"Pain inflicted by a robot on a child sets up a powerful disruptive
potential in the positronic brain. To counteract that by an antipotential triggered through a realization of future good requires enough paths and bypaths to increase the mass of the positronic brain by 50 per cent, unless other circuits are sacrificed."
Baley said, "Then you haven't succeeded in building such a robot."
"No, nor am I likely to succeed. Nor anyone."
"Was Dr. Delmarre testing an experimental model of such a robot at the time of his death?"
"Not of such a robot. We were interested in other more practical things also."
Baley said quietly, "Dr. Leebig, I am going to have to learn a bit more about robotics and I am going to ask you to teach me."
Leebig shook his head violently, and his drooping eyelid dipped further in a ghastly travesty of a wink. "It should be obvious that a course in robotics takes more than a moment. I lack the time."
"Nevertheless, you must teach me. The smell of robots is the one thing that pervades everything on Solaria. If it is time we require, then more than ever I must see you. I am an Earthman and I cannot work or think comfortably while viewing."
It would not have seemed possible to Baley for Leebig to stiffen his stiff carriage further, but he did. He said, "Your phobias as an Earthman don't concern me. Seeing is impossible."
"I think you will change your mind when I tell you what I chiefly want to consult you about."
"It will make no difference. Nothing can."
"No? Then listen to this. It is my belief that throughout the history of the positronic robot, the First Law of Robotics has been deliberately misquoted."
Leebig moved spasmodically. "Misquoted? Fool! Madman! Why?"
"To hide the fact," said Baley with complete composure, "that robots can commit murder."
14. A MOTIVE IS REVEALED
Leebig's mouth widened slowly. Baley took it for a snarl at first and then, with considerable surprise, decided that it was the most unsuccessful attempt at a smile that he had ever seen.
Leebig said, "Don't say that. Don't ever say that."
"Why not?"
"Because anything, however small, that encourages distrust of robots is harmful. Distrusting robots is a human disease!"
It was as though he were lecturing a small child. It was as though he were saying something gently that he wanted to yell. It was as though he were trying to persuade when what he really wanted was to enforce on penalty of death.
Leebig said, "Do you know the history of robotics?"
"A little."
"On Earth, you should. Yes. Do you know robots started with a Frankenstein complex against them? They were suspect. Men distrusted and feared robots. Robotics was almost an undercover science as a result. The Three Laws were first built into robots in an effort to overcome distrust and even so Earth would never allow a robotic society to develop. One of the reasons the first pioneers left Earth to colonize the rest of the Galaxy was so that they might establish societies in which robots would be allowed to free men of poverty and toil. Even then, there remained a latent suspicion not far below, ready to pop up at any excuse."
"Have you yourself had to counter distrust of robots?" asked Baley.
"Many times," said Leebig grimly.
"Is that why you and other roboticists are willing to distort the facts just a little in order to avoid suspicion as much as possible?"
"There is no distortion!"
"For instance, aren't the Three Laws misquoted?"
"No!"
"I can demonstrate that they are, and unless you convince me otherwise, I will demonstrate it to the whole Galaxy, if I can."
"You're mad. Whatever argument you may think you have is fallacious, I assure you."
"Shall we discuss it?"
"If it does not take too long."
"Face to face? Seeing?" Leebig's thin face twisted. "No!"
"Good-bye, Dr. Leebig. Others will listen to me."
"Wait. Great Galaxy, man, wait!"
"Seeing?"
The roboticist's hands wandered upward, hovered about his chin. Slowly a thumb crept into his mouth and remained there. He stared, blankly, at Baley.
Baley thought: Is he regressing to the pie-five-year-old stage so that it will be legitimate for him to see me?
"Seeing?" he said.
But Leebig shook his head slowly. "I can't. I can't," he moaned, the words all but stifled by the blocking thumb. "Do whatever you
Want."
Baley stared at the other and watched him turn away and face the wall. He watched the Solarian's straight back bend and the Solarian's face hide in shaking hands.
Baley said, "Very well, then, I'll agree to view."
Leebig said, back still turned, "Excuse me a moment. I'll be back."
Baley tended to his own needs during the interval and stared at his fresh washed face in the bathroom mirror. Was he getting the feel of Solaria and Solarians? He wasn't sure.
He sighed and pushed a contact and a robot appeared. He didn't turn to look at it. He said, "Is there another viewer at the farm, besides the one I'm using?"
"There are three other outlets, master."
"Then tell Kiorissa Cantoro - tell your mistress that I will be using this one till further notice and that I am not to be disturbed."
"Yes, master."
Baley returned to his position where the viewer remained focused on the empty patch of room in which Leebig had stood. It was still empty and he settled himself to wait.
It wasn't long. Leebig entered and the room once more jiggled as the man walked. Evidently focus shifted from room center to man center without delay. Baley remembered the complexity of viewing controls and began to feel a kind of appreciation of what was involved.