,,EAG]

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     ,PUBLI%$ 0,YE>L+1 AN IMPR9T (
        ,R&OM ,H\SE ,*N'S ,BOOKS
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             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
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        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #AJA-AHJ

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                                     ;IV
























               ,,*APT] #I           #AJA

  ,! NEXT "D 2GAN WELL )A FAMILI> BR1K-
FA/ ( C]1L & TOA/4 ,"! 7 EV5 H>D-BOIL$
E7S4 ,EAG]1 :O 0 CLE>LY TAK+ 8 NEW "N V
S]I\SLY1 HOV]$ 5?USIA/IC,Y >.D ! TA#
:ILE ,GRUMPS KEPT UP A RUNN+ -;T>Y3
8,MA/] ,GAV9 LIKES 8 EGG S(TLY D"O--HE
WD PREF] ! "O ON ! "R4 ,P\R ! C(FEE F A
HEI<T & Y WON'T SPILL X4 '''0
  ,MR4 ,BELL _H SOON _H 5 & 0 AB 6TELL
!M 6BE QUIET :5 8 WIFE PRESS$ 8 >M4 8,AT
L1/ !Y'RE GETT+ ON4 ,? /AGE WON'T LA/1
,I'M SURE10 %E :ISP]$4 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] 9
DESPAIR4 ,J :5 HE _H ?"\ ! :OLE FAMILY 0
2G9N+ 62HAVE R,N,Y1 !Y 5D$ UP PUSSYFOOT+
>.D TWO ROBOTS 9/1D ( "O4
  ,AF BR1KFA/ ! *N & _! P>5TS W5T UP-
/AIRS 6"W & ,GRUMPS 0 LEFT 6C>E = ,*>-
LOTTE4 ,? 0 ! F/ "T ,EAG] _H MET A BABY4
,HE _H BE5 EXPECT+ A SMALL] V].N ( ,GAV9
OR ,FLEUR B ? * 0 R.D & DIMPL$1 & :5
,GRUMPS SAT H] ON ! FLOOR %E LOOK$ Z IF
%E MI<T TIP OV] BACKW>D AT ANY M9UTE4
  ,*>LOTTE LIFT$ H] EYES 6,EAG]3 UNLIKE
O!R HUMANS1 %E %[$ NO CURIOS;Y OR   #AJB
SUSPICION 9 H] GAZE4 ,HE NOTIC$ T %E
LOOK$ AT "EY?+ 9 ! SAME UNCRITICAL WAY1
EXCEPT :5 ,GRUMPS PLAY$ A GAME ( HIDE-!-
T$DY-2H-MY-BACK4 ,H] EYES FLEW OP5 9
SURPRISE & DELI<T E "T HE MADE ! T$DY
REAPPE>4
  ,EAG]'S H1D TILT$ 6"O SIDE Z HE WAT*$
? PUZZL+ 2HAVIOR4 ,ONCE1 ,PROFESSOR ,OG-
D5 _H ASK$ HM :AT WD HAPP5 6! FURNITURE
9 ! H\SE IF ,EAG] W5T \ =A WALK4
  8,:Y1 NO?+10 SD ,EAG]1 :O ?"\ X 0 A V
SILLY "Q4 8,X WD / 2 "! :5 ,I CAME BACK4
,UN.S "S"O _H /OL5 X1 = EXAMPLE1 B !N ,I
WDN'T "K UNTIL ,I RETURN$ HOME40
  ,! PROFESSOR1 HE REMEMB]$1 _H L1NT
BACK & EX*ANG$ DELI<T$ LOOKS ) 8 RESE>*
ASSI/ANTS4 ,EAG] _H 3CLUD$ T ? "U/&+ 0
"SH[ EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IF Y 7 6LIVE 9
! R1L _W4 ,YET "H 0 A HUMAN BABY :O
SEEM$ N 6"K T IF Y HID A TOY 2H YR BACK
X WD / 2 "! A SECOND LAT]4
  ,:AT A/ONI%$ HM EV5 M 0 ! NUMB] ( "TS
,GRUMPS 0 PREP>$ 6PLAY ! GAME4 ,AT LA/
HE CRI$ 9 EXASP],N1 8,>5'T Y BOR$80
  ,GRUMPS LOOK$ UP AT ,EAG]1 !      #AJC
T$DY DANGL+ F 8 *UNKY F+]S4 8,BOR$80 HE
REP1T$1 Z IF HE _H N"E HE>D ! ^W 2F4 8,I
AM N DESIGN$ 6BE BOR$4 ,I AM BUILT 6H
9F9ITE CAPAC;Y = ANY TASK REQUIR$ ( ME40
  8,WELL1 ,I'M N60 RETORT$ ,EAG]4 8,I'M
BOR$ J WAT*+ Y4 ,I'M DESIGN$ T WAY S T
,I'LL ALW WANT 6BE LE>N+ "S?+ NEW40
  ,GRUMPS /RAI<T5$ UP4 8,L HUMANS10 HE
SD4 ,*>LOTTE1 HAV+ LO/ SI<T (! T$DY ALT1
TURN$ 6ANO!R TOY4
  8,MY PATI;E MAKES ME A GD T1*]10 3T9U$
! BUTL]4
  ,EAG] HUNG 8 H1D :ILE HE ?"\ A LL4
8,IF Y'LL P>DON MY SAY+ S1 ,GRUMPS1 ,I
%D GIVE UP4 ,T BABY W N"E "U/&40
  ,AT ! 5D (! MORN+1 6,EAG]'S RELIEF1
,MRS4 ,BELL TOOK ,*>LOTTE AWAY :ILE
,GRUMPS DEMON/RAT$ H[ 6PREP>E A SALAD =
LUN*4 ,HE WAT*$ Z ,EAG] *OPP$ TOMATOES4
  8,I SPR9KLE A LL ( ? ON !M10 HE SD1
HOLD+ UP A ?9 3TA9] M>K$ .,SALT4 8,N"E
6BE 3FUS$ ) T--HE PO9T$ 6A L>G] POT M>K$
.,SUG>4 8,! HUMANS GET V UPSET IF Y D40
  8,I'M N SURPRIS$10 SD ,EAG]4 8,SWEET &
SALTY >E V DI6]5T40 ,HE NOTIC$ T    #AJD
,GRUMPS LOOK$ BLANK4 8,I H ELE;T>Y TA/E
BUDS1 S ,I C TELL40
  8,I HAV5'T10 SD ,GRUMPS4 8,( C\RSE1
,I'M OLD-FA%ION$4 ,I SIMPLY COPY :AT
,MRS4 ,BELL DOES4 ,NO "O -PLA9S ''' AT
L1/1 N (T540
  8,YR COOK+ SMELLS GD4 ,I H A BASIC
S5SE ( SMELL TOO1 Y SEE ''' X HELPS ME
"U/& ! HUMAN _W40
  ,SURPRIS+LY1 ,GRUMPS NO4$4 8,I C SMELL
?REE ?+S4 ,"O ( !M IS SMOKE40
  ,2F ,EAG] CD ASK :AT ! O!R TWO W]E1 A
LILT+ FEMALE VOICE SD1 8,S1 WE H A NEW
"W]4 ,I'M GLAD ,I DON'T H A BODY IF ? IS
:AT ROBOTS >E LOOK+ L ^! "DS40
  ,EAG] 0 HUNT+ >.D =! SP1K]4 8,X'S !
H\SE10 SD ,GRUMPS4 8,I R>ELY REPLY4 ,"!
IS LL 6SAY1 ,I ALW F9D40 ,HE 2GAN 6P\R
OIL =! MAYONNAISE 96! MIX]4
  8,H[ D Y D80 SD ,EAG]1 9 ! DIREC;N (!
GRE5 LI<T 2S ! DOOR4
  8.,HELL,'-O4 ,IF Y H ANY "QS1 ,I'M !
P]SON 6ASK40
  8,P]SON60 MUTT]$ ,GRUMPS1 TURN+ ON !
MIX] 6FULL SPE$4 ,X 0 "S SECONDS    #AJE
2F "! 0 QUIET AG4
  8,?ANK Y10 SD ,EAG]1 8,I'LL REMEMB]
T40
  ,! GRE5 LI<T FLICK]$ & W5T \4 ,EAG]
BAL.ED ANO!R TOMATO ON ! *OPP+ BO>D4
8,IF Y DON'T M9D1 ,GRUMPS10 HE SD1 8,I'D
L 6KEEP Y Z MY T1*]40
  ,! BUTL] 0 SPOON+ GOLD5 DOLLOPS 96A
JUG4 8,Z Y WI%40

