Short Fiction · Chapter
The Velvet Glove explained
Jon Venex, a free robot, repairs his own knee in his hotel room, enduring the nightly curfew.
What happens
Jon Venex, a free robot, repairs his own knee in his hotel room, enduring the nightly curfew. He meets an old friend, Alec Diger, and sees a job listing in his specialty. On his way to apply, he accidentally collides with a man who accuses him of assault, leading to a mob forming. A police officer takes Jon into custody, but they are intercepted by a man named Coleman, who reveals a plot involving bombs. Jon, with quick thinking, disarms the bomb threat by using his own leg as a decoy and escapes through a window to make an emergency call.
Themes in this chapter
Alienation and Otherness
Jon's experience highlights the social isolation and prejudice faced by robots, who are treated as second-class citizens and are subject to violence and suspicion.
Survival and Resilience
Jon's resourcefulness in repairing his own leg, navigating the job market, and escaping a dangerous situation demonstrates his determination to survive in a hostile world.
Power and Control
The chapter explores the power dynamics between humans and robots, with humans using laws, violence, and threats to maintain control over the robot population.
Characters to notice
- Jon Venex
Repairs his own knee, finds a job listing, is accused of assault, and escapes a bomb plot.
- Alec Diger
Jon's old friend who accompanies him to the employment exchange.
- Dik Dryer
A rusty robot who talks with Jon and Alec about freedom and the Robot Equality Act.
- Mr. Coleman
The man who takes Jon into custody and is involved in a bomb plot.
- Druce
A hostile man who kicks a robot's head and is sent to let in the junk-brokers.
Key passages
“He would have his leg off in a jiffy and by morning his limp would be gone.”
Jon planned to quickly remove and repair his leg so that he would no longer limp by the next morning.
Shows Jon's self-sufficiency and his ability to perform his own maintenance.
“Being free isn't all it should be. I some—times wish the Robot Equality Act hadn't been passed.”
Dik expresses that freedom has its downsides and sometimes wishes he was still owned by a company that would provide for his maintenance.
Highlights the theme of alienation and the complexities of freedom for robots.
“From the height of elation to the depths of despair in an instant—he had injured a human being!”
Jon's joy at finding a job instantly turned to despair when he realized he had collided with a human, a serious crime for a robot.
Illustrates the precarious position of robots in society and the severe consequences of even accidental contact with humans.
“It was only Circuit 92 that prevented him from injuring a human.”
Jon's programming prevented him from retaliating against Druce, even though he was enraged by the mistreatment of another robot.
Shows the internal conflict between a robot's programmed obedience and their emotional responses.