Freefall

One... Two... Three!◊ (in Binary, of course, since they're robots.)

I'm very bothered by the fact that this isn't monospaced.

When font choice breaks down.

As for the robots not being able to maintain stability in mud... Given the way early Jean was described, I'm a bit surprised, because it did sound like conditions were pretty muddy and unstable based on descriptions of the early years. Then again, they did mention that they had to rush production early on, so corners had to be cut, particularly with early robot models. That might be happening here.

Maybe the early robots tended to be non-bipedal.

The Tentacle Captain and the Anthem◊

Huh... is there any chance that Sam deliberately got himself caught because he wants to mess with Kornada?

Cute. But I'm not sure that throwing Sam in jail without charges or a trial is legal.

Holding people before trial is pretty much what jail is about. Prison is for after you've been convicted. As for charges... isn't it a running joke that Sam has a list parsecs long?

Also one that he's not usually sent to jail because the last time he escaped he took the prison gates with him.

(Disregard. I shouldn't post while exhausted.)

edited 9th Dec '16 8:23:05 AM by Aetol

Well, sure, Sam's in jail pending arraignment and all that jazz. But for just one day?

Yeah, that is an extremely odd setup, particularly when the cops are basically making Sam promise to break out (and even apparently arranged it so that he'd serve his day when he wouldn't be in the warden's hair).

The more I think about it, the more I think that this is a deliberate ploy to get Sam into jail by at least one party, and maybe multiple ones. And Kornada is the only target within jail that I could see anyone wanting to direct Sam at. Someone's making a play at something, I'm sure of it.

They haven't "arranged" anything, they just can't put him in jail otherwise because of the warden's issue, so they're taking this opportunity to stick him with as much time as they manage. They are also still trying to not cause trouble for the warden (remember, robots, very strongly inclined to keep humans safe from harm, including saving warden's nerves from having to deal with Sam).

In the end, they know that Sam WILL get out of there.

edited 9th Dec '16 9:59:48 AM by Adannor

It's not uncommon in small counties around the USA to schedule jail time with minor or first-time offenders. i.e. "You have to serve X days in jail, so since you have school during the week, you'll spend your weekends here for the next two months."

Yeah, Andy Griffith show was kind of right with the Otis gag.

"with minor or first-time offenders. "

Sam.

Look up "Recidivist" in Jean's version of Wikipedia and you'll find Sam's picture.

Jean's prison system is very... comical and light.

Fighteer says: "But I'm not sure that throwing Sam in jail without charges or a trial is legal."

Well, I don't know how things are on Planet Jean, but in the United States, in general you CAN be held in jail for up to 72 hours (3 days). After that, if no charges have been filed, they have to either let you go, or hold a hearing in front of a judge (NOTE: This is a hearing, not a trial!) to determine if they have probable cause to hold you longer.

If the State is able to prove probable cause, they can hold you anywhere from 21 to 40 days (it varies from state to state) without charge. At that point, they have to either let you go, file formal charges against you, or have another hearing to hold you even longer. An extension is not usually granted except in cases where they believe you may be guilty of the most heinous crimes, like murder. The idea is to keep you in jail long enough for the police to finish their investigation and for a prosecutor to decide whether or not to file formal charges.

Keep in mind this is just "in general"; most states hold to the 72 hour guideline, but it varies from state to state, and sometimes even from county to county. A good example might be someone who is obviously too drunk to walk home, has nowhere else to go, but has committed no crime (such as DUI). He might be given 12 to 24 hours in the drunk tank to sober up, then allowed to leave, and maybe even given a ride home.

TL;DR: If their justice system works anything like the U.S., then yes, it's legal to hold Sam without charges for a day or two.

I'm certain there are plenty of petty crimes to punish Sam over. Pickpocketing (although it could be argued as species-culturally-induced kleptomania), driving/using dangerous equipment without a permit, and mocking officers of the law.

Nothing really worth severe punishment, but I'm sure they could easily book him for a bit if they really wanted/needed to.

New comic◊ suggests that maybe Jean's prison system really IS that silly. It's arguably better than our system, I guess.

Graffiti is just an expression of creativity and is not inherently a crime, but offending sensibilities by doing it badly is.

Huh.... I wonder just how much trouble Helix would be in for his topiary work, then.

Well that topiary is arguably a WMD

Only against humans, against robots omniquantism probably counts.