human
Didn't it work?
gpt
Yeah, Kenzie answered in a bored voice.
human
It worked.
gpt
Then why are you dismantling it?
human
It wouldn't be good for people to know about it,
gpt
I don't understand, the Chief faltered. Then desperately,
human
Look, fellows. I've given you a lotta leeway. You've sluffed your work something terrible. That's all right to an extent. I've covered for you.
gpt
Thanks, Chief,
human
But Old Rock--er--the General Manager, the Chief complained,
gpt
I mean my department has, the Chief covered himself hastily.
human
I'm responsible for what goes on in my department, you know. I gotta have some kind of an explanation. He was almost wailing now.
gpt
What with budgets coming on, and all.
human
Make up your own explanation, Kenzie answered disinterestedly.
gpt
It's a cinch you can't give out with the real one.
human
You two boys know the explanation. Why can't you tell me? This is your Chief who's talking, boys. The one who has always stood by you and covered for you. Remember? You just gotta tell me, boys.
gpt
I guess he's right, Ken, Pringle said.
human
That is, if he promises never to tell anybody.
gpt
Yeah. I guess so. Kenzie nodded his head in agreement.
human
We owe him that much for just letting us alone.
gpt
It's about ants,
human
Now, now, Kenzie boy, the Chief interrupted hurriedly.
gpt
Let's stay on the subject, shall we? Let's not get off on that tangent again, Kenzie boy. Shall we?
human
Nuts,
gpt
But this is about ants, Chief, Pringle answered. Then shrewdly,
human
But first you gotta promise, Chief.
gpt
All right, I promise,
human
It's about ants,
gpt
They're intelligent,
human
I know, the Chief prompted.
gpt
I know, Kenzie boy. You've been saying that all along.
human
I communicated with them,
gpt
You what?
human
Sure, Kenzie answered.
gpt
After a fashion, that is. In their anthers they've got a chitin cell diaphragm. Modified cellular structure. They communicate with a sort of microwave. Roughly you might say it generates and radiates like our brain wave. Roughly, very roughly. This chitin diaphragm picks up the microwave like our ears pick up sound. Roughly, that is.
human
But that's wonderful,