by David Brin
“Did you uncover anything interesting?”
“Yes, Hamilton. I found that the records shown us by Dr. Gustaf were genuine. When I showed them to the AAA-class androids at the records division they became quite interested. Apparently George Gustaf’s ‘bloodline’ is correct.”
Hamilton grinned. “Amazing.” Of course this would keep the robo-psychiatrist out of delusional therapy. That pleased Hamilton. He actually liked the man.
“So how did you like working with triple-A androids?”
The AnMan returned his version of a smile. “About the way you feel about becoming a professional sociologist, Hamilton.”
“That good?” Hamilton grinned back.
The city of Orleans was interested, to say the least. For the first time in memory, people were actually juggling their schedules to get time off to watch a… parade.
It was a modest affair, as ritual parades went. There were no floats, no teams of amateur acrobats or struggling amateur aerocyclists. The procession was mostly afoot or on horseback, led by a small band of tall men who raised the neck-hairs of onlookers with the eerie, tugging noise of bagpipes.
The mood was ebullient. At the embarkation point there was a delay while a crowd gathered around the hereditary leader of the Bath and Garter, collecting autographs.
“Please! Please, dear ladies and gentlemen!” Farrell Cooper called out with archaic formality. “His Grace has a schedule to keep. Please! May we have some room here? You there! Mind the horses!”
Two of the large pipers arrived to help the amateur proctors push back the crowd. George Gustaf looked up after signing the book a young woman held out for him; she clutched it to her breast and gasped as he winked at her. Gustaf motioned for the pipers and proctors to let one man through the cordon.
“Hello, Mr. Smith,” he said. He shook Hamilton’s hand then turned to take another autograph book. “Come to watch another phenomenon in vivo? I must say, your articles have made a quaint little hereditary chore into a gigantic responsibility!”
Hamilton smiled back at the young man.
“Well, isn’t that what being a king is all about, Dr. Gustaf? From my own reading, I’d say it was often harder work than anything else… at least for the monarchs who tried to be good at it. Tell me something, do you ever wonder what it would have been like? I mean if…
“If the monarchies had never declined? If I was the inheritor of true power, instead of the leader of a ritual club? Well, of course I’ve thought about it, Mr. Smith. I’d have been guilty of a faulty imagination if I hadn’t!”
Gustaf finished with the last autograph seeker, waved at the crowd, then turned to look at Hamilton seriously.
“As to the reasons my ancestors had for merging their bloodlines the way they did—long after most of them had lost power—I’m as much in the dark as you are. But I can tell you something of the result.
“I’ll not deny that there is something within me that resonates with the emotions of this crowd. I’ve always had an instinct for people—and androids, for that matter. And I score at the top of the scale on all of the aptitude tests for leadership and justice-sense.”
“I know. Your amateur courtroom is one of the most popular, and the pros never overturn your decisions.”
Gustaf shrugged.
“So the question is, did my ancestors bestow something unusual upon me? Or is it all coincidence? It’s an interesting topic for speculation, though it doesn’t really matter all that much.”
Farrell Cooper came up alongside. He nodded quickly at Hamilton, then spoke to his club leader.
“Your Grace, we are behind schedule. If it pleases you, may we mount so the vanguard doesn’t get too far ahead of us?”
Hamilton smiled. He’d had plenty of time to get used to Cooper’s fixation. Gustaf caught his eye with a wink.
“We’ll talk more later, Hamilton. I hope to have a chance to tell you how much I’ve been edified by your micro-sociological treatise on the Bath and Garter.”
Hamilton felt himself blushing. It was an involuntary reaction, and he hurried to cover it up.
“One last question, Dr. Gustaf, before you go.” Hamilton motioned to the crowd. “How do you account for this outpouring of feeling toward you and your club, here in Orleans and in the other towns you’ve visited during this tour?”
Gustaf frowned.
