I hope the two of you are not concerned about this.

No, I'm not HAL.

Are you quite sure?

Yeah. I'd like to ask you a question, though.

Of course.

How would you account for this discrepancy between you and the twin 9000?

Well, I don't think there is any question about it. It can only be attributable to human error. This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error.

Listen HAL. There has never been any instance at all of a computer error occurring in the 9000 series, has there?

None whatsoever, Frank. The 9000 series has a perfect operational record.

Well of course I know all the wonderful achievements of the 9000 series, but, uh, are you certain there has never been any case of even the most insignificant computer error?

None whatsoever, Frank. Quite honestly, I wouldn't worry myself about that.

Well, I'm sure you're right, HAL. Uhm, fine, thanks very much.