"I simply can't believe it!"

spluttered Charles, exasperated.

"A thinking machine?! One does not simply re-create a thinking, functional brain, professor."

"Well," began the professor,

"yes, that is true, but all your

work at Oxford that lead to

your thesis actually provided

the bulk of what we needed

to go on. In effect, it's mostly

your creation, Charles."

"I'm completely and utterly overwhelmed," said Charles.

"If you've utilised my thesis as the basis for the thinking machine it might be prudent

for me to be in attendance

when it is first energised."

"Naturally," said the professor.

"Prudent, as you say. We're planning to flick the switch a

few days hence. Are you and

Elizabeth able to attend?"

"Most certainly," replied Charles.

"What an accolade! I never thought it possible - most of

the work that went into

my thesis was speculative."

"Well," began the professor,

"I'm pleased to say we've willed into being the ideas and precepts

embodied in your thesis.

Would midday sharp this

coming Friday suit you both?"

"Most certainly," replied Charles.

"Without a shadow of a doubt

we will be there, professor!"

"Jolly good then, Charles,"

said the professor.

"Until then. Cheerio for now!"

"Cheerio professor," said Charles.

Charles hung up the telephone.

That Friday, Charles and Elizabeth made their way to London, arriving at the professor's offices precisely at midday. After greetings were exchanged, and sensing Charles' excitement, the professor lead Charles and Elizabeth on an auspicious tour.

"Please do step through,"

beckoned the professor.

"This is the engine room. Fear

not though folks - it's not presently running. It's

absolutely deafening to be

near it when it's running."

"My goodness!" said Charles.

"It's an absolute monster!"

exclaimed Elizabeth.

"We use it to generate the huge amount of electricity needed," explained the professor.

"It's not terribly economical I'm afraid..." said the professor.

"What do you run it on?" asked Elizabeth inquisitively.

"Fuel oil, courtesy of the Royal Navy," explained the professor.

"Thankfully we were able to requisition a large volume of it,"

explained the professor.

"Shall we continue?"

"Please lead the way, professor,"

said Charles.

"This is the switch room,"

said the professor.

"As soon as I throw the switch

a solenoid is released which starts the generating set. The light bulb there indicates if electricity is being generated,

and how intensely."

"That would have to be the biggest lightbulb I ever did see!"

exclaimed Charles.

"It's colossal!" said Elizabeth.

"What voltage does it run at?"

"About two thousand volts," replied the professor.

Closing the door to the adjacent room, the professor positioned himself near the switch.

"I'll throw the switch and we should be in business!"

said the professor boldly.

"Mind you, this is the first time..."

"Right," began the professor,

"moment of truth. Here goes."

Professor Zwiebel grasped the switch and began to push it

over, groaning as he did so.

With a loud electrical crackling, the switch made contact and engaged. From the adjacent room the giant generating set began to turn vigorously, generating not only electricity

but a tremendous cacophony.

"So far so good!"

said the professor confidently.

"I expect we should see some

fluctuation in the lightbulb

as the voltage stabilises."

"Looks like the voltage has stabilised," stated the professor.

"Onward then! Follow me through to the brain room."

"The brain room?" asked Charles.

"Aye," said the professor.

"An informal name, mind you."

"Yes," began the professor,

"I can hear it beginning to hum.

It will take a few moments for

the valves to reach operating temperature. Until then it's similar to waking up, as it were.

Please do come through."

Charles and Elizabeth, not without a little trepidation, entered the brain room.

"Astounding!" exclaimed Charles.

"Most remarkable indeed,"

said Elizabeth.

"I did not think this possible,"

said Charles, "Yet here it is, steel, glass and wire generating ideas.

I have about a million thoughts

running through my mind!"

"Funny," replied the professor,

"once warmed up the brain will be doing much the same!"

"This has taken us the best part of ten years to piece it all together," said the professor.

"We had the theories and the

understanding but lacked the technology. Thankfully, with the advent of valves, we were able

to really get cracking with it."

"The impact this could have on the course of history surely is significant," said Elizabeth.

"You're quite right, we're most certainly hoping so," replied the professor. "It may provide us with insights beyond expectation."

"I'm completely and utterly overwhelmed," said Charles.

"I would never have thought that the work I undertook at Oxford

all those years ago would

one day contribute to what

I see here before me."

"Quite so," said the professor.

"Your work has been very instrumental in making all of

this possible. In that vein,

I think you should be the

first to speak with the

thinking machine."

"Speak?!" blurted out Charles.

"You've enabled it to speak?"

"Yes," replied the professor.

"Not only can it speak but

we've enabled it with vision

as well. You'll be seen,

heard and spoken to."

The humming from the thinking machine's brain began to

grow increasingly louder.

"Please follow me," beckoned

the professor. "I've one more room to show you."

"Please do come through,"

said the professor.

"You know, I have a feeling we may be seeing the beginnings

of an interesting chapter in

history unfold here today."

"Oh my goodness," gasped Elizabeth. "This is too much!"

"My word!" said Charles.

"In a few moments you'll be conversing with the single

most advanced piece of technology on the planet,"

said the professor solemnly.