"Uhh, give me status?" asked Karyn.
Jon(nie) stood absolutely still. Karyn thought she could imagine wheels turning, but knew better than to try to listen for them. Karyn and Pete waited, until Jonnie suddenly spoke up in a robotic monotone. "Status OK. Interactivity parameters okay. Stored data mismatch with interactivity parameters."
"What?"
"Base for interactivity parameters is simulation of female human. Stored data indicate that unit did not act as per simulation."
"I don't get it," said Karyn. "Interactivity parameters? Simulation?"
"I think I figured it out," said Pete. "What it's saying is that Jon remembers being a guy and acting like one, but is programmed with a female personality, so he shouldn't have. I know how the stone is supposed to work; anyone who hears the wishes remembers the old reality. Obviously Jon remembers the old reality, but his personality changed to match the new one."
"What does that have to do with being a robot?"
"Nothing," said Pete. "Except that a human being wouldn't check its status, so she'd never tell you. Would I lie to you?"
"I think I can see for myself. Just start Jon up again and see what he acts like. End program." Life, or a simulation of it, returned to Jonnie's eyes. "Oh, Jon, I hope you turn out okay."
"I'll be fine, Karyn." said Jonnie.
"I was talking about you being a robot. I can't believe my best friend is a machine! Just tell me how you feel, okay?"
Jonnie ignored the robot comment, as she had been programmed to, and said "I feel fine."
"Yeah, but Pete had this theory. The stone doesn't change memory but it can change personality. Do you feel female in any way?"
"Uh, no."
"Begin program... Jonnie, you'll answer honestly when I ask if you feel female. End program. Jonnie, do you feel female in any way?"
