"Asimov, Isaac - Robot City - Robots and Aliens 03 - Intruder - Robert Thurston" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asimov Isaac)

?Some of us.?
Ariel stepped forward to address the new robot. She talked quietly, in contrast to Derec?s nervous and energetic tone. ?When do you have time for that? What about your duties??
The robot swiveled its head toward her. ?Oh, I get it. I like it. You?re doing one of those copper tricks. The good-guy-bad-guy routine, I think it?s called.?
?It?s no routine. Answer my question. You have to obey Second Law.?
?Sorry. All right. I am not aware that the fulfillment of my duties is in any way impaired by the time I spend with hyperwave and prehyperwave movies and shows.?
?What is your job??
?I am a perimeter-observation and intruder-inspection specialist.?
?A what? That doesn?t?wait, do you mean a border guard??
?That is the vulgar term, Mistress Ariel.?
?We don?t need border guards. Robot City?s allover the planet. There aren?t any borders.?
The robot made a move with his shoulders that, in a human, would have been a shrug. ?I was misinformed,? it said.
Now Derec took over the questioning. ?You do a job for which there is no need??
?It seems so.?
?Was border guard always your job??
?No. I was once an Analyst.?
?You would have to be reprogrammed to change your role here.?
?Yes.?
?And you were??
?Yes.?
?Who did the reprogramming??
?I am not allowed to say.?
?Yes, you can. You are allowed to tell me.?
?Nope. I realize you are Derec, but this is not a matter of Robotic Law protocol. I really cannot. There is a block upon the information which, if I attempt to reveal it to??
?I know, I know. The information self-destructs. You forget it before you can say it.?
?That is so.?
Derec, looking worried, turned his back on the robot. ?Heads up,? he said to Ariel, then reared back his fist, as if to smash her in the face.
The robot?s hand was quick. He had Derec?s arm in between pincers in a split second. Derec relaxed in his grasp.
?It?s all right, robot. I would never hurt her. I was just testing you.?
?Testing me??
?I wanted to make sure you would still obey the First Law and keep me from harming Ariel.?
?I would. I must.?
Derec sighed. ?At least something in this place is working according to Hoyle.?
?Excuse me,? the robot said. ?I missed a beat there somewhere, pal. Is there someone named Hoyle I should know about??
Derec laughed, pleased that at least this robot, with its skills at slang, could still be crossed up enough to take a statement literally. ?It?s nothing,? he said. ?Just a figure of speech.?
?I will look it up. Thanks a bunch, kid.?
?Stop calling me kid. It?s not only inaccurate, it?s disrespectful.?
?It?s not so inaccurate,? Ariel muttered. ?I mean, you?re still a teenager.?
?I don?t feel like one any more.?
?I apologize, Master Derec. I thought kid was a respectful term. It is in the movies, I think.?
?I give up. Get on your way.?
?As you wish. Here?s looking at you, k?Master Derec.?
The robot began to glide away.
?Wait, what?s your name?? Derec called after it. ?Bogie.?
?That?s your new name, one you chose??
?Yes.?
?Do you see many movies??
?I have studied a certain period of the cinema, yes.?
?Why? Why a certain period??
?It was my assignment.?
?Who made the assignment??