Я, Робот
Evidence
Themerefactthatsuchacontentioncouldbeadvancedandpublicizedbythemeansatthisman’sdisposalwouldbeabadblowtothecompanyIrepresent–evenifthechargewereneverproven.Youunderstandme?"
"Oh,yes,yourpositioniscleartome.Thechargeitselfisridiculous.Thespotyoufindyourselfinisnot.Ibegyourpardon,ifmylaughteroffendedyou.ItwasthefirstIlaughedat,notthesecond.HowcanIhelpyou?"
"Itcouldbeverysimple.Youhaveonlytositdowntoamealatarestaurantinthepresenceofwitnesses,haveyourpicturetaken,andeat."Lanningsatbackinhischair,theworstoftheinterviewover.ThewomanbesidehimwatchedByerleywithanapparentlyabsorbedexpressionbutcontributednothingofherown.
StephenByerleymethereyesforaninstant,wascaughtbythem,thenturnedbacktotheroboticist.Forawhilehisfingerswerethoughtfuloverthebronzepaper-weightthatwastheonlyornamentonhisdesk.
Hesaidquietly,"Idon’tthinkIcanobligeyou."
Heraisedhishand,"Nowwait,Dr.Lanning.Iappreciatethefactthatthiswholematterisdistastefultoyou,thatyouhavebeenforcedintoitagainstyourwill,thatyoufeelyouareplayinganundignifiedandevenridiculouspart.Still,thematterisevenmoreintimatelyconcernedwithmyself,sobetolerant.
