Where Do Robots Go to Cry?

Richard looked at his colleagues, “D’you think they hear every word we say?” “Who knows? They seem to know what we’re thinking before we even say it.” Katherine rolled the sleeves up on her white blouse, “Let’s see just how much they can sense and how much they can tell for sure. Custodian…” A shining robot appeared at the entrance to the room, “May I be of assistance?” Katherine glanced at him and then spun round furiously and punched Richard square on the cheek. He fell backwards, as much in surprise as from the force of the blow and scarcely had time to put his arms out behind him. Before he could hit the ground, the Custodian had crossed the room and caught him. “Are you alright, sir?” he passed his hand gently over Richard’s face, “There are no broken bones, but there is some tissue damage. It will heal by itself…the skin is not broken. There is no risk of infection. I can get you something to alleviate the pain.” Richard shrugged him off, “What the hell!” “Well he didn’t see that coming.” “Neither did I!” Katherine stepped over to Richard, wiping her brow and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she leant down. He flinched, expecting another blow, but instead she took his head in her hands and then kissed him passionately. Stepping back she said, with a shrug, “He didn’t expect that either.” “If there’s anything else you have in mind, I’d like to know about if first.” Richard’s cheek was red from the first blow and he rubbed it with his hand. “Oh stop complaining, you wuss.” Richard straightened his clothing. The robot just stood there silently, almost frozen in time, as if waiting for instructions as to how to proceed…no movement…no questions…no confusion…he just stood as if broken. “You may leave us now, Custodian.” Katherine sat on the soft couch at the side of the room, “So they can’t read our minds…at least, not literally.” “You have one hell of a way of testing theories out…that hurt!” “Don’t be such a baby…would you like me to kiss you again?” “What I would like, Commander Jaegar, is to discuss things in a civilised manner and draw conclusions that don’t result in one of us carrying bruises.” “That would be you then,” she smiled. “Well…Lieutenant Delaney…what do you conclude from what just happened?” “Apart from the fact that you have a formidable right hook, I think we can deduce that there are at least some limits to the amount that our actions can be predicted by the Custodians. They seem to be able to influence our feelings to some degree, only…” “Only what?” “It seems to take them some time…as if they have to confer and deliberate amongst themselves first.” “That would make sense.” “We can also conclude,” continued Richard, waggling his jaw to check that it still moved properly, “that there’s a limit to how well they can control our actions.” François had remained silent throughout the theatricals but now, through a mixture of curiosity and frustration he had to speak out, “What do you mean…control our actions?” “You weren’t with us on the Columbus, my friend.” Richard turned to face him, “Many of us had ideas that we couldn’t account for. They seemed at the time to be our own ideas, but they led us to things we could never have known if that were in fact the case.” “They controlled your minds?” “To a degree…yes.” François shook his head, but Richard added, “Remember how easily we all accepted being met by a group of robots when we first arrived? Doesn’t that strike you as odd?” “Well I…” “A week ago, if you’d turned a corner and there were ten, chrome plated robots, all wanting to take you into a place you’d never been before…wouldn’t you be at least a little bit apprehensive or even frightened?” “Oh, come now…that’s not fair. This is completely different…for one thing…” “Boys! Stop squabbling.” Katherine rolled her eyes, “Maybe it takes a group of them together to have any real effect on our actions?” Richard nodded, “I don’t think Arzac has the same constraints. He seems far more adept.” “Agreed. Leave Arzac to the Captain for now,” Katherine stood up, “Let’s see what else we can find out.” “If that involves hitting anyone else, include me out!” Katherine rolled her eyes, “Men!”