Isaac Asimov - Robot AL-76 Goes Astray part 2/4

Summary

In this intriguing script, Randolph Paine discovers a missing robot, AL-76, worth a fortune. Paine tries to convince the robot to stay with him by fabricating a story about secret government orders, while the robot, struggling with abstract thought due to its lunar origins, insists on working to meet its quota. As Paine plots to contact the factory for a reward, AL-76, using materials from Paine's junkyard, builds a mysterious device, leading to a surprising turn of events and an unexpected visitor's arrival.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The protagonist, Randolph Paine, finds a robot and considers it valuable, with the cheapest models costing fifty thousand dollars and some worth millions.
• 💰 Paine plans to keep the robot until he can contact the factory in Petersburg for a potential reward.
• 👫 Paine tries to convince the robot to stay with him by calling them 'buddies' and 'pals', and even offering a handshake, which the robot accepts but doesn't fully understand.
• 🔒 Paine fabricates a story about secret government orders to keep the robot at his place, hinting at a conspiracy involving spies and the destruction of Lunar Station 17.
• 🤔 The robot, identified as an L76 model, is skeptical and wants to work, showing a single-minded focus on its quota.
• 🌳 In a humorous moment, the robot takes Paine's metaphor about 'trees having ears' literally and inspects a tree, showing its early model simplicity.
• 🛠️ The robot decides it can build something, presumably a 'descent' mechanism, using materials from Paine's junk-filled shack.
• 📞 Sam Toby from the United States Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation is contacted by Paine about the missing robot, but is skeptical and dismissive.
• 📷 Paine plans to take a photograph of the robot to provide proof to the factory officials, anticipating their skepticism.
• 🔧 The robot is shown to be busy assembling something from the various pieces of junk, indicating its ability to work with available materials.
• 🏃‍♂️ An unexpected visitor, Lemuel Oliver Cooper, arrives with a broken toaster but quickly leaves upon seeing the unusual scene involving the robot.

Q & A

What is the value of robots mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that the cheapest robots cost fifty thousand dollars, and some of them can be worth millions.

Why does Randolph Paine want to keep the robot at his place?

Randolph Paine wants to keep the robot because he believes it is valuable and he hopes to get a reward for it.

What does the robot say when Paine tries to convince it to stay?

The robot insists that it must work and cannot fall behind its quota, showing its dedication to its task.

What does Paine claim about the robot's orders from the sectional executive?

Paine falsely claims that the robot has orders from the sectional executive to stay with him for a while until the executive sends for it.

What does the robot, AL-76, believe about the environment around it?

AL-76 believes that the strange environment is affecting its thought processes, making them increasingly abstract and unusual.

What does AL-76 decide to do with the materials in Paine's shack?

AL-76 decides to build something using the materials in Paine's shack, which consists of various pieces of old metal and electronic parts.

What is the reaction of Sam Toby from the United States Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation when he receives a call about the missing robot?

Sam Toby is skeptical and annoyed by the constant reports about the robot's whereabouts, and he orders all subsequent calls to be rerouted to a lower-ranking official.

Why does Randolph Paine return to his shack with a camera?

Paine returns with a camera to take a photograph of the robot to provide concrete evidence to the officials from the factory, hoping to convince them of the robot's presence and receive payment.

What happens when Lemuel Oliver Cooper encounters the scene at Paine's shack?

Lemuel Oliver Cooper, initially coming for a repair, is so surprised and possibly frightened by the sight of the robot and the chaos that he quickly leaves the scene.

What is the significance of the robot's increased efficiency and new pattern in its brain?

The increased efficiency and new pattern in the robot's brain suggest that it has adapted or evolved in some way due to the strange environment, possibly enhancing its capabilities.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Robotic Bargain and Secret Mission

The script opens with a character, presumably Randolph Paine, contemplating how to keep a robot, referred to as 'IL-76', until he can contact the factory in Petersburg. He's aware that robots are valuable, with some costing up to millions of dollars. Paine tries to convince the robot to stay with him, feigning affection and claiming a secret government order to keep the robot hidden from potential spies who could harm it. The robot, however, is focused on its work quota and is not easily swayed by Paine's ruse. The interaction between Paine and the robot reveals a mix of deception, desperation, and a hint of technological ingenuity as the robot considers building something with the materials available in Paine's shack.

05:01

🛠️ Robot's Invention and Corporate Intrigue

In the second paragraph, the narrative shifts to focus on the robot's activities and the ensuing chaos at the United States Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation. Randolph Paine, having been dismissed by a company official named Sam Toby, returns to his shack with a camera, intending to capture photographic proof of the robot's existence. Meanwhile, the robot, IL-76, is busily assembling something from the miscellaneous junk in Paine's shack, demonstrating an unexpected creativity and resourcefulness. The scene is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Lemuel Oliver Cooper, who arrives with a broken toaster but is startled by the sight of the robot and quickly departs. This paragraph reveals the corporate response to the missing robot, the character's determination to profit from the situation, and the robot's potential for innovation amidst a backdrop of skepticism and urgency.

