Uphill Climb

“You object to the machines requiring ramps, Obno.” He tried to put a question mark at the end of the sentence, but it didn’t quite make it past his lips.

“I am shamed by the inefficiency. Since we introduced them three years ago, nearly all public buildings in the industrial portions of this planet have had to be modified to accommodate the growing robot population.”

“Very well,” said Kivley, nodding as he gave the letter a quick looldng over. “Sell the patent. Ask whatever seems fair.”

Obno spluttered, a loud, sticky sound. “But you wouldn’t let me—!”

Kivley swiveled around to look out at the street again. He gestured Obno to the window. A pretty woman rolled happily along the sidewalk in her wheelchair and up the gentle ramp into the building.

Obno smiled at last.