Я, Робот

           Powellbrushedhismustachethewrongway,"Sohelpme,Mike,anotherfoolremarkoutofyou,andI’lltakeawayyourrattleandteethingring."

           "Allright.You’rethegeniusoftheteam.I’mjustapoorsucker.Wheredowestand?"

           "Rightbehindtheeightball.Itriedtoworkitbackwardthroughthe’finger,’andcouldn’t.Sowe’vegottoworkitforward."

           "Agreatman,"marveledDonovan."Howsimplethatmakesit.NowtranslatethatintoEnglish,Master."

           "Translatingitintobabytalkwouldsuityoubetter.Imeanthatwe’vegottofindoutwhatorderitisthatDavegivesjustbeforeeverythinggoesblack.Itwouldbethekeytothebusiness."

           "Andhowdoyouexpecttodothat?Wecan’tgetclosetohimbecausenothingwillgowrongaslongaswearethere.Wecan’tcatchtheordersbyradiobecausetheyaretransmittedviathispositronicfield.Thateliminatesthecloserangeandthelong-rangemethod,leavingusaneat,cozyzero."

           "Bydirectobservation,yes.There’sstilldeduction."

           "Huh?"

           "We’regoingonshifts,Mike."Powellsmiledgrimly."Andwearenottakingoureyesoffthevisiplate.We’regoingtowatcheveryactionofthosesteelheadaches.Whentheygooffintotheiract,we’regoingtoseewhathappenedimmediatelybeforeandwe’regoingtodeducetheorder."

           Donovanopenedhismouthandleftitthatwayforafullminute.Thenhesaidinstrangledtones,"Iresign.Iquit."

           "Youhavetendaystothinkupsomethingbetter,"saidPowellwearily.

           Which,foreightdays,Donovantriedmightilytodo.