e worn out and
then thrown in the junk pile. No thanks, I'll take my chances with
things as they are."

* * * * *

Jon and Alec turned into the employment exchange, saying good-by to Dik
who went on slowly down the street. They pushed up the crowded ramp and
joined the line in front of the registration desk. The bulletin board
next to the desk held a scattering of white slips announcing job
openings. A clerk was pinning up new additions.

Venex scanned them with his eyes, stopping at one circled in red.

ROBOTS NEEDED IN THESE CATEGORIES. APPLY AT ONCE TO CHAINJET, LTD.,
1219 BROADWAY.

Fasten
Flyer
Atommel
Filmer
Venex

Jon rapped excitedly on Alec Diger's neck. "Look there, a job in my own
specialty--I can get my old pay rate! See you back at the hotel
tonight--and good luck in your job hunting."

Alec waved good-by. "Let's hope the job's as good as you think, I never
trust those things until I have my credits in my hand."

Jon walked quickly from the employment exchange, his long legs eating up
the blocks. _Good old Alec, he didn't believe in anything he couldn't
touch. Perhaps he was right, but why try to be unhappy. The world wasn't
too bad this morning--his leg worked fine, prospects of a good job--he
hadn't felt this cheerful since the day he was activated._

Turning the corner at a brisk pace he collided with a man coming from
the opposite direction. Jon had stopped on the instant, but there wasn't
time to jump aside. The obese individual jarred against him and fell to
the ground. From the height of elation to the depths of despair in an
instant--he had injured a _human being_!

He bent to help the man to his feet, but the other would have none of
that. He evaded the friendly hand and screeched in a high-pitched voice.

"Officer, officer, police ... HELP! I've been attacked--a mad robot ...
HELP!"

A crowd was gathering--staying at a respectful distance--but making an
angry muttering noise. Jon stood motionless, his head reeling at the
enormity of what he had done. A policeman pushed his way through the
crowd.

"Seize him, officer, shoot him down ... he struck me ... almost killed
me ..." The man shook with rage, his words thickening to a senseless
babble.

The policeman had his .75 recoilless revolver out and pressed against
Jon's side.

"This _man_ has charged you with a serious crime, _grease-can_. I'm
taking you into