EXPERIMENTAL

CHAPTER 1

The sound of metal clanking around took, quite literally, centre stage of the vibrant restaurant; going on and on whilst children screeched in joy.

This place had only just opened, but it was already the place to be in the quaint borough of Barnet, London. This place was 'Shelly’s Burgers & More!' , a fast food place with animatronic characters like the ones popular in America.

In the midst of all the scrambling children, three teenagers stood against the chequered wall.

“Good grief.” the tallest one muttered. “Can we just leave the kids here and jet?”

“Lucas!” the female teenager pushed up against him, “We can’t do that! Our parents will kill us!”

“…”

Silence filled the burger-smelling air as Lucas pushed his hand against his hair. “I was only joking, Tami.”

Tami seemingly didn’t hear him and started to rant, “If you were a kid you’d love it! I mean come on, you used to watch My Little Pony for Pete’s sake!”

Lucas suddenly went stiff, “Shit…” he whispered under his breath, as his face went completely red.

“And don’t say such rude words, there are kids EVERYWHERE!” Tami replied, making wild motions with her arms.

Muffled laughter could be heard beside the two teenagers, as the third one tried to conceal his hilarity.

“And YOU can stop laughing, Dean!” said Tami as she turned only her head to the slightly chubby teen next to her.

“Gee, alright! It’s just so funny seeing you get so pi-” Dean stopped for a second, quickly correcting himself. “Angry, getting so angry.”

Out of nowhere, Lucas felt cold metal on his shoulder, “What the?” he shakily said, twisting his body to see a robot that looked like a mermaid. “AIEEEE!” he screeched, almost like a little girl.

Dean was laughing even harder now, not even trying to hide it. Even Tami was joining in.

“Hello, sir.” The mermaid thing introduced herself in a calm tone. “I am Madison, Madison the mermaid!”

Lucas looked even more weirded out now. “The hell is with you? You’re a robot for sure, but you look so…real?” he questioned.

By now, a group of small kids eating their junk food surrounded Lucas and Madison; intrigued by the girlish screams of an almost grown man. Some of these children were even laughing at him.

“What would you like to eat, sir?” asked the animatronic as she held out a menu.

“I don’t want anything you weirdo!” Lucas screamed in her face, his voice cracking in the process.

Tami pushed Lucas away, whilst composing herself and talking to the mermaid. “I’m very sorry, young woman, we’re just here watching over our little siblings; we don’t need any food!”

And just like that, the unsettling looking robot nodded and walked away in an odd fashion, along with the crowd of kids who scattered away to find new entertainment.

“What?” Lucas said confused to Tami. “It’s just a robot, why did you talk to it like she was real?”

“Eh, you never know with these things” Tami replied. “Like you know what happened with that Jazzbear’s place way back when?”

Everyone suddenly stopped. “Jazzbear’s?” Dean questioned. “Wasn’t that in America anyway? And I’m pretty sure it was Razzbear’s.”

Then, an unknown voice could be heard travelling past the group. “Fazbear’s actually.”

The three teens turned to see an old, bearded man walking past, opening the crimson red doors and leaving the establishment.

“Yeah, Fazbear’s. That’s it.” Tami said whilst pointing her finger up, seemingly unfazed by the mysterious old man that had just passed.

“Well that was bizarre.” Lucas said with a bewildered look on his face, hands on hips.

“First some weird-ass merbot, now an old guy correcting you two?”

“Lucas.” Tami stepped in, “You’re always so paranoid about things.” She was talking in a more caring tone this time.

“And you really need to grow up!” She angrily said, contrasting to her previous voice.

“I was worried for a bit then, you actually sounded like you cared.” Lucas mocked.

Tami quickly stormed off, muttering as she faded away in the storm of young children.