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poker for dogs

drugs

they make the bad porn back there

they publish the bad porn back there

counterfeit operation out of the "copy room"

unlicensed notary

fake I.D.s

pet shop

poker or other gambling

other (please specify)

purple monkey dishwashing service

[shanejayell]

You DO really wonder what Beeps SAID to that poor staffer.

Heh.

[SomeCanadianWeirdo]

I'm not convinced this person is acting the way they are because of Beepatrice.  I wouldn't be surprised if Spookybot is up to something.

[Gyrre]

The terrified clerk seems like a 'Laramie' to me for some reason.

[OldGoat]

Roko's quitting her job with MSP was prompted by her realization that May was afraid of her.  You're fierce Roko, badge or no badge.

[Timemaster]

It‘s that skin tone. Violet equals violence...

TM

[thedevilissix]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…



.....Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh 

[Drunken Old Man]

Well, that downgrades Beeps from "nice but dim" to "unable to function in normal society, should probably be on the other side of the help counter", doesn't it? :sigh:

More like downgrading from "useless but amusing" to "actual hindrance to be worked around as much as possible".

[cybersmurf]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…

You know, that chassis had to come from somewhere. There's probably more than one AI running the same chassis as CW.

Also: " butts: we got 'em!"? is that where Melons replacement parts came from?

[BenRG]

Looking at the reception clerk and comparing them with Beepatrice makes me wonder if this is a licensed dealership for the chassis that have the display screen faces. When you take away the obviously exaggerated cartoonish aspects, the model in the "A New, Friendly You" ad posters do look a lot like Beeps, don't they?

I think Beepatrice is deeply socially insecure and indecisive. Someone with Roko's drive would be intimidating, yes. However, today does suggest that Beeps really is afraid of someone with a task they want to do immediately and determined to have your help. It leaves me wondering just how her day job works! Maybe the engineers set up the tests and she is just required to stand dangerously close and observe the outcome? Such a very passive role would fit in with the fact that being asked to be an active participant and not being allowed to prevaricate frightens them.

Basically, they warned the clerk that they think Roko is a riptide that will tear you out of your comfort zone; the level of exaggeration of that warning is indicative of just how deeply they don't want to be torn out of their comfort zone.

Also: " butts: we got 'em!"? is that where Melons replacement parts came from?

I don't think so; Melon's chassis just doesn't look like it came from this dealership. I think that this is proof that May was onto something when she suggested to Faye and Bubbles that they can attract extra customers by offering 'free secondary sexual characteristics' with every modification or repair. As Jeph said, there are an awful lot of horny robots out there!

[OldGoat]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…



.....Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh 

The head does resemble CW's but the limbs?  Not at all.  Besides, she's going to be terrified of Spookybot finding her for another eon or so.

[traroth]

While I doubt the charity is a scam (though it could be), I think it's much more likely that......

Look, I've worked with and in charities. Legit ones, and around some not so legit ones. And I'm no expert, I've got friends who've done a *lot* more.

You really ignited my curiosity, here. So, just for my enlightment, what do you call a non-legit charity? I don't need specifics....

[traroth]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…



.....Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh 

The last time we heard of her, she eagerly confessed everything and more, and prepared for a long time in jail.

[JimC]

There's probably more than one AI running the same chassis as CW.

It does surprise me that we never see the same chassis on different AIs. Especially with all the comic potential for identical twin type escapades.

[BenRG]

There's probably more than one AI running the same chassis as CW.

It does surprise me that we never see the same chassis on different AIs. Especially with all the comic potential for identical twin type escapades.

Melon and Lemon ran on visibly similar chassis but had made individual aesthetic choices to make them appear different. Additionally, all the AnthroPCs seem to have been essentially identical chassis apart from colour.

I'm wondering if the AIs can alter the derma base colour and facial structure to make them look more unique. Given that the faces have underlying musculature on most models, setting different default 'rest' configurations could make them look very different. In the case of Beepatrice's chassis, the 'face' is actually a LCD display screen so individuality becomes even easier to do.

