Setting: The workshop. Heidi: This is where we assemble hardware, but it's also an ideal place for “Friday freewheeling,” did Alana explain it? Zhang: Yes, I like it. Hey, is that an Oiba? Such an old one! OIB-A271: Hey, let's mind our Ps and Qs, shall we?
Zhang: That… is not an ordinary robot, is it? I have never seen one act like that. OIB-A271: Wow, he's a quick learner, our new colleague. Max: I reckon the cat… dog is out of the bag. You may find this a strange story, but… Caption: Max explains the Deletium story…
Zhang: That is the weirdest thing I have heard in a long time. Are you sure it is not possessed by some spirit? Heidi: If it is, then it must be a benign one, despite its ‘Midtown Madness’ origins. Max: Most important is that we should not make Alana aware of this until the moment is right… whenever that may be.
Story arc: Quality Assurance
SONAIS 38 - Friday, February 23, 2024
For the language geeks: the Characters are 张雨.
Alana: How about before we go our separate ways after this workday, we celebrate our fresh arrival? Max: There's a nice bar just a few blocks away. Adil: All right, first round is on the new guy!
The team is walking on the street. Max: What's actually your first name, is it Zhang or Yu? Zhang: It is Yu, but people usually address me with my family name Zhang, which is also more important in Chinese culture. Max: Does Yu mean something? Zhang: The Chinese character means ‘rain.’
Arriving at the bar. Max: And what about Zhang? Zhang: It has several meanings, one of which ‘to spread.’ Max: So, you're the bringer of rain… Alana: Maybe rather tears, when he exposes all your bugs.
Story arc: Quality Assurance
SONAIS 39 - Tuesday, February 27, 2024
References: Max refers to the album ‘Second Toughest in the Infants,’ highly recommended if you're into electronic music.
Setting: inside the bar. Waitress: Can I take your order? Zhang: I'd like to have zero beers, please. Waitress: Huh? Then why did you come here? Zhang: Sorry, I meant 9999999999 beers. Waitress: What? We don't have that much!
Zhang: Then I'd like to have a lizard, please. Waitress: Is that a cocktail? I'm sorry but we don't have that. Zhang: Would minus one beer be a problem? Waitress: I think we'll have a problem if you don't start acting normally.
Zhang: I guess I won't try to order a ueicbksjdhd then… Alana: Sorry, he's just joking. 5 beers will do fine, thank you. Max: This reminds me of a song on Underworld's album “Second Toughest in the Infants”.
Story arc: Quality Assurance
SONAIS 40 - Friday, March 1, 2024
References: “a software QA engineer walks into a bar…” joke
Setting: inside the bar. Heidi: Zhang, you're not supposed to QA the whole world. Zhang: I just wanted to try this classic joke for real. Max: I know that one, aren't you forgetting something? Zhang: I'm a bit scared, but if you insist…
Zhang goes to the counter of the bar. Zhang: Excuse me, where is the bathroom? Waiter: It's in the corner over there. Zhang: … OK, thank you.
Zhang: So, the bar did not burst into flames. Whew! Max: Not yet. But I think you have proven your worth! Adil: This must be grade A nerd humor, I don't get it at all…
Max: Don't worry, Adil. Just be glad that you're still alive. Adil: I'm not even sure I want to understand this joke…