Я, Робот

           Theydividedinthecorridortotherightandleft.Theycouldfollowoneanotherbythehardfootstepsresounding,andtheymetoccasionallyinthecorridor,wheretheywouldglareateachotherandpasson.

           Powell’ssearchendedsuddenlyandasitdid,heheardDonovan’sgladvoiceriseboomingly.

           "Hey,Greg,"ithowled,"theshiphasgotplumbing.Howdidwemissit?"

           ItwassomefiveminuteslaterthathefoundPowellbyhit-and-miss.Hewassaying,"Stillnoshowerbaths,though,"butitgotchokedoffinthemiddle.

           "Food,"hegasped.

           Thewallhaddroppedaway,leavingacurvedgapwithtwoshelves.Theuppershelfwasloadedwithunlabeledcansofabewilderingvarietyofsizesandshapes.TheenameledcansonthelowershelfwereuniformandDonovanfeltacolddraftabouthisankles.Thelowerhalfwasrefrigerated.

           "How...how-"

           "Itwasn’tthere,before,"saidPowell,curtly."ThatwallsectiondroppedoutofsightasIcameinthedoor."

           Hewaseating.Thecanwasthepreheatingtypewithenclosedspoonandthewarmodorofbakedbeansfilledtheroom."Grabacan,Mike!"

           Donovanhesitated,"What’sthemenu?"

           "HowdoIknow!Areyoufinicky?"

           "No,butallIeatonshipsarebeans.Somethingelsewouldbefirstchoice."Hishandhoveredandselectedashiningellipticalcanwhoseflatnessseemedreminiscentofsalmonorsimilardelicacy.Itopenedattheproperpressure.

           "Beans!"howledDonovan,andreachedforanother.Powellhauledattheslackofhispants."Bettereatthat,sonnyboy.Suppliesarelimitedandwemaybeherealong,longtime."