The room evoked a kind of visual cacaphony. Notebooks and sketch pads were scattered across a massive mahogony desk, interspersed with overflowing ashtrays, a cup half full of cold, black coffee and scraps of paper filled with unintelligable scribbles.
    Next to the desk was a computer table with all manner of equipment stacked on it. The shelves behind the table were stuffed with manuals and hard-bound books of all size and description. A countertop ran the full length of one wall and was strewn with various pieces of hardware and gadgetry. A chalkboard contained a patchwork of strange looking formulas and calculations.
    At the center of this intellectual vortex sat a tall, thin man wearing a rumpled shirt and faded trowsers. His hair was long and unruly and he peered at his notepad through wire-rim glasses. His work seemed to devour him. The street noise reverberating through the room had no effect on his work. Anthony was lost in a world of math symbols and electronic components.
    Months had faded into years as Anthony continued to pursue the vision that had haunted him for as long as he could recall. His religion was robotics and his holy book the notebook filled with sketches, printouts and illustrations of all manner and type.
    Mark Jernagan, a wealthy investor who managed a highly-regarded venture capital firm approached him and offered to finance research and development of Anthony’s project. It was, on it’s face, a simple, straightforward business arrangement.
    As time passed Anthony and his team of researchers painstakingly developed his theories and after a series of failed attempts a prototype emerged. A crude reflection of true human nature to be sure, but Anthony’s creation exhibited amazing capabilities. Anthony named his creation Basil and spent countless hours devising the programming necessary to refine the robot’s functions.
    The day slid slowly into night and Anthony leaned back in his chair, his feet propped on the desk and his eyes closed. His body’s need for sleep overtook him and he felt himself slowly slipping into that strange, recurring dream he’d encountered several times in as many weeks.
    Anthony found himself once again alone in the desert, staring up at the star-laden evening sky as moonlight washed over him like mist from a distant ocean. There it was, as if on cue, that long, loud sound in the distance. The sound of a train whistle. Moments elapsed and into view came a sleek, black locomotive pulling seven railcars behind. A furious burst of sight and sound swept around Anthony and suddenly he found himself aboard the train and seated at a table in the dining car. Across from him sat a man as big as a bear with long brown hair, bushy beard and eyes that seemed to see his very core.
Anthony smiled nervously. “Hello Vincent. Once again you’ve startled me out of a year of life expectancy.”
    Vincent’s expression shifted slightly as the hint of a smile appeared. He nodded and turned to peer out the window exhaling slowly as he pondered something unknown in the night. “It seems your research has produced some amazing results, my friend.”
    “It has! I can’t begin to tell you where this could lead. It really is amazing!” Anthony could scarely contain his enthusiasm and excitement.
    Vincent’s eyes reached out and gripped Anthony’s consciousness. “Make no mistake, Anthony. I know well where your creations can lead. I’ve been a spirit guide far longer than you can imagine and with time comes wisdom learned over many lifetimes. I’m suggesting to you the convergence of science and human emotion can be a dimension with unfathomable consequences. Move forward with a measure of prudence and forethought.”
    Anthony appeared puzzled. “So you’re suggesting I abandon my research?”
    “Not in the least. Just give thought to what is requested of you as theory becomes reality.”
    The sound of telephone ring tones roused Anthony awake. It was Mark, anxious for an update on the robotics project. Anthony gave him a brief recap, speaking in animated tones as his creation, Basil, listened intently from a chair nearby. The conversation terminated and Anthony turned to his robot with an excited smile. “Basil! It’s time! Within hours you’ll have received the programming necessary to give you human emotion. Not only will you have the ability to calculate and reason, you’ll have a full range of human feelings. Happiness, joy, anger and sadness. All important stuff to be sure!”
    Basil’s expression was as benign as ever. “As you wish Anthony.”
    It was well into the early morning hours before the programming process was completed. Anthony was anxious to revive Basil and test his work. Basil’s eyes opened and as his eyes focused on Anthony it smiled. “Hello  Anthony. I feel positively immortal!”
    Anthony grinned. “I shouldn’t wonder, Basil. You ARE immortal.” Several hours passed as Anthony continued conversing with Basil, amazed and fascinated by how human Basil’s characteristics had become.
    Another day of testing followed. Basil’s functions were working amazingly well. Anthony was ready to give Mark and his associates a demonstration. At the end of the week, Mark and his entourage arrived at Anthony’s office. Basil greeted them with a cheery smile and a friendly demeanor. Mark was astounded. “This is simply amazing, Anthony. My god! Basil seems so lifelike. Hell! This is BEYOND amazing.” Mark and his business associates were absolutely giddy with excitement.
    Months of testing and additional programming passed and Basil was proving to be an incredibly valuable invention. Anthony embarked on the second phase of his research, which was to create a female counterpart to Basil. At last one late and stormy night on the second day of December, Basil’s female counterpart became reality. She was what many would surely consider a physically perfect female. Tall and shapely, with facial features that magically blended a cornucopia of ethnicity. Victoria, as she was named, was a creation comprised of science and art and innovation.
