A few moments later, the drapes parted and a robot walked into the room. Gardner scowled at it. He was disappointed. "Rather tall isn't it?"
The clerk, following close behind the robot, said, "True, but its dimensions are the result of exhaustive scientific research. The height is nine-feet-three and one-quarter inches, the arm-span six-feet-two inches. The body and the appendages are well padded with our new Vino-Live Plasticene—almost a flesh-equivalent. The hands you will note, sir, are absolute masterpieces of human ingenuity. The unit can powder a rock or pick up a pin. Let me demonstrate."
"It's about time," Gardner growled.
The demonstration was spectacular. The robot took a one-inch steel bar in its hands and formed a loop. It threaded an old-fashioned sewing needle, then picked up a fragile vase and moved it tenderly across the room.
The clerk beamed with justifiable pride. "Tell the gentleman your qualifications, Raymond."
The robot looked at Gardner through two blue electronic eyes and said, "I can perform any task a human servant can perform. And I will be more devoted and loyal than a human servant could possibly be. Your commands will be obeyed without question. Your wishes will always be fulfilled to the limit of my power. You and you alone will be my god."
The salesman coughed apologetically. "A little flowery, I'm afraid, but our advertising and sales engineers demanded it."