Я, Робот

           However,thecenterofdisturbanceseemstobeabouttheinterstellarjumpitself.TheBraindefinitelylaughedwhenIbroughtupthesubject.Thereareotherindications,butthatistheclosestit’scometoanopenabnormality."

           Shelookedattheothers,"Irefertohysteria.Idroppedthesubjectimmediately,andIhopeIdidnoharm,butitgavemealead.Icanhandlehysteria.Givemetwelvehours!IfIcanbringitbacktonormal,itwillbringbacktheship."

           Bogertseemedsuddenlystricken."Theinterstellarjump!"

           "What’sthematter?"ThecrywasdoublefromCalvinandLanning.

           "ThefiguresfortheengineTheBraingaveus.Say...Ijustthoughtofsomething."

           Helefthurriedly.

           Lanninggazedafterhim.HesaidbrusquelytoCalvin,"Youtakecareofyourend,Susan."

           Twohourslater,Bogertwastalkingeagerly,"Itellyou,Lanning,that’sit.Theinterstellarjumpisnotinstantaneousnotaslongasthespeedoflightisfinite.Lifecan’texist...matterandenergyassuchcan’texistinthespacewarp.Idon’tknowwhatitwouldbelike–butthat’sit.That’swhatkilledConsolidated’srobot."

           Donovanfeltashaggardashelooked."Onlyfivedays?"

           "Onlyfivedays.I’msureofit."

           Donovanlookedabouthimwretchedly.Thestarsthroughtheglasswerefamiliarbutinfinitelyindifferent.Thewallswerecoldtothetouch;thelights,whichhadrecentlyflaredupagain,wereunfeelinglybright;theneedleonthegaugepointedstubbornlytozero;andDonovancouldnotgetridofthetasteofbeans.

           Hesaid,morosely,"Ineedabath."