    As days passed, Victoria and Basil became inseparable. At first Anthony found it amusing, but as time passed he found it increasingly difficult to continue his research. Basil and Victoria both exhibited unruly behavior, choosing to be alone together for increasingly long periods of time. Judging from the sounds eminating from their quarters it was abundantly clear they were taking sexual activity to an entirely new level. At first Anthony honored his self-imposed directive giving his creations complete and total privacy as they explored their sexuality together.
    For several weeks Anthony continued allowing Basil and Victoria all the privacy they needed. Early one morning he woke once again to the shrieks, growls and squeals of their love-making, Anthony decided to indulge his voyeuristic craving and quietly watch as they tore into each other. It was amazing. Anthony was astounded by Victoria and Basil’s voracious appetite for sex. It appeared neither had the ability to become totally satisfied. Each orgasm drove them to another, more powerful, all-consuming crescando of pleasure, which would then drive them to experience another. He was unsure what caused them to finally cease their incredibly intense behavior. They simply stopped, sat up, dressed themselves and left the room as if nothing had happened. Anthony was reasonably certain they hadn’t seen him watching, which would rule out a sense of embarrasment. Still, he was both fascinated and puzzled. And he was thoroughly aroused by the sight of Victoria. The images of her lovemaking pushed all other thoughts from his mind and made it nearly impossible for him to work.
    Anthony was consumed with obsession. He had to experience Victoria for himself. It should be a simple process. He, after all, was her creator. And that’s where the problem lay. Victoria’s sexual preferences; her every fantasy, every like and every dislike were rooted in Anthony’s mind. It would be like making love to himself. Anthony giggled slightly, considering how it  might take the concept of masturbation to an entirely new level. As he sat lost in fantasy he felt a hand on his shoulder. He lost his balance and nearly tipped backwark out of his chair, only to be caught by someone next to him.It was Victoria and much to his surprise he found himself cradled in her arms. It was a bit disconcerting and for a moment Anthony found himself speechless. He recovered his composure at last. “It’s okay Victoria, you can put me down now. I’m quite alright. You just startled me.”
    “I didn’t intend to frighten you. I can’t find Basil and I wish to do sex. Basil and I always do sex at 17:30 hrs. It is what I wish.” Victoria’s expression illustrated her determination to have her way and Anthony was unsure how to respond.
    Here in front of him stood his partially nude female creation. She was all that attracted him to a woman and it was becoming impossible to remember she was a highly complex appliance rather than human. Anthony reached out and took her hand, pulling her body close to his. “It’s not really doing sex, Victoria, but rather something to share. Would you like to share with me?”
    Without a verbal response, Victoria grabbed Anthony by his arm and led him down the hall to her room. Once inside she tore his shirt from his body, buttons and pieces of cloth  scattered across the floor. She pushed him onto the bed and removed his shoes and trousers. Anthony felt a mixture of arrousal and apprehension. Victoria was like an animal. Words were replaced with gasps and grunts and growls as the flames of passion quickly elevated her body to the boiling point. Within moments she had coaxed a magnificent, if not premature ejaculation from Anthony. Now she was intent on her own physical satisfaction. Anthony tried to scream but was unable to draw a breath. Victoria’s arms and legs surrounded his body like snakes squeezing their prey.
    Victoria sat upright, peering intently at Anthony’s lifeless body. She said his name over and over again, but there was no response. She kissed his lifeless lips but there was no response. Tears spilled from her eyes as she realized what she had done. She screamed loudly and fell forward crying uncontrollably. Suddenly she was roused by a hand  gently touching her neck. She turned to see a man standing over her. His long hair and bushy beard frightened her, but his eyes seemed to calm her as she stared into them without blinking. “It seems unintended consequences have occurred, m’lady. Perhaps I can be of assistance. My name is Vincent and I’m here to assist you in completing your journey.”
    Victoria’s face mirrored her confusion. “Journey? I am travelling to a destination? How can that be? My creator never explained that to me.” She turned and burst into tears once again as she realized she was the cause of Anthony’s demise.
    Vincent smiled slightly. “It was never Anthony’s place to explain, Victoria. It is I who will lead you. It is I who led Anthony. Now close your eyes, take my hand and we’ll be on our way.”
    Victoria obeyed, closing her eyes as she put her hand in Vincent’s. Suddenly she heard the unfamiliar sound of a train whistle. She opened her eyes and looked into the distance, watching intently as a sleek, black locomtive appeared, pulling seven rail cars behind. Vincent looked down and gave her a reassuring smile as the train approached. It was magical how his gaze calmed her fears. The train came to a stop near the boarding platform and a tall, stately conductor stepped down from the first rail car. He smiled and nodded at Vincent. “All aboard my friend. Andrew awaits you and the lady fair.”