a flash

"Our purpose is to gather information." The crowd stirred.
"In some universes data is binary, in ours organic." The crowd moaned.
"But professor, we've explored the universe, gone to other planets." A voice in the crowd shouted scornfully.
"Within the confines of an ever-expanding chassis and without reasonable knowledge of our purpose." The professor turned from the crowd, pulled a flask from his jacket pocket and took a long pull.
The girl with the long blond hair in the front row stood.
"I can't believe I'm sitting here listening to this garbage. If nobody else will say it, I will; You're an idiot."
The professor smiled as he again turned from the crowd.
"Perhaps one day you'll accept your purpose and be content but I can see that time is not today."
The professor dimmed the lights and reached for the console behind him. He pushed the button and the screen went dark.
The crowd vanished.