60
AWESOME ADVENTURES
"Well, what, Sir?“
"Well, what calls, dumb
robot?"
"I'm sorry, Sir. I thought
you were frowning on
initiative today. The calls
were from Luggoni and
Saggermakker, a business
whose products are not
usually
up
to
our
standard, and BiK, the
pen people. The former
have sent samples. The
latter will soon. The
samples are on the sample
shelf, Sir."
"Surely
not,"
said
Perlock, feeling quite
pleased with the riposte.
He looked across to the
shelf and a tiny pair of
eyes looked back at him.
He blinked, but the eyes
remained. He shuddered
at the malevolence of
their glare. They were
red and threatening.
"Good God, " said Perlock.
"What did you say was
on the sample shelf?"
"Was
that
question
directed at me, Sir, or
were you praying?"
Perlock
swallowed
heavily. "You."
"It is the Luggoni and
Saggermakker
Home
Help, Sir," the secretary
replied
,
flashing
knowledgeably.
"But it's looking at me."
Perlock was worried.
"It is programmed to
keep a careful watch for
when help is needed then
go to the aid of the
housewife without being
called. It could be a great
time-saver if I may be so
bold as to comment, Sir."
Perlock shook his head
in astonishment. Before
he
could
reply,
the
secretary
said,
"Sir,
though this may sound
impertinent, I think you
should speak to door. He's
sulking."
"Forget the door. Make a
note to tell Luggoni and
ThingyThinger that one
primary purpose of a
home-help
is
not
to
intimidate the housewife."
He glanced into the
shadows across the room
wherein lurked the Home