Bebop Switchel's A Robot in Love

Bebop Switchel’s a Robot in Love

By Isaiah C. Basye

    Bebop Switchel is nothing but a clunky junky make-shift robot.

    Despite his grinding gears and screeching sockets, Bebop was in love with a top of the line 3,000 watt wonder named Lina.

    But Lina was not quite complete.

    As Bebop watched his master crank her lug nuts and zap her circuits he hoped his heart would flutter.

  But nothing happened. Bebop opened his rusty torso to discover… (Illustration: reader can actually pull open the illustration to see an empty torso)

    “I HAVE NO HEART!”

    “What can I do?” Bebop asked himself. “If Lina wakes to a heartless bucket of bolts she will surly shoot me down.”

    So Bebop left the lab to find a heart.

    He was walking along the city sidewalk when he heard a wonderful tune played by a street-side musician.

  “Pardon me,” Bebop said. “Where does one find love?”

    “Why, I find love in my music,” the man replied.

    So Bebop bought a radio.  (Illustration: reader pulls open torso to reveal an old time radio.)

    While playing in his chest the radio’s beats caught the attention of some hip hop hipsters.

  The hipsters began break dancing around Bebop, spinning on their heads.

  So Bebop changed the station.

  This time the twangy tunes attracted a new group of curious looking cowboys.

    They started to line dance, kicking their boots and yelling “YEEHAA!”

  Frightened, Bebop placed the radio on the ground and snuck away.

    As he was sneaking Bebop noticed a man who was gleefully cooking.

  “Pardon me,” Bebop said. “Where does one find love?”

    “Why, the way to someone’s heart it through their stomach,” the large chef replied.

    So Bebop bought a toaster and stuffed it with bread. (Illustration: reader pulls open torso to reveal a toaster stuffed with bread)

    While the bread filled Bebop was on his way back to the lab he noticed some hungry eyes watching him.

    Every step he took they would scoot, scoot, scoot closer. Then all at once Bebop was attacked by a large flock of pigeons.

    Bebop swat and Bebop swiped. Bebop threw the toaster to the curb and got his gears out of there.

  During his escape Bebop noticed a man who was passionately painting a stunning picture.

    “Pardon me,” Bebop said. “Where does one find love?”

    “Why, I express love in every brush stroke,” the painter replied.

    So Bebop displayed the painters painting.  (Illustration: reader opens the torso to reveal a painting.)

    When an art collector saw Bebop he soon became part of the local art exhibit.

    After an hour of posing Bebop noticed an elderly couple walking hand in hand.

    “Pardon me,” Bebop said. “Where does one find love? I have no heart, and I’m in a hurry to find one.”

    “Love is not in here,” the old man said. (Illustration: old man pointing to Bebop’s chest.) “Love is something you do. Love’s an ear to listen. Love’s a shoulder to lean on. Love’s having arms to hold when times get hard. Love is always being there and never leaving no matter what.”

    A light went off in Bebop’s bionic brain.

  “SHE’S ALMOST READY!” Bebop’s master exclaimed.

    Bebop prepared a beautiful dinner with gears under glass and a tall can of oil. He held a lovely bouquet of steel magnolias and waited and waited.

    “Here we go,” Bebop’s master flipped the switch.

    Bebop was the first thing Lina saw when her eyes sparked on.

  Bebop smiled at Lina, and Lina simulated a smile back.

  “Welcome to the lab Lina,” Bebop said while handing her the bouquet.

    Lina’s cheeks turned a searing red as she smelled the flowers. “Thank you,” she replied.

  Bebop took Lina’s hand, and Lina took his.

    He closed his eyes and sighed. That’s when Bebop Switchel felt his first flutter.