01 | Darwin | Day 45 (video)

[evolv]

[The display opens on the cemetery. The only interesting thing is a pile of rock and ash in front of a gravestone. How long has that been there? The cemetery isn't a wholly popular place, it could have been days. For a long moment, nothing happens. Birds chirp, wine rustles the trees.

Then-- there, do you see it? A piece of the rubble twitches slightly, then begins to roll up the pile. Another joins it in motion. Pretty soon all the pieces are shaking and rolling over each other, reshaping into the vague form of a body. A line of stones reach out towards the camera, pulling it up and in. Finally, the round shape on top solidifies into a head, complete with a face, the eyes open wide and he gasps, taking in the first breath of life he's had for days.]

Wha-- [He breathes heavily, slowly becoming more human than statue. His clothes are tattered, singed, and dusty.] What the hell?

Comments

[evolv]

Yeah, now I'm good. I think there's a girl coming to find me.

[thezerothlaw]

That's relieving. My name is Daneel Olivaw, and I'd be glad to offer what aid I can.

[evolv]

You're a real formal cat, ain't you, Mr. Olivaw? You sure sound it.

[thezerothlaw]

I was intended to be courteous in all my doings. It was part of my design, and I hope to achieve that. I am a humaniform robot, sir.

[evolv]

For real? Far out! [Color Darwin impressed. He's met all sorts of mutants now, but never a humaniwhatever robot.]

[thezerothlaw]

[He nods. It's still a little strange to him that so many people here have no experience with robots at all.]

It's indeed the truth.

[evolv]

So are you from the future? 'Cause I'm pretty sure there ain't no robots in 1962.

[thezerothlaw]

Before I was brought here, it was the year 3740 C.E.

[evolv]

37-- Hah. You have got to be playin'. 3740? That's out of sight!

[Seriously you are the coolest person Darwin's ever met.]

[thezerothlaw]

[Okay, now he's slightly puzzled.]

I don't believe that I have been playing anything.

[evolv]

No, man, I mean you're joking. You're kidding me. Man, you really must be from the future. That is unbelievable.

[thezerothlaw]

Yes, I really am from the future in respects to yourself, and many others here. Perhaps it might be, as you say, difficult to believe, but it's nevertheless true.

Do I presume correctly in understanding you're from 1962?

[evolv]

[More shaking of the head, and lots more smiling.]

Yeah, fall of '62. Man, the future...

[thezerothlaw]

I do appear to be from a further point in time than most people here.

[evolv]

That's gotta be rough, huh? No robot friends for you to hang with?

[thezerothlaw]

[He pauses briefly, giving a slow blink.]

It's true that there are no other robots here, but I have found a number of very good human friends for whom I am quite thankful, if I am permitted to say so.

[evolv]

Man, you're permitted to say whatever you like, don't let nobody tell you different.

[thezerothlaw]

I have been told that this is the case in this place. However, I don't wish to take liberties beyond my role.

[evolv]

And what role's that? Robots ain't like slaves, now, are they? That's no future I want to find

[thezerothlaw]

"Slavery" implies a certain amount of unwillingness which I don't believe is applicable. Robots were created to serve humans, and I attempt to do so even now, when I lack any formal master.

[evolv]

You won't be getting any master out of me, my man. I don't believe in any of that master, servant bunk.

[thezerothlaw]

You're not the first to express that opinion to me. I find that it requires some adjustment, but it's not unpleasant.

[evolv]

You don't mind being treated like you're less than everybody else just 'cause you were made not born? Or is it just 'cause they made you not to mind?

[thezerothlaw]

[This is unusually philosophical for him. Daneel is... not good at philosophy.]

Robots were created to assist humans. I can't change the nature of what I am. I would think it's better to fulfill my role to the best of my ability rather than fight it, which would be unpleasant. I can't say if I am truly less than human, but I'm certainly different.

[evolv]

[Darwin shrugs. He's no Reverend King himself.]

Fair enough. Different's fine by me.