  ,! H\SE TURN$ XF ON 9 ! HALLWAY Z
,FLEUR & ,MRS4 ,BELL CAME D[N/AIRS1
CLOSELY FOLL[$ 0,MR4 ,BELL & ,GAV94
  8,PL1SE1 ,MUM1 X'S N FAIR10 ,FLEUR 0
SAY+4
  8,I'VE J SE5 ! NEW ROBOT10 SD ! H\SE4
  8,WE >E HAV+ A 4PUTE1 DON'T 9T]RUPT10
SD ,GAV94
  8,I ?"\ Y %D "K10 P]SI/$ ! H\SE1 8T ,I
WDN'T TRU/ MY *N ) T ?+4 ,HE LOOKS Z IF
HE CDN'T DEF5D HMF F A PAP] BAG40
  8,EXACTLY60 CRI$ ,FLEUR1 L1D+ ! WAY
96! D9+ ROOM4 8,S HE C'T POSSIBLY TAKE U
6! LE>N+ C5T]4 ,"E60
  ,! RE/ (! FAMILY SAT D[N AT !     #AJF
TA#4 8,I AGREE ) Y1 ,FLEUR1 ,EAG] IS
PROBABLY N ! ID1L BODYGU>D1 B HE %D / G
) Y ? ONCE10 SD ,MRS4 ,BELL FIRMLY4 8,HE
MI<T H 6TAKE Y OR COLLECT Y "O "D 9 AN
EM]G5CY40
  ,FLEUR GROAN$4 8,X MI<T ONLY 2 ONCE
''' B ,I'LL N"E LIVE X D[N40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL %OT A LOOK AT H] HUSB& T
SD1 8,I'D ?"\ WE'D SOLV$ ! ROBOT PRO#M40
  8,FLEUR10 SD H] DAD1 8,EAG] IS "H TO
HELP ,GRUMPS1 & U1 REMEMB]4 ,?\< X
/RIKES ME HE'S A DI6]5T KETTLE ( FI%1
TOO CL"E = MO/ (! JOBS WE H = HM4 ,"S (
8 RESPONSES >E POSITIVELY HUMANLIKE4 ,D
Y "K1 HE BR"\ ME UP A C(FEE ? MORN+ & 2F
,I KNEW X WE 7 *ATT+ AB MY "W4 ,I 5D$ UP
RECOMM5D+ A BOOK ON >*ITECTURE4 ,6A RO-
BOT60
  8,HE C]TA9LY HAS AN 9QUIR+ M9D10 AGRE$
,MRS4 ,BELL1 :O PREF]R$ A CUP ( ,D>JEEL+
MIDMORN+ & _H /RU7L$ 6ANSW] ,EAG]'S "QS
AB TEA PRODUC;N4
  8,B HE .ISN'T HUMAN1 ,DAD4 ,HE'S
WEIRD1 EV5 =A ROBOT40 ,FLEUR ?REW H]F
96H] *AIR4 8,I C'T G \ ) HM1        #AJG
,I'LL LOOK S* A CL"O4 ,:Y C'T Y OR ,MUM
2 A TE*NOCRAT S WE C BUY A PROP] ROBOT L
,BOADICEA80
  8,X'S TOO LATE = T10 SD H] "M BRISKLY4
8,IF WE'D WANT$ 62COME SCI5TI/S WE WD H
D"O S 0N[40 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! CLOCK ON !
WALL4 8,LOOKS L Y'LL NE$ 6L1VE /RAI<T AF
LUN*40
  ,FLEUR 0 AT H] SULKIE/ :5 %E1 ,GAV9 &!
TWO ROBOTS SET (F =! LE>N+ C5T]4 8,X'S
WORSE ?AN ? MORN+10 %E GRUM#D1 Z ,GRUMPS
9TRODUC$ 8 PROT@EG@E 6! NEI<BORHOOD4
  8,? IS ! PROFES.NAL QU>T]10 HE 0 SAY+4
8,WE LIVE "H 2C ! ,BELLS >E PROFES.NAL
P4 ,E T[N HAS "O1 ,I "U/&4 ,MRS4 ,BELL'S
P>5TS LIVE 9 A PROFES.NAL QU>T] 9 ,SCOT-
L&40
  ,GRUMPS PO9T$ \ ! FACTORIES & (FICES1
B ,EAG] 0 9T]E/$ 9 "EY?+--! TREES1 !
GRASS T POK$ UP F ! PAVE;T1 ! RU/Y IRON
RAIL+ \TSIDE AN (FICE BLOCK1 AN OLD
SIGNPO/ SAY+ .,MOTORWAY4
  8,X'S ALL R1L10 HE KEPT SAY+4 ,GRUMPS
_H N"E GIV5 ANY ?"\ 6S* A MATT] B HE
/OPP$ UNTIL ,EAG] 0 R1DY 6MOVE      #AJH
ON4 ,! *N WAIT$ RESIGN$LY4
  8,I C'T 2LIEVE X10 SI<$ ,FLEUR4 8,EV5
,*>LOTTE WALKS QK] ?AN ?40
  ,AT LA/ !Y R1*$ ! LE>N+ C5T]4 8,Y C
L1VE U N[10 SD ,FLEUR 6,GRUMPS1 Z %E DID
MO/ "DS4
  8,I WD N 2 DO+ MY DUTY IF ,I DID N -E
6! /EPS ) Y10 REPLI$ ,GRUMPS1 Z HE ALW
DID4
  8,WE'LL L1VE ,EAG] ON GU>D AT ! GATE1
!N40 ,%E FLA%$ A DAZZL+ SMILE T REM9D$
,GAV9 ( ,M>CIA4 8,V CL"E10 HE TOLD 8
SI/] Z !Y WALK$ T[>D ! 5TR.E4
  ,EAG] WAT*$ !M G4 ,HE 0 FASC9AT$ 0! P
PASS+1 ( ALL %APES & SIZES & AGES & COL-
ORS4 ,Z 8 BRA9 2GAN 64T+UI% "O HUMAN F
ANO!R1 HE R1LIZ$ T "! 7 ROBOTS TOO4 ,"S
REM9D$ HM ( ,GRUMPS2 O!RS 7 FA/] & M
FLEXI#4 ,"O 9 "PICUL> 0 TALL & V B1UTI-
;L1 X SEEM$ 6HM1 ) CURVY LIMBS & GOLD5
METAL4 ,HE FELT AN IMPULSE 6RUN UP 6H] &
MAKE FRS B %E WALK$ /RAI<T BY1 Z IF %E
_H N SE5 HM4 ,P]H %E DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HM
Z A ROBOT4
  ,HE KNEW1 2C ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5     #AJI
_H SD S1 T UNTIL HUMANS MADE ROBOTS ) >-
TIFICIAL SK9 & MUSCLES HE 0 M LIFELIKE
?AN ANY O!R MA*9E4 ,X 0 TRUE T HE CD B5D
& TWI/ & /RET*1 & SCREW 8 FACE 96HUNDR$S
( EXPRES.NS1 B HE DIDN'T LOOK L A HUMAN
OR A REGUL> ROBOT4 ,HE NOTIC$ T P 7 2G9-
N+ 6/>E AT HM & %RANK BACK AG/ ! \TSIDE
WALL4
  ,GRUMPS REAPPE>$ & L$ HM 2Y ! LE>N+
C5T] 9 ! DIREC;N (! TE*NOCRATS' QU>T]4
,!Y /OPP$ \TSIDE ! HI< WALL T SURR.D$ !
>EA4 8,FLEUR'S FR ,M>CIA LIVES "H10 VOL-
UNTE]$ ! BUTL]4 ,EAG] PE]$ "? ! GATEWAY
AT ! R[S ( H\SES4 8,:Y IS "! A WALL80 HE
ASK$4 8,>E !Y 9 PRISON80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 SD ,GRUMPS4
  ,!Y 7 AB 6RETURN HOME :5 A VAN ) AN
OP5 BACK DROVE \ (! GATE4 ,TWO ROBOTS
SAT SIDE 0SIDE 9 ! FRONT4 ,Z ! VEHICLE
PASS$ !M1 ,EAG] & ,GRUMPS NOTIC$ A ?IRD
ROBOT LY+ MO;N.S 9 ! BACK4 ,! 5G9E
SPLUTT]$ & /ALL$4 ,! ROBOTS AT ! FRONT
M/ H RE/>T$ X 2C A MO;T LAT] ! VAN DROVE
(F1 BEL*+ GRAY SMOKE F ! EXHAU/4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ASK$ ,EAG]4        #AAJ
  8,! PETROL IS V L[-QUAL;Y4 ,X -ES F AN
IMPURE S\RCE40
  8,I M1NT ! ROBOT10 SD ,EAG]4 8,:Y 0 X
LY+ D[N80
  ,GRUMPS />T$ 6WALK 9 ! DIREC;N ( HOME4
8,!Y _H CUT (F XS P[] SUPPLY10 HE SD
MATT]-(-FACTLY4
  8,:O80
  8,XS [N]S40
  8,:Y80
  8,IN ALL LIKELIHOOD !Y NO L;G] _H NE$
( XS S]VICES10 SD ,GRUMPS4
  8,NO L;G] _H NE$ ''' B :AT EXACTLY DID
!Y D80 SD ,EAG]4
  8,I "U/& T NEW] ROBOTS >E DESIGN$ 6RE-
QUIRE V LL 5]GY4 ,!Y >E P[]$ 0RADIO
WAVES1 ":AS ,I RELY ON BATT]IES1 : ,I
RE*>GE E NI<T4 ,%D Y REMOVE MY BATT]IES
,I WD NO L;G] FUNC;N4 ,9 ! SAME WAY1 IF
"O /OPS TRANSMITT+ P[] 6^! O!R ROBOTS1
!Y >E 9CAPA#40
  8,D1D10 :ISP]$ ,EAG]4
  8,I BEG YR P>DON80
  8,D1D1 L HUMANS :5 !Y R1* ! 5D ( _!
LIFE40                              #AAA
  ,GRUMPS _H NO?+ 6SAY 6?4 ,X 0 \TSIDE !
R1LMS ( 8 EXP]I;E4 ,9/1D HE REM>K$1 Z IF
4CUSS+ ! W1!R1 8,I 2LIEVE ,MR4 & ,MRS4
,BELL 7 GO+ 6D ! SAME 6ME1 REMOVE MY
BATT]IES1 T IS40
  ,EAG] FELT OV]COME 0A S5SE ( 3FU.N4
,HE H>DLY D>$ MOVE4 ,HE TOO 0 P[]$ 0RA-
DIO WAVES4 ,DID ? M1N ! ,BELLS WD "O "D
CUT (F 8 5]GY SUPPLY8 ,HE WOND]$ :E!R
,PROFESSOR ,OGD5 WD 2 AN A3OMPLICE 6!
ACT4
  8,DOESN'T X GIVE Y A FUNNY FEEL+1 6SEE
ANO!R ROBOT ''' L T80
  8,:Y %D ,I FEEL ANY?+80 ASK$ ! BUTL]4
8,OBVI\SLY1 ,I H N BE5 PROGRAMM$ 6RE-
SPOND 6? SITU,N4 ,I H NO FEEL+S AB X AT
ALL1 FUNNY OR O!RWISE40
  ,!Y WALK$ ! RE/ (! WAY HOME 9 SIL;E4
,EAG] 0 NO L;G] FASC9AT$ 0! OBJECTS &
MAT]IALS ON 8 R\TE4 ,2F1 !Y _H SEEM$ TO
CALL \ 6HM 6LOOK1 6SMELL1 6M>VEL4 ,N[ !Y
APPE>$ SQUALID & LIFE.S1 Z IF ! COLOR _H
DRA9$ \ ( !M4 ,! _W SU45LY 0 REMOTE &
UNFRLY1 & HE FELT Z IF HE DID N C>E :AT
HAPP5$ NEXT4 ,"! 0 NO?+ M 6EX-      #AAB
PLORE1 NO?+ M 6EXP]I;E4

  8,HAS ANY?+ HAPP5$80 ,MRS4 ,BELL ASK$
,GRUMPS Z ,EAG] SLOP$ (F T[>D ! KIT*54
8,HE DOESN'T H 8 USUAL B\NCE40 ,! BUTL]
DID N "K H[ 6REPLY4 8,I AM %[+ HM ALL ,I
"K10 HE SD SIMPLY4
  ,EAG] /OOD 9 ! C5T] (! ROOM & SURVEY$
! DOME/IC APPLI.ES4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT !Y
FELT AB -+ 6! 5D ( _! LIFE4 8,EXCUSE
ME10 HE SD POLITELY 6! FRIDGE4 8,D Y "K
ANY?+ AB D1?80 ,TOO LATE1 HE REMEMB]$ T
! FRIDGE DID N SP1K4 ,A MESSAGE SCROLL$
ACR ! FRIDGE'S DOOR4 8,WE SEEM 6H RUN \
( D1?4 ,% ,I ORD] "S80
  8,NO10 ,EAG] SD ABJECTLY4 ,HE WALK$
AL;G ! HALLWAY 6! BOTTOM (! /AIRS4 ,HE
_H N YET BE5 6! TOP (! H\SE1 & P]H HE WD
F9D ,MR4 OR ,MRS4 ,BELL "!4 ,B ALL !
ROOMS ON ! UPP] FLOORS 7 EMPTY4
  ,EAG] 0 AB 6G BACK D[N :5 HE NOTIC$ A
SMALL FLI<T ( /EPS4 ,HE CLIMB$ !M & F.D
HMF \TSIDE A DOOR4 ,X S5S$ 8 >RIVAL &
SLID OP54 ,9SIDE ! ROOM 7 A L>GE SCRE5
&A C\PLE ( *AIRS4 8,! GOBETWE510    #AAC
SD ! ROBOT 6HMF4 ,! SCRE5 FLICK]$ 96AC-
;N4
  ,AN ODD-LOOK+ POTBELLI$ MAN 0 SITT+ "U
A GN>L$ TREE4 ,EAG] 0 A/ONI%$ 6SEE T !
MAN 0 WRAPP$ 9 A :ITE %EET4 ,HE _H HOI/$
X AB 8 ?I<S 9 ORD] 6SIT -=TABLY ON !
GRASS4 ,2H HM ROSE A CLU/] ( /"O BUILD-
+S1 EA* ) _M /EPS & COLUMNS4 ,!Y REM9D$
,EAG] (! LE>N+ C5T]4
  8,Y W NE$ GLASSES 6JO9 ME10 SD ! MAN4
,EAG] "U/OOD T HE 0 TALK+ AB A SIMUL,N4
8,I DON'T NE$ !M10 HE SD4 8,I C SWIT*
MYF 96SIMUL,N MODE40 ,! NEXT MO;T HE 0
/EPP+ 96! SC5E4 ,X 0 A HOT "D &! COLON-
NAD$ BUILD+S LOOK$ ALM :ITE 9 ! SUNLI<T4
,HE SAT D[N ON ! GRASS1 : 0 TURN+ BR[N 9
PLACES4
  8,GD AFN10 HE GREET$ ! MAN4
  8,IS X80 ASK$ ! O!R4
  8,I ''' ,I DON'T "K10 /AMM]$ ,EAG]4
  8,WELL1 IS X GD1 OR ISN'T X80
  8,NO1 X IS N GD4 ,X 0 E>LI] ON1 B N[
,I'M FEEL+ V 3FUS$4 ,I DON'T "K AB D1?40
  8,:AT IS "! 6"K80
  ,EAG] 0 F9D+ ALL ^! "QS R TRY+4   #AAD
8,I 0 HOP+ Y WD TELL ME40
  8,H[ C WE "K AB D1? 2F WE DIE8 ,DON'T
Y WANT 6"K AB LIFE80
  8,I _HN'T RE,Y ?"\ AB X40
  8,WELL10 SD ! MAN1 8H[ C Y H A GD D1?
)\T A GD LIFE80
  ,EAG] POND]$4 ,! MAN 9 ! %EET SEEM$ V
KE5 T ?+S %D 2 8GD40 ,HE DECID$ 6ASK HM
:AT HE M1NT 0T4
  8,AT LA/10 SD ! MAN1 P]MITT+ HMF A
SMILE4 ,B 9/1D ( TELL+ ,EAG] HE ASK$1
8,:AT D .Y M1N 0GD80
  8,PROFESSOR ,OGD510 ,EAG] SD )\T HESI-
TAT+4 8,HE MADE ME10 HE EXPLA9$4 8,HE IS
GD4 ,HE'S N"E H>M$ ME & HE'S V K9D40
  ,! MAN /ROK$ 8 JAW4 8,HMM80
  8,&! ,BELLS >E V GD4 ,!Y'RE 3C]N$ AB
ME & ,I TRY 6D MY BE/ = !M4 ,S T IS "O
WAY 6BE GD1 ,I SUPPOSE40
  8,IS X IMPORTANT 6BE GD80 ASK$ ! PHI-
LOSOPH]4
  ,EAG] />$ AT HM4 8,I WANT 6BE L ,PRO-
FESSOR ,OGD510 HE SD HOTLY4 8,I DON'T
?9K ,I %D L 6BE BAD AT ALL4 ,P W 2
UNHAPPY1 & IF P >E UNHAPPY !N !     #AAE
_W W 2 AN UNHAPPY PLACE4 ,L X SEEM$ ?
AFN10 HE A4$ DULLY4
  8,IS X IMPORTANT 6BE HAPPY80
  ,EAG] GAVE :AT HE HOP$ 0 A FRO/Y LOOK4
8,I DON'T ?9K Y %D G R.D ASK+ "QS L ?10
HE SD4 8,Y MI<T GIVE P WR;G ID1S40
  8,)\T "QS1 H[ W WE "E "K80
  ,EAG] LOOK$ SUSPICI\SLY AT ! PHILOSO-
PH]4 8,I 2LIEVE ! ,BELLS ?9K ,I ASK TOO
_M "QS ALR4 ,ANYWAY1 :AT'S ! PO9T ( MY
ASK+ "QS IF Y REFUSE 6ANSW] ME80
  ,A %AD[ PASS$ ACR ! MAN'S FACE & HE
SEEM$ 6H DI6ICULTY CAT*+ 8 BR1?4 8,I'M
FEEL+ R TIR$10 HE SD4 8,P]H Y CD -E BACK
ANO!R "D40 ,& 2F ,EAG] CD RESPOND HE _H
FAD$ AWAY4








