Я, Робот
Evidence
"He’snotindanger.He’snotindanger."Lentonmadeaqueer,raspingsoundinhisthroat."Youmeanyou’regettingoutonthatbalconyinfrontoffiftythousandcrazycrackpotsandtrytotalksensetothem–onabalconylikeamedievaldictator?"
Byerleyconsultedhiswatch."Inaboutfiveminutes–assoonasthetelevisonlinesarefree."
Lenton’sansweringremarkwasnotquitetransliterable.
Thecrowdfilledaropedoffareaofthecity.Treesandhousesseemedtogrowoutofamass-humanfoundation.Andbyultra-wave,therestoftheworldwatched.Itwasapurelylocalelection,butithadaworldaudiencejustthesame.Byerleythoughtofthatandsmiled.
Buttherewasnothingtosmileatinthecrowditself.Therewerebannersandstreamers,ringingeverypossiblechangeonhissupposedrobotcy.Thehostileattituderosethicklyandtangiblyintotheatmosphere.
Fromthestartthespeechwasnotsuccessful.ItcompetedagainsttheinchoatemobhowlandtherhythmiccriesoftheFundieclaquesthatformedmob-islandswithinthemob.Byerleyspokeon,slowly,unemotionally-
Inside,Lentonclutchedhishairandgroaned–andwaitedfortheblood.
Therewasawrithinginthefrontranks.Anangularcitizenwithpoppingeyes,andclothestooshortforthelanklengthofhislimbs,waspullingtothefore.Apolicemandivedafterhim,makingslow,strugglingpassage.Byerleywavedthelatteroff,angrily.
Thethinmanwasdirectlyunderthebalcony.Hiswordstoreunheardagainsttheroar.
Byerleyleanedforward.
