The Capitol reconditions Avoxes as they get older, on the same schedule they do the newer ones. It's a fact not know to many that after enough time, most of they have probably stopped needing it. Younger Avoxes, they believe what they're told to believe about their own worth, do what they're told to do, because they fear to do otherwise; they cover up who they are with what the conditioning tells them to be. The older ones, some of them, have nothing left to cover up.

All it means to Atlas is that older Avoxes need a little less watching, generally; a little less guidance.

Atlas shuts the door behind him as he comes in, giving the room a quick glance (and noting the presence of the Avox wiping down the walls) before offering a greeting nod to Linden. "Just routine inspection from Properties Management, Mr. Lockhearst," he says. "Making sure everything's in place." The fact that he looked at the Avox at all is a good indicator of the reason he's there. No other citizen would have bothered to look.

It's clear from the way he greets Linden, the way he looks at him, that he recognizes him. There's respect in his tone, the same kind that might come through in a genuine statement of I'm a big fan of your work. He's not here for that presently, of course; but his interest in Linden is as clear as his interest in the Avox.

"Had any problems with the assigned Avoxes recently, Mr. Lockhearst?" he adds. "Performance pretty good overall?"