Chapter 15: Pick-up Lines

Ecto’s other functions included a "purikura" (photo sticker booth) embedded in the Door interface, which was similar to what Dion wanted for prom. This function allowed Kate to take selfies while Ecto actually appeared in the shot, wearing the most appropriate outfit for whichever theme was active. But since his maximum size was the height of the phone screen, he always appeared like a fairy next to her face.

“What does this button do?” Kate asked, referring to the Heart icon on the main screen.

“Oh, that’s the Pick-up Lines feature, a special for users in your country.”

“Pick-up lines, huh?” Kate said to herself and pressed the button.

In the Philippines, pick-up lines had evolved from creepy or lame one-liners to witty two-line jokes, still cheesy but at least mildly amusing.

The formula was typically:

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Are you a [object]?

… Because [punchline].

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Or in question-and-answer form:

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Are you a [object]?

No. Why?

Because [punchline].

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As Kate accessed the feature, she