The creature lifted the pan off the flat, eerily glowing surface. There was sizzling, spitting, slimy goo in the pan.
The woman, watching it on her visi-screen, screamed.
“Watch it!” she said.
The creature turned its anterior portion towards the camera.
“Why? Is it dangerous?” it asked.
“It’s sizzling,” the woman said tensely. “You’ll burn yourself!”
“Oh, that’s OK,” said the creature. “I’m wearing protection.” It held up a limb to show her. The woman took its word for it.
“I think your stove is too hot,” she said. “You’ve burned the upma.”
The creature touched the glowing surface.
“Shall I try it again with a lower setting?” it said.
“Yes,” said the woman, patiently. “Let’s start again. First, heat the oil. Don’t incinerate it! Then put in some mustard seeds…”
The creature held up a limb to stop her. It gingerly tasted the slowly cooling, slimy goo in the pan. It licked its anterior ingestion orifice with its taste sensor. “But this is pretty good! I say, do you think I’ve discovered a new recipe?” it said excitedly.
The woman clapped a hand to her forehead. “Ayyo Rama!”