human
Hollis, here, happens to have found out the wave-patterns of the roboguards who'll be protecting the currency shipment. And Al Webber has some equipment that can paralyze roboguards if we know their operational wavelength. So it's a simple matter to leave the car unprotected; we wait till it's loaded, then blank out the robots, seize the human guards, and drive away with the truck.
gpt
Why am _I_ so indispensable to this business?
human
Because you're the only one of us who isn't registered on the central directory. You don't have any televector number. You can't be traced.
gpt
So _that's_ why you didn't let me register! You've been grooming me for this all along!
human
As far as Earth is concerned, you don't exist. If any of us drove off with that truck, all they need to do is plot the truck's coordinates and follow the televector patterns of the man who's driving it. Capture is inevitable that way. But if _you're_ aboard the truck, there's no possible way of tracing your route. Get it?
gpt
I get it, Alan said slowly. _But I don't like it_, he added silently.
human
I want to think about the deal a little longer, though. Let me sleep on it. I'll tell you tomorrow whether I'll go through with it.
gpt
The boy's a little sleepy, that's all. He needs time to get used to the idea of being a millionaire. I'll call each of you in the morning, okay?
human
What's this talk of thinking it over? Who said you had any choice about this thing?
gpt
Don't I have any say in my own life? Alan asked hotly.
human
Suppose I don't want to be a bank robber? You didn't tell me----
gpt
I didn't need to. Listen, boy--I didn't bring you in here for my health. I brought you in because I saw you had the potential for this job. I've coddled you along for more than three months, now. Given you a valuable education in how to get along on this planet. Now I'm asking you to pay me back, a little. Byng told the truth: you're indispensable to this project. Your personal feelings are irrelevant just now.
human
Who says?
gpt
I do.
human
Max, I didn't bargain for a share in your bank-robbing syndicate. I don't want any part of it. Let's call it quits right now. I've turned over quite a few thousand credits of my winnings to you. Give me five hundred and keep the rest. It's your pay for my room and board and instruction the last three months. You go your way, I'll go mine.
gpt
Just as simple as that? I pocket your winnings and you walk out of here? How dumb do you think I am? You know the names of the syndicate, you know the plans, you know everything. A lot of people would pay big money for an advance tip on this bit. He shook his head.
human
I'll go my way and you'll go it too, Alan. Or else. You know what that _or else_ means.
gpt
You'd kill me, too, if I backed down now. Friendship doesn't mean a thing to you. 'Help us rob this bank, or else.'
human
Listen, Alan, we've been planning this thing for months. I put down seven thousand to clear your brother, just so I'd be sure of getting your cooperation. I tell you there's no danger. I didn't mean to threaten you--but try to see my side of it. You _have_ to help out!
gpt
How come you're so hot to rob the bank, Max? You earn a fortune every night. You don't need a million more credits.
human
No. I don't. But some of them do. Johnny Byng does; and Kovak, too--he owes Bryson thirty thousand. But I organized the scheme. Hawkes was pleading now.
gpt
Alan, I'm bored. Deadly bored. Gambling isn't gambling for me; I'm too good. I never lose except when I want to. So I need to get my kicks someplace else. This is it. But it won't come off without you.