I tried the Specialized Roll at lunchtime today and it's not the bike I'm seeking. It was fun and definitely different, but I felt positioned too far back on the bike (in no doubt due to the very shallow seat tube angle - 67 degrees). A cruiser bike for sure, but I didn't feel like I could get "up on" the bike to crank.
I also tried a Specialized Crosstrail while I was there, with the brain fork, but I didn't care for that either. With no apparent way to tune it, it was super stiff, and I couldn't perceive any actual damping action from it. The stanchions were also a bit wiggly (which is one of the reasons I want a rigid fork to begin with), so I passed on that.
The local Giant dealer indeed does not have any ARXes in stock, so I plan to make a drive tomorrow.