Fantasy - Isaac Asimov: The Man Who Never Lied.

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 (R) PREDATOR

 Isaac Asimov.

	       The man who never lied.



 - May I tell you, sir? - Henry said so quickly and
so loudly (where did his muttering style go?) that everything is here
they turned to him. - Although I am not one of the Blacks
Widowers... - he continued more quietly.

 “You’re wrong,” said Rubin. - You know that you are
one of us. In fact, you're the only one who hasn't missed a beat
one club meeting.

 - In that case, allow me to draw your attention, gentlemen.
, that if Mr. Sand uses your conclusions,
whatever they turn out to be in the end, he thus
carries what is said beyond these walls and will violate confidentiality
our meetings.

   There was an awkward silence. Halstead spoke first.

 - In the interests of protecting the reputation of an innocent person,
of course...

   Henry shook his head slightly.

 - But at what cost will we save this reputation? Suspicion will fall on
other people - one or more, who may be the same
innocent.

 - U"Henry clearly has something on his mind," Avalon said. - And we, it seems,
have reached a complete dead end.

 “That’s true,” Henry confirmed. - We need to come to a definite
new decision that will comply with the rules of the club and in no way
will touch strangers.

 “Okay, Henry, spit it out,” Trumbell said.

 - Let me explain everything in order. As I noticed before I started
our dinner, Mr. Gonzalo, I, it was I who was especially interested
It's nice to meet a person who never lies.

 “Listen, Henry,” Rubin said, “you yourself are a model of pathology.”
gical truthfulness. And you know it. We have all been convinced of this more than once -
foxed

 “Perhaps,” Henry replied. - But sometimes I also lie.

 - Do you doubt the sincerity of Sand's words? - Rubin was surprised.

 “I assure you!...” Sand began with genuine pain in his throat.
moose

 “It’s not worth it,” Henry said. - I believe every word Mr. San-
yes. He did not take money or papers. At the same time, elementary logic
only points to him. His career is in jeopardy. On the other hand
rons, the situation can be saved if a reasonable alternative is found
alternative explanation for what happened, even if such an explanation is not
will lead to solving the riddle. And since this gentleman is not in
unable to come up with such a version himself, he turns to us for help.
schuyu. I am deeply convinced, gentlemen, that all this is true.

 “Thank you, buddy,” Sand nodded his head.

 “And yet,” continuedHenry, let us ask ourselves the question: what is
true?  Let's take a specific case. Mr. Trumbell, to be
Frankly, I believe that your invariable manner of being late
and come in here shouting “Whiskey and soda to a man dying!”
indicates the bad manners and rudeness of its bearer. But hu-
another thing: it simply gets on your nerves and, it seems, doesn’t
me alone. - Trumbell's cheeks burned, but Henry continued in the same way.
firmly: - However, if someone accidentally asks me if I have
anything against your habit, I will answer <>. Strictly speaking,
this would be a lie, but I like you for a number of other reasons, which
which significantly outweigh this ridiculous phrase of yours. So about
at once, if I spoke the pure truth about you every time
you enter this room, it would lead to even more lies. By
to this I prefer to remain silent, that is, to lie to a certain extent,
thus expressing the truth - my sympathy for you, Mr. Trump -
bell. - Or another example. Mr. Halstead composed a limerick based on his
tives of the song of the first <>. Mr. Avalon is right: the hero's name is pre-
should sound like <>, not <>; in Greek, it seems
Yes, even <>. But Mr. Rubin immediately objected, noting
tive that the truth in this case will be perceived as typographical
what a typo, that's for surewill spoil the effect of perceiving poetry
ka. Once again, literal truth creates additional problems! Te-
let's talk about Mr. Sand. He claims that every lie happens
from the desire to protect oneself or from fear of social norms
dances. But is it really right for a person to ignore these values all his life?
important categories? If we lose the ability to lie, we will force
the truth itself to do it for us.

 “You seem to be losing the thread of reasoning, Henry,” said Gonsa.
lo.

 - I don't think so, Mr. Gonzalo. Only a few perceive
words in their literal meaning. But it often happens that
literal truth carries with it deception. And those who know this best of all
who never lies.

   Sand's pale cheeks were slightly flushed - or perhaps so
it only seemed because of the red tie around his neck.

 -Where the hell are you going with this? - he couldn’t stand it.

 - I would like to ask you one question. If, of course, the members of their own
Rania doesn't mind.

 “I don’t care whether they object or not,” Sand said, sparkling.
glasses on Henry. - If you do not immediately leave your tone,
I will refuse to answer at all.

 “As you wish,” said Henry. - The fact is that,
every time you denied your involvement in the crime, you did
these are the same words. I couldn't help but notice
this feature, since I was prepared in advance to listen to the boo-
the qualitative meaning of your words. After all, you neverYou're lying. So you
They repeated several times “I didn’t take any money or papers.”

 - And that’s the absolute truth! - Sand almost shouted.

 - Without a doubt. Otherwise, you wouldn't have said this, I agree.
Henry lamented. - And now my question. Tell me, did you happen to
did they take money and papers?

   For several seconds there was complete silence. Then Sand raised
got up from his chair and said:

 - Where is my coat? Farewell. I ask everyone to remember that
What is written here should not be made public.

   When he left, Trumbell said:

 - Well, you have to! Damn me!

   To which Henry replied:

 - You won't, Mr. Trumbell. Don't despair.


 END