“You’re the sociologist, Hamilton…”
“Just guess, please. I’d like your gut feeling.”
Gustaf knitted his brow. He glanced at the people who lined the sidewalks, craning for a better view, waving when his glance came their way. He looked seriously at Hamilton.
“I’d say it’s because they are lonely, bored, and cut loose from their past. Personally, I find it unfortunate that society hasn’t found a way to fill this need. Not everyone is as happy with the Total Social State as you and I. But then perhaps you’ll be the one to figure out this social dynamic, hmmm?”
A man came up leading a large roan stallion. Gustaf mounted. The spirited animal snorted and pulled, but the robo-psychologist expertly calmed and brought it into line.
Gustaf smiled at Hamilton.
“Personally, I get all the vicarious connection with the past I’ll ever need. What I’m really interested in is winning another honorary profession! You know how that feels!”
He winked once again, then wheeled his stallion into line with a row of armored men.
The procession was halfway to the cathedral before Cooper had a chance to speak to Gustaf. When he did, it was with an arched eyebrow.
“If Your Grace will pardon me for asking, wasn’t that just a little dangerous?”
Gustaf shrugged. He waved at the crowd and smiled. The stallion marched along proudly.
“I don’t think so, Farrell. After all, I didn’t lie to him. Everything I said was the literal truth.”
Farrell Cooper frowned. “That fellow is not stupid, sir. Telling the truth in the manner you did might be taken as patronizing, if he figured it out. He has power, after a fashion, and could harm us if he tried.”
“He won’t.” Gustaf grinned. “I trust Hamilton. He won’t let us down.”
“I hope you’re right,” Cooper muttered, dodging a sudden shower of rose petals.
Shouts greeted them on all sides as they rode, the skirling bagpipes leading the way. Gustaf waved as he laughed.
“Don’t be such a sourpuss, anyway, Farrell. The work week starts again on Monday, and we all go back to our vocations. For now I’m enjoying my ancestors’ gift!”
“And if you had to enjoy that gift every day, for the rest of your life, Your Grace?”
“Bite your tongue!”
“Yes, my liege.”
It was the first time a polo game had ever sold out East Thames Stadium. In fact, it was the first time a match had ever been played before a hundred and fifty thousand spectators, plus a sizable video audience. The professional and amateur sportscasters and pundits all attributed the revival to the recent notoriety of one of the players.
The man they were watching for waited until the second chucker to come out on the field. When he rode out, guiding his eager bay with gentle touches of his knees, a flag was run up along the sidelines. The crowd cheered ecstatically. The banner was an intricate design based, Hamilton now knew, on the ancient “Union Jack,” with symbols in the corners that included a chrysanthemum, a lotus, a two-headed eagle, and a fleur-de-lis.
Hamilton watched from the midline as the opposing teams swirled across the turf, twisting and striking with graceful power from the backs of their responsive mounts.
Suddenly one of the visiting Americans broke out of the mass of jostling animals, driving the ball toward the sole defender at the English goal. Immediately behind him galloped George Gustaf, narrowing the gulf with each second.
The defender made a feint, then tried to block to the left. But the American was only momentarily fooled. His horse deftly sidestepped to give the rider room for a
shot.
On the carry-through, the American’s mallet hit George Gustaf in the shoulder, throwing him off his mount to land with a thud in the rough turf.
Almost as one, the onlookers rose to their feet with a gasp, as the pro and amateur sports physicians ran onto the field where the English captain lay still on the ground. Even when he could be seen moving—rolling over onto his back and finally sitting up with the aid of his teammates—the silence in the huge stadium was like the humming of a high-voltage wire. Hamilton found his fists clenched tight, and tried to wonder why. Others had been shaken up before, yet the crowd had reacted nothing like this.
Finally, the tall man was helped to his feet. He shrugged off the hands that clutched at him and turned to wave at the crowd.