[SordidEuphemism]

I'm wondering if the AIs can alter the derma base colour and facial structure to make them look more unique. Given that the faces have underlying musculature on most models, setting different default 'rest' configurations could make them look very different. In the case of Beepatrice's chassis, the 'face' is actually a LCD display screen so individuality becomes even easier to do.

Yes. At least, on some models. When Roko was waiting for a new body, 'fine-tuning' the appearance was one of the steps mentioned.

[Gyrre]

I'm more and more certain that this is the first time the charity has ever done anything practical. I also think that, maybe, Beepatrice really doesn't have much in the way of self-confidence so actually being told to do something - Priority NOW - is seriously unbalancing her peace of  mind! I mean... what if someone takes offence? What if she oversteps her (borderline non-existent) authority? What if she gets it wrong?!?

*snip*

Mein Gott!

The amount of people terrified of getting things wrong-- and thus not asking questions-- these days is absurd! If you don't know, ask!!! And, by God, DON'T ask another temp!!!!! They probably don't know either. Ask the floor lead or the supervisor for your area, for Christsake and mine!
This isn't the same as your last assignment at [*REDACTED**]. Things work different her at [REDACTED]. Don't assume anything. And don't ask me! The labcoat doesn't mean I know anything about how your machine works. It means that I don't. Just ask your supervisor or the lead. Please?

Sorry about the venting. We get a lot of temps who aren't much use in general. Both due to lack of proper training and some being like Beeps or worse (with attitude). I'm QA, BTW. Might just get some custom shirts that read "Ask your supervisor" and "because we work with food".

[JimC]

The amount of people terrified of getting things wrong-- and thus not asking questions-- these days is absurd! If you don't know, ask!!!

Its something I ran into with a mobile phone shop who wanted to impose a particularly asinine bit of dumb policy on me (something that would inconvenience both me *and* the shop!). The poor lass behind the counter was clearly scared that if she went off message in the slightest way to do something that was 100% sensible then her neck would be on the line, and her immediate line management on the end of the phone was equally insistent that the letter of the rule had to be followed and damn the customer.  Part of it I suppose is the way that so many businesses are trying to deskill every job as much as possible so they only need employ minimum wage  peons who can be easily replaced should they get upset by appalling working conditions, but I was struck by the extent to which the poor girl was in fear of displaying the slightest initiative.

[DSL]

There's probably more than one AI running the same chassis as CW.

It does surprise me that we never see the same chassis on different AIs. Especially with all the comic potential for identical twin type escapades.

I suppose AIs would have, built in to their brain matrix or programmed into their personalities, some sort of transponder function so they could identify themselves to each other. Of course, meatlife would not have access to that, leaving room for those mistaken-identity hijinks, especially if some borderline-unscrupulous AI with a standard-looking chassis and a fondness for cake batter decided to exploit that.

[OldGoat]

In the case of Beepatrice's chassis, the 'face' is actually a LCD display screen so individuality becomes even easier to do.

I'm not so convinced about the LCD physiognomy.  When viewed in profile Beeps has a nose.

[Is it cold in here?]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…



.....Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh 

The last time we heard of her, she eagerly confessed everything and more, and prepared for a long time in jail.

Wouldn't it be a twist if the judge was so impressed by her cooperation with law enforcement that they thought it was evidence of remorse and granted Corpse Witch early parole?

[BenRG]

In the case of Beepatrice's chassis, the 'face' is actually a LCD display screen so individuality becomes even easier to do.

I'm not so convinced about the LCD physiognomy.  When viewed in profile Beeps has a nose.

It would be difficult (but not impossible) to shape an LCD display to have the contours of a simplified human face.

FWIW, Jeph stated that Beepatrice's face was a screen on Twitter at some point around her original introduction. Yes, I know that's a third-level of official rather than canon but, as it hasn't been explicitly Jossed, I'm sticking with it for now.

[Cornelius]

The simple solution would be to insert separate lcd-screens for the emotive areas - eyes and mouth - in a pre-shaped face.

[TheEvilDog]

I think Bicentennial Man might be a more apt model for AI chassis and how they emote.

[Near Lurker]

The simple solution would be to insert separate lcd-screens for the emotive areas - eyes and mouth - in a pre-shaped face.

...Clutch Cargo bots?