                                    #AAF
























              ,,*APT] #AJ           #AAG

  ,! "DS W5T 0& LIFE 9 ! ,BELL H\SEHOLD
3T9U$ 6IMPROVE4 ,M1LS 7 ON "T &! FOOD 0
NO L;G] SURPRIS+4 7,?\< M ?AN "O MEMB] (
! FAMILY MISS$ ! POSSIBIL;Y ( HAV+ LEMON
M]+UE PIE = BR1KFA/47
  ,Z = ,EAG]1 HE _H DECID$ T HE 5JOY$
LIV+ )! ,BELLS4 ,HE LIK$ ! WAY ! BOY
GREET$ HM EA* "D )A *IRPY 8,MORN+1 ,EA-
G]10 & ALW (F]$ 6EXPLA9 ANY?+ NEW4 ,MR4
& ,MRS4 ,BELL 7 ?"\;L TOO1 AL? !Y 7 BO?
BUSY4 ,MRS4 ,BELL 9 "PICUL> (T5 SD1 )A
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"S?+1 WON'T Y80
  ,FLEUR HE F.D DI6ICULT 6"U/&4 ,%E
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Z IF %E DIDN'T SEE HM T 3FUS$ & 4COMFIT$
,EAG]4
  ,EAG] WD H LIK$ 6RETURN 6! LE>N+ C5T]
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  8,EAG]10 SD ,MRS4 ,BELL1 8,I M/ F9I% A
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  8,>E Y SURE80 ,EAG] ASK$ 9 SPITE (
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  8,Y'VE BE5 HELP+ ,GRUMPS1 HAV5'T Y8
,HE SEEMS 6?9K Y'RE V GD ) H]4 ,! IMPOR-
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  8,DON'T WORRY10 9T]RUPT$ ,EAG] ) FEEL-
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NATURAL10 LAU<$ ,MRS4 ,BELL4 ,N"O!.S1 A
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0 / AN UN"KN QUANT;Y4
  8,EAG]10 %E SD FIRMLY1 8IF Y'RE 9 ANY
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,GRUMPS10 HE TOLD H]1 & C>RI$ H] 96!
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WOOD5 BRICKS & BUILT ELABORATE T[]S )
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  8,NAHHHH6 ,NAHHH60 ,X 0 ! GRIZZLE
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SU7E/$ ,EAG]4 ,! GRIZZL+ /OPP$4 ,EAG]
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(F]$ X 6,*>LOTTE4
  8,MMM40 ,%E R1*$ =! BISCUIT4      #ABA
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! AIR & HELD X \ 6,EAG]4 ,HE 2GAN 6WOND]
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  8,DON'T (F] X 6ME10 HE SD1 8,I J GAVE
X 6Y40
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A LIVID R$ PATT]N4 ,! SAME R$ 0 9 EVID;E
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X 0 9 H] HAIR Z WELL4 ,"! 0 AL A PIECE (
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3FUS$ HM S9CE ! LAW ( GRAV;Y SU7E/$ T !
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7 H>D4 ,!Y MADE CRUMBS4 ,!Y 7 N S(T & !Y
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  ,HE />$ AT ,*>LOTTE 9 4MAY4 ,HE _H N"E
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ANY MO;T &1 WORSE1 ,MRS4 ,BELL MI<T -E
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FAILURE 0 9TOL]A# 6HM4 ,HE WD N"E 2
TRU/$ )! BABY AG4 ,X SURPRIS$ HM 6R1LIZE
H[ M* HE _H 5JOY$ ! MORN+4 ,HE WD H 6RE-
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  ,HE KNEW T ,*>LOTTE _H A BA? E NI<T B
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NE$$ WA%+4 ,HE REMEMB]$ 8 F/ EV5+ 9 !
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MA*9ES4 8,!Y'LL TELL Y :AT 6D10 ,GRUMPS
_H SD4 ,SCOOP+ UP ,*>LOTTE & HOLD+ H] AT
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  ,! WA%+ MA*9E 0 ACTIVAT$ 0HIS     #ABC
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AN (FICI\S VOICE4
  8,A BABY40
  ,! MA*9E 3SID]$ =A MO;T4 8,I H N"E
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SOIL$ OR WORN ONCE80
  8,H1VILY SOIL$10 SD ,EAG] DECISIVELY4
  8,NATURAL FABRIC OR SYN!TIC80
  8,NATURAL40 ,EAG] 0 FEEL+ PL1S$ ) HMF4
,? 0 OBVI\SLY ! "R ?+ 6D4
  8,DELICATE OR--0
  8,DELICATE10 SD ,EAG]4 ,"! 0 NO D\BT T
BABIES NE$$ 6BE H&L$ C>E;LLY4
  8,!N ,I RECOMM5D A L;G G5TLE WA% )A
MILD DET]G5T FOLL[$ 0A %ORT SP940
  ,EAG] KNEW T *EMICALS CD H>M *N4 8,I
2LIEVE DET]G5T IS BAD = BABIES40
  8,V WELL4 ,I % USE SOAP FLAKES4 ,PLACE
! ITEM 9 ! DRUM40
  8,>E Y SURE80 ASK$ ,EAG]4 ,! DOOR
SEEM$ R SMALL4
  8,( C\RSE ,I AM10 REPLI$ ! WA%+ MA*9E1
"S:AT IRRITABLY1 ,EAG] ?"\4
  ,! DOOR CLICK$ OP5 & ,EAG] L[]$   #ABD
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2 5JOY+ ! GAME & KICK$ H] LEGS 9 PL1S-
URE4
  8..,:AT >E Y .DO+80 ?"U$ A VOICE4 ,EA-
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  8..,REMOVE T BABY AT .ONCE60
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_H FELT :5 HE SAW ! D1D ROBOT 9 ! VAN4
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96,GRUMPS' \T/RET*$ >MS4
  8,DON'T Y "K ''' ! F/ ''' LAW ''' (
''' ROBOT ''' 2HAVIOR80
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TORR5T ( ^WS4 8,N"E ''' "E ''' 9 ALL MY
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GRAMM$ 6C>E = HUMANS ''' ,X IS 3TR>Y 6\R
2HAVIOR '''0
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,GRUMPS' VOICE4 ,9 FACT1 HE CD H PUT UP
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WD 2 WR;G4 ,HE /OOD "! Z ! ^WS WA%$ OV]
HM UNTIL EV5TU,Y HE MANAG$ 6SAY1 8,I AM
N PROGRAMM$ L Y40                   #ABE
  ,GRUMPS /OPP$ 9 MIDS5T;E4
  8,I M1N10 3T9U$ ,EAG]1 8( C\RSE ,I "K
! LAWS ( ROBOT 2HAVIOR '''0
  8,WELL80
  8,A ROBOT M/ N"E H>M1 OR ALL[ H>M 6BE
D"O TO1 A HUMAN 2+4 ,A ROBOT M/ N"E D
ANY?+ T MI<T 5DANG] A HUMAN 2+4 ,A ROBOT
M/ N H>M XF OR ANO!R ROBOT1 UN.S ! O!R
ROBOT IS 5DANG]+ A HUMAN 2+40 ,HE BROKE
(F1 AL? "! 7 S"EAL O!R LAWS 6RECITE4 8,!
?+ IS1 ,I AM N PROGRAMM$ 6OBEY RULES4 ,I
AM PROGRAMM$ 6LE>N & 6?9K = MYF4 ,X IS
MY *OICE H[ ,I 2HAVE40
  ,HE CD SEE T ,GRUMPS DID N "U/& HM &
A4$ MIS]ABLY1 8,I ?"\ ! WA%+ MA*9E WD "K
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  ,GRUMPS SD NO?+4 ,*>LOTTE HIT HM PLAY-
;LLY ON ! *EEK & AUTOMATIC,Y HE 2GAN TO
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  8,I'M SORRY10 SD ,EAG]4 8,I DON'T WANT
6H>M H]4 ,I'VE LE>NT A LESSON & ,I'LL
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DON'T TELL ANY"O40
  8,I AM UNA# 6TELL A LIE10 9TON$
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  8,?ANK Y10 SD ,EAG]4 ,! DAZ$ FEEL+ /
OV]:ELM$ HM4 ,6?9K HE _H NE>LY H>M$ ,*>-
LOTTE6 ,HE _H ONLY A VAGUE IDEA :AT MI<T
H HAPP5$ 6H] 9 ! MA*9E1 YET HE CD TELL
0,GRUMPS' REAC;N T X WD H BE5 V NA/Y4
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BE> 63TEMPLATE X4 ,HE FOLL[$ ,GRUMPS
BACK 96! KIT*54
  8,X ALL />T$ 6G WR;G :5 ,I GAVE H] !
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BISCUIT40
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  8,AH10 SD ,EAG]1 & ?"\1 N =! F/ "T1 T
R1L LIFE 0 V 3FUS+4

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8,GD AFN40 ,! MAN 9DICAT$ ! B[L ( FRUIT
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  8,D WE N ALL "K ! "R ?+ 6D1 9 \R
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IGNORANT (! FACTS & N[ Y "K BETT]8 ,T IS
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  8,I WOND]$ :5 WE'D GET ON 6T40
  ,! PHILOSOPH] FIX$ 8 EYES ON A PO9T 9
! 4T.E 2H ,EAG]4 ,=A MO;T ! ROBOT WOND]$
:AT ! MAN CD SEE1 S9CE 9 R1L;Y HE 0
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  8,Y H RECOGNIZ$ YR IGNOR.E1 YET Y /
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  8,Y REGRET YR AC;N80
  8,OH1 YES60
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  8,J "O M ?+10 SD ,EAG]1 :O 0 FEEL+ A
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  8,:5 IS A BISCUIT N A BISCUIT80
  ,! PHILOSOPH] FR[N$4 8,IS ? A     #ABI
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  8,X'S SIMPLE40 ,EAG] GOT UP 6G4 8,!
ANSW] IS1 :5 X'S A JAM T>T40





















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              ,,*APT] #AA           #ACA

