Chapter 228: Making of a Real Boy

The stall owner looked at the burly man in front of him and praised him in the tone usually reserved for children. "Oh, of course, Pinocchio! I'll be sure to tell Geppetto that you did a good deed today!"

The towering man known as Pinocchio replied stiffly, "Thank you, Uncle Wright."

"Wait, that's Pinocchio?" Jon's jaw practically dropped to his chest. He stared at the massive two-meter-tall man, with exaggerated bulging muscles, and muttered, "Are we sure that's not the T-800?"

If this Pinocchio put on a leather jacket and sunglasses, with that rigid face, monotone voice, and a body built like a tank, he'd be a dead ringer for the Terminator himself.

After saying goodbye to the stall owner, Pinocchio lumbered away in his stiff gait. But before leaving, he solemnly declared, "I will prove my kindness and bravery. I will become a real boy and make my father proud!"

"What in the actual—" Jon's brain short-circuited.

Just imagine the T-800 saying that line, expressionless and robotic, it was bizarrely jarring. And yet, it sparked a fun idea in Jon's mind. Smirking to himself, he steered his horse and followed after Pinocchio.

"Hey, Termina—uh, I mean, Pinocchio! Hold up a second!" Jon called out.

Pinocchio turned around, his voice as stiff as ever. "Yes? How may I help you?"

There was a slight mechanical quality to his tone. After all, he was still only temporarily brought to life by the witch's magic and hadn't become a real boy yet. His body, made of gears and wood, explained the rigidity.

"So... I heard you want to become a real boy?" Jon asked with a grin.

"No, I only want to become a boy. Not a man," Pinocchio replied without expression.

"Come on, every boy wants to grow up to be a man who can stand on his own two feet!" Jon insisted.

"But I have to become a boy first," Pinocchio said earnestly.

Jon cleared his throat. It was getting hard to take this seriously. A musclebound giant with a Terminator's physique talking like a ten-year-old? It was almost surreal.

"Alright, fine. But if you follow my program to become a real man, you'll gain the courage and kindness you need—and that will help you become a real boy," Jon explained.

"Really?" Pinocchio asked.

"Of course! Why would I lie?" Jon smiled.

Pinocchio hesitated for a moment, then said, "If you're lying, I curse you to grow a long nose every time you do!"

"Uh... sure," Jon replied, speechless. "Anyway, head back home for now. I'm staying at the inn in town. When you're ready, come find me."

With that, Jon rode off.

After he left, Pinocchio looked down at his stiff, wooden hand and muttered to himself, "A real boy..."

***

Jon settled into his room at the inn, and sure enough, the next day Pinocchio showed up on time.

"I'm here. You promised to teach me how to become a real boy," he said bluntly.

"Oh, absolutely. I spent the whole night preparing for your training!" Jon said, pulling out a small notebook. "We're starting with the basics, iconic catchphrases. Let me teach you what a real man would say."

He opened the book and pointed to the first line. "Repeat after me: 'I will be back.'"

"I will be back," Pinocchio echoed.

"No, no, not like that. Your voice is too flat. Make it deeper—like this: 'I will be back!'" Jon demonstrated, doing his best Schwarzenegger impression.

"I will be back!" Pinocchio tried again.

Clap clap clap!

Jon applauded. "Perfect! That was spot-on. Let's move on to the next one."

He flipped the page and pointed to the next phrase. "Now say this: 'Trust me.' Make it just as deep, but with a bit more confidence—and if possible, add a hint of a smile."

"Trust me," Pinocchio repeated.

"No, like this: 'Trust me,'" Jon repeated, emphasizing the tone.

Pinocchio followed his lead again. After some time and effort, his voice finally matched Jon's expectations.

Then Jon turned to the third page. "Alright, now try this one: 'Come with me if you want to live.'"

But Pinocchio hesitated. "That line sounds threatening. It doesn't reflect my kindness."

"Oh, of course!" Jon had anticipated this reaction. "It's all about context. You can't use it just anywhere. Say, for example, a villager is being chased by a tiger, you ride up on your motorcycle—uh, I mean, horse, and then deliver the line. It's perfect!"

Pinocchio tilted his head. "But that wouldn't happen. I'd just punch the tiger to death."

Jon choked. "Ahem, well, yeah, it's just an example. But your hard-boiled delivery is perfect for a T-800-in-training."

He continued, "Anyway, that's enough for today. Tomorrow I'll prepare clothes and gear that suit a real man. Until then, practice your lines, and especially focus on your tone. If you keep it up, I believe you'll become a real boy in no time."

"Thank you. I'll try my best!" Pinocchio said.

Jon groaned internally. There he goes again with the 'try my best' kid stuff! You're killing the tough guy image I just built! he thought.

"Alright, off you go and get some rest," Jon said.

It was clear that turning Pinocchio into a full-blown T-800 was going to take time. But with nothing pressing going on, Jon figured this was a perfect way to pass the time, and it'd be fun. Once complete, it'd be a satisfying achievement.

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