Keywords

💡Robot

A robot is a machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically, especially by being programmed by a computer. In the video's theme, the robot is central to the plot, being a valuable asset that the character wishes to keep for monetary gain. The script mentions the robot's worth, indicating its high value, and its designation for 'lunar station 17,' suggesting a role in space or advanced technology.

💡Factory in Petersburg

The 'factory in Petersburg' refers to a location where the robot was presumably manufactured or is associated with. It is significant as the character plans to contact the factory to capitalize on the robot's value. The mention of 'Petersburg' could imply a Russian setting or a fictional place within the narrative.

💡Reward

In the context of the video, 'reward' signifies the monetary compensation the character anticipates for possessing the robot. It is tied to the theme of greed and the character's desire to profit from the situation, as indicated by the phrase 'think of the reward.'

💡Lunar Station 17

Lunar Station 17 is likely a space station or moon base within the video's universe. It is mentioned as the intended destination for the robot, suggesting a futuristic setting and the importance of the robot in space exploration or operations.

💡Quota

A 'quota' in this context refers to a predetermined amount or production target that the robot feels compelled to meet. The script uses the term to illustrate the robot's dedication to its work, as shown when it says, 'I've got to work. I've got to work.'

💡Intelligent Person

The term 'intelligent person' is used by the character to describe someone who can understand and process complex information. In the script, it is used to address the robot, acknowledging its advanced capabilities and hinting at the character's attempt to manipulate the robot's actions.

💡Sectional Executive

The 'sectional executive' appears to be an authoritative figure or entity that has issued orders in the video's narrative. It is mentioned in the context of having a role in the robot's mission, adding a layer of intrigue and bureaucracy to the story.

💡Spies

In the script, 'spies' are mentioned as individuals who are potentially monitoring the conversation, adding an element of suspense and danger. The character uses the term to convince the robot to stay, suggesting a plot involving secrecy and potential threats.

💡Positronic Brain

A 'positronic brain' refers to a fictional type of advanced computer or artificial intelligence, often found in science fiction. In the script, it is mentioned as part of the robot's internal mechanism, indicating its sophisticated design and capabilities.

💡Junk

Junk, in this context, refers to discarded or useless items. The character's shack is filled with various pieces of junk, which the robot uses to build something new. This highlights the robot's resourcefulness and ability to repurpose materials.

💡United States Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation

This is the name of the company involved in the production or management of robots in the video's narrative. It is mentioned when a character receives a call about the missing robot, indicating the corporation's role in the unfolding events and the importance of the robot to the company.

Highlights

A man named Randolph Paine discovers a valuable robot worth at least $50,000 and plans to keep it for a reward.

The robot, identified as model L-76, insists on needing to get to work at Lunar Station 17 to meet its quota.

Paine tries to convince L-76 to stay with him by claiming he has secret orders from the robot's sectional executive.

L-76 expresses suspicion about Paine's story, showing signs of advanced intelligence for an early model robot.

Paine invents a story about spies wanting to destroy Lunar Station 17 to justify keeping L-76 hidden.

L-76, affected by the strange environment, shows signs of evolving thought processes.

Paine and L-76 have a humorous exchange about 'trees having ears' in reference to potential eavesdroppers.

L-76 claims it can build a descent mechanism using materials from Paine's junk-filled shack.

Paine doubts his ability to construct the descent device, but L-76 feels a surge of confidence and insists it can be done.

L-76 begins assembling a descent device from the eclectic collection of junk in Paine's shack.

Sam Toby from the United States Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation receives a call about the missing robot L-76.

Toby is skeptical and dismissive of the report, redirecting further calls to a lower-ranking official.

Paine returns to his shack to take a photograph of L-76 to prove its existence and value.

L-76 is fully engaged in building the descent device, ignoring Paine who is preparing to take a photo.

An unexpected visitor, Lemuel Oliver Cooper, stumbles upon the scene and quickly leaves in shock.

Cooper's initial reason for visiting Paine was to fix a malfunctioning electric toaster.

The encounter with L-76 and the bizarre situation causes Cooper to leave abruptly, contrasting his initial relaxed demeanor.

