Sir Alfred persisted: I understand your reasoning entirely, Ma'am, but I'm afraid that ship has sailed. AI is here to stay. People bank on it. We must build an AI tool into our app.
Our Lady Joan Mastodon rose. She spoke in forced calm. My dear Sir Alfred, I thought I had myself clear. I said no. Please enjoy your mutton chop. Let us not talk any more.
She sat down again and stayed silent for the rest of the meal.
Later, over coffee, she relaxed a little. I saw her chat with Lady Kinneret, her trusted comrade from the pre-protocol days. "Ships are sailing, tools are staying, people are banking, oh my dear Kinny, when will our men stop mixing their metaphors? It tires me so." The banter went on late into the night.