Я, Робот
Evidence
Hehadoneofthebig-shotscientistsofU.S.Robotamp;MechanicalMenCorporationoverattheofficetoarguewithme."
SlowlyJohn’shandstoreatthegrass,"Isee.Isee."
Byerleysaid,"Butwecanlethimchoosehisground.Ihaveanidea.Listentomeandtellmeifwecandoit"
ThesceneasitappearedinAlfredLanning’sofficethatnightwasatableauofstares.FrancisQuinnstaredmeditativelyatAlfredLanning.Lanning’sstarewassavagelysetuponSusanCalvin,whostaredimpassivelyinherturnatQuinn.
FrancisQuinnbrokeitwithaheavyattemptatlightness,"Bluff.He’smakingitupashegoesalong."
"Areyougoingtogambleonthat,Mr.Quinn?"askedDr.Calvin,indifferently.
"Well,it’syourgamble,really."
"Lookhere,"Lanningcovereddefinitepessimismwithbluster,"we’vedonewhatyouasked.Wewitnessedthemaneat.It’sridiculoustopresumehimarobot."
"Doyouthinkso?"QuinnshottowardCalvin."Lanningsaidyouweretheexpert."
Lanningwasalmostthreatening,"Now,Susan-"
Quinninterruptedsmoothly,"Whynotlethertalk,man?She’sbeensittingthereimitatingagatepostforhalfanhour."
Lanningfeltdefinitelyharassed.Fromwhatheexperiencedthentoincipientparanoiawasbutastep.Hesaid,"Verywell.Haveyoursay,Susan.Wewon’tinterruptyou."
SusanCalvinglancedathimhumorlessly,thenfixedcoldeyesonMr.Quinn."ThereareonlytwowaysofdefinitelyprovingByerleytobearobot,sir.Sofaryouarepresentingcircumstantialevidence,withwhichyoucanaccuse,butnotprove–andIthinkMr.Byerleyissufficientlyclevertocounterthatsortofmaterial.
