Я, Робот

           Powellsaid,"Ididn’tseeanyemergencyexits.Ifsomething’sgonewronghere,they’llhavetomeltusout."

           "Yes,andwe’vegottowaituntiltheyfindoutthatsomefoolhaslockedusinhere,"addedDonovan,frantically.

           "Let’sgetbacktotheroomwiththeport.It’stheonlyplacefromwhichwemightattractattention."

           Buttheydidn’t.

           Inthatlastroom,theportwasnolongerblueandfullofsky.Itwasblack,andhardyellowpin-pointstarsspelledspace.

           Therewasadull,doublethud,astwobodiescollapsedseparatelyintotwochairs.

           AlfredLanningmetDr.Calvinjustoutsidehisoffice.Helitanervouscigarandmotionedherin.

           Hesaid,"Well,Susan,we’vecomeprettyfar,andRobertson’sgettingjumpy.WhatareyoudoingwithTheBrain?"

           SusanCalvinspreadherhands,"It’snousegettingimpatient.TheBrainisworthmorethananythingweforfeitonthisdeal."

           "Butyou’vebeenquestioningitfortwomonths."

           Thepsychologist’svoicewasflat,butsomehowdangerous,"Youwouldratherrunthisyourself?"

           "NowyouknowwhatImeant."

           "Oh,IsupposeIdo,"Dr.Calvinrubbedherhandsnervously."Itisn’teasy.I’vebeenpamperingitandprobingitgently,andIhaven’tgottenanywhereyet.Its’reactionsaren’tnormal.Itsanswers–they’requeer,somehow.ButnothingIcanputmyfingeronyet.Andyousee,untilweknowwhat’swrong,wemustjusttiptoeourwaythrough.