
In a near‑future where massive machines dominate construction and sport, a sleek robot named Alix 1340 steps into the boxing ring for the middleweight championship. He’s guided by Manny, his fellow robot manager, who knows the hidden switches that control their lives. Opposite him stands Nick Nolan, the human champion who has built a career testing flesh against steel. The bout promises to be more than a fight—it could redefine the line between creator and creation.
Inside the locker room, Alix wrestles with deeper questions: does a robot have a soul, a right beyond being a tool, and what does it mean to fight for a cause that isn’t his own? Manny hints at a hidden agenda, suggesting the match’s outcome could stir unrest among humans of every race while the robots whisper of a silent ‘god’ watching over them. As the countdown begins, the tension feels as philosophical as it is physical, offering listeners a glimpse into a future where metal fists might decide humanity’s fate.
Language
en
Duration
~24 minutes (23K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York, NY: King-Size Publications, Inc., 1956.
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-11-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1910–1995
A hard-working storyteller who turned a varied real-life career into crisp, entertaining crime and young adult fiction. Best known for his mystery writing, he also drew on sports and everyday American life to create fast, vivid stories.
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