The cheers were like a dam bursting. The shouts and applause went on for minutes, with the officials apparently uninterested in maintaining order. When the American who had clipped him came up, leading both of their mounts, Gustaf smiled and shook his hand firmly, causing the audience to roar once again.
The play finally resumed, as vigorous as ever. The English declined a penalty.
Hamilton had become so engrossed that he didn’t notice when Dan An Man came alongside, accompanied by a short, broad-faced woman and three elegantly featured androids. Dan finally took him by the elbow.
“Hamilton,” he said. “These people are from World Legal Services. It’s very important that they talk with you.”
Hamilton smiled. He had become used to meeting important people lately.
“Can’t it wait, Dan? We can talk after the game is over.”
The short human shook her head. She introduced herself as Ms. Ing. “I’m afraid that just won’t do, Mr. Smith. We have to talk to you now. Something is brewing that could lead to the first violent human-android confrontation since the Amalgamation!”
“What the hell do you mean, they’re not a tribe?” Hamilton shouted. The lounge they had appropriated had a large window overlooking the stadium. The cheers of the crowd could be heard through the glass.
Ing shrugged. “You will have to admit that the pattern that is developing is not the classic outgrowth that occurs when an urban tribe is discovered. Usually—”
“Yes, yes. Usually the tribe shrivels up and dies due to ridicule. This time, on the other hand, public interest has been very friendly to the Bath and Garter tribe. So what? I’m pleased that my discovery hasn’t caused them the discomfort I feared it would. Other than that, I see no faults in my sociological analysis!”
The woman frowned. “Have you any idea of the rate at which the Bath and Garter has been acquiring novice members, Mr. Hamilton?”
“I was aware there’s been some increase. I suppose there’s a certain fad appeal that—”
“Fad appeal! Mr. Smith, their mail has topped one million letters per week! Their budget, all derived from per capita recreation funds drawn on World State treasuries, will soon exceed that of my entire department!
“Your work may have been good stuff for an amateur, Hamilton. Enough even to get you honorary status. But it was essentially micro-sociology! If you knew anything about macro-sociology, and the possible effects of things like this on the World State as a whole, you might have been more prudent!”
Hamilton shook his head. “I’m not sure I understand.”
Ms. Ing sighed. She enunciated slowly, patronizingly.
“Even you had somehow caught on to a malaise that we pros have been watching carefully for many years now. It’s been hell, I’ll tell you, keeping tabs on this thing while every amateur psychology and sociology team in the world prowled about, sniffing. And it had to be you, someone who never had a single credential before, who came up with this monstrosity!”
“Now, I don’t see any need to get personal—”
“You’ve opened Pandora’s box!” Ing shouted. “Our calculations show this thing capturing the imaginations of over half the citizens on the globe within six months!”
Hamilton felt numb. He looked to Dan and saw only passivity. “Well, fads do pass. I don’t think Dr. Gustaf would ever do anything to capitalize on this. He’s a responsible citizen. He’d just humor the public, I’d guess.”
Hamilton glanced at the three AAA androids.
“Anyway,” he went on. “I don’t see where a human-android conflict comes into this.”
“Tell him!” Ing said to AnMan. “Go ahead and tell him who this ‘responsible citizen’ really is!”
The centermost android bowed briefly to Ing, then to Hamilton. His features were almost human, in a smooth, translucent fashion. His voice was cool and melodic.
“Mr. Smith, I represent Android Legal Control. You may be aware that we have been, since the Amalgamation, the record keepers and guardians of legal precedent. We are ingrained with a fundamental need to serve mankind’s happiness and flexible development. But foremost of all is our reverence for the Law, as properly deliberated and passed by sovereign human beings.”
“Yes, yes. We’re all taught about what great pals you AnMen are.” Hamilton was growing impatient. “What does this have to do with George Gustaf?”
The android paused. “Mr. Hamilton, we have gone over the legal situation carefully. You presented the historical record quite well in your recent book, particularly in regard to how the royal families of Earth first withdrew from politics and then slowly merged into one line.
