Я, Робот
Catch That Rabbit
Powellturnedbacktotherobot,"Whatwereyoudoingeachtime...Imeanthewholegroup"
The"finger"hadacuriousairofrecitingbyrote,asifheansweredquestionsbythemechanicalpressureofhisbrainpan,butwithoutanyenthusiasmwhatever.
Hesaid,"ThefirsttimewewereatworkonadifficultoutcroppinginTunnel17,LevelB.Thesecondtimewewerebuttressingtheroofagainstapossiblecave-in.Thethirdtimewewerepreparingaccurateblastsinordertotunnelfartherwithoutbreakingintoasubterraneanfissure.Thefourthtimewasjustafteraminorcave-in"
"Whathappenedatthesetimes?"
"Itisdifficulttodescribe.Anorderwouldbeissued,butbeforewecouldreceiveandinterpretit,anewordercametomarchinqueerformation."
Powellsnappedout,"Why?"
"Idon’tknow."
Donovanbrokeintensely,"Whatwasthefirstorder...theonethatwassupersededbythemarchingdirections?"
"Idon’tknow.Isensedthatanorderwassent,buttherewasnevertimetoreceiveit."
"Couldyoutellusanythingaboutit?Wasitthesameordereachtime?"
The"finger"shookhisheadunhappily,"Idon’tknow."
Powellleanedback,"Allright,getbacktoyourboss."
The"finger"left,withvisiblerelief.
Donovansaid,"Well,weaccomplishedalotthattime.Thatwasrealsharpdialogueallthewaythrough.Listen,Daveandthatimbecile’finger’arebothholdingoutonus.Thereistoomuchtheydon’tknowanddon’tremember.We’vegottostoptrustingthem,Greg."
