Pluto Volume 6 Act. 43 Chance Meeting With Death - Page 75 - Act. 43 : Chance Meeting With Death Man: It was a most excellent speech. [European Scientific Forum, Dusseldorf, Germany] - Page 76 - Man: Especially the part about the peaceful applications of Zeronium alloy... You fully deserved that standing ovation, Dr. Hoffman. Hoffman: Thank you. Man: Doctor, I am heartened to see you attend this robotics assembly, given all of the danger you've been exposed to recently. Hoffman: Oh, I'm just glad to have gotten my job done safely. Man: Has our security been up to snuff for you? Guard: Dr. Hoffman, your helicopter has arrived. Hoffman: Good. - Page 77 - Hoffman: As you can see, I've had these two imposing gentlemen escorting me from door to door... Guard: I will perform a check of the heliport. Hoffman: Um, no... They have their own security here, too... Man: No, no, better safe than sorry... You are an irreplaceable member of the scientific community, doctor. Hoffman: Thank you. I'll just be going, then... Man: Take care. Hoffman: Oh... - Page 78 - Hoffman: I need to use the restroom. Guard: I've already checked it for you... Hoffman: Then I should be fine on my own. Dryer: (fwufff) Hoffman: Sigh... Abra: (click) - Page 79 - Dryer: (fwufff) Abra: It was truly a phenomenal speech. I found myself moved by the discussion of peaceful uses for Zeronium. Hoffman: And you are...? Abra: It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Hoffman. - Page 80 - Abra: My name is Abra. I'm from the Republic of Persia. Act. 43 : Change Meeting With Death - Page 81 - [Zaandam, Holland] Door: (creak...) Gesicht: (clunk)(clunk) Machine: (glum)(glum)(glum) Gesicht: Just a generator, underground...? - Page 82 - Gesicht: They're weak, but these waves... They are the same as what Epsilon detected during Heracles' battle... It's close...!! (clank)(clank)(clank) (clank)(clank)(clank) - Page 83 - Roaches: (scuttle) (scuttle)(scattle)(scutter) - Page 84 - Gesicht: Hey... Aren't you...? Man: (hmuck) - Page 85 - Abra: I've wanted to have a good talk with you. After all, you DID build Gesicht... Hoffman: Certainly... If there's anything I can do to speed Persia's recovery... Abra: Zeronium is the greatest alloy on Earth. Please, if you would relax the regulations on importing it... Not even the culprit behind this string of robot-destructions can match up against Gesicht. Hoffman: I suppose not. Abra: According to what I've heard, Gesicht suffered damage from a cluster cannon... Hoffman: Oh... Yes, you've heard...? - Page 86 - Hoffman: Have no fear, it was not serious. Abra: Incredible. And there has been no detrimental effect on him? Hoffman: N-no, not really... Abra: Gesicht must be completely flawless. Hoffman: He does have his weaknesses. But... he has many excellent restraining systems working on him. Abra: I see. So, he makes no mistakes...? Hoffman: Mistakes...? Well... He does agonize over problems, as you or I do... Abra: That is what you meant by weaknesses? They can be weaknesses, but also strengths... What happens if he commits a terrible mistake, BECAUSE he is so high-level? For example... - Page 87 - Abra: If he should KILL someone... Hoffman: What are you trying to say? - Page 88 - - Page 89 - Parts: (thunk)(kalunk) Gesicht: (ch-chkk) (thup) - Page 90 - Men: (hmuck)(hmuck) Gesicht: What is it... That you're protecting here?! Abra: Well, didn't that happen? A robot killed a man, once. - Page 91 - Abra: Brau-1589... He described what he did as an execution. The same justification humans give for murder. Hoffman: But what is your point? Abra: Well, after you in the Bora Investigation Squad were brought into Persia.. The rest of the world did very much the same thing to my country... - Page 92 - Abra: Er... Your pardon, I spoke too strongly... Thanks to that, democracy found root in Persia... Hoffman: It's all right... I understand your feelings. Abra: I apologize for bringing up this silly subject... If a robot were to indeed kill a human... I think that robot ought to be executed. - Page 93 - Abra: If on the freak chance that Gesicht should commit such an act... What would you do? Hoffman: That is entirely impossible. Abra: A robot as high-performing as Gesicht might even commit suicide. Hoffman: Preposterous... Abra: Or perhaps the authorities would erase his memory before he could... <