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“Oh Stanley…” The Narrator mutters to himself as he looks over the office worker’s shoulder. The Narrator had a feeling he’d regret upgrading the man’s computer, but never did he expect to regret it in this specific way. Stanley sits motionless, reading a screen with tears trailing down his cheeks. Very clearly on display and written in the search bar is, ‘what does a hug from another person feel like?’ Had it been so long? The Narrator wonders. Or had he simply never been hugged before? Regardless, the overseer attempts to think of a solution. He couldn’t just bring Stanley’s coworkers back. And any simulation of human contact given to him in the past seemed to not be enough. It appears drastic measures would have to be taken. The Narrator swallows nervously.
They begin their adventure and Stanley is more sluggish than normal. His feet drag and he appears much less enthusiastic than before. He expects to be given a choice between left and right, not feeling very defiant today and already deciding on the door to the left. However, what he hears next is surprising. “Stanley noticed a third door on the wall to his right. He decides to go through it. For curiosity’s sake!” The Narrator’s voice once again instructs him, and he does as he’s told. He enters the dimly lit room and travels down a long hallway into an echoing room filled with wires and monitors. He had never seen this place before. Although a bit apprehensive, he ventures in further until he comes upon a chair facing away from him with a figure hunched over a desk. “Ah, so nice to finally meet you in person, Stanley!” Chimes an all too familiar voice. Stanley’s heart begins to race, watching as the chair slowly turns to face him. The Narrator gives him a friendly smile, his expression gleaming with pure excitement. Stanley is frozen in place for a moment, just taking the view of this man in. He feels his cheeks heat up slightly. Perhaps it was just the isolation; the fact that he hadn’t seen another human in ages. Whatever it was, he couldn’t care less.
The Narrator chuckles softly. “Well?” Stanley doesn’t move, only blinks. Shaking his head, his overseer can’t help but grin at the situation before him. “All this time of wanting to do things on your own, and you can’t even approach me?” He once again allows a small laugh to escape his throat. “Very well. Stanley approached the Narrator.” He gives his defiant pawn an expecting look. Only then is when Stanley is able to break free of his stupor. He sheepishly walks forward, feeling a pit form in his heart. Something he often associated with deep sadness, but this time, it was a different emotion. When he is mere inches away from The Narrator, the man in front of him continues to speak. His voice so close and sounding so lovely and natural in person. “Stanley then opened his arms invitingly.” The office worker takes a moment to process the words, quickly opening his arms as wide as they’ll go when he fully understands. Expecting nothing less, The Narrator’s smile grows. He grabs his mobility cane and uses it to stand, before propping it back against his desk. He then walks ahead and closes the gap between himself and Stanley. His arms slowly rise and pull the man into a gentle embrace.
Stanley’s eyes immediately begin to water, a small whimper sounding from him as he grips his overseer tightly. Tiny tears soon turn into a downpour as The Narrator rubs his back and reassures him. “There, there, Stanley. I’m here. It’s going to be all right…”