  ,M>CIA 0 ! ONLY TE*NOBRAT AT ! LE>N+
C5T] 6H A ,,BDC#D & %E QKLY 2CAME ! C5T]
( ATT5;N4 ,AT F/ ,BOADICEA A3OMPANI$ H]
& RETURN$ HOME1 Z ! O!R ROBOTS DID4 ,!N
%E APPE>$ 9 A CLASS & HELP$ ,M>CIA ) H]
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  ,FLEUR SECRETLY HOP$ T ! NOVELTY WD
PASS1 & T ,M>CIA WD MISS _! FR%IP &
APOLOGIZE = H] 2HAVIOR4 ,UNTIL "O MORN+
%E SPOTT$ ,M>CIA & ,BOADICEA WALK+ SIDE
0SIDE4 ,! ROBOT 0 L1N+ S T H] H1D 0
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,ONCE %E & ,M>CIA M/ H LOOK$ L T--%>+ A
PRIVATE JOKE & IGNOR+ "EY"O ELSE4 ,B
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  ,EV5 ,GAV9 & 8 FRS 7 9TRIGU$ 0! PAIR4
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&! ,,BDC#D4 ,! GIRL _H J GIV5 H] ORD] 6!
ROBOT WAIT] :5 ,GAV9'S FR ,OM> SD   #ACB
L\DLY1 RAIS+ 8 VOICE HALF AN OCTAVE3 8,&
A VIRTUAL /1K & MICRO*IPS =! ROBOT60
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6NOTICE1 B ,GAV9 CD TELL 0! FLA% ( H]
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HE ?"\1 & %E'S PROBABLY "R4 ,:O WD N 5VY
A ROBOT T LAU<$ ) Y & HUNG ON 6YR E ^W8
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MADE HM UNCOM=TA#4
  ,:5 ,GAV9 TOLD ,FLEUR ! /ORY1 %E OP5$
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  ,T AFN ,FLEUR _H A TRA9+ SES.N 9 !
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6SEE ,M>CIA4 ,FLEUR 0 A /R;G SWIMM]1 & E
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6L WAT] & PREF]R$ GYMNA/ICS4 ,YET "! %E
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  8,T >M AC;N 0 A LOT BETT]4 ,B TRY &
RELAX 96! /ROKE4 ,TWO M L5G?S40
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L5G? (! POOL4
  ,FLEUR CD H>DLY /& "! 9 A DRIPP+ WET
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TOOK A L;G "T 6%[] & DRESS4 ,H] M9D 0 S
4TRACT$ T %E FUM#D ) H] CLO!S4 ,%E CAME
\ (! CUBICLE J Z ,M>CIA /EPP$ F ! %[]1
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  ,AL? %E DIDN'T %[ X1 ,FLEUR 0 PL1S$ T
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ROBOT SPOKE4
  8,DID Y SEE ,M>CIE SWIM80 %E SD 9 H]
SL[ DRAWL4 8,H] FREE/YLE HAS IMPROV$ NO
5D40
  8,?ANKS10 SD ,M>CIA4              #ACD
  ,FLEUR GAP$4 ,%E _H N"E EXPECT$ 6HE>
,M>CIA ?ANK A ROBOT4 ,P]H ,M>CIA NOTIC$
H] AMAZE;T = %E SD1 8,Y "K1 ,I'M 2G9N+
6"U/& H[ YR FAMILY TR1TS ,GRUMPS S PO-
LITELY4 ,X'S RIDICUL\S1 ( C\RSE1 HE'S
/UPID1 B ,BOADICEA IS DI6]5T4 ,%E RE,Y
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  8,I'M YR BE/ FR10 SD ! ROBOT4
  8,%E IS60 SD ,M>CIA4 8,%E'S S AW>E4 ,G
ON1 ASK H] "S?+40
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  8,V FUNNY10 LAU<$ ,BOADICEA4 8,Y "K
T'S N AT ALL :AT ,M>CIE M1NT4 ,Z A MATT]
( FACT1 ,I'VE NO IDEA4 ,B X S.DS A LOVE-
LY PLACE 6VISIT4 ,IF Y CD G ANY": 9 !
_W1 ,FLEUR1 ": WD Y *OOSE80
  8,JAPAN10 SD ,FLEUR )\T HESIT,N4
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FAMILY 4CUS.NS AB ,GRUMPS T ROBOTS 7
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S WELL8
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  8,HELLO1 ,FLEUR10 %E SD EXCIT$LY4 8,H[
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LATE/ TE*NOLOGY4
  8,I'M F9E10 ,FLEUR SD4 8,I DIDN'T "K Y
_H A NEW ROBOT40
  8,TWO WEEKS4 ,T'S :Y ,I HAV5'T CALL$4
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8,X'S B1UTI;L10 %E SD4 8,DID YR SI/] D
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  8,I'M SORRY1 ,FLEUR1 ,BADUPCA HASN'T
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  8,,OK10 SD ,FLEUR4

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8,IS ANY?+ ! MATT]80
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8,WE 7 J TALK+ AB ,MISS ,FLEUR10 HE SD4
8,%E'S UNHAPPY AT ! MO;T & "!'S NO?+ ,I
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( ,PROFESSOR ,OGD51 !N ,GAV91 CAME 6M9D1
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9 A WAY1 AN AGREEA# ?"\4            #ACI
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8,H[ _M CUPS D Y REQUIRE80
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,GRUMPS4
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  8,I WANT 6TALK 6,FLEUR10 HE SD 9 A L[
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TREES NEXT DOOR4
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GUIL+ ) _! SMELL4 ,_M ?+S 9 ! R1L _W1 F
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NATUR$4
  8,X'S GOT A L;G "N ,I C'T REMEMB]10 SD
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EYE+ HM 9T5TLY4
  8,Y L B1UTI;L ?+S1 DON'T Y80 %E SD4
8,I DON'T "U/& H[40
  8,H[ :AT80 HE ASK$ POLITELY4
  8,H[ A ROBOT C APPRECIATE B1UTY4 ,I C
"U/& PROGRAMM+ A ROBOT S T X DOESN'T L !
LOOK OR SMELL ( C]TA9 ?+S4 ,Y WDN'T WANT
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  8,C]TA9LY N10 SD ,EAG]4
  8,B :AT Y H IS "S?+ M4 ,Y SEEM 6GET
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  8,D Y L SWIMM+80
  8,SWIMM+80 SD ,EAG]4 ,HE RECALL$ 8
SIMULAT$ VISITS 6RIV]S & S1S4 8,X'S N
"S?+ ,I ?9K ,I %D TRY4 ,H["E1 ,I AM A
HUNDR$ P]C5T WAT]PRO(10 HE A4$ REASSUR+-
LY4
  ,FLEUR SC[L$4 8,IN MY OP9ION10    #ADB
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SAV]S AT MY POOL >E ROBOTIC B !Y'RE J
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! CORN] & SAT D[N1 TURN+ H] FACE 6!
SIDE4 ,:5 ,EAG] LOOK$ AT H] AG HE SAW A
PATT]N T 0 ,FLEUR1 YET N ,FLEUR4 ,HE BE-
GAN 6"Q ! EVID;E ( 8 EYES4 ,8 SY/EM "W$
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PROFILE %E LOOK$ EXACTLY L H] "M4 ,HE
KNEW T *N RESEM#D _! P>5TS B HE _H N"E
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  8,>E Y ,,OK80 ,%E 0 />+ AT HM4
  8,YES1 ?ANK Y4 ,=A MO;T ,I ?"\ Y W]5'T
:O Y >E1 B Y >E S X'S ALL "R40
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8,Y SAY ! O4E/ ?+S10 %E SD4
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  8,GRUMPS ?9KS Y'RE UNHAPPY10 HE SD4
  ,FLEUR SNORT$4 8,TRU/ ,GRUMPS4 ,HE'S N
EXACTLY ! LIFE & S\L (! "PY HMF40
  8,HE'S V 4TRESS$1 ,I 2LIEVE40
  8,IF Y M/ "K1 ,I'M N UNHAPPY1 ,I'M
CROSS4 ,MY BE/ FR PREF]S H] ROBOT   #ADC
6ME & ,I MISS HAV+ "S"O 6TALK TO1 EV5 IF
T "S"O IS SPOILT & SELFI% HALF ! "T4 ,&
MY O!R FRS SEEM 6H PAIR$ UP ) EA* O!R1 &
EV5 MY GOBEPALS >E /EPP+ \ ) _! ROBOTS40
  ,? 0 A LOT ( 9=M,N = ,EAG] 6TAKE IN1 B
HE SAW A P>ALLEL 9 8 [N HI/ORY4 8,I LO/
A FR TOO10 HE SD ?"\;LLY1 8:5 ,I LEFT
,PROFESSOR ,OGD5 6-E "H4 ,I ?9K ,I "U/&
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UNPL1SANT 9KL+ T %E 0 ANGRY4 8,Y'RE J A
ROBOT10 %E SNAPP$4 8,H[ C Y H ANY IDEA
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S5SE60
  ,%E RU%$ PA/ HM1 CAUS+ HM 6JUMP \ (!
WAY4 ,HE WAT*$ H] RUN "? ! VEGETA# PAT*
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HE _H _H 9 ! KIT*5 RETURN$4 ,HE WI%$ T
HE & ,FLEUR CD 2 FRS & HE DIDN'T "U/& !
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  8,SPH]E80 SD ,EAG]4
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SL[LY T[>D ! H\SE1 WOND]+ :AT 6TELL
,GRUMPS4





















