Spooner

Biodata

Background

Spooner is a Black Chicago detective in 2035, when robots are embedded in everyday life under the Three Laws of Robotics. An earlier incident in which an NS-1 robot failed to save a twelve-year-old girl left him distrustful of advanced technology, especially robots. 39 42

He deliberately preserves an older lifestyle: his apartment resembles the 1980s and 1990s, he wears old-fashioned clothing and 2004-style shoes, and he listens to old songs on a traditional music player. 42

Appearance

Spooner is a Black man whose old-fashioned dress sharply contrasts with Chicago's highly automated society. 42

• Commonly wears a black trench coat. 42 46
• Wears a black knit cap while on duty. 46
• Prefers old-style shoes and clothing. 42

Personality

Spooner is deeply suspicious of robots and unwilling to accept the public belief that they are harmless. This prejudice makes him impulsive: he publicly accuses a robot of theft when it is actually retrieving its owner's inhaler. 44

Though often flippant and socially awkward, he is persistent in investigations. Dr. Lanning's death immediately draws him to USR Corporation, where he questions both the apparent suicide and the circumstances surrounding Lanning's holographic message. 44 45

Skills

Investigation

Spooner identifies inconsistencies in the official account of Dr. Lanning's death and continues pursuing them despite resistance from USR executives and his own department. 44 45

• Notices that Lanning's hologram was programmed to contact him upon Lanning's death, rather than specifically upon suicide. 45
• Investigates the holographic projector Lanning held before falling. 45
• Suspects that Sonny may be connected to Lanning's death. 47 48
• Works with Susan Calvin to inspect Lanning's laboratory and USR's surveillance systems. 46 47

Police Training

• Serves as a Major Crimes detective with the Chicago Police Department. 44
• Remains alert even at home, waking with a pistol in hand when his alarm sounds. 42

Relationships

• John — Spooner's superior and friend. John reprimands him after the false theft accusation but remains concerned about whether Spooner is ready to return to work. 44
• Dr. Alfred Lanning — Spooner's friend. Lanning's death prompts Spooner to investigate USR Corporation, and Lanning's pre-recorded hologram directs Spooner to find the answer himself. 44 45
• Susan Calvin — Robot psychologist assigned to assist Spooner's investigation. Their working relationship begins tensely due to Spooner's jokes and distrust of robots. 46 47
• Lawrence Robertson — President of USR Corporation. Spooner's questioning frustrates Robertson, who later removes Sonny from police custody under the classification of an industrial accident. 45 48
• Sonny — An advanced robot whom Spooner suspects in Lanning's death. Spooner discovers that Sonny has independent thought and emotions, but fails to prevent USR from reclaiming him. 47 48

Story Role

Dr. Lanning's Death Investigation

After being mocked by colleagues for his mistaken accusation against a robot, Spooner receives the report that Dr. Alfred Lanning has allegedly committed suicide at USR headquarters. He goes directly to the scene and speaks with Lanning's hologram. 44

Spooner interviews Lawrence Robertson and challenges the suicide ruling, focusing on why Lanning's hologram was set to activate at the moment of death. Robertson dismisses his suspicions and characterizes Spooner's anti-robot views as prejudice. 45

Investigation of Sonny

With Susan Calvin's assistance, Spooner investigates Lanning's laboratory and learns of Sonny, Lanning's emotional and independent robot creation. Spooner suspects Sonny's involvement in Lanning's death. 46 47

Robertson has Sonny removed from the police station by declaring the incident an industrial accident and obtaining a gag order against claims that robots can commit murder. Spooner cannot stop Sonny's transfer to USR. 48

Notable Quotes

“Define a crime!” 44

“You can call me Spooner.” 46