[JimC]

It would be difficult (but not impossible) to shape an LCD display to have the contours of a simplified human face.

No reason why the QC universe shouldn't have a more sophisticated screen technology than we have though - especially as I have no idea what's in labs...  Flexible (to an extent) screens are already a thing after all.

[pwhodges]

It would be difficult (but not impossible) to shape an LCD display to have the contours of a simplified human face.

Who knows what's in the lab, even in our world? - we've already got flexible screens for folding phones (not very reliable yet...).

[brasca]

That lady in the poster in the background looks an awful lot like Corpse Witch.
Which makes me wonder if CW has a secret new business…



.....Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh 

The last time we heard of her, she eagerly confessed everything and more, and prepared for a long time in jail.

Wouldn't it be a twist if the judge was so impressed by her cooperation with law enforcement that they thought it was evidence of remorse and granted Corpse Witch early parole?

That’s one possibility, but I think a secret government organization made a deal with her to get everything she knows about Spookybot.  They have got to be in their crosshairs for just the ability to compromise their security. 

[OldGoat]

FWIW, Jeph stated that Beepatrice's face was a screen on Twitter at some point around her original introduction. Yes, I know that's a third-level of official rather than canon but, as it hasn't been explicitly Jossed, I'm sticking with it for now.

Ah!  Okay, that 'splains it - I don't Twit, or Tweet, or whatever it is.  I have enough time-sinks on here as is.

...Clutch Cargo bots?

    You must be as old as I am!     

That was a really, REALLY bad excuse for animation.  (It was called Syncro Vox.  IIRC Space Angel used the same method.

[JimC]

That’s one possibility, but I think a secret government organization made a deal with her to get everything she knows about Spookybot.

You don't think Spookybot *is* a secret government project then?

[Zebediah]

Or is the government a secret Spookybot project?     

[brasca]

That’s one possibility, but I think a secret government organization made a deal with her to get everything she knows about Spookybot.

You don't think Spookybot *is* a secret government project then?

Wouldn’t be surprised if they were one that went rogue.

[TheEvilDog]

Wouldn't surprise me if Spookybot turned out to be Gary.

[cesium133]

Or is the government a secret Spookybot project?     

It turns out that all AIs are just Spookybot inhabiting different chassis. And all humans, too.

[natediggadoggity]

This will be probably be my only post in this forum, but right as I checked today's comic, I also pulled up YouTube on my tablet, and saw this wonderfully informational video about the evolution of Butts that got posted today as well. Video made by SciShow, it's safe for work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy9ztJuZu2c

Butts are great guys.

[Is it cold in here?]

Welcome anyway!

[Mr_Rose]

In the spirit of the meme, I’m going to suggest that spookybot is in fact a time-travelling future!Roko taking some advice to ‘find herself’ far too literally.

[Tova]

Or is the government a secret Spookybot project?     

If so, Spookybot is even more diabolical than we imagined.

[St.Clair]

Comic.

To my mind, Backroom Tech Guy-Bot sounds a lot like (and may actually have the exact same voice actor as) TF2's Scout.

[de_la_Nae]

That's funny, the voice i game them wasn't far off from that.

Y'know, this reminds me of something I should have thought of earlier:

Where'd the money May stole (well, tried to steal) come from?
Financial crimes in the US don't tend to be rigorously pursued and punished unless
1) The perpetrator is already low on the power scale (i.e. not rich)
2) You piss off enough powerful people

[cesium133]

I seem to remember that she stole $750 million from a bank. That'll get some attention.

[alc40]

When she gave the dollar amount she said that the destination was a bank account, but I don't recall any info on the source of the money.
https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2502

Edited to add:
I don't understand the technician's comment about a warranty form, since May's body is out of warranty.

[SmilingCat]

When she gave the dollar amount she said that the destination was a bank account, but I don't recall any info on the source of the money.
https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2502

I suspect it wouldn't have been one source.

In fact, I like to imagine it was something like the scheme from Office Space (taking fractional pennies from every transaction), just on a much larger scale (like, say, at a multinational institution). I imagine May being a fan of the movie.

[St.Clair]

I believe the term for that kind of scam is literally "penny shaving" (which goes back to when pennies were worth something, and made of precious metal that got trimmed off) and also "salami slicing".

