Socks guided the machine toward the tray.

“Observe,” he said. “Precision delivery with minimal entropy.”

Chip leaned toward Chef Crumbs.

“He likes saying the big words.”

“I noticed,” Chef Crumbs replied.

The machine extended a tiny mechanical arm.

It lifted one cookie from the tray, carried it across a short gap, and placed it neatly back down.

Socks beamed.

“Perfect.”

Then, for reasons involving confidence, ambition, and an unnecessary dramatic flourish, Socks turned a small gear.

The machine spun.

A second cookie slid from the tray.

It rolled across the machine, bounced from one metal arm, and launched into the air.

Chip gasped.

“No cookie left behind.”

He lunged.

The cookie sailed over his hands and continued across the Square.

Chef Crumbs lowered the tray and watched it go.

Socks studied the machine.

“The delivery path appears to have expanded.”

The cookie bounced once on the stone path and headed toward Mo.