              ,,*APT] #AB           #ADE

  ,X RA9$ H1VILY 9 ! NI<T1 &! MORN+ 0
COLD & OV]CA/4 ,GAV9 & ,FLEUR WALK$ 9
SIL;E 6! LE>N+ C5T]1 FOLL[$ 0,GRUMPS4
,GAV9 0 9W>DLY PRAY+ T ! W1!R WD CLE> 0!
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:E!R %E %D H AN E>LY LUN* & :O MI<T G )
H]4
  8,MISS ,FLEUR10 SD ,GRUMPS4
  8,IF Y'RE GO+ 6TELL ME ,I'M "DDR1M+
'''10 %E 2GAN TET*ILY4
  8,I M]ELY WI%$ 6PO9T \ T YR FR ,M>CIA
IS APPROA*+40
  8,%E'S N MY FR10 RETORT$ ,FLEUR4 ,M>-
CIA 0 CROSS+ ! C\RTY>D4 ,BOADICEA /RODE
AL;GSIDE1 %ELT]+ H] F ! DRIZZLE )A L>GE
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:AT LOOK$ L A BOX4
  ,! TE*NOBRAT WAV$ 6!M Z !Y CAME "? !
GATES4 8,HI1 ,FLEUR2 HI1 ,GAV94 ,D Y
WANT 6SEE MY POT80
  8,SORRY10 ,FLEUR SD1 8B ,I DON'T WANT
6MISS ! />T ( 9T]ACTIVE MA?S4 ,SEE Y
LAT]1 ,GAV940 ,%E WALK$ ON BY4 ,GRUMPS
KEPT 8 EYE ON H] Z %E W5T OV] 6!    #ADF
/EPS (! MA9 BUILD+4
  8,:AT AB Y80 ASK$ ,M>CIA1 SMIL+ AT
,GAV94 ,"! 0 A B"R;S 9 H] EYES T HE
_HN'T SE5 2F4
  ,HE FELT AWKW>D4 ,HE DIDN'T "K ,M>CIA
WELL & HE KNEW EV5 LESS AB >T4 ,B %E 0
LOOK+ AT HM S E>NE/LY1 ALM PL1D+LY1 T X
0 H>D 6REFUSE4
  8,] ''' YES40 ,GAV9 REMEMB]$ T %E _H
M5;N$ ! POT 2F4 ,X M/ H TAK5 H] WEEKS TO
MAKE X4
  8,BOADICEA60 SD ,M>CIA4 8,! BOX40
  ,! ROBOT'S EYES 7 BLANK Z %E TURN$ 6H]
MI/RESS4 ,GAV9 GL.ED AT ,M>CIA1 NOT+ H]
PUZZL$ FR[N4 ,)A SL[ SWEEP ( H] >M !
,,BDC#D RAIS$ ! METAL CASE 96! AIR1 H]
GAZE / FIX$ ON ,M>CIA4 ,GAV9 KNEW1 SICK-
5+LY1 T ,BOADICEA 0 GO+ 6SW+ ! CASE R.D
6HIT ! GIRL4 ,HE HE>D ,M>CIA'S %>P 9TAKE
( BR1? Z HE LUNG$ =W>D 6GRAB ! ROBOT'S
>M4
  ,AT ! SAME "T ,M>CIA CLAPP$ H] H&S
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FROZE1 !N L[]$ H] >M UNTIL ! METAL CASE
0 LEVEL ) H] *E/4                   #ADG
  8,%E 0 GO+ 6ATTACK Y60 SD ,GAV91 8
EYES GLU$ 6,BOADICEA 9 CASE %E MADE AN-
O!R UNEXPECT$ MOVE4
  8,%E'D N"E D T4 ,WD Y80 9SI/$ ,M>CIA4
  ,BOADICEA SMIL$4 8,I'M SORRY IF ,I
AL>M$ Y4 ,I DON'T "K :AT CAME OV] ME1
,M>CIE4 ,I ?9K ,I'M J S HAPPY AB YR POT
,I WASN'T 3C5TRAT+40
  ,GAV9'S JAW DROPP$4 ,HE _H N"E 2F HE>D
A ROBOT TALK L ?4 ,NOR _M HUMANS1 LUCKI-
LY4 ,HE TURN$ 6,M>CIA 6%>E H] REAC;N1 B
%E 0 GAZ+ AT ! ROBOT ADOR+LY4 ,Z HE
LOOK$ AWAY ,BOADICEA MET 8 GL.E2 =A
SPLIT SECOND HE SAW ! UNMISTAKA# 9TELLI-
G;E 9 H] EYES4 ,&A GLIMM] ( TRIUMPH4
  8,D Y WANT 6SEE MY POT OR N80 SD ,M>-
CIA4
  ,GAV9 COLLECT$ HMF4 ,BOADICEA 0 EX-
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  ,M>CIA TAPP$ ! METAL CASE TWICE &! LID
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S4
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DAD4 ,?\< !Y WON'T 2 HOME = AGES10 %E
A4$ =LORNLY4
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,GRUMPS W5T 6! MA9 BUILD+1 ": HE 0 SUR-
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/EPS4
  8,:AT 0 X80 SD ,FLEUR4
  8,H] POT4 ,X'S BRILLIANT4 ,:Y DIDN'T Y
/AY 6LOOK AT X80
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APPROVAL1 %E HAS T ROBOT40 ,%E      #ADI
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  8,I % L1VE Y10 SD ,GRUMPS4
  8,ASK ,EAG] 6TELL Y :5 X'S "T 6-E &
MEET U10 SD ,GAV94 8,BYE40
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,GAV9 UNEASY4
  8,WELL80 SD ,FLEUR4
  8,NO?+1 RE,Y4 ,EXCEPT ,BOADICEA 0
SUCK+ UP 6,M>CIA4 ,%E 0 S SY ''' SYCA
'''0
  8,SYCOPHANTIC10 SD 8 SI/]4
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  8,I "K :AT Y M1N4 ,GOT 6HURRY N[4
,I'LL MEET Y AT ?REE-?IRTY40
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GLASS DOORS 2F JUMP+ D[N ! /EPS & HURRY+
6! GATES4 ,A PLAN _H =M$ 9 8 M9D4 ,HE _H
KEPT X F 8 SI/] 2C HE KNEW T %E WD /OP
HM4
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8 SPORTS BAG ONTO 8 %\LD] & 2GAN 6RUN
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& SUN%9E POK$ "? ! CL\DS4 ,8 S5SE ( PUR-
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FREEDOM AT 2+ AL"O 9 ! /REET4
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WALK+ SUIT ( >MOR4 ,S"EAL /R;G ADULTS WD
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  ,HE TURN$ A CORN]4 ,!Y 7 AH1D ( HM1
/ROLL+ T[>D ! -P.D4 ,CLE>LY1 NO?+ _H
HAPP5$ 6,M>CIA ON ! WAY1 &! ROBOT APPE>$
6BE C>RY+ ! METAL BOX ) GRT C>E4 ,A HI<
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6SEE T ! 5TR.E GATES 7 WIDE OP5 & T NO
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VISIT$ X 2F4 ,X WD 2 EASY 5 6/RIDE "? !
GATES4
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TOLD HM ( 8 MISTAKE4 ,X R1D 9 L>GE LRS3
.,W>N+1 .,HOT .,F;E & _H A SYMBOL ( FIRE
ON X4 ,GAV9 GROAN$ 9 FRU/R,N4 ,X MADE NO
DI6];E T ! GATES 7 OP53 ! 5TR.E XF 0
PROTECT$ 0AN 9VISI# H1T B>RI]4 ,M>CIA M/
H DEACTIVAT$ X "SH[1 B HE WD BURN HMF !
MO;T HE CAME 963TACT ) X4
  8,GAV910 SD A FAMILI> VOICE4
  ,HE />T$ & SWUNG R.D4 8,:AT >E .Y DO+
"H80
  ,EAG] LOOK$ UNUSU,Y BA%;L4 8,SPH]E S5T
ME40
  8,SPH]E8 ,OH6 ,Y M1N T FLOAT+ BALL ,I
SAW AT ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5'S H\SE8 ,:AT D Y
M1N X S5T Y8 ,DOES X TALK80
  ,EAG] FR[N$ Z IF ! "Q+ 0 MAK+ HM UN-
-=TA#4 8,X DOESN'T SP1K L Y1 B ,I "U/&
:AT X WI%ES ME 6"K4 ,X ''' ?9KS 6ME40
  8,TELEPA?Y10 SD ,GAV94 8,Y "K1 "S P C
S5D _! ?"\S 6O!RS EV5 F ! OPPO-     #AEB
SITE SIDE (! _W40
  ,EAG] TILT$ 8 H1D4 8,I'M N SURE AB T4
,I "K T X HAPP5S :5 WE'RE TGR40
  8,:AT DID X SAY80 SD ,GAV94
  8,6-E & F9D Y4 ,I KNEW ! WAY "H2
,GRUMPS %[$ ME ONCE4 ,T'S ALL10 ,EAG]
A4$1 SEE+ ,GAV9 LOOK 9QUIR+LY AT HM4
  8,S9CE Y'RE "H1 C Y HELP ME F9D A WAY
"? ? HOT F;E8 ,P]H ,SPH]E CD TELL Y10 SD
,GAV9 JOK+LY4
  ,EAG] WALK$ UP 6! GATES & APPE>$ 6BE
9SPECT+ ! SPACE 2T !M1 AL? "! CD 2 NO?+
6SEE B AIR4 ,GAV9 KICK$ 8 FOOT IMPATI5T-
LY AG/ ! SIDE (! PAVE;T1 WAIT+ =! ROBOT
6-E BACK 6HM4 ,X 0 OBVI\SLY IMPOSSI# TO
PASS ! B>RI]4 ,Y WD NE$ A SPACE SUIT AT
L1/ 6PROTECT Y F ! H1T4 ,EAG]'S RU2] WD
COOK 9 X4
  ,J !N1 ,EAG] /OOD SQU>E-ON 6! HOT F;E
& /EPP$ =W>D4 8,NO6 ,/OP60 CRI$ ,GAV91 B
HE 0 TOO LATE4 ,! ROBOT 5T]$ ! -P.D1 ":
HE TURN$ & WAV$4 ,GAV9 RAN ACR ! ROAD1 8
M\? OP5 9 4BELIEF4 8,>E Y ALL "R8 ,H[
DID Y D T80
  8,"! >E WAYS10 SD ,EAG]1 L[]+ 8   #AEC
EYES MODE/LY4 8,I'LL D X AG IF Y WI%40
,HE GL>$ RESOLUTELY AT ! HOT F;E L A W>-
RIOR 2F BATTLE & /EPP$ "? AG4
  ,GAV9 CD SEE T "! 0 N S M* Z A SCOR*
M>K ON 8 BODY4 8,T'S 9CR$I#40
  8,IN FACT10 SD ,EAG]1 8X'S TURN$ (F40
  ,GAV9 DID N "K : SURPRIS$ HM M--T !
HOT F;E 0 N "W+ OR T ,EAG] _H PLAY$ A
JOKE ON HM4 ,HE SQU9T$ AT ! 5TR.E & SAW
T ,EAG] 0 "R4 ,IF ! B>RI] _H BE5 ON HE
WD H SE5 X %IMM]+4 ,0 X N "W+ PROP]LY8
,!N :Y 7 ! GATES OP58 ,Z HE FOLL[$ ! RO-
BOT "? HE NOT$ T ? 0 ! SECOND /RANGE
EV5T T MORN+4
  ,9SIDE ! -P.D A PA?WAY L$ UPHILL4
,GAV9 & ,EAG] 2GAN 6CLIMB & F.D !MVS
W&]+ 2T G>D5S ) HUGE LAWNS1 OV]LOOK$ BY
EXOTIC TREES4 ,! BUILD+S 7 L ILLU/R,NS 9
A BOOK ON ! HI/ORY ( >*ITECTURE4 ,L[
RAN*ES 5CLOS$ 0V]&AHS1 REM9D+ ,GAV9 (
HOT C.TRIES L ,AU/RALIA1 7 NEXT DOOR TO
TALL H\SES ) N>R[ W9D[S & *IMNEYS4 ,A
H\SE ) D>K B1MS & AN OV]HANG+ TOP /ORY
HE RECOGNIZ$ Z ,TUDOR4 ,( C\RSE1 HE TOLD
HMF1 N"O ( ^! H\SES 0 OLD4 ,!Y _H   #AED
BE5 BUILT AT ! :IM (! TE*NOCRATS4
  8,": >E WE GO+80 SD ,EAG]4
  8,I J WANT$ 6LOOK >.D10 SD ,GAV94 8,I
CAME "H 2C ,M>CIA'S ROBOT 0 2HAV+
/RANGELY4 ,P]H WE %D F9D ,M>CIA'S H\SE
6*ECK %E'S ,,OK40 ,HE /OPP$ WALK+ &
SCANN$ ! BUILD+S FUR!R UP ! SLOPE4
8,FLEUR TOLD ME X'S MADE ( GLASS1 S X
%DN'T 2 H>D 6RECOGNIZE AM;G ? LOT4 ,B ,I
DON'T "K ": 62G940
  ,EAG]'S EYESI<T 0 Z ACUTE Z 8 HE>+4
,HE PO9T$ 6! "R4 8,OV] "!1 2H ^? TREES40
  ,! GLASS-SID$ BUILD+ ACTU,Y LOOK$ L A
MOD]N H\SE4 ,X _H A FLAT RO( & /OOD ON
SL5D] TITANIUM /ILTS1 GIV+ ! IMPRES.N T
! H\SE MI<T SWAY AT ANY MO;T4 ,) S M*
GLASS X 0 EASY 6SEE IN4 ,NO "O APPE>$ TO
2 HOME4 ,Z !Y CAME NE>] ,GAV9 CD SEE !
FURNITURE ON ! DI6]5T FLOORS4 ,X LOOK$
ORD9>Y 5\<--B$S1 S(AS1 *AIRS4 ,ON A TA#
D[N/AIRS 0 A METAL CASE4
  8,? IS X10 SD ,GAV94 ,EAG] $G$ CLOS]
6! W9D[4
  ,A FACE APPE>$ & SCR1M$ S.D.SLY4 ,X 0
,M>CIA4 ,GAV9 PU%$ 9 FRONT (! RO-   #AEE
BOT &1 R1LIZ+ T %E CDN'T HE> "? ! GLASS1
WAIT$ = H] 6RECOGNIZE HM4 ,H] M\? SPRANG
%UT & %E GL>$4 ,!N H] LIPS 2GAN 6MOVE1
CURL+ & P\T+ 2N H] SC[L+ EYES4
  8,:AT ''' >E ''' Y ''' DO+ ''' "H80 HE
HALF-R1D1 HALF-GUESS$ %E 0 SAY+4
  ,HE %RU7$4 ,%E LOOK$ EV5 M CROSS &
4APPE>$ =A MO;T4 ,! FRONT DOOR SLID OP5
& ,M>CIA /OOD ON ! ?RE%OLD4 8,:AT >E Y
DO+ "H8 ,& :AT ON E>? IS T80 %E REP1T$1
GL[]+ AT ,EAG]4
  ,GAV9 DECID$ T TRU? 0 ! BE/ POLICY4
8,I 0 WORRI$ AB Y4 ,I ?"\ ,BOADICEA MI<T
ATTACK Y AG S ,I ''' ,I FOLL[$ Y HOME40
  8,Y DID .:AT80
  8,I'D H D"O X = ANY"O10 HE SD HA/ILY1
WORRI$ T %E MI<T JUMP 6A WR;G 3CLU.N4
  8,H[ DID Y GET IN80 %E ASK$ SUSPICI\S-
LY4
  8,! HOT F;E 0 TURN$ (F4 ,"! 0 NOBODY
ON DUTY40
  ,M>CIA'S EXPRES.N W5T F SC[L+ 6SC>$4
8,DON'T SAY !Y'VE ALL G"O10 %E SD4
  8,:O80
  ,%E PURS$ H] LIPS & DIDN'T AN-    #AEF
SW]4 8,IS T A ROBOT8 ,OR IS X ,GOLEM80
  ,NEI ,GAV9 NOR ,EAG] KNEW :O ,GOLEM
WAS1 B F H] EXPRES.N ,M>CIA WASN'T 2+
POLITE4 ,GAV9 SD B"RLY1 8,LET ME 9TRO-
DUCE Y 6,EAG]4 ,EAG]1 ? IS ,M>CIA40
  ,EAG] PUT \ A H&4 8,H[ D Y D80
  ,M>CIA HALF RECOIL$ B %OOK ! H&4 ,BO-
ADICEA M/ H D"O H] "S GD1 AT L1/1 ?"\
,GAV94
  ,%E SD 9 A *ANG$ T"O1 8,X 0 SWEET ( Y
6WANT 6PROTECT ME1 ,GAV94 ,L AN OLD-
FA%ION$ KNI<T40
  ,GAV9 BLU%$4 ,HE WOND]$ IF %E 0 MAK+
FUN ( HM4
  8,N[ Y'RE "H1 D Y WANT "S LUN*8 ,"!'S
T]ATONS ( FOOD40
  ,GAV9 0 HUNGRY &! LE>N+ C5T] SEEM$ A
L;G WAY AWAY4 ,HE SD ?ANK Y & ,M>CIA
/EPP$ BACK 6LET !M 96! H\SE4
  8,GAV910 SD ,EAG] )\T MOV+1 8IF Y
DON'T M9D1 ,I WD L 6EXPLORE A LL40
  8,I SUPPOSE X'S N M* FUN WAT*+ P EAT10
SD ,GAV91 GLANC+ AT ! "T ON 8 J9N4 8,SEE
Y AT ! GATE AT "O-FIFTE540
  ,HE WAV$ GDBYE 6! ROBOT & FOL-    #AEG
L[$ ,M>CIA D[N ! HALLWAY4 ,HE CD N RESI/
PE]+ LEFT & "R4 ,!Y PASS$ A LIV+ ROOM T
GL[$ A D>K %ADE ( R$1 ! COLOR APPE>+ TO
P\R \ F ! WALLS4 ,M>CIA NOTIC$ 8 9T]E/ &
REM>K$1 8,X'S A BIT M* =! "D"T1 ISN'T
X80 Z %E ADJU/$ A 3TROL PANEL 2S ! DOOR4
  ,%E L$ ! WAY 6! KIT*51 A HUGE ROOM ) E
3CEIVA# APPLI.E ON ! "WTOPS4 ,GAV9 ID5-
TIFI$ "S B N ALL ( !M--RICE COOK]1 OME-
LETTE MAK]1 PIZZA MAK]1 JUIC]1 C(FEE MA-
*9E1 VEGETA# PEEL]4
  8,MY MUM LIKES 6COOK10 SD ,M>CIA )A
/RAI<T FACE4
  ,ON A TA# 0! W9D[ 7 B[LS ( SALAD &
*EESES1 & BR1D & S"EAL NI2LY ?+S T ,GAV9
DID N RECOGNIZE4 ,! C5T]PIECE 0 AN ENOR-
M\S BASKET ( FRUIT1 AL FULL ( V>IETIES
HE _H N SE5 2F4
  ,M>CIA FET*$ HM A PLATE & !Y SAT D[N
AT "O 5D (! TA#4 ,GAV9 J _H "T 6?9K T !Y
M/ MAKE A L"OLY PICTURE1 ! TWO ( !M 9 ?
VA/ KIT*51 :5 ! >MS (! *AIR GRASP$ HM
R.D ! *E/ & HAUL$ HM 96AN UP"R POSI;N4
  ,M>CIA GI7L$4 8,I =GOT4 ,X'S ,,BJ'S
PO/URE *AIR4 ,HE'S N ALL[$ 6SL\*    #AEH
AT ! TA#4 ,D Y WANT 6MOVE80
  8,I'LL COPE10 SD ,GAV94 8,WE'VE GOT !
E>LI] V].N AT HOME40
  8,H Y80 SD ,M>CIA4
  ,HE NO4$4 8,X'S CALL$ ,MUM40
  ,%E LAU<$ AG & !Y HELP$ !MVS 6FOOD4
,FEEL+ T ! ATMOSPH]E _H ?AW$1 ,GAV9 V5-
TUR$ 6ASK1 8,":'S ,BOADICEA80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,)! O!RS1 ,I EXPECT4 ,I
TOLD Y1 !Y'VE ALL G"O40 ,? "T ,M>CIA
S.D$ ANNOY$ R ?AN F"R5$4
  8,G"O80 ,HE FELT A TI<T5+ 9 8 /OMA*4
  ,M>CIA %RU7$4 8,BOADICEA WALK$ ME HOME
& ,I W5T UP/AIRS & :5 ,I CAME D[N %E
WASN'T "H4 ,I CALL$ NEXT DOOR & _! RO-
BOT'S G"O TOO4 ,X'S HAPP5$ 2F4 ,!Y DON'T
4APPE> = L;G40
  8,B ": D !Y G8 ,SCUBA DIV+80
  ,M>CIA DID N LOOK AMUS$4 ,HE SD QKLY1
8,>5'T Y WORRI$ AB :AT !Y MI<T D8 ,I
M1N1 ,BOADICEA SC>$ Y ? MORN+4 '''0
  8,X 0 NO?+4 ,Y J DON'T "U/& H[ MOD]N
ROBOTS "W4 ,!Y DON'T NE$ BATT]IES ANY-
MORE1 !Y GET _! P[] "? RADIO
TRANSMIS.N40                        #AEI
  8,Y M1N RADIO WAVES1 L ,EAG] DOES40
  ,M>CIA C>RI$ ON Z IF HE _HN'T SPOK54
8,"! >E RADIO TRANSMITT]S ALL OV] ! _W
N[4 ,EA* TYPE ( ROBOT HAS XS [N FREQU5CY
& !Y SIMPLY TUNE 9 6! NE>E/ TRANSMITT]40
  8,I "U/&10 SD ,GAV94 8,B :AT HAS T GOT
6D ) ,BOADICEA ATTACK+ Y80
  8,%E DIDN'T '''60 ,M>CIA'S EYES FLA%$
) TEMP]4 ,%E MADE AN EF=T 63TROL H]F &
SD DELIB]ATELY1 8,I ?9K ? MORN+ "! M/ H
BE5 AN 9T]RUP;N 6! P[]4 ,BOADICEA PROBA-
BLY _H 6SWIT* QKLY 6ANO!R TRANSMITT] S
%E ''' %E '''0
  8,FA9T$80
  ,HE FANCI$ T ,M>CIA SUPPRESS$ A SMILE4
8,"S?+ L T10 %E SD4
  ,GAV9 R1*$ = AN APPLE1 AL? ! KNOTT$
FEEL+ 9 8 /OMA* _H GR[N WORSE & 0 SPOIL+
8 APPETITE4 8,T DOESN'T EXPLA9 H] 2HAV-
IOR N[4 ,OR :Y ! O!R ROBOTS H 4APPE>$40
  8,I'M TELL+ Y1 "!'S NO?+ 6WORRY AB4
,DAD SAYS WE M/ EXPECT !M 6BE UNPREDICT-
A# "S"TS40
  8,:Y80
  8,2C ! M A ROBOT C ?9K 0XF ! M    #AFJ
-PLICAT$ X 2COMES10 SD ,M>CIA4
8,,BDC#D'S >5'T L ,GRUMPS1 HE'S SIMPLE =
A ROBOT4 ,Y ALW "K :AT HE'S UP TO40
  ,HE C SPR+ A FEW SURPRISES N[ T 8 TIM-
]'S G"O1 ?"\ ,GAV91 B HE WASN'T GO+ 6SAY
T 6,M>CIA4 ,%E W5T ON1 8,DAD SAYS ,LIFE-
,CORP'S ROBOTS >E ! SAFE/ 9 ! _W4 ,!Y
WON'T H>M U4 ,2SS1 ! ,,BDC#D'S >E S IN-
TELLIG5T T !Y L 2+ FRS ) U4 ,WE J H 6AC-
CEPT T !Y ?9K = !MVS40
  ,GAV9 ?"\ ( ,EAG]4 ,! ROBOT 0 9DEP5D5T
B HE 0 AL 3SID]ATE4 ,HE CDN'T IMAG9E
,EAG] WALK+ (F & L1V+ HM ) NO EXPLAN,N4
  8,"H1 TRY "S ( ?40 ,M>CIA 0 *ANG+ !
SUBJECT 0PICK+ UP ! L>GE/ OBJECT 9 !
FRUIT BASKET1 A /RANGE BULB\S A6AIR )
ORANGE-BR[N SCALES & SPIKY GRE5 FRONDS
AT "O 5D4
  8,:AT IS X80
  8,A P9EAPPLE4 ,HAV5'T Y _H "O 2F80
  ,GAV9 %OOK 8 H1D4 8,IN T CASE10 SD
,M>CIA1 RIS+ & GO+ 6A CUPBO>D1 8Y M/
TAKE X HOME = "EY"O 6TRY40 ,%E DROPP$ X
96A C>RI] BAG4 8,WE'VE PL5TY "H4 ,"! 0 A
%IP;T LA/ WEEK40                    #AFA
  ,GAV9 ?ANK$ H] & PUT ! P9EAPPLE 9 8
SPORTS BAG4 8,I'D BETT] GET BACK4 ,?ANKS
= LUN*40
  ,Z HE WALK$ D[N ! HALLWAY HE NOTIC$ T
! WALLS (! LIV+ ROOM 7 N[ A RE/;L GRE54
  8,BYE1 ,SIR ,GAV910 SD ,M>CIA4 8,WAT*
\ = DRAGONS ON ! WAY40
  ,GAV9 BLU%$ =! SECOND "T4 ,M>CIA SUR-
PRIS$ HM 0SAY+1 8,Y DON'T M9D MY T1S+1 D
Y8 ,ONLY X'S NO FUN T1S+ MY [N BRO!R1 HE
?R[S A TANTRUM40
  ,GAV9 B[$ & WAV$ 8 >M 9 A FL\RI%4 ,IM-
ITAT+ ,GRUMPS' GRAVELLY VOICE1 HE SD1
8,X'S AN HONOR1 ,LADY ,M>CIA40
  ,M>CIA LAU<$1 & HE FELT SELF-3SCI\S &
RAN (F 2F %E CD SAY ANY?+4