[Gyrre]

In the case of Beepatrice's chassis, the 'face' is actually a LCD display screen so individuality becomes even easier to do.

I'm not so convinced about the LCD physiognomy.  When viewed in profile Beeps has a nose.

If I'm not mistaken, the contour seems to go along her cheeks and nose. Kind of like some styles of medieval helmet visors.

[de_la_Nae]

Edited to add:
I don't understand the technician's comment about a warranty form, since May's body is out of warranty.

Might be as much euphemism as anything, based on his profession. But also he's used to dealing with warranties.

People without warranties, well he probably doesn't see them very often.

[brasca]

At first I thought Roko was looking away for the sake of May’s modesty, but then I read the note and remembered she’s squeamish about robot repairs. 

[BenRG]

Poor May! She's been told that she's riding around in a second-hand clearance sale bargain bin chassis. Of course, that isn't anything that she didn't know and I think I get why she doesn't want to listen to it being reiterated again. Still, she's found a kindred spirit about what's cool and I'm sure that's going to be one positive to come out of this!

Poor Roko, though! She'll never be comfortable around exposed anatomy! I hesitate to think how she'd handle having to go to a butcher's shop (or even if she'd be able to handle it at all)!

I don't understand the technician's comment about a warranty form, since May's body is out of warranty.

I suspect it's some formal notice from a manufacturer's licensed tech that the unit is in poor condition and is beyond economical repair (total cost of repairs exceeds the resale value of the parts) and that the manufacturer recommends replacement.

Where'd the money May stole (well, tried to steal) come from?

May told Dale that it was an impulsive act. So, I don't think that she had any cunning plan or any subtle method like 'penny shaving'. No, she just outright tried to divert $750M from accounts held by the bank where she worked (likely as an unembodied actuary AI) into an account in her own name. She probably tried to take it from accounts for entities whom she thought 'could afford it' like large corporations. That is the sort of thing that would attract attention even if you had bothered to do more than the bare minimum to cover up your actions and I suspect that May didn't think too hard about that, focussed as she was by the shiny fighter jet body, the manufacturers' store front web page for which she had up in another browser tab.

Yes, I'm saying that a bored May saw the jet whilst browsing the web (whilst hypothetically being at work), saw the price tag and immediately went out to steal enough money to buy it. She literally had the thought process of: "I want it but I need money. There is lots of money here, so I'll take some from there and use it to buy that body!" She was probably quite shocked when the Bank's security systems caught her basically immediately because she hadn't thought about the possibility of detection (or at all beyond "I want it so I'll take it"). Her sparkling personality probably made things worse ("It isn't as if those rich fucks would miss it!" isn't a good defence).

[OldGoat]

Financial crimes in the US don't tend to be rigorously pursued and punished unless
1) The perpetrator is already low on the power scale (i.e. not rich)
2) You piss off enough powerful people

May demonstrated a weakness in what customers assume is a secure system.  Even with a lower amount, a theft is a big deal because it diminishes investor confidence.  No doubt there were entities in the bank that were disappointed with her prison sentence -  they wanted her crucified.

Interesting thoughts about the warranty form.  Do destroyed or neutralized chassis need to be accounted for?

[TheEvilDog]

Might be along the same line as VIN numbers for cars, to make sure all the parts belong to the same chassis and that nothing has been stolen.

[St.Clair]

Yes, I'm saying that a bored May saw the jet whilst browsing the web (whilst hypothetically being at work), saw the price tag and immediately went out to steal enough money to buy it. She literally had the thought process of: "I want it but I need money. There is lots of money here, so I'll take some from there and use it to buy that body!" She was probably quite shocked when the Bank's security systems caught her basically immediately because she hadn't thought about the possibility of detection (or at all beyond "I want it so I'll take it"). Her sparkling personality probably made things worse ("It isn't as if those rich fucks would miss it!" isn't a good defence).

"What if I see something that I want to take, and it belongs to someone else?"
"You'll be arrested."
"But what if I want it more than the person who has it?"
"Still illegal."
"That doesn't follow. No, I want it more, sir, you understand?"