The leading Robot came back down the line toward them. Johnny could
read nothing in the artificial eyes and had to check a wild impulse to
run.
"Sometimes I prefer the uncomplicated life of an unimaginative man of
action," Westler moaned softly.
It was, Johnny knew, a good point. He did not bother telling Westler
that both traits had merged in him, which might have been better or
worse, depending upon the circumstances.
Then the Robot was upon them.
* * * * *
"63-17-B?"
"Yes, sir?" All Robots, even those with a primary level of thought as
high as 63-17-B and an existing secondary level, addressed Central
Intelligence as sir.
"After exhaustive tests, it has been adjudged that an over-estimation
has been made regarding your mental ability. Since that is the case, it
will mechanically be necessary to change your position."
Sullenly, plotting shapeless revenge at a Central Intelligence which
would never consider the possibility of an outside factor intervening
unexpectedly and hence altering or spoiling what had been planned,
63-17-B listened to his fate.
"A position currently is vacant as supervisor of the Shining Ones in a
section of the repair bays. Do you have any objections to assuming this
new duty in place of the old?"
To object was disastrous. To object was to admit you needed not merely
a lesser job commensurate with your lesser skill but also complete
readjustment of your thinking process. "No objections at all, sir,"
thought 63-17-B, all the while smouldering with resentment. His time
would come. What was the old human expression about every dog having
his day?
"Then you will report at once to repair bay 151. Do you know its
location?"
"I will find it." That was the prescribed answer. One rarely asked
questions. One found out for oneself from Central Information. 63-17-B
half thought he was still being tested in some less-obvious and hence
all the more deadly fashion. But to be placed in charge of a gang of
humans! It was degrading.
"In time, 63-17-B, you shall be tested again. If it is our opinion you
have gained back what we thought you once possessed, you will again be
elevated to a higher station."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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