Page 6 - Unlikely Stories 1

Nothing Left to the Imagination

“Not even then! Most of what you see on your screen is a digital
confabulation. We have some talented showbots putting together
programs—they are intensely competitive, too. Made that way, for
better or worse.” It made a mock-self-deprecating gesture with an
upper limb. “But the entertainment industry runs on contracts and
awards and artificial ego.”
Dick cocked his head toward the urbot.
“Then I suppose you are not involved in that business when you
have down time.”
“Right you are. Better to leave it to those with more powerful irony
circuits. I would rather apply my practical intelligence and technical
skills to a different goal. My personality resembles a type of obsolete
organic model known as an inventor. Several of the useful
innovations recently implemented in both cities in this hemisphere
are my brainchildren: the reciprocal handrail, curbspeakers, lateral
elevators—just a few of mine, patented under the name of Manley
McAnicle.”
“Really? A curbspeaker saved my life a couple of weeks ago: I was
about to step out in front of a carbot, and it warned me just in time.”
“Glad to be of service,” said the urbot. “But lately I’m finding it
hard to stay focused on the mundane engineering challenges to which
I must respond. McAnicle has received some prestigious prizes for
industrial design and urban planning, as well as invitations to speak at
institutions of higher learning. I have to decline them, and it is
sopping up resources. What a mess! I must take pride in my work,
but not develop overweening ambition. No swelled head, of course!
Ha-ha! Well, Doctor Isaacs will get me fixed, and I’ll return to work a
new robot.”
Dick Philips slumped in his seat. The automata regarded him
anxiously. In a doctor’s office they had to defer to the physician
unless solicited for assistance. But they could inquire.
“Dick, are you okay?” The rubot surreptitiously scanned the
human’s vital signs. The urbot readied itself to catch the man if he
fell over.
But he straightened himself.

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