"I know, but I want to hang out. I don't care."

"You... You're gonna drive across the entire country to 'hang out'? Ethan, that doesn't make any sense!"

Ethan seemed worried. "I was hoping we could... you know... talk about life. You know."

"What about life?"

"What it means, Brand. Who we are and where we're go-"

"Stop!" I grabbed the steering wheel and pulled it toward me.

"But the panel's green!"

"There's no traffic panel, there's no car, and you are not Ethan Underhill!"

He looked puzzled, but I didn't buy into it.

"You're asking me about the meaning of life and you're driving around in a Darkball? You win the lottery or something?"

"A car is a thing, how can a thing be the meaning of life? Please let me drive."

"No," I said. "We're gonna cut the games, stay right here, and you're gonna tell me exactly what's going on!"

No answer came. He became like a statue. I didn't even see him breathe.

"I swear to Mother Earth if you tell me 'it's been a pleasure try again,' I'll-"

"No. No." He glanced desperately at the steering wheel. "Can I just drive? Please?"

"Why, Ethan? Were you only programmed to drive me around forever? Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life having some philosophical chat with you?"