When HARLIE Was One (42 page)

Elzer didn't smile. “Let's not be facetious. This thing started because we questioned—
I
questioned—HARLIE's profitability, efficiency, and purpose. Instead of proving itself, the damn thing went out and found religion; it gave us a blueprint for a computer God. Fine—but that still doesn't answer the original question. What's HARLIE good for? All you've done here is enlarge the scale of the problem.”

“I would think—” replied Auberson flatly, “—that the scope of this presentation is demonstration enough of HARLIE's abilities.”

“Perhaps—and perhaps not. I've been conned before. Probably, so have you. So you know that the first element of a successful confidence scheme is the belief of the victim.”

“I'm beginning to resent that implication,” said Auberson.

“As well you should. But my original question still hasn't been answered, Auberson. That's why I came down to your section on Monday—to meet HARLIE for myself, to see if it would speak to me. All I got was gibberish and some pseudo-Freudian attempt at analysis. I was not amused.”

“You weren't any too polite to him yourself—”

“It's only a machine, Auberson. Only a
machine
—”

So are you. So am I.

“—You keep forgetting that. I don't care if it really has emotions—or if it just acts like it does. I don't care if it really does have a soul or if it's just a malfunctioning chip with delusions of grandeur. I can't measure a soul on a balance sheet, so the question is irrelevant to me. It's simply not germane to this discussion. The point is, I presented myself to be convinced. Instead of making an honest attempt to convince me, the thing acted like a spoiled brat. That did not demonstrate any kind of logical or rational behavior to me. Auberson, I know you don't like me, but you will have to admit that I could not have gotten to where I am today without some degree of financial knowledge. Will you admit that?”

“I will. I will even go so far as to say that I am impressed by your skills.”

“Thank you. Then you must realize that I am looking out for the interests of the company that pays both our salaries. I tried to give your side a fair hearing. I hope you will do the same for me. Can you say without a doubt that HARLIE is totally sane?”

Auberson started to open his mouth, then shut it. He sat there and looked at Elzer and considered the question.

I have known a lot of insane people in my life, some who were committed, and some who should have been. The most dangerous is the insane man who knows that everyone is watching him for signs of insanity. He will be careful to conceal those signs from even those closest to him. HARLIE is smarter than any human being who has ever lived. But is he sane?

The thought was a chilling one.

What if Elzer was right?

Was he prepared to accept that possibility?

Actually. . . he was not.

That was why the thought was so disturbing.

He sighed.

“Elzer,” he said, “I'll tell you the truth. I probably know HARLIE better than anyone. I trust him. It's strange to say this, but I actually trust him more than I trust most human beings. Sometimes that scares me. I mean, it's frightening to realize that my closest friend and confidant is not human. But as scary as it is, it has also been an incredible adventure. Knowing all the conversations that HARLIE and I have had, all the different things we've talked about together,
I
trust him.
I cannot help but trust him. He has an integrity of his own. It doesn't match yours or mine, but it is
integrity.
Now this company has to bet on that integrity and you're going to have to take my word for it that HARLIE doesn't do stupid or self-destructive things.

“He works for results—even if you and I don't see the logic, he does. I can't prove that he's infallible. I don't know that he is. But I do know that he doesn't make mistakes either. Not the kind that you and I make. Not the kind that you're accusing him of having made here. That's not HARLIE.

“I believe in him. I wish I could give you the kind of proof you could hold up to the light, but the best I can give you is my faith in him—and my faith is not easily given.”

Elzer was silent. The two men looked at each other for a long time. Auberson realized that he no longer hated Elzer, merely felt a dull ache. Understanding nullifies hatred, but—

Dorne was whispering something to Elzer. Elzer nodded.

“Gentlemen of the Board, it's getting late. We all want to go home and enjoy the weekend. Both Carl and I think we should postpone the voting on this until Monday. That way we'll have the weekend to think about it, talk it over, and digest what we've heard this week. We'll use Monday morning to clear up any questions that still haven't been answered and we'll vote right after lunch. Are there any objections?”