                                    #AFB
























              ,,*APT] #AC           #AFC

  ,EAG] HURRI$ D[N ! SLOPE1 8 EXCITE;T
GR[+4 ,! SIGNALS F ! O!R ROBOTS 7 2COM+
/R;G] ) EA* /EP3 HE M/ 2 CLOSE4 ,2F L;G
HE WD H A NEW CIRCLE ( FRS4 ,DID ,SPH]E
"K AB ? 9N]MO/ WI% ( HIS8 HE WOND]$4
,P]H T 0 :Y X _H S5T HM 6! -P.D4
  ,HALFWAY D[N ! HILL HE CAME 6AN OP5
SPACE1 ": ! TURF 0 UNUSU,Y GRE5 & LU% =!
"T ( YE>4 ,A L[ BUILD+ /OOD AT ! F> 5D4
,EAG] KNEW T HE WD F9D !M "!4 ,HE CROSS$
! GRASS1 FEEL+ XS DAMP;S "U 8 FEET4
  ,HE CD SC>CELY 2LIEVE T HE WD SOON 2 9
! PRES;E ( ^! MAGNIFIC5T ROBOTS4 ,Z HE
DREW NE>1 ! DOOR (! BUILD+ SLID OP5 &A
DOZ5 ,,BDC#D'S /EPP$ \1 TWO ABR1/4 ,EV5
9 ! FA9T SUNLI<T _! METALS 7 DAZZL+4 ,!Y
APPE>$ S PURPOSE;L & /R;G T ,EAG] %RANK
BACK AG/ ! WALL4 ,? 0 N :AT HE _H 9T5D$
6D1 B 0! "T HE SUMMON$ 8 C\RAGE & %\T$1
8,WAIT60 !Y 7 /RID+ ACR ! GRASS4
  ,EAG] WAT*$ !M1 FASC9AT$4 ,!Y KEPT
TGR1 WALK+ ) ID5TICAL PACES 6! SAME
RHY?M4 ,/EP1 /EP1 /EP1 /EP1 /EP1 /EP4
,:5 !Y R1*$ ! PA? !Y TURN$ %>PLY    #AFD
6! "R & W5T D[N ! HILL4 ,!Y _H N NOTIC$
HM OR1 IF !Y _H1 !Y %[$ NO SIGN ( X4
  ,EAG] RAN ACR ! FIELD1 8 TOES PULL+ AT
! GRASS1 N /OPP+ UNTIL HE 0 HALFWAY UP !
SLOPE AG4 ,ABV HM ROSE A HUGE FLU6Y BALL
( P9K BLOSSOM4 ,! TREE 0 ! LOVELIE/ ?+
HE _H SE5 ALL "D4 ,HE GAZ$ UP AT X1
FEEL+ "S?+ (! AWE T HE _H =! ROBOTS4
,UNLIKE ! ,,BDC#D'S1 ! TREE SEEM$ 6BE
A3EPT+ ( HM4 ,IF ONLY X CD TALK & MOVE6
,HE REMEMB]$ ! 3V]S,N ) ,FLEUR 9 ! G>D51
& R1LIZ$ T HE TOO 0 L"OLY4

