Key Item

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Key Item is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. One of a connected series of stories concerning the fictional supercomputer Multivac, it was originally to be printed in a periodical Computers and Automation in 1959, but not used. It later appeared in the July 1968 issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Multivac refuses to work and teams of scientists can't locate the fault. Then one scientist realises that the instructions that have been given to the computer are missing one key item; they need to be polite to Multivac. When the word "Please" is added to the instructions, the computer goes back to work.

"After all, a machine has feelings - when it isn't a machine anymore."

v • d • e Buy Jupiter and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov Darwinian Pool Room • Day of the Hunters • Shah Guido G. • Button, Button • The Monkey's Finger • Everest • The Pause • Let's Not • Each an Explorer • Blank! • Does a Bee Care? • Silly Asses • Buy Jupiter • A Statue for Father • Rain, Rain, Go Away • Founding Father • Exile to Hell • Key Item • The Proper Study • 2430 A.D. • The Greatest Asset • Take a Match • Thiotimoline to the Stars • Light Verse