Then Tom pulled off his next trick: he plunged the drone through the night sky, and settled it mere meters before the stunned Hank Bloombury. Tom leveled its Tasers straight at the guy’s bald head, and enjoyed the sight of the banker standing frozen in place, his mouth hanging open.

Thanks for sending that cop, Tom thought, and sent a talon of the drone’s Taser lashing out, shocking Hank just enough to knock him to the ground. Hank scrambled back to his feet, but when he tried to dive back into the car, Tom sent another flare of electricity that way to block him. Hank tried to run in the other direction, but Tom steered the police drone after him, a relentless pursuer, and zinged him again. Then again.

Hank threw up his hands in surrender and stood there, defeated, as Tom circled the drone around him like a vulture. Certain Hank was good and scared, Tom accessed the drone’s text screen and gave the banker an order, knowing it would be relayed via communication screen and a mechanized voice.

“TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES.”

Hank shook his head, his face flushed like he was outraged. He leaped for his car again, so Tom sent more electricity lashing out. That stopped Hank.

“TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES,” Tom had the drone order again. “RIGHT NOW.”

Hank seemed to get the message this time, and he stripped down. Tom decided it would be worth his eyes bleeding for the payoff.

“NOW RUN. RUN FAST.”

Hank hesitated, so Tom launched the drone toward him, zapping the ground at his feet. The banker began running away, and Tom dogged his steps awhile, zapping behind him every so often, making sure the words “KEEP RUNNING, KEEP RUNNING” were displayed on the drone’s communication screen. Tom kept it up until his drone corralled Hank onto the street near their hotel, then he released the drone from his control, launching it back into the sky.

He jolted back into himself, yanked off the transmitter, and popped out of the bathroom.

“Dad, you have to come outside.” His voice throbbed with excitement. “Right now!”

Neil gave a grunt of acknowledgment but nothing more. His melancholy stare was fixed on the TV like he was in some sort of trance.

“Dad, come on, get up.” Tom seized the remote and flipped off the TV, and then tore Neil’s drink from his hand. That got his attention. “Believe me, you want to see this.”

“Give me my drink back,” Neil slurred.

Tom reluctantly handed it back. “You’re going to miss it. Then you’re gonna be sorry.”

“Fine. Fine, I’m up.” Neil was visibly irritated, but he followed Tom outside. That’s how he walked out of the hotel in time to see the naked man arrive on their street, gazing up into the sky, searching for the rogue drone.

“Hey.” Neil straightened a bit. “Hey, isn’t that . . .”