Loris Learns Its Own Weakness

The Robot Who Looked Like Me

This subplot follows Lorian monitors as their gentle, rule-based system encounters a visitor who refuses cooperation.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Lawful Society A Lawful Society from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Monitors Instead of Police Education rather than punishment Lorian monitors explain rules and rely on citizens to apologize when they make mistakes.

A Lawful Society from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Monitors Instead of Police Education rather than punishment Lorian monitors explain rules and rely on citizens to apologize when they make mistakes.

Monitors Instead of Police Education rather than punishment Lorian monitors explain rules and rely on citizens to apologize when they make mistakes. The society has no ordinary criminal class. Confidence in conduct Because repeated lawbreaking is considered almost unimaginable, the system is designed around cooperation. This assumption will be tested by Johnny’s behavior.

An Unauthorized Turn An Unauthorized Turn from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". A First Ordinary Dispute A traffic incident Johnny makes an abrupt turn and confronts another driver.

An Unauthorized Turn from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". A First Ordinary Dispute A traffic incident Johnny makes an abrupt turn and confronts another driver.

A First Ordinary Dispute A traffic incident Johnny makes an abrupt turn and confronts another driver. He refuses the other man’s reasonable account and demands acknowledgment of his own version. A revealing apology The Lorian driver apologizes rather than escalating the dispute. Johnny interprets the accommodation as evidence of weakness, while the monitor system sees a manageable misunderstanding.

The Counselor’s Intervention The Counselor’s Intervention from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Aggression Enters the System A peaceful request The counselor explains that Johnny’s behavior threatens the safety of others and recommends adjustment therapy.

The Counselor’s Intervention from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Aggression Enters the System A peaceful request The counselor explains that Johnny’s behavior threatens the safety of others and recommends adjustment therapy.

Aggression Enters the System A peaceful request The counselor explains that Johnny’s behavior threatens the safety of others and recommends adjustment therapy. Johnny refuses to leave the room or accept the assessment. A monitor is struck A monitor arrives empowered to use force if needed, but Johnny punches him before the official can act. The society’s assumptions about voluntary compliance are now directly challenged.

Confused Arrest Attempts Confused Arrest Attempts from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Rules Without Precedent Two groups hesitate Monitors attempt to stop Johnny, but he lies about his identity and rank.

Confused Arrest Attempts from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Rules Without Precedent Two groups hesitate Monitors attempt to stop Johnny, but he lies about his identity and rank.

Rules Without Precedent Two groups hesitate Monitors attempt to stop Johnny, but he lies about his identity and rank. Some accept his story because they have little experience with deliberate, sustained deception. A special response A black-clad unit finally gives him a direct order and threatens lethal force. Its existence shows that Loris has procedures for extreme cases, but its members remain uncertain how to apply them.

A New Political Arrangement A New Political Arrangement from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Authority Changes Hands A forecast shapes policy Veerhe’s office predicts that Loris cannot simply ignore Earth’s aggressive expansion.

A New Political Arrangement from "The Robot Who Looked Like Me". Authority Changes Hands A forecast shapes policy Veerhe’s office predicts that Loris cannot simply ignore Earth’s aggressive expansion.

Authority Changes Hands A forecast shapes policy Veerhe’s office predicts that Loris cannot simply ignore Earth’s aggressive expansion. The Lorians consider preemptive accommodation more reasonable than waiting for a crisis. Power handed to an outsider They ask Johnny to rule them, expecting their social order to continue under his authority. The monitors’ restraint has preserved harmony, but it also leaves the society willing to yield political control.

Before Johnny violates a local rule

Nearly two weeks after Johnny arrives

After Johnny punches the social adjustment counselor

During Johnny’s flight through the city

After Johnny speaks with Veerhe