human
We don't know _what_ it is,
gpt
What what is?
human
Malone, he said,
gpt
Stutter? Malone said.
human
You said you didn't know what it was. And I wanted to know what it was.
gpt
That's just it, Burris said.
human
I don't know.
gpt
Now, wait a minute, Chief--
human
Don't call me Chief,
gpt
O.K., he said.
human
But--if you don't know what it is, you must have some idea of what you don't know. I mean, is it larger than a breadbox? Does it perform helpful tasks? Is it self-employed?
gpt
Malone, Burris sighed,
human
But--
gpt
Let me explain, Burris said. His voice was calmer now, and he spoke as if he were enunciating nothing but the most obvious and eternal truths.
human
The country, he said,
gpt
Well, after all, Chief--
human
Don't call me Chief,
gpt
Anything you say, Malone agreed peacefully. He eyed the Director of the FBI warily.
human
After all, it isn't anything new, he went on.
gpt
The country's always been going to Hell in a handbasket, one way or another. Look at Rome.
human
Rome?
gpt
Sure, Malone said.
human
Rome was always going to Hell in a handbasket, and finally it-- He paused.
gpt
Finally it did, I guess,
human
Exactly, Burris said.
gpt
And so are we. Finally. He passed a hand over his forehead and stared past Malone at a spot on the wall. Malone turned and looked at the spot, but saw nothing of interest.
human
Malone,
gpt
Yes, Ch--Yes?
human
This time, Burris said,
gpt
Different?
human
Look at it this way, he said. His eyes returned to the FBI Agent.
gpt
Suppose you're a congressman, he went on,
human
All right,