[Team Three] Entertainment

[yrindor]

In which Data falls down the rabbit hole of Japanese game shows.

"Let him be," Riker said. "A little entertainment never hurt anyone."

"Are you sure?" Geordi asked. "He's been there all day."

Riker shrugged. "Can't say I see what he sees in the program, but he is technically off duty. Unless the captain says otherwise, I don't see any harm in it."

"I don't know. It's unlike Data to spend so long on one thing. Wouldn't he have normally sped it up by now?"

"That's a question only Data can answer. You could always go join him if you're concerned. It doesn't look like he locked the holodeck."

"Well that's something at least," Geordi muttered. "What is he even watching?"

"Not sure," Riker commented. He touched the screen outside of the holodeck. "Reality show apparently. From Earth, time period: early 2000s. Can't say I've ever heard of this one before. Want to know more?"

"Absolutely not," Geordi said quickly. "I'm still not over the last one. Fear Factor? Really? I can't believe that was considered entertainment."

Riker shrugged. "The human race for much of its history was known for its cruelty."

"And you're still sure this is a good idea? What if Data gets ideas? You know he's always trying to figure out what makes us, well...human."

Before Riker could respond, the holodeck doors slid open, and Data stopped short in surprise. "Is there a problem?" he asked. "I don't believe I received any communication of the sort."

"No, no problem, Data," Geordi replied. "Just coming down to say hi. Did you know it's been ten hours?"

"Nine hours, forty-seven minutes, and thirteen seconds actually," Data corrected. "And it was a most fascinating experience. In one of these programs, the contestants were tasked with identifying which item in the room was made of chocolate. I was unaware that chocolate could be made so visually similar to leather, but I still do not understand why one would make a shoe out of chocolate. Would the heat of the foot not melt it? And would it not be too stiff for normal locomotion?"

"I doubt it was meant to be practical, Data," Riker said. "Sometimes, things are just meant to be funny."

"I see," Data said. "No, in fact, I do not see. I still do not entirely understand this concept of 'funny.' I will need to study further."

"Maybe later," Geordi said. "Come on, I've been working on something new I want to show you."

You're up thesecretdoor! This will be our last round before reshuffling.