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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
152
"That
duty
is
performed
for
us
by
the
robot-confessors."
"Yes?"
"The
notion
came
to
us
from
the
ancient
root-faith
of
Transcendental
Freudianism.
The
robot-confessor
instructs
children
and
adults
alike.
It
hears
their
problems
within
the
social
matrix.
It
is
their
constant
friend,
their
social
mentor,
their
religious
instructor.
Being
robotic,
the
confessors
are
able
to
give
exact
and
unvarying
answers
to
any
question.
This
aids
the
great
work
of
Conformity."
"I
can
see
that
it
does.
What
do
the
human
priests
do?"
"They
watch
over
the
robot-confessors."
"Are
these
robot-confessors
present
in
the
closed
classrooms?"
"I
am
not
competent
to
answer
that."
"They
are,
aren't
they?"
"I
truly
do
not
know.
The
closed
classrooms
are
closed
to
abbots
as
well
as
other
adults."
"By
whose
order?"
"By
order
of
the
Chief
of
the
Secret
Police."
"I
see....
Thank
you,
Citizen
Abbot
Boeren."
(Citizen
Enyen
Dravivian,
age
43,
occupation
government
employee.
A
narrow-faced,
slit-eyed
man,
old
and
tired
beyond
his
years.)
"Good
afternoon,
sir.
You
say
that
you
are
employed
by
the
government?"
"Correct."
"Is
that
the
state
or
the
federal
government?"
"Both."
"I
see.
And
have
you
been
in
this
employ
for
very
long?"
"Approximately
eighteen
years."
"Yes,
sir.
Would
you
mind
telling
me
what,
specifically,
your
job
is?"
"Not
at
all.
I
am
the
Chief
of
the
Secret
Police."
"You
are--I
see,
sir.
That's
very
interesting.
I--"
"Don't
reach
for
your
needlebeam,
ex-Citizen
Barrent.
I
can
assure
you,
it
won't
operate
in
the
blanketed
area
around
this
house.
And
if
you
draw
it,
you'll
be
hurt."
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