SIGNWRITING

The boys are in the garden making the main sign for their shop – Wilson and Byron are painting while Nërp the Robot spell-checks their work.

While the boys sprayed they chatted together with Nërp about Life, The Universe and Everything – and in particular, what it’s like to be a robot.

Wilson asked him, ‘What is your purpose, Nërp?’

Without hesitation the android replied, ‘To do as I am bid — what is your purpose, Wilson?’

W sighed, before admitting, ‘I only wish I knew!’

After a few minutes of silent contemplation, Wilson asked Nërp a question which has been troubling him for some time: Why so many of his Modules are missing.

In reply, Nërp reminded Wilson, rather testily I thought, ‘You bought me on eBay, at a pocket-money price; is it so surprising that I’m not quite 100% functional, in one or two totally non-essential areas? And anyway, what were you expecting – Data from Star Trek?’