Fun with an open ventilation shaft

Ha! Florence and Helix thought I was nuts to go back after this nickel.

But despite being mad at me, I know they're going to drop the rope down to pull me out.

Yes, Sir. Any hour now.

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

How's the work going?

All done. Things went a lot smoother with you down the hole.

All part of being a great manager, Helix.

I know when to stay out of the way and let the people do the work.

Wow! I hope that someday I'm as smart as you are!

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

Someone is driving up.

[!1.3]Ack! It's the police! DUCK!

Florence is just standing there. Why doesn't she run?

We'll need to teach her you're supposed to hide from the police.

You can do it. I'm still hurting from when I taught her to fetch.

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

They're talking, the policeman looks happy. Now he's leaving. Florence must have fed him quite a line.

She might even be better than you are, Sam.

No way, Helix. I am the greatest liar this world has ever seen.

When you say you're a liar, how do I know you're telling the truth?

You'll just have to trust me.

An illustration of a logic experiment that is supposed to loop the AI

Is Helix smarter/dumber than T-800? Helix has a hardware neural network. Such questions should not baffle him.
It is very likely that there is also a subtle trolling of television evangelists at the same time

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

The policeman? He was just checking our salvage permits. Everything was in order.

Permits? You mean taking all this stuff is legal?

Of course it's legal. We wouldn't be doing it otherwise.

Well, nuts. That kind of takes all the fun out of it.

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

It was a lot of hard work, but we got what we needed. For me, this trip was a complete success.

What hard work? You spent most of your time sitting down. Florence and I did all the hard work.

Like I said, Helix. For me, this trip was a complete success.

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

Let's go. Where's Florence?

She went to get more tie downs.

This is good enough. Why does she want more tie downs?

Sam, she's seen you drive.

I found some fifty ton test cable. If we double it up, it should be strong enough.

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

We can go through the canyon on our way home.

If we go south, there's a bridge.

Ahhh, what fun is that?

Sam, let's take the bridge.

[!1.2]Please?

Uh, sure. Bridge! Sounds great!

Amazing what you can accomplish with a polite word and a smile.

© “A kind word and a revolver can accomplish much more than just a kind word.” (Fogel)

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

You're looking tired, Flo. When was the last time you slept?

Back on the truck, first day of the trip.

[!1.5]WHAT, YOU'E VE BEEN UP FOR THE LAST FOUR DAYS?! GO TO SLEEP! NOW!

You've been rubbing off on her, haven't you?

Z

No way! I had that cheap paint job fixed months ago!

Inhuman endurance has awakened an inhuman conscience! (Robot Spike)

Fun with an open ventilation shaft

She's done everything she can to help us. Works until she drops. Never a word of complaint.

Z

It's weird, Helix. I've never had anyone this dedicated to me before.

Z

Hey, what about me?!

I mean someone smart enough to know better.

Oh. All right then.

Heh, the moment I started to really like this comic (Robot Spike)