Man or Machine: 2 (Body Electric) Read Online Free PDF Page A

secured them to the bed’s head and foot. He lay spread out, helpless, on his back. And he was still smiling.
    You haven’t told them everything, now have you? he seemed to be saying to Ilsa.
    “I think it’s probably best if all the housies leave the room,” said Ilsa, trying to keep her voice steady. “Can you please take all the computer equipment with you? Everything, including Hal’s laptop.”
    Red led the way out of the bedroom into the corridor and Dallas and Blue went too. With one glance back at Hal, Ilsa followed them and shut the door behind her.
    “Thank you,” she said to them. “Thanks for finding him, Dallas, and apprehending him, Red. And thanks for going along with my decision, Blue.”
    “You can’t hold a man indefinitely in the house,” said Blue. “We will have to determine what he has learned and how to handle this. It’s not just trespassing, it’s a matter for the entire family.”
    “Yes. But…let me talk to him some more first. On my own. I think it’s best if he doesn’t see any more of you guys. He’s learned enough. Can we keep Green entirely out of his sight? I don’t know if Hal knows we have another robot in the house and I’d like to keep him ignorant if I can.”
    “Green is aware,” replied Red. Ilsa knew she’d sent the male robot a message even as Ilsa was speaking. “He will occupy himself outside the mansion.”
    “Thanks.”
    “There is another aspect to this situation,” said Blue. “We were not aware you had created another robot.”
    “I’m Dallas. It’s nice to meet you.” Dallas held out his hand and Blue shook it.
    “I am glad to meet you too. I look forward to getting to know you better. We have a lot to talk about.” Blue turned to Ilsa. “I can perceive the firewall now that I know of its existence. Why have you kept him a secret?”
    “I was going to introduce him to all of you when he was ready.”
    “Given your previous statement that it would be irresponsible to create more robotic beings without understanding the extent of our parameters, I am somewhat surprised that you have chosen to create one yourself.”
    “But I haven’t made him to be a housie. I’ve integrated personality routines from the beginning. I am trying to understand.”
    It was a mark of how nearly human Blue had become that he took another long look at Dallas, even though Ilsa knew full well he had perceived everything about the new robot from a mere glance. He’d most likely broken through the firewall already as well, so he was in full possession of all Dallas’ schematics and programming.
    No, he was scrutinizing Dallas purely for effect, to communicate his opinion.
    “To your knowledge, Dallas,” said Blue, “why did Ilsa create you?”
    “She made me to be her boyfriend,” Dallas promptly replied.
    Ilsa felt every bit of her body flushing as red as Red.
    “I suspected as much,” said Blue to Ilsa. “Given my relationship with your sister, I cannot disapprove. But my study of human emotions has indicated that love is neither biddable nor predictable.”
    “Please don’t tell Cally,” said Ilsa. “I know she’ll figure it out eventually, but not yet.”
    “You think she will not be pleased? She is quite vehement that humans should be free to fall in love with whomever, or whatever, they wish.”
    “I think she might be a little bit too pleased. I don’t feel like being teased right now.” She turned to Dallas. “I’m going to introduce you to my family. But I think we need to deal with the Hal issue first.” She thought about his porn-style speech patterns. “And possibly iron out a wrinkle or two.”
    “I’m not comfortable keeping secrets from Cally.”
    “Please, Blue. I’ll tell her. I promise. Just not now.”
    He nodded with what she could tell was reluctance. He held up Hal’s backpack. “Do you want me to peruse the intruder’s laptop to see what he’s learned?”
    “I’ll do it. I might need your help later though,