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Crazy World (10)
疯狂世界 As I ran, the yellow ground glowed all around me. At last, I reached the buildings. They looked ancient. As I got closer, a recorded voice began speaking. "Welcome to the Old England Country Village. Experience village life from a thousand years ago!" I liked the sound of that. But then I saw a sign, "vacuated1 2nd May, 2740 — Toxic Waste2 Spill." So this place had died 260 years before. I walked past a row of stone cottages, a village hall and a pub. Then I came to the Village Green, where I saw a group of men, all dressed in white. Two of them held bats. It was a cricket3 match! But nobody was moving. Oh no. More androids. Their batteries must have run out.4 I crossed the Green to a small, ancient church. The wooden door creaked open.5 Inside, the altar6 and the wooden benches were lit up by the brilliant colours of a huge stained-glass7 window. I knew they would find me, but I could run no further. The world outside was a frantic, disturbing place.8 I preferred this old church. I sat down, bathed in the coloured light from the window. I closed my eyes... I woke up much later. Something was different.
I could feel a presence.9
There was someone else in there. I sat up slowly and looked around. Yes, my instincts were right. A large, metal robot was sitting by the door, blocking my escape10. It wore a badge11 — Robot Police: London Division. These police robots could cut you in half with their laser guns12. There was no point in fighting.13 We sat in silence for more than a minute before it spoke. - You're lucky, it said. - Lucky? How can you say that? - When you stop, you go to a better place, a place we can't go to. - Nobody knows that for sure. It's only an idea. - At least you've got an idea. We just get recycled, like rubbish.I waited for it to say, "You are under arrest!"... But it didn't. Instead, it said, - I've been trying to make sense of it. - Make sense of what? - Existence. Reality. Or whatever it is. - Don't bother. It's chaos14.It fell silent again. I couldn't stand15 all this waiting. - Are you going to arrest me or not? - Josef Serge! Wanted! ... I've seen your pictures. Have you seen mine? - What? ... No.The police robot removed its badge. Then it twisted its head round and pulled it off. Underneath it were two smaller heads. Now it did look familiar. - I am Big Bucks. I've escaped from the Robot Republic. Of course! The former Robot Chancellor. - I followed you all the way from Greenwich. - Why? - Because you are a fugitive16 like me. I've read all about you on the security files. - Where did you read them?It tapped one of its heads. - My brain is still connected to all the World Governments' Security networks. That's one reason they want to find me. - So you have access to17 all my records inside your brain? - That's right. You want a look?There was a noise in the distance. I jumped. Big Bucks said, - They're on their way. The real robot police. They'll be here soon. - How do you know it's them? - I told you. I'm connected to the networks. I can read their thoughts... They're surrounding the village. I had a sudden thought. - You can read those files, but can you change them? - Change them? - Delete them? Is that possible? - Yes, probably. - Let's do it! We can wipe out all record of our existence!18 Then we'll be free! -Oh yes. I hadn't thought of that.We found our records easily, but we could not delete them. Outside, the robot police were closing in. They surrounded the church. - Maybe we can update19 them. I worked as fast as I could, but the church door burst open as I was finishing. A real police robot came in. A dozen laser guns pointed at our heads. - You are under arrest! I smiled. - We can't be. We don't exist.The robot scoffed20. - Hah! That old excuse!But new information shot through its robot brain — "Josef Serge — died, 25/2/3000." It looked confused. It turned to Big Bucks, but its records told it, "Big Bucks — recycled, 25/2/3000."Lights flashed inside its brain. It couldn't understand. I smelt something burning, then it stopped moving. Outside, a group of police robots were waiting. We walked straight through them. They ignored us. - That's it, Serge. We're free. Officially, we don't exist. A voice behind us said, "Neither do I." I turned round. It was Plummet! He's made it. - Big Bucks, this is my friend, Plummet. - Who is? - This is! - Who? There's no one there.I didn't understand.
Plummet grinned21
at me and explained,- I've wiped out all my records, too. Robots! They'll
believe anything.Later, I'm going to go after Dr Webber. I can't really
rest until he's out of business.22
But for now, I'm going to enjoy my freedom... The three of us walked
back towards London. |