I saw Herta and Screwllum in the Simulated Universe’s grocery sector yesterday. I told them how cool it was to finally meet the Genius Society legends, but I didn’t want to be a bother and ask for a photo.

Herta immediately said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?”

I froze, and all I could say was “Huh?” but she kept interrupting with “huh? huh? huh?” while her puppet body spun in a full circle to mock me. Screwllum just sighed and adjusted his glasses like he’d seen this before.

As I walked away, I heard Herta grumble, “Ugh, another test subject with zero contribution to science.”

At checkout, I saw her trying to leave with fifteen jars of “Non-Newtonian Lubricant”. Screwllum, ever the voice of reason, calmly said, “My dear colleague, theft would compromise the experiment’s integrity.”

Herta rolled her eyes. “Fine, but only because the IPC would send another audit.” She slammed the jars on the counter. When the SU’s auto-scanner beeped twice on one jar, she snapped, “SCAN THEM INDIVIDUALLY. I need precise data on price fluctuations, unless you’re admitting your simulation’s economy is flawed?”

Screwllum, already halfway out the door, muttered, “Correction: I’ll be in the quantum produce aisle.”