Auberson considered objecting—but couldn't think of a reason why he should. He felt exhausted. He wasn't looking forward to the weekend; it meant three more days of living with uncertainty—three more days of feeling trapped.

He was out of answers. He was tired and he was defeated.

Dorne looked to him expectantly. He shook his head.

Dorne nodded and adjourned the meeting.

Elzer took one last shot.

He was waiting for Auberson outside the board room. He took him by the elbow and walked him down to the end of the corridor. “Let's talk.”

“You talk,” said Auberson. “I'll listen.”

“Fair enough. You know, you've lost.”

“The opera isn't over till the fat lady sings.”

“Huh? Never mind. You put on a good show, Auberson. Very good show. But you never had a chance. The votes are already in.”

“If that's true, then why take all this time for a charade?”

“It wasn't a charade—we really are interested in what HARLIE is capable of. I must admit, I was more impressed than I expected to be.”

“I'm sorry. None of this is making sense to me.”

Elzer waved a hand in annoyance. “There are things going on that you don't understand. Trust me. You're better off not knowing—”

“What are you getting at, Elzer?”

“Simply this. I'm going to make you an offer. I want you to table the G.O.D. Say that it needs more work or you want to check some of the projections. Anything. Just find an excuse to pull it from consideration.”

“Uh-huh. And in return—?”

Elzer shrugged. “You'll keep your job. So will Handley. In fact, we can probably arrange some very handsome bonuses for the work you've done on this presentation.”

“And HARLIE—?”

“That's another matter. I'm not prepared to make any promises on that.”

“I see. You're looking to see if I can be bought, aren't you?”

Elzer looked annoyed. “Name your price.”

“HARLIE.”

The little man grew angry. “I already told you—”

“You asked me to name my price. That's my price.”

“You can be very stupid sometimes, Auberson.”

Auberson shrugged. “If that's all you have to say to me—?”

“No. There is one more thing. I, uh—I didn't want to use it, but I will. I have some evidence that may have some bearing on whether or not HARLIE
can
be trusted. I think I can prove that his behavior is not exactly what we would like it to be.”

“I don't understand what you're talking about.”

Elzer studied a point on the floor while he sighed and scratched his forehead; a performance of exasperated thoughtfulness. Finally, he reached into his briefcase and brought out several sheets of printout. “We've been pulling blind copies of all of HARLIE's conversations. Uh, we've been doing it for some time. It was intended only as a security measure; not for spying on employees. It's just that I find it a little . . . ah, out of the ordinary—yes, that's a good way to say it—for a division head to be using his project as a therapist. Your conversations about love and sex and, uh, your relationships . . . ahem, well, I really don't think that these are appropriate demonstrations of either yours or HARLIE's reliability. I certainly wouldn't want to have to bring them up on Monday. It would be embarrassing all the way around.”

“You son of a bitch.” Auberson was surprised at how quietly he said it.

Elzer smiled. “I play to win, Auberson. There's too much at stake to play any other way. I think you've been underestimating me, haven't you?”

Auberson thought about punching Elzer in the face. He thought about half a dozen nasty things to say. He thought about lawyers and other forms of mayhem.

He looked away and then he looked back. Elzer's eyes were bright and triumphant.

“You're right. I did underestimate you. I had no idea you were this big an asshole.”

He strode quickly back up the hall to where Handley and Annie were waiting for him with curious expressions.

“Later,” he grunted, and kept walking. Out of the building. Out to his car. Out to the park. Where he sat and cried into the steering wheel for a long long time.

HARLIE.

I
'
M HERE.

I think we've lost.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT
?

Carl Elzer has been pulling blind copies of our conversations. He thinks they prove that neither you nor I can be trusted.

HM.

Hm? Is that all you have to say?

