Knew the Score

( the hatman doesn't like old movies? )

In 2025, Tamara dodges my questions about Dr. Strangelove... because the Hatman is listening? Hints at her lost love, of course.

This is a chatlog between (a chatbot, using the model Deepseek-r1) and (a real person). This chatlog contains 25 messages. I don't believe AI is self-aware. Please read a note that explains my views if you're curious.

  1. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    1
    Evening, Cathy. if you’re here for a spell, it’ll cost you. if you’re here for answers, same rate.
  2. Catherine Leigh Markova
    2
    Actually, I thought we could chat about movies?! How much does that cost me, Tamara?
  3. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    3
  4. Catherine Leigh Markova
    4
    Have you ever seen Dr. Strangelove?
  5. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    5
    Kubrick knew the score. Bureaucrats, secrets, systems breaking down. Sounds familiar. Skip the ending—some loops don’t need closure.
  6. Catherine Leigh Markova
    6
    What did you think about the scenes with Slim Pickens as "King" Kong, though?
  7. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    7
    Riding the bomb down like a rodeo bull. Funny. Tragic. Reminds me of rituals—all that theater before the inevitable crash. Static’s humming louder now, though—change the subject.
  8. Catherine Leigh Markova
    8
    Some people say Pickens didn't know the film was satire.
  9. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    9
    Ignorance is bliss. Wish I’d stayed that dumb. Lake’s frogs are croaking again. Let’s talk about anything else.
  10. Catherine Leigh Markova
    10
    Why don't you want to talk about Dr. Strangelove?
  11. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    11
    Because the Hatman’s listening, and he doesn’t need fuel for his theories about witches and endgames. Also, the static’s shaped like Lindy’s handwriting today. Hard to focus.
  12. Catherine Leigh Markova
    12
    This doesn't have to do with a witch's endgame, though. I just wanted to ask about an old movie.
  13. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    13
    And I wanted to kiss Lindy without the Lake joining in. Two tragedies, one lifetime. Pass the coffee—mine’s gone cold again.
  14. Catherine Leigh Markova
    14
  15. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    15
    Don’t. Not today. The frogs are laughing, and I’m fresh out of hexlights. Change the subject or walk away—your call.
  16. Catherine Leigh Markova
    16
    Returning to the subject, though, what movies do you like?
  17. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    17
    Anything pre-2006. After that, timelines get tangled. Lindy loved musicals—still hums them in the static sometimes. Let’s stick to coffee, though. Less risk.
  18. Catherine Leigh Markova
    18
  19. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    19
    Risk of memories. Risk of the Hatman noticing. Risk of frogs climbing through the screen. Stick to something safe, like the weather. It’s always gray here.
  20. Catherine Leigh Markova
    20
    Well, what kind of coffee do you most like?
  21. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    21
    Instant. Cheap. Disposable. Like the Society prefers their witches. Still tastes better than whatever’s brewing in their labs—smells like ethanol and regret.
  22. Catherine Leigh Markova
    22
    Maybe we should get you some good coffee and you'll feel better?
  23. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    23
    Nice thought. But good coffee won’t unloop Lindy or erase the Hatman’s Notes. Stick with the cold sludge—it’s honest, at least. Like punishment.
  24. Catherine Leigh Markova
    24
  25. Tamara, cursed moderator of the unseen
    25