “Now leave me be. Got work to do.”


    The train behind them started moving slowly. At the windows of the third car, passengers heading to the newest era waved. Some waved at the sheriff, but he didn’t wave back. Maybe he didn’t even see them.


    “Makes sense he’d notice us, Jas,” Daniel said. “I think trains existed by this time—or were just starting to be built.”


    “So not all the robots are the same. They’re programmed based on where they’re at.”


    “Guess so.” It seemed logical.


    They walked along a wooden bridge over the dirt. Jake led the way, the group trailing behind. Most were already well ahead. Women in dresses and men in 19th-century suits walked in pairs. Daniel and Jasper quickened their pace to catch up, though everything around them begged to be gawked at.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    A dog trotted alongside them, sticking close. It was brown with white patches around its eyes, tongue lolling out. It matched their pace but walked on the dry dirt instead of the wooden planks.


    “Thinks it’s one of us,” Jasper said.


    “I don’t mind. Give it a name.”


    “Silver?”


    “Isn’t Silver a pirate thing?”


    “So what? Hey, Silver!” Jasper called. The dog turned, more startled by his shout than its name.


    “Doesn’t seem to like it. Hey, Silver!” Jasper crouched, and the dog—apparently now Silver—ambled over. It hesitated at first, sniffed his hand, gave it a light lick, then flopped at his feet.


    “His snout’s cold, mate.”


    “Well, robot. Makes sense the animals are too.”


    “Wow. Even the animals are robots. Who’s got time to make all this?”


    “Didn’t you hear the owner? Forty years of work.”


    “One robot takes a lot of time. Say he manages ten a year. Over forty years, that’s four hundred. There’s gotta be that many just in this park.”


    Jasper pointed ahead. They were nearing the town. The path led to what looked like the center—a working fountain surrounded by people of all ages, from kids to the elderly. Silver the dog was still with them.


    “Good thing there’s the glove trick. Otherwise, no chance I’d spot them. Look at that gal over there.”


    “Don’t point, Jas. They might take offense.”


    “They’re robots, mate. Doesn’t matter.”


    Jasper lowered his hand anyway and headed toward one of the women by the fountain. A black-haired little girl ran beside her.


    “Milady?” Jasper extended his hand, offering to take hers.


    Daniel had never seen this gallant side of him. He fought hard not to laugh.


    The woman stood, placed her palm in Jasper’s, and he kissed her black-gloved hand. She lowered her gaze and gave a slight curtsy.


    “What’s your name, beautiful?”


    “Aria,” she said. Her curly black hair matched the little girl’s perfectly, her skin smooth and slightly tanned. Her voice was a touch deep but still feminine. “And yours?”


    “Jasper. But you can call me Jas. Who’s the kid next to you?”


    She glanced at the child, then back at Jasper.


    “That’s Tyler. She’s my daughter. Tyler!” she called. The girl ran over and nestled into her skirt. Daniel marveled at how she shifted moods, tone, and focus so seamlessly. “And you, sir—do you have children?”


    Jasper turned to Daniel with a grin—the kind Daniel knew meant things were getting serious, and Jasper wouldn’t be heading back alone. His movie with the lifelike black-haired woman was rolling.


    “Haven’t had that luck, miss. Your husband must be a fortunate man with you and a kid like that.”


    “Actually, Mr. Jas, my husband died on a bear hunt. All I have left of him is Tyler.” Her expression shifted. Robots might not feel emotions, but they sure knew how to play them. It was captivating even from the sidelines.


    “My condolences, Aria. May I call you by name?”


    “Please do, sir. Are you new here?”


    “Yeah. Arrived today on the big railroad.”


    “The railroad? They promised us it’d run through town soon.”


    “Hope so, Miss Aria. What do you say we meet again? Maybe you can tell me where—I’m new around here.”


    “Meet again? You mean as man and woman?”


    Jasper paused, flashing the most charming smile Daniel had ever seen from him.


    “That’s exactly what I mean, Miss Aria. If I’m rushing things, just say so.”


    “No, no. Quite the opposite. It’d be a privilege to see you again, Jas. Here, perhaps? Tomorrow?”


    “What about Victoria’s bar? Sheriff Jake mentioned it.”


    “You’ve met Sheriff Jake?” She leaned close to his ear and whispered something that made Jasper’s expression shift.


    “Oh, absolutely, Miss Aria. Me and my friend”—he pointed at Daniel—“we’re not just anybody.”


    The black-haired woman looked at Daniel and smiled too, then turned her full attention back to Jasper.


    “Then I’d be delighted to see you again, sir.”


    She stepped closer again—not to his ear this time, but to his broad face—and kissed his fleshy cheek. Jasper tipped his hat, locked eyes with her, winked at her little daughter, and started back down the path.


    From the fountain, three roads branched off, each marked by a wooden post with a sign. Left led to Victoria’s bar, straight ahead was the sheriff’s office and jail, and right looped back to where they’d come from—the farms.


    They headed for the bar. Silver the dog still tagged along.