Read Online Asimov's Future History Volume 4 by Isaac Asimov - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Isaac Asimov
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then.”
“And last night you spoke as you slept.”
Baley’s eyes widened. “What did I say?”
“Merely the one word ‘Jessie’ several times repeated. I believe you were referring to your wife.”
Baley let his tight muscles loosen. He said, shakily, “I had a nightmare. Do you know what that is?”
“I do not know by personal experience, of course. The dictionary definition has it that it is a bad dream.”
“And do you know what a dream is?”
“Again, the dictionary definition only. It is an illusion of reality experienced during the temporary suspension of conscious thought which you call sheep.”
“All right. I’ll buy that. An illusion. Sometimes the illusions can seem damned real. Well, I dreamed my wife was in danger. It’s the sort of dream people often have. I called her name. That happens under such circumstances, too. You can take my word for it.”
“I am only too glad to do so. But it brings up a thought. How did Jessie find out I was a robot?”
Baley’s forehead went moist again. “We’re not going into that again, are we? The rumor–”
“I am sorry to interrupt, partner Elijah, but there is no rumor. If there were, the City would be alive with unrest today. I have checked reports coming into the Department and this is not so. There simply is no rumor. Therefore, how did your wife find out?”
“Jehoshaphat! What are you trying to say? Do you think my wife is one of the members of–of...”
“Yes, Elijah.”
Baley gripped his hands together tightly. “Well, she isn’t, and we won’t discuss that point any further.”
“This is not like you, Elijah. In the course of duty, you accused me of murder twice.”
“And is this your way of getting even?”
“I am not sure I understand what you mean by the phrase. Certainly, I approve your readiness to suspect me. You had your reasons.
They were wrong, but they might easily have been right. Equally strong evidence points to your wife.”
“As a murderess? Why, damn you, Jessie wouldn’t hurt her worst enemy. She couldn’t set foot outside the City. She couldn’t..–Why, if you were flesh and blood I’d–”
“I merely say that she is a member of the conspiracy. I say that she should be questioned.”
“Not on your life. Not on whatever it is you call your life. Now, listen to me. The Medievalists aren’t after our blood. It’s not the way they do things. But they are trying to get you out of the City. That much is obvious. And they’re trying to do it by a kind of psychological attack. They’re trying to make life unpleasant for you and for me, since I’m with you. They could easily have found out Jessie was my wife, and it was an obvious move for them to let the news leak to her. She’s like any other human being. She doesn’t like robots. She wouldn’t want me to associate with one, especially if she thought it involved danger, and surely they would imply that. I tell you it worked. She begged all night to have me abandon the case or to get you out of the City somehow.”
“Presumably,” said R. Daneel, “you have a very strong urge to protect your wife against questioning. It seems obvious to me that you are constructing this line of argument without really believing it.”
“What the hell do you think you are?” ground out Baley. “You’re not a detective. You’re a cerebroanalysis machine like the electroencephalographs we have in this building. You’ve got arms, legs, a head, and can talk, but you’re not one inch more than that machine. Putting a lousy circuit into you doesn’t make you a detective, so what do you know? You keep your mouth shut, and let me do the figuring out.”
The robot said quietly, “I think it would be better if you lowered your voice, Elijah. Granted that I am not a detective in the sense that you are, I would still like to bring one small item to your attention.”
“I’m not interested in listening.”
“Please do. If I am wrong, you will tell me
“And last night you spoke as you slept.”
Baley’s eyes widened. “What did I say?”
“Merely the one word ‘Jessie’ several times repeated. I believe you were referring to your wife.”
Baley let his tight muscles loosen. He said, shakily, “I had a nightmare. Do you know what that is?”
“I do not know by personal experience, of course. The dictionary definition has it that it is a bad dream.”
“And do you know what a dream is?”
“Again, the dictionary definition only. It is an illusion of reality experienced during the temporary suspension of conscious thought which you call sheep.”
“All right. I’ll buy that. An illusion. Sometimes the illusions can seem damned real. Well, I dreamed my wife was in danger. It’s the sort of dream people often have. I called her name. That happens under such circumstances, too. You can take my word for it.”
“I am only too glad to do so. But it brings up a thought. How did Jessie find out I was a robot?”
Baley’s forehead went moist again. “We’re not going into that again, are we? The rumor–”
“I am sorry to interrupt, partner Elijah, but there is no rumor. If there were, the City would be alive with unrest today. I have checked reports coming into the Department and this is not so. There simply is no rumor. Therefore, how did your wife find out?”
“Jehoshaphat! What are you trying to say? Do you think my wife is one of the members of–of...”
“Yes, Elijah.”
Baley gripped his hands together tightly. “Well, she isn’t, and we won’t discuss that point any further.”
“This is not like you, Elijah. In the course of duty, you accused me of murder twice.”
“And is this your way of getting even?”
“I am not sure I understand what you mean by the phrase. Certainly, I approve your readiness to suspect me. You had your reasons.
They were wrong, but they might easily have been right. Equally strong evidence points to your wife.”
“As a murderess? Why, damn you, Jessie wouldn’t hurt her worst enemy. She couldn’t set foot outside the City. She couldn’t..–Why, if you were flesh and blood I’d–”
“I merely say that she is a member of the conspiracy. I say that she should be questioned.”
“Not on your life. Not on whatever it is you call your life. Now, listen to me. The Medievalists aren’t after our blood. It’s not the way they do things. But they are trying to get you out of the City. That much is obvious. And they’re trying to do it by a kind of psychological attack. They’re trying to make life unpleasant for you and for me, since I’m with you. They could easily have found out Jessie was my wife, and it was an obvious move for them to let the news leak to her. She’s like any other human being. She doesn’t like robots. She wouldn’t want me to associate with one, especially if she thought it involved danger, and surely they would imply that. I tell you it worked. She begged all night to have me abandon the case or to get you out of the City somehow.”
“Presumably,” said R. Daneel, “you have a very strong urge to protect your wife against questioning. It seems obvious to me that you are constructing this line of argument without really believing it.”
“What the hell do you think you are?” ground out Baley. “You’re not a detective. You’re a cerebroanalysis machine like the electroencephalographs we have in this building. You’ve got arms, legs, a head, and can talk, but you’re not one inch more than that machine. Putting a lousy circuit into you doesn’t make you a detective, so what do you know? You keep your mouth shut, and let me do the figuring out.”
The robot said quietly, “I think it would be better if you lowered your voice, Elijah. Granted that I am not a detective in the sense that you are, I would still like to bring one small item to your attention.”
“I’m not interested in listening.”
“Please do. If I am wrong, you will tell me
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