Page 59 - English Reader - 8

The memory tape went on mechanically and monotonously—“Opened the boot of the car, emptied

grocery, shut the boot, turned, moved 30 steps, stopped, curio shop on the left, instruction signal—
blank—moved left, turned, twenty steps...” At this point the Counsel commanded, “Stop, reverse
and play.” Again there was an obvious pause after the instruction signal.
Counsel Goel stopped the tape. “Notice the pause, your honour. Some action is not revealed. What

were those instructions? Who gave those instructions?” he questioned Ram Singh—070.
“Information not to be revealed,” he responded.

“But why?”

“Robots do not disobey the master.”

Counsel Goel gave a fleeting glance at Prem Chopra who was moving restlessly in the prosecution
box. “Your honour,” he addressed the judge, “Those special instructions were from Prem Chopra
which have to be made public. The jade Ganapati was picked up immediately afterwards according
to the date and time mentioned by the staff.”

“But still it is only a leading evidence to the crime committed. I am afraid, that it is not enough to
convict,” the judge remarked.

Counsel Goel thought hard. The three principles of robotics came to his mind. He closed in on Ram
Singh—070 with renewed vigour.
“Ram Singh—070, what were those instructions?” he asked softly.

“Information not to be revealed.”

“Several people who have suffered losses will be harmed if these instructions are not reported.
What were those instructions?” Counsel Goel persuaded.

“Robots do not harm people,” Ram Singh—070 responded mechanically.

“Ram Singh—070, you have to remember the instructions,” said Prem Chopra.
“Please,” Counsel Goel looked harshly at Prem Chopra, “What were those instructions?” he asked
emphatically.

“Information not to be revealed,” Ram
Singh—070 went on like a tape-recorder.

“You don’t understand, Ram Singh—070.
All those victims who have lost their
goods have suffered—suffered
financially. They have been
harmed,” Counsel Goel raised his
voice, “Now, what were those

instructions?”
There was no response from Ram

Singh—070.
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