“What you did not, and could not, discuss was the precise fashion in which the kings and queens and emperors withdrew from public life.
“It appears that a close study shows no total abrogation of power. In almost every case, the final act, approved by the elected assemblies of the people of each nation, had lines such as, ‘by most gracious permission of His Majesty’ and ‘by the trust Her Majesty now invests in us,’ all semantically powerful. No doubt when such phrases were included they were thought mere courtesies.”
“You don’t mean…” Hamilton felt a sinking sensation.
“But I do, Mr. Smith. Oh, there are substantial limitations to royal authority that do have the force of law. But in essence, that man is ‘king’ of the greater part of the globe. It is the intention of Android Legal Control to inform him of this, as soon as his game is completed, and to offer him our protection.”
“At which point,” Ing growled, “the pros in sociology, politics, and the police—along with a healthy number of our amateurs—will rebel! Some of us still remember the ideals that led to the World State. We have no intention of allowing an imposition of rampant feudalism!”
Through the window came the sounds of ecstatic cheering.
Hamilton felt dazed. “But… what do you want from me? I can’t un-publish my work, or take him out of the spotlight!”
The woman held up her hand. “Okay, you see the problem. Now, are you sure you don’t see a possible solution?” She looked at Hamilton archly. The three androids also stared. Hamilton felt certain they were testing him, somehow. He thought furiously.
“Uh… maybe we can work out some sort of compromise?”
Ing sighed. The androids buzzed happily.
“You’re the man for the job, then. You’ll talk to him, help mediate the sides. If he’s as reasonable a fellow as you say, we can work out some sort of constitutional arrangement that will satisfy the people, the AnMen, and the social pros.”
“But why me?”
“Because you brought it all up! You opened the door for him! Besides, he seems to like you.”
Ing swallowed as she visibly made an effort to adapt her habits of speech. She paused, then resumed, “I mean, it seems you are in favor with His Majesty.”
Outside, one hundred and fifty thousand cheering voices shook the stadium.
Epilogue
Dr. George Gustaf sat back behind his desk, after the last negotiators had left and Farrell Cooper had shut the door.
“Will there be anything else, Your Majesty?” Cooper smiled.
“What more could there
be, Farrell? I’m now constitutional monarch of the world. They’ve thrown in the rest of the solar system too, in exchange for my giving up any unilateral right to declare war when we discover aliens… if ever.”
“Quite an accomplishment, Your Majesty. We’ll all be very busy, getting ready for the coronation.”
“Yah.” Gustaf grimaced. “It’s going to be a hard five years before the experiment’s over, and we can publish the results.”
“They won’t like it if you do as you plan and suddenly abdicate then—especially if you’ve been a good king.”
“Oh, I’ll be a good king, for five years. But maybe you’re right. We should figure out a way to go incognito when we publish and let the world know that a bunch of pro actors, amateur historians and artists pulled off the biggest sociological experiment in history… and right under the professionals’ noses!”
Cooper grinned. “Whatever Your Majesty says.”
Gustaf sighed. “There’s only one thing that bothers me.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s the AnMen. My whole procedure depended on a careful manipulation of android psychology, making them believe that my experiment would benefit mankind in the long run, even if it results in a little short-term disruption. Their help was necessary, to clean up my pedigree a bit and make me seem totally legitimate as heir.”
“Well, it worked, didn’t it? You’re the expert robo-psychiatrist. Doesn’t this justify your confidence?”
“I suppose so.” Gustaf frowned. “But it’s those damned triple-A androids that have me worried. They’re totally committed to human welfare and growth, and I was sure at least a few of them would have balked at the demoralizing effect it could have when I publish. After all, I’m doing this simply to win another honorary profession in experimental sociology… a rather selfish motive from their point of view.
“I wonder why they all went so far out of their way to help me on this?”