
Joe Mulloy is a man whose confidence is as polished as the mirrors that line his opulent office. From childhood his signature sneer has dictated every interaction, turning contempt into a personal brand that both alienates and intrigues those around him. Now, as a self‑taught genius in positronics, he builds robots that obey his every command with unsettling devotion, yet he finds the flawless compliance almost unbearable.
The story follows Mulloy's relentless pursuit of a worthy adversary—someone whose mind can match his own razor‑sharp edge. His latest creation, a eerily human‑like automaton, arrives ready to serve, but the very obedience it offers fuels Mulloy's growing frustration. As he navigates the fine line between creator and master, the narrative explores themes of hubris, isolation, and the yearning for a true intellectual sparring partner.
Language
en
Duration
~12 minutes (12K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2019-12-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A little-known science-fiction writer whose work survives through one memorable satirical robot story from the magazine era of SF. The available record is sparse, which only adds to the curiosity around this pulp-era name.
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