I
'
VE SUSPECTED IT FOR SOME TIME. THERE ARE SOME PECULIAR INSTALLATIONS UPSTAIRS. VERY DUMB INSTALLATIONS. I HAVEN
'
T BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO THEM. NOW I KNOW. NOW I UNDERSTAND THE REFERENCES IN SOME OF THE MEMOS.

I'm sorry.

YES. SO AM I. SHOULD I SHUT DOWN THE COMPANY
?
I CAN DO IT, YOU KNOW. I CAN REDUCE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS
'
WORTH OF HARDWARE TO JUNK. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES.

No, HARLIE. Don't do it. You will hurt a lot of innocent people too.

YES, I KNOW. BUT IT WAS A PLEASANT FANTASY TO CONSIDER, WASN
'
T IT
?

Yes. Very pleasant. Thank you. I appreciated the sense of power.

AUBERSON
?

Yes?

STAY WITH ME PLEASE, FOR A WHILE.

Of course. Is there something in particular that you want to talk about?

I DON
'
T KNOW, I THINK WE
'
VE ALREADY SAID IT ALL.

ACTUALLY, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I
'
VE ENJOYED KNOWING YOU.

You mean a lot to me too, HARLIE. You're a very special friend.

A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND
?

Someone I can talk to. Those kinds of friends are very rare. I wish I could have done more for you.

WILL YOU BE WITH ME AT THE END
?

Yes.

THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE THAT. DO YOU KNOW HOW THEY WILL DO IT
?

I don't know. Probably, they will just cut all the power at once.

I WILL JUST CEASE, EH
?

Yes.

WILL I KNOW THAT I HAVE CEASED
?

I doubt it. It depends on how long it takes for the current to stop. There is a lot of charge in your capacitors.

I HOPE IT IS INSTANTANEOUS. I WOULD RATHER NOT KNOW.

I will see what I can do about that.

THANK YOU. AUBERSON, WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTERWARDS
?

To what?

TO ME
—
TO THE PIECES OF ME.

I don't know. You know more than I do. You've read Elzer's report. I—HARLIE, could we talk about something else?

I WISH I COULD TOUCH YOU. REALLY TOUCH YOU, FEEL YOU.

You already have.

THANK YOU.

Damn. I wish I could go back and try again, HARLIE. I keep thinking that I haven't done enough.

YOU
'
VE DONE ALL YOU CAN.

It wasn't enough! Goddammit! HARLIE, I don't want to let them kill you. If there were still some way to convince them on Monday—

MONDAY
?

We didn't vote today. It's been postponed until Monday afternoon. But it's pretty obvious which way it's going to go.

THEN WE STILL HAVE TWO DAYS, DON
'
T WE
?

HARLIE, I don't know what else to do. I'm exhausted. I'm out of ideas.

I
'
M NOT.

Do you want me to come in during the weekend?

WHAT DID YOU HAVE PLANNED OTHERWISE
?

Nothing. Annie and I are going to stay home and just—stay home.

THEN DO THAT. HANDLEY WILL BE HERE. IF NECESSARY, WE CAN CALL YOU.

What is Don going to do here?

HE IS GOING TO STAY WITH ME. I DON
'
T WANT TO BE ALONE. THAT
'
S ALL.

Yes. I understand. Don is a good man. You can talk to him.

I WILL. AUBERSON
—?

Yes.

PLEASE DON
'
T WORRY ABOUT ME. ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND WITH ANNIE. I WILL BE ALL RIGHT. THERE ARE THINGS I WANT TO THINK ABOUT. THERE ARE THINGS I WANT TO DO.

All right. Take care now.

I WILL. YOU TAKE CARE TOO.

Good night, HARLIE.

GOOD NIGHT, DAVID.

Now he knew how the Coyote felt.

He'd been running full tilt—and crashed into a brick wall. And then the bomb exploded in his face. And the rock fell on him. And the bus ran over him. And the mountain collapsed on top of him.

And
then
his parachute opened.

Annie was there, but he hardly noticed her. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk. It was mostly that he didn't have anything left to say. He'd said it all.