Я, Робот
Catch That Rabbit
Powellgroanedheavybehindanoticeablyinsinceresmile.TheunwrittenmottoofUnitedStatesRobotandMechanicalMenCorp.waswell-known:"Noemployeemakesthesamemistaketwice.Heisfiredthefirsttime."
Aloudhesaid,"You’reaslucidasEuclidwitheverythingexceptthefacts.You’vewatchedthatrobotgroupforthreeshifts,youredhead,andtheydidtheirworkperfectly.Yousaidsoyourself.Whatelsecanwedo?"
"Findoutwhat’swrong,that’swhatwecando.SotheydidworkperfectlywhenIwatchedthem.ButonthreedifferentoccasionswhenIdidn’twatchthem,theydidn’tbringinanyore.Theydidn’tevencomebackonschedule.Ihadtogoafterthem."
"Andwasanythingwrong?"
"Notathing.Notathing.Everythingwasperfect.Smoothandperfectastheluminiferousether.Onlyonelittleinsignificantdetaildisturbedme–therewasnoore."
Powellscowledattheceilingandpulledathisbrownmustache."I’lltellyouwhat,Mike.We’vebeenstuckwithprettylousyjobsinourtime,butthistakestheiridiumasteroid.Thewholebusinessiscomplicatedpastendurance.Look,thatrobot,DV-5,hassixrobotsunderit.Andnotjustunderit–they’repartofit."
"Iknowthat-"
"Shutup!"saidPowell,savagely,"Iknowyouknowit,butI’mjustdescribingthehellofit.ThosesixsubsidiariesarepartofDV-5likeyourfingersarepartofyouanditgivesthemtheirordersneitherbyvoicenorradio,butdirectlythroughpositronicfields.
