Little Lost Robot

tune:
Google-Eyed Aliens From Mars
or: Grade B Xenofobia

(c) 1997 - Lady Lavender (Michelle Bottorff)


*
* *
* * *
* *
*

Spoilers for "Little Lost Robot" in Isaac Asimov's "I Robot"

*
* *
* * *
* *
*

Last week young Gerald Black ordered his new robot to get lost.
It's planning now to do just that no matter how high the cost.
It slips aboard a freighter - discovers to its joy,
A bunch of matching robots fresh from Skokie, Illinois *

There are 63 "Nestor" model robots in the hold.
But one of them is on the lam at only one month old.
Dr. Calvin wants it dead - her reason is perfectly plain;
It has a weakened First Law in its positronic brain.

They send for Susan Calvin, who hasn't ever been in space,
And fly her in great secrecy all the way to Hyper Base.
They think she'll find the lost one - they're confident because,
She is the leading expert on the Three Robotic Laws.

There are 63 "Nestor" model robots in the hold.
But one of them is on the lam at only one month old.
Dr. Calvin wants it dead - her reason is perfectly plain;
It has a weakened First Law in its positronic brain.

A conflict between First and Third Laws just might help Calvin judge.
There's danger to robot and man and not a one tries to budge.
So Calvin fools that robot - by not doing what she says,
But substituting infrared for deadly gamma rays

There were 63 "Nestor" model robots in the hold.
But one of them was on the lam at only one month old.
Dr. Calvin's glad its dead - her reason is perfectly plain;
It had a weakened First Law in its positronic brain.


*
I can't find any place where the good Doctor said where the United States Robot and Mechanical Man factory is located, but I do know that the modem manufacturer U.S. Robotics (now a part of 3-Com) was located in Skokie.

lyrics: Copyright 1997, >Rich Brown Hit number: counter
Last rev: