A Place for Flesh and Steel

Turbo Man entered St. Isadore church in Monsteropolis solemnly, dipping his fingers in the font of holy water.  He then made the sign of the cross by touching his forehead, then the area where his heart circuits resided, then each shoulder.  He then quietly walked by pews, looking for his usual pew.

"Hmph.  Who let those contraptions into our holy place?"  an old man sitting in one of the backmost pews of church hissed as the Robot Master attending church passed by his pew.

A young girl sitting next to the man placed her finger to her lips.  "Grandfather, he is one of our faith!"

Once Turbo Man had found himself a suitable spot on the pew in front of the pew where the man and girl sat together, he genuflected toward the altar.  He then sat down, bowing his head solemnly in prayer.  His engine slowed to a dull hum as though to reflect his solemnity.  He then made the sign of the cross in front of himself once more and lifted his head, folding his hands in his lap quietly.  Red LED eyes glanced around the church.

The priest began making his way toward the altar, followed by the assisting ministers.  With the other worshipers, the tall, broad-shouldered Robot Master stood to sing the entrance song.  His dulcet baritone voice rang out with the other parishioners' voices, echoing from every corner of the church.

After the song ended, he bowed his head solemnly, making the sign of the cross once more.  Many of the people around him did as well.  The only few exceptions were the small children who clung to their parents, not quite understanding why everyone made the sign.

Father Francis spoke in his pleasant voice.  "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

The congregation answered with a resounding but solemn "amen."

Father Francis greeted the congregation.  "The Lord be with you."

"And also with you."  The congregation spoke in unison.  Like many of the humans in the congregation, Turbo extended his open hand; however, unlike many of the others, he bowed his head reverently.

Father Francis spoke to the still-standing congregation.  "As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ's love for his people, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength."

The congregation silently hung their heads in reflection.  A few people coughed in the silence, and for a moment, Turbo's engine backfired, startling him.  The elderly man behind him scoffed at the noise of the backfiring engine.  A few people in the general area glared toward Turbo Man.

The congregation spoke their prayer, lifting their heads.  "I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault,"  Here, several in the congregation, including Turbo himself, struck their chests with their right hands.  "in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask the blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God."

"May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."  Father Francis orated to the congregation.

The congregation summarily responded with a sweetly-sung "Amen."

"Lord have mercy."  Father Francis declared.

The congregation repeated.  "Lord have mercy."

"Christ have mercy."  

The congregation repeated solemnly.  "Christ have mercy."

"Lord have mercy."

"Lord have mercy." the Congregation repeated one last time.

At this point, normally the organist played his organ, but a solemn silence stayed awash over the crowd of the congregation.  A few parents quietly shushed their children, especially wailing infants.

Father Francis called the congregation to prayer, and began the Holy Thursday prayer.  The congregation bowed their heads silently and solemnly.  Once in a while, someone coughed, or a child wailed.  Turbo Man felt another backfire from his right exhaust pipe and flinched.  Sometimes he hated being the only robot in attendance at St. Isadore.  He stuck out like a sore thumb already because he wasn't human; no need for his exhaust pipes to rub this fact in and draw more attention to him!

Once the prayer concluded, everyone lifted their heads and took their seats.  Turbo Man sat down carefully, glancing around to his fellow parishioners thoughtfully.  An older gentleman bowed in front of the alter while he passed it, and stood at the lectern, beginning to read the First Reading for the Holy Thursday service.  

Once he concluded, he spoke solemnly.  "The Word of the Lord."

"Thanks be to God."  the congregation solemly responded.

The responsorial Psalm came next, with the elderly man leading the singing of the response.  He then sang the psalm in his deep bass voice.  The congregation responded when called for, lifting their voices to echo throughout the church.

This was followed with the second reading, which a young lady performed.  She genuflected in front of the altar, then took her place at the lectern to perform the second reading.  A hush fell over the congregation, and many solemn expressions dotted the room.

"The Word of the Lord."  she spoke in conclusion.

"Thanks be to God."  the congregation responded in unison.

The congregation stood after the second reading, and began to sing solemnly.  "Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!"

Father Francis made his way to the lectern.  When he passed the altar, he bowed to it, praying inaudibly.  The congregation silently stood at attention, waiting for Father Francis to stand at the lectern.

When he was in position, Father Francis spoke.  "The Lord be with you."

"And also with you."  the congregation responded; several in the congregation, including Turbo, extended their hands once more.

"A reading from the holy gospel according to John."  Father Francis orated.  He then proceeded to read of the passover feast and of the Last Supper, and of the washing of the feet.  Many of the congregation made the sign of the cross on their foreheads, their lips, and on their hearts.  Turbo, having no lips, instead substituted his facial slats for lips, and then made the sign of the cross over his heart circuits in place of a true heart.

"Glory to you, Lord." the congregation spoke.

Everyone sat down quietly.  Turbo Man heaved a light sigh, closing his eyes.  Sometimes he wished he could be normal like these humans.  Hell, he wished he could be normal like maybe Metal Man or Shadow Man.  But he just had to be a big, stupid car, didn't he?

Father Francis began to address the congregation with a homily.  He explained how Christ didn't just suggest that the apostles commemorate the Eucharist, but commanded it.  He spoke of the washing of the feet.  Once Father Francis concluded the homily, he set up the area near the altar for the washing of the feet.

"Let all those who wish their feet to be washed in renewal of my sacred duty to you come."  Father Francis offered.

A few men and women removed their shoes and walked with bare feet up to seats where the feet were to be washed.  Turbo stood up and got in line to have his feet washed, bowing his head solemnly.

"Hmph.  Can't believe that bloody contraption is getting its feet washed."  The old man grunted, getting in line behind Turbo.

A few of the parishioners talked among themselves.  Why would a robot want its feet washed like a human anyway?  It wasn't as though robots were human anyway!  When it was Turbo's turn, he sat carefully and placed his feet in the basin.  Father Francis poured the warm water over steely feet and dried them gently.

An elderly lady near the front muttered.  "Next his kind will want us to be their servants for every little thing."

Turbo felt a twinge in his heart-circuits and clutched his chest.  He didn't fit in at all, did he?  If he had been able to cry, tears would have slipped down his cheeks.  But he couldn't, and so he gave the saddest eyes possible.  More people spoke in jeering tones as he passed, before he resumed his seat the pew he usual sat alone in.

After the washing of the feet, the mass continued as normal.  During the preparation of the Eucharist, the congregation sang, from the sweet soprano voices of some college girls to Turbo's own dulcet baritone.  Father Francis prepared the gifts and then prayed over the gifts.  

Soon came the time for the Eucharistic prayer.

Father Francis sang out.  "Lord be with you."

The congregation sang in response.  "And also with you."

"Lift up your hearts."  Father Francis sang.

"We lift them up to the Lord."  the congregation sang back in unison.

Father Francis sang sweetly.  "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God."

"It is right to give him thanks and praise."  sang the congregation.

Next came the preface from Father Francis, followed by the acclamation from the congregation.  This led into Father Francis reciting the Eucharistic prayer while the congregation knelt.  This was, of course, a difficult task for Turbo Man, as his legs weren't normally designed for kneeling.  He bowed his head silently while Father Francis spoke the Eucharistic Prayer.

Soon, it was time to stand once more.  The congregation stood, some slower than others.  Among these was Turbo, who had great difficulties standing after kneeling, as the space between the pews was too small for his large legs.  Once all were standing, they joined hands with those next to them and lifted any free hands toward heaven.  Turbo, alone at his pew, lifted both hands up toward heaven.  The congregation recited the Lord's Prayer.

This was followed with Father Francis speaking.  "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

The congregation spoke back.  "For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever."

Father Francis surveyed the congregation with a gentle smile.  He then raised his hands slightly.  He addressed them.  "Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever."

"Amen."  responded the congregation.

"The peace of the lord be with you always."

"And also with you."

"Let us offer each other the sign of peace."

At this moment, Turbo Man turned around and offered his hand to the fussy old man who had been mocking him.  "Peace be with you, my brother."

The old man slapped Turbo's hand away.  A few people gasped, including the man's granddaughter.

Turbo lowered his head slightly and extended his hand to the girl.  "Peace be with you."

The girl clutched tightly to Turbo's hand and shook it.  "Peace be with you, my mechanical brother."

Turbo turned around to the pew in front of him and extended a hand out to a young lady.  "Peace be with you, my sister."

"Peace be with you, my mechanical brother."  She smiled and shook his hand.

He extended his hand to the lady's husband.  "Peace be with you, my brother."

"Peace be with you too, man."  The man smiled.  

Turbo tried to put on his most cheerful expression, but he still couldn't help but feel hurt.  How come that old man had smacked him like that?  Didn't he deserve the same blessing of peace that he offered?

He was distracted from the usual singing, trying to process what had happened.  The service continued, and soon it was time for the communion.  The congregation sang while the groups from each pew lined up.  Slowly, each person made his or her way closer.

When it was Turbo's turn, he genuflected carefully and extended his hands together delicately to take his communion, then consumed it immediately.  Once communion rites were over, he returned to his pew, remaining standing while others received their communion.

The old man scoffed.  "So now the contraption steals our Body of Christ too?"

His granddaughter huffed.  "Grandpa..."

After communion came the prayer.  Finally came the concluding rites of the Mass.  Turbo heaved a sigh while he left the church.  He already put up with so much verbal abuse outside of church.  Now he had to deal with it in church too?  He made his way down the steps, suddenly dropping his rosary.

"Ah, darn it..."  He murmured, bending down to try to pick up his rosary.

A wrinkled, wizened hand grabbed up the rosary.  "This thing blessed?"

Turbo glanced from the hand to the person attached to it.  The old man who had been jeering him during the Mass stood, clutching to the rosary.  He inspected it, as though trying to find some sort of blemish.

"Yessir.  It's blessed."  Turbo Man nodded.

The old man thrust it into Turbo's hand.  "Better be.  It's a nice rosary."

Turbo blinked with a hint of surprise.  "Th-thanks."

"I still don't like you stinkin' machines."  The old man grumbled, heading downstairs.  His granddaughter followed, trailing behind.  For a moment, she paused and wrapped her arms around Turbo's waist.

"Sorry my gramps is such a technophobe.  You seem like a real nice guy, big fella."  She grinned.

"Thanks."  Turbo grinned.  He then made his way down the stairs and stepped out into the road, then carefully transformed himself to his car form so he could drive home to Skull Fortress.