AREN’T HUMANS LUCKY?
The
garbage
robot
turned to the other and in
an aggrieved voice said,
"This rubbish is trying to
get out of being collected
by pretending to be a
human. Look," it said as it
faced Perlock once more,
"it's
almost
on
the
pavement."
With a careful flick of
one of its many grasping
appendages it conveyed
Perlock back in front of
it.
"It looks suspiciously
like a human to me," said
the police robot. “Not a
very good specimen, but
quite
possibly
human
even so.”
"I am," yelled Perlock.
"Here's my card."
He withdrew the small,
plastic identicard and
held it to one of the policerobot's eye-stalks.
"Now
me?"
do
you
believe
The police robot saluted
with a creak and fired a
small salvo in Perlock's
honour.
The
cleaning
robot mumbled, "Dust on
my lenses again.
proper maintenance,"
71
No
"Could one of you please
get me to my office now?"
asked Perlock, feeling a
little more in command of
the situation.
"I think that's up to
transport. I'll give them a
ring."
Perlock heard the police
robot muttering into a
fone, then it looked at him
and said, "There'll be a cab
here presently, Sir."
Suddenly, from along
the street came a terrible
screech and crash. The
police robot glanced up.
"An accident," it cried
joyfully. "Good day, Sir, "it
shouted as it sped towards
the scene.
The
cleaning
robot
revved
its
motor.
"Litterlitterlitterlitter," it
chanted
joyfully
and
followed in the tiremarks
of the police robot.
Perlock found himself
momentarily
stunned,
though happily so. Then
he saw that the traffic
which had been swerving