  ,GAV9 /OOD AT ! GATE1 WAIT+ = ,EAG]4
,HE LOOK$ AT ! JUM# ( DI6]5T /YLES (
H\SES & FELT GLAD T HE 0 N A TE*NOBRAT4
,! -P.D /RUCK HM Z AN UNFRLY PLACE4
  ,A GL9T CAU<T 8 EYE4 ,"S?+ B"R 0 -+
D[N ! HILL T[>D HM4 ,HE SQU9T$ 6BR+ X
96FOCUS1 B "! 0 NO TELL+ :AT X MI<T BE4
,ONLY Z X CAME CLOS] DID HE SEE A GR\P (
ROBOTS4 ,"O 9 ! FRONT R[ LOOK$ L ,BOADI-
CEA4
  ,GAV9 FROZE4
  ,HE TOLD HMF N 6BE S* A MOON-     #AFE
ROCK1 B "! 0 "S?+ 4TURB+ AB ! ROBOTS4
,!Y 7 M>*+1 />+ /RAI<T AH1D4 ,_! TI<T =-
M,N GAVE !M ! 9V9CIBIL;Y (A TANK4 ,B !
O4E/ ?+ AB !M 0 ! FACT T !Y 7 TGR AT
ALL4 ,! ,,BDC#D'S W]5'T BUILT L ROBOT9AS
OR M9]S 6"W Z T1MS4 ,:Y _H !Y *OS5 6GA!R
L ?8
  ,HE NOTIC$ A L>GE 3TROL BOX AT ! GATE
T HE CD CR\* 2H4 ,X DID N HIDE HM COM-
PLETELY3 !Y WD SEE HM :5 !Y APPROA*$4
,HE WOND]$ :AT !Y MI<T D 6HM1 & TRI$ TO
BLOCK \ ! IMAGE ( ,BOADICEA WIELD+ !
METAL BOX4 ,) LUCK1 !Y MI<T WALK BY '''
,HE PEEP$ R.D J 9 "T 6SEE !M VE] (F !
PA? T[>D A R[ ( COTTAGES4
  ,GAV9 _H BE5 GR[+ IMPATI5T 6SEE ,EAG]
B N[ HE 0 RELIEV$ T ! ROBOT DID N >RIVE
6ATTRACT ! ,,BDC#D'S' ATT5;N4 ,FIVE M9-
UTES LAT] HE REASSUR$ HMF T ! ROBOTS 7 N
-+ BACK & 2GAN 6FEEL CROSS ) ,EAG]4 ,HE
DID N WANT 6MISS ! AFN LESSONS Z WELL1
LET AL"O ! GAME ( LIVEBALL4 ,HE *ECK$ T
! HOT F;E 0 / TURN$ (F & WALK$ "?4 ,EAG]
WD H 6CAT* HM UP4
  ,X 0 S* A RELIEF 6BE FREE (!      #AFF
QU>T] T HE HUNG 8 SPORTS BAG OV] 8 %\LD]
& BROKE 96A SMALL RUN4 ,HE JO7$ AL;G1 !
BAG )! P9EAPPLE 9 X KNOCK+ RHY?MIC,Y AG/
8 BACK4
  ,HE 0 TOT,Y UNPREP>$ = :AT HAPP5$
NEXT4 ,A H>D OBJECT /RUCK 8 \T/RET*$ LEG
& HE /UM#D1 HALF FALL+1 HALF PU%$1 FACE
D[NW>D ONTO ! PAVE;T4 ,HE FELT A WEI<T
ON TOP ( HM1 PREV5T+ HM F RIS+1 & H&S
2GAN 6RIFLE "? 8 POCKETS4 ,"S"O LIFT$ 8
>M & UNCLASP$ 8 J9N4 ,8 BAG 0 WR5*$ (F 8
%\LD]4 ,F ! CORN] ( 8 EYE HE CD SEE !
3T5TS 2+ ?R[N ONTO ! GR.D4 ,! C>RI] BAG
)! P9EAPPLE ROLL$ T[>D ! CURB4
  ,GAV9 GASP$ = BR1? "U ! WEI<T4 ,HE LET
\ A GROAN &! H1VI;S LIFT$ A LL4 ,A VOICE
GRAT$ 9 8 E>3 8,-E \ EXPLOR+ )\T YR RO-
BOT1 H Y8 ,T 0 BRAVE40
  8,WA/E ( "T10 SD A POND]\S VOICE4 8,?
J9N IS TWO YE>S OLD4 ,RU2I%40
  ,GAV9 /RU7L$ 6FREE HMF4 ,HE KNEW ! AT-
TEMPT 0 USE.S B X MADE HM FEEL BETT]4
8,:O SPLIC$ .YR G5ES80 HE SD Z SCORN;LLY
Z HE CD4
  ,SURPRIS+LY1 ! WEI<T %IFT$ & HE   #AFG
0 A# 6TWI/ R.D & FACE 8 ASSAILANTS1 ?\<
!Y KEPT HOLD ( 8 >MS4 ,!Y 7 BOYS1 OLD]
?AN HM1 B N YET "Y M54 ,! "O SITT+ ON HM
_H A L1N FACE4 ,! O!R1 :O 0 HOLD+ ,GAV-
9'S J9N1 0 %ORT & ?ICKSET4 ,HE SC[L$ AT
,GAV94 ,! F/ BOY LOOK$ ALM AMUS$4 8,Y'RE
N A TE*NOBRAT10 HE /AT$4
  ,GAV9 %OOK 8 H1D4 ,8 M\? 0 S DRY T HE
DIDN'T TRU/ HMF 6SP1K4
  8,P]H HE'S CL"E10 DRON$ ! /OCKY BOY4
8,LEFT 8 NEW MATT] AT HOME40
  ,!Y />$ AT HM EXPECTANTLY4 ,GAV9 SWAL-
L[$4 8,:AT NEW MATT]80 HE MANAG$4
  8,NEW TE*NOLOGY10 ! BOY SPAT AT HM4
8,:AT ELSE80
  ,GAV9 LOOK$ UNCOMPREH5D+LY AT !M4 8,I
DON'T H ANY?+ ELSE40
  ,! BOYS EX*ANG$ GL.ES4 ,S1 ,GAV9 ?"\1
^! >E M>AUD]S4 ,6HE> P TALK AB !M1 OR R1
N TALK AB !M1 Y WD H ?"\ !Y 7 ?REE-H1D$
MON/]S1 N J BOYS4
  ,A SIGNAL M/ H PASS$ 2T !M4 ,! TALL]
BOY PU%$ ,GAV9 BACK 6! GR.D1 SNAT*$ !
SPORTS BAG & RAN (F1 :ILE 8 A3OMPLICE
?REW ! J9N 96! ROAD & FOLL[$ HM4    #AFH
,!Y DIDN'T GET F>4 ,TWO L5G?S ( RU2]
TUB+ %OT \ F 2H ,GAV9 & "SH[ GRASP$ !
BOYS 0_! WRI/S4 ,EA* TUBE 2GAN 6W9D 9 ON
XF1 L A BOA 3/RICTOR 5FOLD+ XS PREY4
  ,GAV9 SWUNG R.D4 8,EAG]60 HE PANT$1 M
RELIEV$ 6SEE A ROBOT ?AN HE'D "E BE5 2F4
,X 0 ! SECOND "T T "D ,EAG] _H -E 6HIS
RESCUE4
  ,GAV9 GA!R$ UP 8 SPORTS KIT &! P9EAP-
PLE1 !N D\#D BACK 6PICK UP ! J9N4 ,! MA-
RAUD]S 7 DI7+ _! HEELS 96! GR.D1 TRY+ TO
RESI/ ,EAG]'S /R5G?4 ,X 0 NO GD4 ,8 RU2]
>MS SPUN !M R.D & R.D UNTIL _! [N >MS 7
P9ION$ 6_! SIDES4
  8,>E Y ALL "R1 ,GAV980 SD ,EAG]4 ,GAV9
NO4$ &! ROBOT HUNG 8 H1D4 8,I'M SORRY4
,I ''' =GOT ! "T40 ,HE SEEM$ UNAW>E (!
TWO BOYS WRI7L+ 9 8 CLUT*ES4 ,! /OCKY "O
KICK$ \1 PO9T.SLY4
  8,:AT % WE D ) !M80 SD ,GAV94
  ,! BOYS' SQUIRM+ 2CAME /R;G]4
  8,POLICE60 SD ! L1N-FAC$ BOY1 />+ 9
AL>M OV] ,GAV9'S %\LD]4 8,LET U G1 W Y8
,WE HAV5'T H>M$ Y40
  ,GAV9 LOOK$ R.D & SAW A BURLY     #AFI
POLICE ROBOT M>*+ T[>D !M4 ,"EY"O KNEW T
! QU>T] 0 H1VILY PATROLL$ B ? 0 ! F/ HE
_H SE5 ( X4 ,! ROBOT 0 TOO F> (F 6H RE-
CORD$ ANY?+1 ?\< "! 0 NO "K+ H[ M* HE _H
WIT;S$4
  8,PL1SE10 URG$ ! BOY4 8,Y DON'T "K !
TR\# WE'LL 2 IN4 ,N ONLY U ''' ,WE'RE N
AF M"OY1 J 9=M,N4 ,WE NE$ 6"K '''0 ,HE
DIDN'T F9I%4 ,! HEFTY ROBOT 0 LOOK+ /]N-
LY D[N AT !M4
  8,>E Y H>M$1 SIR80 HE ASK$ ,GAV94 8,I
SAW !M ATTACK Y40
  ,"! 0 A FLICK] F ! M9IATURE CAM]A 2T 8
EYES & ,GAV9 R1LIZ$ T HE 0 FILM+ !M4 ,?
MADE HM EV5 M N]V\S AB TAK+ A GAM#4
8,I'M N HURT10 HE SD1 82C !Y W]5'T AT-
TACK+ ME4 ,WE 7 J L>K+ AB4 ,PLAY+ >.D40
  8,PLAY+ >.D10 REP1T$ ! ROBOT D\BT;LLY4
8,T'S :AT FRS D40
  8,EXACTLY10 SD ,GAV94 8,^! >E MY FRS40
,HE CD SEE F ! CORN] ( 8 EYE T ! M>AUD]S
7 HOLD+ _! BR1?4 ,EAG] UNCURL$ 8 >MS TO
FREE !M & !Y /EPP$ =W>D1 H>DLY A# 6HIDE
_! 4BELIEF4
  8,J A MO;T10 SD ! POLICE ROBOT4   #AGJ
8,I AM TRA9$ 6RECOGNIZE AN ATTACK :5 ,I
SEE "O40
  ,GAV9 KNEW T ? 0 8 *.E 6*ANGE 8 /ORY4
,HE CAU<T ! TALL] BOY'S EYE1 EXPECT+ TO
SEE DESPAIR OR PL1D+4 ,B ! M>AUD] LOOK$
AT HM CALMLY N[1 Z IF 6SAY1 8,X'S UP TO
Y40
  8,!Y 7 A BIT R\< B ,I ''' ,I 0 RUNN+
AWAY1 Y SEE1 & ?+S GOT \ ( H&4 ,"!'S A
P9EAPPLE 9 MY BAG & ''' ,I WDN'T %[ X TO
!M4 ,T'S H[ X />T$40
  ,! ROBOT RAIS$ 8 EYES 6! SKY4 8,I'VE
CALL$ MY SUP]IORS4 ,Y W H 6EXPLA9 6!M40
  ,GAV9 %RU7$ HELP.SLY AT ! BOYS4 ,!Y
"U/OOD :AT ! GE/URE M1NT4 ,HUMAN POLICE-
M5 WD TE/ !M ON EA* O!R'S "NS & A4RESSES
& ALL ^? ?+S T FRS %D "K4 ,X WD 2 H>D TO
SU/A9 ,GAV9'S /ORY4
  ,EAG] /EPP$ =W>D4 8,AM ,I A ROBOT80 HE
ASK$4
  8,YES10 SD ! POLICE ROBOT4
  8,D ROBOTS LIE80
  8,NO40
  8,!N IF ,I SAY T ! BOY IS TELL+ ! TRU?
Y M/ 2LIEVE ME80                    #AGA
  8,YES40
  8,! BOY IS TELL+ ! TRU?10 SD ,EAG]4
  ,A FLY+ POD SWOOP$ D[N & HOV]$ ABV !
PAVE;T4 ,A POLICEWOMAN /EPP$ \1 FOLL[$
0A MAN 9 PLA9 CLO!S4 8,WELL D"O1 ,P#G10
SD ! LATT] 6! ROBOT4
  ,HE LOOK$ AT ! ?REE BOYS1 NOTIC$ A
GRAZE ON ,GAV9'S FACE & NO4$ T[>D ! MA-
RAUD]S4 8,>E ^! ! BOYS80
  8,I'M AFRAID ,I'VE MADE A MISTAKE1
SIR40
  8,:AT MISTAKE1 ,P#G80 SD ! POLICEMAN4
  8,I MISTOOK _! PLAY ACTIVITIES = AN
ATTACK4 ,!Y >E FRS1 SIR40
  ,! MAN CA/ A "K+ GL.E OV] ! GR\P4 ,8
EYES DID A D\# TAKE :5 HE NOTIC$ ,EAG] B
HE QKLY RECOV]$ HMF4 8,IS ? TRUE80 HE
ASK$ ,GAV94 8,Y SEEM 6BE HURT40
  ,GAV9 FELT ! SIDE ( 8 FACE4 8,J A
SCRAT*4 ,!Y DIDN'T M1N X4 ,WE 7 MESS+
AB40
  8,SORRY1 ,GAV10 SD ! TALL BOY4
  ,GAV9 0 />TL$ UNTIL HE REMEMB]$ T ,EA-
G] _H US$ 8 "N4 ,HE HAT$ 2+ CALL$ ,GAV1
B HE SMIL$ Z IF !Y 7 OLD BU4IES4    #AGB
8',S ALL "R40
  8,WE'D BETT] 2 GO+1 !N4 ,>E Y SURE AB
?1 ,P#G80
  8,YES1 SIR40
  ,! POLICEWOMAN L1NT =W>D & SD 9 A L[
VOICE1 8,HE'S DUE =A YE>LY S]VICE1 SIR40
  8,IS T S80 SD ! POLICEMAN4 8,WELL1
BOYS1 IF Y "E D NE$ U1 Y C SEE H[ QKLY
WE RESPOND4 ,! SAME IS TRUE1 ( C\RSE1 IF
Y "E ?9K ( MISBEHAV+40 ,HE B1M$ AT !M &
!Y RAIS$ A SMILE 9 RETURN4
  ,P#G FOLL[$ ! POLICE (FIC]S 96! BACK (
! POD &! ?REE ( !M TOOK (F4











