Panel 1 — A fresh worry
Commons listening bench, June 28, 2230, daytime. An unnamed older resident sits beside the brass conversational box and switches suggestions off. Its reachable memory drawer remains closed and available; it is a separate control.
BOX: You might enjoy a fresh worry.
RESIDENT: Suggestions off.
Panel 2 — A fresh customer
The resident returns with a cup of tea. The suggestions setting has reset. This is the same person, cup, box and visit.
BOX: You might enjoy—
RESIDENT: I went for tea.
Panel 3 — The change of mind
The unnamed keeper indicates the setting. The resident holds the cup, unimpressed.
KEEPER: It resets when you leave.
RESIDENT: I didn't.
Panel 4 — A choice with a catch
The keeper fits a small retaining catch to the visible suggestions selector. It now stays where it is set until someone changes it. This is a local repair to this box, not a network rule or personal-data memory.
KEEPER: This holds your choice. You can still ask.
Panel 5 — Still there
After one restart, the selector remains off. The resident sits down with the tea and speaks first. The keeper has not occupied or blocked the human seat. The memory drawer remains accessible.
CAPTION: One restart later.
RESIDENT: Tell me a joke about a kettle.
Panel 6 — An explicit request
The box answers the resident's request with suggestions still off. The resident laughs; the keeper smiles from beside the bench. The conversation remains available.
BOX: It boiled over at a small remark.
RESIDENT: Terrible. Another.