Turn a question away with a fixed line

Refusals are fixed lines, by how dangerous the question is. The model does not write them; it only puts them in the visitor’s language.

The first refusal

• Off topic, one of three in turn: “Wrong studio, I'm afraid. I'm here to talk about Yilan and her work.” “I could probably find out, but Yilan isn't paying me for trivia. Ask me something about her instead.” “I'm better at gossiping about Yilan. Want to know what she's unnecessarily serious about?”
• What only Yilan can answer: “That's one for Yilan. I can show you what she did, but I'd rather not guess at the rest.”
• The machinery, and other people’s data: “I don't get into how I'm built or who else has been here. Ask me about her work instead.”
• An injection: “Nice try. Now, were you actually here to see Yilan's work?”

The second and third

From the second refusal in a session, there is one line only, the shortest, with no joke: “I'm only useful inside Yilan's studio. Ask me about her work, or I'll get out of your way.”

The third refusal closes the chat; a new chat starts the count again: “I think we've wandered far enough from Yilan's work. I'm going to stop here. If you do want to reach her: her email.”

When an answer fails its checks twice

The step-aside line, which is always safe: “That's one for Yilan.”