Catch That Rabbit

           Thevacationwaslongerthantwoweeks.That,MikeDonovanhadtoadmit.Ithadbeensixmonths,withpay.Headmittedthat,too.Butthat,asheexplainedfuriously,wasfortuitous.U.S.Robotshadtogetthebugsoutofthemultiplerobot,andtherewereplentyofbugs,andtherearealwaysatleasthalfadozenbugsleftforthefieldtesting.Sotheywaitedandrelaxeduntilthedrawing-boardmenandtheslide-ruleboyshadsaid"OK!"AndnowheandPowellwereoutontheasteroidanditwasnotOK.Herepeatedthatadozentimes,withafacethathadgonebeety,"FortheloveofPete,Greg,getrealistic.What’stheuseofadheringtotheletterofthespecificationsandwatchingthetestgotopot?It’sabouttimeyougottheredtapeoutofyourpantsandwenttowork."

           "I’monlysaying,"saidGregoryPowell,patiently,asoneexplainingelectronicstoanidiotchild,"thataccordingtospec,thoserobotsareequippedforasteroidminingwithoutsupervision.We’renotsupposedtowatchthem."

           "Allright.Look–logic!"Heliftedhishairyfingersandpointed."One:Thatnewrobotpassedeverytestinthehomelaboratories.Two:UnitedStatesRobotsguaranteedtheirpassingthetestofactualperformanceonanasteroid.Three:Therobotsarenotpassingsaidtests.Four:Iftheydon’tpass,UnitedStatesRobotslosestenmillioncreditsincashandaboutonehundredmillioninreputation.Five:Iftheydon’tpassandwecan’texplainwhytheydon’tpass,itisjustpossibletwogoodjobsmayhavetobebiddenafondfarewell."