Pi is a robot kid. And just like any other kid robot, they love to play music, walk their (robot) dog, and watch TV with their Parental Units.
When their teacher announces a field trip to Olde Silicon Valley, Pi is excited about all the things to see and do—and anxious about all the things that could go wrong. Walking home with their friends, they feel a “Zap,” and then more. They don’t understand what is happening, and the zaps take up more and more space on their hard drive.
They tell their parents they don’t want to go on the field trip, but find it hard to explain why. Finally, they explain the Zaps to their parents, asking if they might be broken. Their dad says that’s not true—he’s had the Zaps, too, and a cousin has had them for years.
“What’s important is taking care of yourself and managing the Zaps,” their mother adds. The next day, Pi’s parents take them to Doctor Bleep Bloop. Pi wonders what they did wrong—they had a firewall installed!—and the doctor explains that the Zaps aren’t a virus, but can happen to anyone. There are ways to manage them through coping mechanisms, he adds. We see Pi exploring these on the next page—journaling, exercising, fishing with their dad, and meditating. They also learn that one of their friends has the Zaps, too.
Prepared with skills from the doctor, Pi has a great time on the field trip and is able to manage (but not completely banish) their Zaps going forward.
A cheery and lighthearted analogy, infused with humor about robotic life, but making some important and potentially helpful points about caring for one’s mental health. Pi’s nonbinary identity is incidental to the tale.
