Synthetic Empathy

Someone else is having a late breakfast in the café.

She comes over.

Did I hear poetry? says she.

You might have, says Arthur. What did it sound like?

Poetry, says Amanda. I like poetry, but I'm not here for that. What are you here for?

Nothing much, says Arthur. And you?

I'm an endangered bird researcher, says Amanda. How long have you been here?

Just got here this morning, says Arthur. I'm an endangered bird researcher too.

Cool, says Amanda. Want to hook up? I've been let down by a colleague.

All right, says Arthur.

Whaaat? squawks Jinjing. You're supposed to be resting!

Cute toy parrot, says Amanda. Is it one of those ones from Hong Kong?

It's a drone robot, says Arthur. Got GPS, and synthetic empathy.

Fabulous, says Amanda. Wish I could afford one. All I've got is recording equipment for broadcast surveys and digital maps for transect point surveys.

We've brought some lerps, says Jinjing.

Lerps are not hard to find, says Amanda. Are you looking for any endangered bird in particular?

One called Spotty, says Jinjing.

Ah. The legendary Spotty, says Amanda. A forty spotted pardalote. That's what I'm looking for too.

What do you want us to do? asks Arthur.

Climb a white gum and set up the tape recording of the bird call, says Amanda. Then wait somewhere out of sight to see if you elicit a response.

What about you? asks Arthur.

Same, says Amanda. Two skilled observers improve the likelihood of detection.

Arthur realises it's now a bit late to ask what a forty spotted pardalote looks like.

He supposes that Jinjing will know.

He finishes his porridge and stands up, wincing.

Sore knee? asks Amanda. Will that be a problem?

No, says Arthur.

How'd you get it? asks Amanda.

Knife fight, says Arthur.

Seems a bit low on the body for that, says Amanda.

With a lobster, says Arthur.

Amanda assumes he is joking.