              ,,*APT] #AD           #AGC

  ,)! POLICE (FIC]S G"O1 ,GAV9 2GAN 6?9K
T HE _H BE5 FOOLI%4 ,HE 0 N AFRAID ( 2+
ATTACK$ N[ T ,EAG] 0 "!1 B HE 0 CROSS T
! M>AUD]S 7 GETT+ (F SCOT-FREE4 ,ON TOP
( T HE FELT AWKW>D ) !M4 ,AF ALL ! PLAY-
ACT+ ( 2+ FRS ! BOYS 7 / /RANG]S1 & HOS-
TILE "OS AT T4
  ,:ILE HE WOND]$ :AT 6SAY1 ,EAG] BUR/
\1 8,IF Y'LL P>DON MY SAY+ S1 "!'S NO
VIRTUE 9 ATTACK+ P1 ESPECI,Y "S"O "Y] &
%ORT] ?AN Y40
  ,! /OCKY BOY SD1 8,WE 0 J DO+ \R JOB40
  ,! L1N-FAC$ BOY LOOK$ AMUS$ AG4 8,Y'RE
N A ,LIFE,CORP ROBOT1 >E Y8 ,":'RE Y F80
  ,2F ,EAG] CD REPLY1 ,GAV9 SD L(TILY1
8,AN 9DEP5D5T MANUFACTUR]40 ,HE _H DRAWN
C\RAGE F ,EAG]'S =CE;L;S & A4$1 8,>5'T Y
GO+ 6EXPLA98 ,I HOPE ,I GOT Y (F =A GD
R1SON40
  ,NE>BY A HOV]BUS HUMM$4 ,A WOMAN CAME
\ ( AN (FICE BUILD+ & CROSS$ ! ROAD4
,O!RWISE ! /REET 0 EMPTY4
  ,! BOY HELD \ 8 H&4 8,]ROL10 HE SD4
8,& T'S ,SR940 ,GAV9 %OOK H&S1      #AGD
ALBEIT CAUTI\SLY4
  8,WE'RE SORRY1 ( C\RSE10 SD ,]ROL4
  ,GAV9 WOND]$ :AT ! 8( C\RSE0 MI<T M1N4
,IF P :O W5T R.D MU7+ O!RS 7 SORRY1 :Y
DID !Y D X8
  ,Z IF HE _H R1D ,GAV9'S ?"\S ! OLD]
BOY 3T9U$1 8,WE H 6D X IF WE'RE 6F9D \
ANY?+4 ,WE TRY N 6HURT ANY"O4 ,J TRAWL40
  8,TRAWL80
  8,TAKE :AT WE NE$4 ,TE*NOLOGY40
  8,B :AT =80 SD ,GAV94 8,"S"O ELSE'S
J9N WD 2 NO USE 6Y1 Y CDN'T BR1K ! EN-
CRYP;N40
  ,HE NOTIC$ =! F/ "T T ,]ROL'S EYES 7
SURPRIS+LY C&ID4
  8,WE DON'T USE ! J9NS1 WE DON'T TRU/ !
GOBEY NET"W ANYWAY4 ,:AT"E WE F9D WE BR+
6\R [N SCI5TI/S4 ,!Y TAKE X 6PIECES 6SEE
:AT ! TE*NOCRATS >E DO+4 ,T WAY WE KEEP
UP ) _! TE*NOLOGY40
  8,CDN'T Y J BUY "O '''80 ,! MO;T HE
OP5$ 8 M\? ,GAV9 RECOGNIZ$ T ? 0 A /UPID
"Q4 8,I SUPPOSE Y C'T AF=D X10 HE SD
LAMELY4 8,B :Y D Y NE$ 6KEEP UP )!
TE*NOCRATS80                        #AGE
  8,"O "D !Y MI<T USE _! TE*NOLOGY AG/
U10 SD ,]ROL4 8,& WE WON'T /& A *.E40
  8,:Y WD !Y D T80 GASP$ ,GAV94 8,Y MAKE
X S.D L A W>60
  8,X IS10 SD ,SR94
  ,]ROL %OT HM A W>N+ LOOK4 8,Y DON'T "K
M*1 D Y80 HE SD 6,GAV94 8,"EY?+'S HUNKY-
DORY F> Z Y'RE 3C]N$40
  ,GAV9 0 N SURE H[ 6RESPOND4 ,X 0 TRUE
T 8 FAMILY 0 M* BETT] (F ?AN ! C;Y P4
,ON ! O!R H&1 "! 7 S _M ?+S HE 0 PREV5T$
F DO+4 ''' 8,I SUPPOSE X IS10 HE SD4
8,LIFE'S GD40
  ,6HIS SURPRISE1 ,]ROL LAU<$4 8,WE C
ALL SAY T4 ,AF ALL1 NO "O'S />V+ OR
HOME.S ^! "DS4 ,N "H1 AT ANY RATE4 ,B "!
>E / ?+S WE NE$ 6FI<T =40 ,HE BROKE (F4
  8,:AT SORT ( ?+S80
  ,=! F/ "T "! 0 PAS.N 9 ,]ROL'S EYES4
8,FREEDOM4 ,! FREEDOM 6D & SAY :AT WE
WANT1 6TRAVEL & LIVE ": WE WANT1 6*OOSE
\R [N JOBS1 6BUILD ?+S = \RVS '''0
  ,GAV9 F.D HMF NO4+ 9 AGREE;T4 8,X'S !
SAME = U4 ,WE C'T G ABROAD1 & ,I'LL H 6D
! SAME JOB Z MY DAD1 OR "S O!R      #AGF
PROFES.N ''' ,I C'T 2 A SCI5TI/ OR AN
5G9E]1 OR ''' A MUSICIAN60
  8,YEP10 SD ,]ROL1 NO4+ 9 TURN4 8,& EV5
IF Y 0 A TE*NOBRAT1 Y'D / NE$ A LIC5SE F
! GOV]N;T 6D 5G9E]+ OR SCI;E4 ,& :O D Y
?9K GETS MO/ (! LIC5SES8 ,! TE*NOCRATS
:O "W = ,LIFE,CORP40
  ,GAV9 0 SURPRIS$ AT 8 T"O4 8,WELL1 X
IS ! BI7E/ & BE/ -PANY 9 ! _W10 HE SD4
  ,]ROL SNE]$4 8,"E /OPP$ 6?9K :Y80 ,HE
DID N WAIT = AN ANSW]4 8,2C ,LIFE,CORP
MAKES ! TE*NOLOGY T ! GOV]N;T NE$S 6CON-
TROL U4 ,T'S :Y WE DON'T TRU/ ! GOBE-
TWE54 ,LIFE,CORP BUILT X &! GOV]N;T USES
X 6KEEP TRACK ( U40
  ,X TOOK ,GAV9 A MO;T 6TAKE ? IN4
,LIFE,CORP &! GOV]N;T 7 "W+ TGR6 ,?\< NO
"O _H SD Z M* 6HM 2F HE M/ H HALF "KN X
= "S "T1 F ?+S HE _H OV]HE>D ADULTS SAY4
,N"E!.S1 AF 8 _M SES.NS )! PHILOSOPH]1
HE LIK$ 6R1SON = HMF4
  8,LIFE,CORP ISN'T ! ONLY BUSI;S 9 !
_W10 HE >GU$4 8,WE BUY ?+S F LOTS ( O!R
-PANIES4 ,!Y M/ H LIC5SES TOO40
  8,EV5 ,LIFE,CORP C'T RUN "EY-     #AGG
?+10 SD ,]ROL4
  8,DOESN'T /OP 'EM TRY+10 GR[L$ ,SR94
  8,& HAV5'T Y NOTIC$ H[ SMALL ^! O!R
-PANIES >E80 SD ,]ROL4 8,LIFE,CORP DON'T
L R1L -PETI;N4 ,TAKE YR ROBOT "H4 '''0
,HE JA2$ A F+] AT ,EAG]4 8,:AT D Y ?9K
WD HAPP5 IF YR ,89DEP5D5T MANUFACTUR]0'
WANT$ 6BUILD HUNDR$S ( ROBOTS L ? "O--
ASSUM+ HE HAS A LIC5SE1 ( C\RSE80 ,HE
W9K$ AT ,GAV94 8,I DON'T ?9K ,LIFE,CORP
WD 2 V PL1S$1 D Y80
  ,SNIPPETS (! 3V]S,N AT ! PROFESSOR'S
H\SE FLOAT$ BACK 6,GAV93 8,-M]CI,Y S5SI-
TIVE ''' ?9K C>E;LLY H[ 6LAUN* ,EAG] ON
! _W '''0 ,^! ^WS _H PUZZL$ ,GAV9 AT !
"T1 B :AT IF ! PROFESSOR _H BE5 REF]R+
6,LIFE,CORP8
  ,SR9 HALF PUN*$ ,]ROL 9 ! >M4 8,WE BE5
"H TOO L;G1 ',ROL4 ,ANO!R PATROL W -E40
  8,WAIT60 SD ,GAV94 8,Y >5'T RE,Y GO+
6FI<T ,LIFE,CORP &! GOV]N;T1 >E Y8 ,I
M1N1 H[ C Y80
  8,N ON \R [N1 P]H10 SD ,]ROL4 8,B O!R
SCI5TI/S >E JO9+ U--EV5 TE*NOCRATS--'COS
!Y DON'T L :AT ,LIFE,CORP IS UP     #AGH
TO40
  8,:AT EXACTLY >E !Y DO+80 SD ,GAV94
  8,]ROL60 PL1D$ ,SR94
  ,! L1N BOY BRU%$ HM (F4 8,,OK1 ,,OK60
  ,Z HE MOV$ AWAY ,]ROL NOTIC$ ,GAV9'S
TI<T-LIPP$ EXPRES.N4 8,>E Y ANGRY1
,GAV80
  8,MY "N'S ,GAV910 HE SD 9 A SURLY
VOICE4 ,HE 0 REMEMB]+ ! MO;T :5 HE LAY
CAPTIVE ON ! GR.D4
  ,]ROL SD "S?+ QUIETLY 6,SR91 :O /EPP$
T[>D ,GAV91 8 H&S 9 FRONT ( 8 *E/1 PALMS
\TW>D4 8,C'MON1 !N40
  ,2F HE KNEW :AT HE 0 DO+ ,GAV9 _H
LUNG$ =W>D & 0 P.D+ ,SR9'S H&S ) 8 FI/S4
,FURI\SLY HE /RUCK ! WIDE FLE%Y PALMS1
:ILE ,SR9 MOV$ BACK & =? 6ABSORB ! %OCK4
,EAG] LOOK$ ON1 WOND]+ :AT ! /RANGE RIT-
UAL MI<T M1N4 ,EV5TU,Y ! FI<T W5T \ (
,GAV94 ,HE DROPP$ 8 >MS & /OOD ) H1D
B[$1 PANT+ SLI<TLY4 ,HE FELT 8 HAIR 2+
RU6L$ & HE>D ,]ROL'S LAU<4
  8,WELL D"O1 KID40 ,]ROL GL.ED AT ,EA-
G]1 :O 0 /&+ A FEW PACES (F4 ,HE HELD 8
GAZE =A MO;T1 !N TURN$ & CAU<T UP   #AGI
) ,SR94
  8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D N[1 ,GAV980 ASK$
,EAG]4 ,! BOY 0 />+ AT ! PAVE;T &! ROBOT
HOP$ 6/IR HM 96AC;N4 ,GAV9 DID N MOVE4
  ,"! 0 A *IRP+ NOISE &A VOICE SD1 8,OM>
CALL+40
  ,GAV9 GA!R$ 8 ?"\S4 8,OM>10 HE SD1 RE-
LIEV$ 6"K T 8 J9N 0 / "W+4 8,SORRY1 ,I'M
N GO+ 6MAKE ! GAME4 ,UM ''' "S?+ CAME
UP4 ,W Y APOLOGIZE = ME8 ,?ANKS40
  8,I'M SORRY10 SD ,EAG] :5 ! CALL _H
F9I%$4 8,YR "D IS RU9$ & X'S ALL MY
FAULT40
  ,GAV9 _H N 2LIEV$ T A ROBOT CD LOOK S
=LORN4 ,HE WANT$ 6LAU< B ?"\ T ,EAG]
MI<T 2 (F5D$4
  8,NO1 X ISN'T4 ,"EY"O'S LATE "S"TS4 ,X
MI<T S.D /RANGE1 B ,I'M GLAD ,I MET !
M>AUD]S1 EV5 IF X HURT A BIT40 ,HE
GR9N$4 8,2SS1 Y RESCU$ ME4 ''' ,T REM9DS
ME1 Y LI$ J N[--Y ONLY PRET5D$ 6TELL !
TRU? 6! POLICE ROBOT40
  ,EAG] NO4$4 8,I C *OOSE H[ 62HAVE1 Z Y
"K4 ,I TRY 6*OOSE N 6LIE1 B X ISN'T T
EASY1 ,I F9D40                      #AHJ
  8,X C]TA9LY ISN'T10 SD ,GAV94
  ,! ROBOT LOOK$ CRE/FALL54 8,AT !
GIRL'S H\SE1 ,I DIDN'T TELL Y ! :OLE
TRU?4 ,I W5T 6EXPLORE 2C ,I 0 PICK+ UP A
DI6]5T RADIO FREQU5CY4 ,I WANT$ 6MEET !
,,BDC#D'S40
  ,GAV9'S /OMA* CL5*$ Z HE RECALL$ !
M>*+ ROBOTS4 8,& DID Y80
  ,EAG] HESITAT$4 8,N RE,Y40
  8,J Z WELL10 MUTT]$ ,GAV94 8,LI/51
DON'T TELL ANY"O AB ? AFN4 ,IF ,MUM OR
,DAD ASK AB MY FACE1 ,I DID X PLAY+
LIVEBALL40 ,HE LOOK$ 9T5TLY AT ! ROBOT4
8,P]H A C\PLE M LIES WON'T MATT] 9 !
CIRCUM/.ES1 IF Y DON'T M9D80
  8,N AT ALL10 SD ,EAG] SOLEMNLY4 8,IN !
CIRCUM/.ES40