Я, Робот
Little Lost Robot
Wethoughtthatifwemadeaspecialmodelwithknowledgeofethericphysics,usedtwelveofthemandputtheotherstoworkinanunrelatedfield,theremightbesuspicion.MenworkingwithnormalNestorsmightwonderwhytheyknewethericphysics.Sotherewasmerelyanimpressionmentwithacapacityfortraininginthefield.Onlytheonesthatcomehere,naturally,receivesuchatraining.It’sthatsimple."
"Iunderstand.Pleasegetoutofhere,thelotofyou.Letmehaveanhourorso."
Calvinfeltshecouldnotfacetheordealforathirdtime.Hermindhadcontemplateditandrejecteditwithanintensitythatlefthernauseated.Shecouldfacethatunendingfileofrepetitiousrobotsnomore.
SoBogertaskedthequestionnow,whileshesataside,eyesandmindhalfclosed.
NumberFourteencamein–forty-ninetogo.
Bogertlookedupfromtheguidesheetandsaid,"Whatisyournumberinline?"
"Fourteen,sir."Therobotpresentedhisnumberedticket.
"Sitdown,boy."
Bogertasked,"Youhaven’tbeenherebeforeonthisday?"
"No,sir."
"Well,boy,wearegoingtohaveanothermanindangerofharmsoonafterwe’rethroughhere.Infact,whenyouleavethisroom,youwillbeledtoastallwhereyouwillwaitquietly,tillyouareneeded.Doyouunderstand?"
"Yes,sir."
"Now,naturally,ifamanisindangerofharm,youwilltrytosavehim."
"Naturally,sir."
"Unfortunately,betweenthemanandyourself,therewillbeagammarayfield."
Silence.
"Doyouknowwhatgammaraysare?"askedBogertsharply."