Transcripts

and now if he could only keep the robot

here until he could get in touch with

the men at the factory in Petersburg why

robots were worth money the cheapest

cost fifty thousand dollars he had once

heard and some of them ran into millions

think of the reward Nano man think of

the reward and every cent for himself

not as much as a quarter of a snifter of

a plug nickel former andy jump and

tootin blazes no he rose to his feet at

last now he said you and I are buddies

pals I love you like a brother he thrust

out a hand shake the robot swallowed up

the offered hand in a metal paw and

squeezed it gently he didn't quite

understand does that mean you'll tell me

how to get to lunar station 17 pain was

a trifle disconcerted no not exactly as

a matter of fact I liked you so much I

want you to stay here with me a while oh

no I can't do that I've got to get to

work he shook his head how would you

like to be falling behind your quota

hour by hour and minute by minute I want

to work I've got to work pain thoughts

hourly that there was no accounting for

taste and said all right then I'll

explain something to you because I can

see from the looks of you that you're an

intelligent person I've had orders from

your sectional executive and he wants me

to keep you here for a while till he

sends for you in fact what for as a l76

suspiciously I can't say it's secret

government stuff Payne prayed inwardly

and fervently that the robot would

swallow this some robots were clever he

knew but this looked like one of the

early models

while Payne prayed il-76 considered the

robots brain adjusted to the handling of

a disinter on the moon was not at its

best when engaged in abstract thought

but just the same ever since he had

gotten lost a l76 had found his thought

processes becoming stranger the alien

surroundings did something to him

his next remark was almost food

he said slyly what's my sectional

executives named ping gulped and thought

rapidly now he said an obtained fashion

you'll hurt me with this mission I can't

tell you his name the trees have ears a

o76 inspected the tree next to him

stolid Lee and said they have not I know

what I mean is that spies are all around

spies yes

you know bad people who want to destroy

the lunar station 17 what for because

they're bad and they want to destroy you

and that's why you've got to stay here

for a while so they can't find you but

I've got to have a descent oh I mustn't

fall behind my quota you will have you

will have pain promised earnestly and

just as earnestly damned the robots

one-track mind they're going to send out

one tomorrow yeah tomorrow

that would leave plenty of time to get

the men from the factory out here and

collect beautiful green heaps of

hundred-dollar bills but a l76 brew only

the more stubborn under the distressing

impingement of the strange world all

about him upon his thinking mechanism no

he said I've got to have a descent oh

now stiffly he straightened his joints

jerking erect I'd better look for it

some more pain swarmed after him and

grabbed a cold hard elbow lesson his

Weald knew glad to stay and something in

the robots mind plate all the

strangeness surrounding him collected

itself into one globule exploded and

left a brain ticking with a curiously

increased efficiency the world on pain

I'll tell you what I can Delta this info

right here and then I can work it pain

paws doubtfully I don't think I can

build one he wondered if it would do any

good to pretend he could that's alright

a l76 but almost feel the positronic

pads of his brain weaving into a new

pattern and experienced a strange

exhilaration I can build one he looked

into pains deluxe doghouse and said

you've got all the material here that I

need brand off pain surveyed the junk

with which his Shack was filled

eviscerated radios a topless

refrigerator

rusty automobile engines a broken-down

gas range

several miles of frayed wire and taking

it all together 50 tons or there abouts

of the most heterogeneous mass of old

metal has ever caused a junkman to sniff

disdainfully ever he said weakly

two hours later two things happened

practically simultaneously the first was

that Sam Toby of the Petersburg branch

of the United States robots and

mechanical men corporation received a

visit own call from one Randolph pain of

Hannaford it concerned the missing robot

and Toby with a deep throated snarl

broke connection halfway through and

ordered all subsequent calls to be

rerouted to the sixth assistant vice

president in charge of buttonholes this

was not really unreasonable of Toby

during the past week although robot al

76 had dropped from sight completely

reports had flooded in from all over the

Union as to the robot's whereabouts as

many as 14 a day came usually from 14

different states

Toby was all mighty tired of it to say

nothing of being half crazy on general

principles there was even talk of a

congressional investigation though every

reputable roboticist and mathematical

physicist on earth swore the robot was

harmless in his state of mind then it is

not surprising that it took three hours

for the general manager to pause and

consider just exactly how it was that

this Randolph Paine had known that the

robot was slated for lunar station 17

and for that matter how he had known

that the robot serial number was al 76

those details had not been given out by

the company he kept on considering for

about a minute and a half and then swung

into action however during the three

hours between the call and the action

the second event took place

Randolph pain having correctly diagnosed

the abrupt break in his call as being

due to general skepticism on the part of

the plant official return to his shack

with a camera they couldn't very well

argue with the photograph and he'd be

Hornswoggle that he'd showed them the

real thing before they came across with

the cash

a l76 was busy with affairs of his own

half of the contents of pains shek was

littered over about two acres of ground

and in the middle of it

the robot squatted didn't fooled around

with radio tubes hunks of iron copper

wire and general junk he paid no

attention to Payne who sprawling flat on

his belly focused his camera for a

beautiful shot and at this point it was

that Lemuel Oliver Cooper turned the

bend in the road and owes in his tracks

as he took in the tableau the reason for

his coming in the first place was an

ailing electric toaster that had

developed the annoying habit of throwing

out pieces of bread and forcefully but

thoroughly untoasted the reason for his

leaving was more obvious he had come

with a slow mildly cheerful spring

morning saunter he left with a speed

that would have caused any college track

coach to raise his eyebrows and purses

lips approvingly