Tinkerton's Robots | Mark W. Lewis

The Tales of Tinkerton's Robots

The Tales of Tinkerton’s Robots

The Big Blackout

There had been a storm brewing all day with lots of flashings of lightning and grumblings of thunder. Night had fallen and it was now time for Professor Tinkerton to go into the village to attend his Royal Order of the Brotherhood Of Tinkerers meeting.

Most of the robots were busy finishing up their chores and all were a little nervous about the wind and lightning and thunder.

BeBo came to Professor Tinkerton and said, “Professor T, I am afraid of all of the thunder and lightning.”

“You know it is just an atmospheric disturbance,” said Professor Tinkerton as he put his arm around BeBo.

“But that is just it,” said BeBo looking into the kind, bearded face. “I fear it anyway.”

“Please don’t worry BeBo. All will be OK.” He turned to address the roomful of his robots.

“Farewell, my Tots. I love you all and I shall return before your shutdown time and lights out. Please stay inside and do what BeBo tells you. I have put him in charge.”

“A question please…?” came a voice from the back of the crowd.

“Yes, my dear Query?” responded Professor T. to his small, wondering robot who pushed to the front of the group.

“Well …ah…um… is it a positive charge or negative charge?”

“A positive charge, of course!” He smiled as he patted her head. “Ta-Ta for now!” he called with a wave of his hand.

“Ta-Ta for now!” chorused all of the robots as Dr. Tinkerton shut the door. They heard the key turn in the lock.

Weeper ran to the door as it closed and sobbed, “He’ll get wet in the rain and rust!”

“Oh Weeper,” said BeBo, comforting him. “He’ll be alright. He won’t rust because he isn’t made of metal. He will be OK because he has on his raincoat.”

“Just the same,” sniffed Weeper. “I’m staying right here ‘till he gets home.”

“OK … you do that.” said BeBo.

Weeper tucked himself up under the light switch just inside the door.

Suddenly, a huge flash of lightning followed instantly by a great clap of thunder sounded just above the lab! The great clash shook the room causing all the robots to jump! And then it happened …

All the lights went out - immersing the room in darkness!

There was a hush and then all of the robots began running around blindly, bumping into each other and all talking at once!

“What are…” said Clink

“We going…” added Clank

“To do?” asked Clunk.

“Everybot stop moving!” shouted BeBo! “Someone will get dented if we all roll around! Remain in default rest mode and don’t get your circuits in a bind while I think of something.”

Weeper had run to the middle of the room and his sobbing pierced the gloom. “I’m afraid! Waaaaah!”

As he did, two little flashes and one big gleam of light illuminated the lab.

All of the robots froze!

“What was that?” whispered K80.

“Where did that light come from?” asked Query.

“I don’t care!” sobbed Weeper. The three flashes happened each time Weeper opened his mouth!”

“Weeper, you have light inside of you!” said BeBo in amazement!

“So …doesn’t everybody?” whimpered Weeper.

“Not me!” said Clink

“Or me!” said Clank

Or me either!” added Clunk

“Do it again!” said BeBo, coming closer.

“Do what?” sniffed Weeper.

“Say ‘Ahhhhhh’,” said BeBo.

“I wanna see!” said Peak.

“Me too!” Said Me2.

All of the robots crowded in front of weeper to see.

Me2 accidentally stepped on Weeper’s foot that caused his mouth to hinge all the way open like a kitchen trash can.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…” said Weeper.

A yellow-orangish light shone out from Weeper’s insides. The shadows of the other robots were cast upon the opposite wall of the room.

“OOOOOOOOH!” they all said in unison.

“Hey, watch this!” said Dmeter. He made a shape with his manipulators in the light. The shadow on the wall looked like a mechanical bird.

“Wow … lemme try!” said K80

“Me too!”said Me2

Each of the robots had fun making their own shadow-shapes on the wall.

I wanna see too!” said Weeper and lifted his head to look at the shapes. This caused his mouth to close and the light to go out.

“Weeper!” said everybot at once! Me2 stepped again on his foot and again his mouth opened and the light shone out.

“OK … OK!” said Weeper with his mouth open.

No one thought about being afraid. There were lots of giggles and laughs and silly beeps. BeBo was right in the middle of his own mechanical bird-shape when - they heard a metallic rattle at the door!

Me2 jumped off of Weeper’s foot and his mouth slammed shut! Again, darkness filled the room! All of the robots ran to hide

“Everybot … QUIET!” whispered BeBo more than a little scared too.

K80 was shaking and sounded like a bunch of bolts rattling in an empty coffee can! She stepped backwards and accidentally trod on Weeper’s toe again. This time it hurt causing Weeper to say, “Owwwwwwwwwww!”

A round beam of light shone like a flashlight beam at the door!

The door handle turned slowly and the door creaked open!

A gloved hand slowly reached into the room and turned on the light switch. All of the lights in the room lit up in all of their glory!

It was just Professor Tinkerton, home from his meeting!

“Hooray!” cheered the robots, all over-amped to see him! “You saved us!” They all rushed forward and clustered around him.

“Why were you all sitting in the dark?” asked Professor Tinkerton.

Weeper was hugging Professor Tinkerton’s knees. He blurted out, “I was waiting by the door and there was a big flash of lightning and a huge crash of thunder and all the lights went out and I opened my mouth and light came out of me and they all made shadow shapes but I couldn’t see them!”

“Please tell me everything is OK!” whispered K80.

“Me too!” said ME2.

“Everything is OK, my Tots,” Smiled Professor Tinkerton. “And now I think that it is time for a little shut-down shut-eye - OK?”

“O-K!” shouted the robots in unison and they all went off to brush their gears.

Later that night, after all of the other robots were quietly recharging in their nooks, BeBo sat in his nook near the Professor’s bed, deep in thought.

“What is it, my dear?” asked Professor Tinkerton, smoothing out his nightshirt as he got ready for bed.

“I think that Weeper accidentally turned off the light switch when the lightning & thunder shook the lab.” he mused.

“A very logical hypothesis indeed, my dear,” nodded Professor Tinkerton.

“Huh…?” said BeBo.

“Good thinking.” smiled the Professor.

“I’m afraid that I didn’t think to check the switch,” sighed BeBo. “I don’t think I did a very good job of being in charge.”

“You did fine, BeBo,” said Professor Tinkerton, patting his head. “You did everything you thought was right – and I can’t ask for more than that.” He gave a loving turn to an adjustment screw on the back of BeBo’s head that was working loose.

“Ooh, thank you,” said BeBo. He thought for another minute. “I was afraid too – at first – but then we had fun in the dark,” smiled BeBo. “Shadows are just the shapes of where the light isn’t.”

“You are a very wise robot, my Tot,” said Professor Tinkerton. “You did OK.”

BeBo looked up at Professor Tinkerton and smiled. “I love you, Professor T.”

“I love you too, BeBo,” said Professor T. as he kissed the top of his head.

BeBo smiled as he winked out.

And all that night, BeBo dreamed of mechanical birds.

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