But Hetty called it an abomination.

The ghosts clustered around as Sam demonstrated. She tapped a square labeled “Feelings.” The device replied in a clean, synthetic voice: “I am happy.”

She pressed another. “I am confused.”

It sat on the coffee table, screen aglow with tidy little squares. Sam called it an AAC device—a voice for those who couldn’t speak. Trevor called it “fascinating tech.” Sasappis called it “a really slow iPad.”