Let's.

Lauren the golem was sitting quietly in what used to be a large storage room at the far end of the long hallway that led to the math faculty's offices. The dented file cabinets and shelves of office supplies had been replaced by a desk, a whiteboard, several office chairs, and a couple of generic motivational posters. The desk was empty save for a laptop, which Lauren shut immediately when Madison and Regina entered.

"Regina!" she said brightly. "It's good to see you again!"

She rose and walked out from behind her desk. Lauren was dressed in a simple, professional black skirt and white button down. She was attractive in an open, inviting sort of way - her entire appearance and personality seemed built to put people at ease. Her chest and backside were generous, but not eye-catchingly so. Her body was slim and toned and her face was round, symmetrical, and topped with a neat bob. She shook Regina's hand then turned to Madison.

"Hi there!" she said chipperly. "I'm Lauren, the new golem assistant here at the math department. Are you a student?"

Madison eyed her carefully for a moment. This golem had obviously memorized the entire campus directory, including photos. She was trying to put them at ease by asking for information a normal TA wouldn't automatically have. Madison introduced herself and sat next to Regina in one of the cheap chairs across the desk from the golem.

"So, how can I help you girls?" Lauren asked. "Is this about Calculus III?"

Regina cleared her throat and looked at Madison, who deferred to her. "Actually, we had a few questions regarding, um- ah, your-"

Lauren waved her hand with a chuckle. "You want to know about me. It's ok, it doesn't bother me. I believe it's a good sign that so many students are so curious. So what do you want to know?"

Regina looked like a deer in the headlights, so Madison stepped in to keep the conversation moving.

"What's it feel like?" she asked. "They say you can't feel anything at all. Is that true? How do you keep from accidentally hurting yourself?"

"I can definitely feel things," the golem explained. "I have better senses than a human, in fact. What I can't do is experience the things I'm feeling. If I burn my hand on a hot stove, I'll know immediately. I can tell you exactly where I made contact with the burner and even what temperature it was. I'll cry out and pull my hand back, but I won't feel pain."

Regina was leaning forward, soaking up every word. "So why cry out?"

Lauren chuckled. "You're quite curious about this! I would cry out because my script dictates that I respond to stimuli as a human would. Just like I'm smiling and laughing with you. I don't have any emotions or feelings at all, just a script that governs my actions."

"Doesn't that bother you?" Regina asked. "That you don't have free will?"

"It sounds like nothing bothers her," Madison chimed in. Lauren nodded approvingly as if watching a student master a difficult concept.

"That's right. I can feel physical sensations but I'll never be lonely, or scared, or in love, or in pain. Strange as it may seem, my humanity is just an illusion."

"So... does that mean we can do whatever we want to you?" Regina asked.

"Not at all! I'm the university's property. You can't do whatever you want to these chairs or this laptop either. Besides, I'd never let you. Trust me, ladies, I'm quite a bit stronger than either of you."

I should challenge her to a fight. Madison shoved the idea back down and spoke. "Can you quit acting human? I mean, go robot mode?"

"I can, but I won't," the golem said apologetically. "I'm locked so that only a few people on campus can actually change my behavior."

Regina made no effort to hide her disappointment. "Seriously?"

In response, Lauren got up and closed the door. Returning to her desk, she arched her eyebrows and smirked. "There's a little leeway, as long as you can convince me it's for educational purposes. Now, Madison, you have an internship in the Yetzirah department, no? Perhaps I can help you do a better job for them by further illuminating the nature of golems for you."

Madison glanced at Regina and saw a pleading, longing look. "Fine," she sighed. "Let's do it."