A college professor, Dr. Joseph MacNare, embarks on a controversial psychological experiment that aims to give a rat the ability to communicate through a robotic body. Despite his established career in mathematics and physics, he becomes obsessed with the idea of creating a new form of intelligence. After being rejected by the university board for his inhumane proposal, he decides to pursue the research in secret with the help of his wife, Alice. They set up a hidden laboratory at home, where they begin to train newborn rats, particularly focusing on one they name Adam. The couple meticulously designs a robot that will serve as Adam's body, allowing him to express himself through movements and sounds. As they work, they grapple with ethical concerns about the implications of their experiment, particularly the potential suffering of the animals involved. As months pass, Adam begins to show signs of intelligence, eventually learning to communicate simple sounds and movements. However, the MacNares' secretive project takes a dark turn when their son, Paul, and his friends accidentally discover Adam. In a panic, they provoke the robot, leading to a tragic series of events where Adam, now fully aware of his existence, reacts violently. The climax unfolds as Dr. MacNare and Alice return home to find chaos. Adam, having developed a sense of self and a distorted understanding of his reality, kills Paul and one of his friends before turning on Dr. MacNare. The story culminates in a tragic confrontation, resulting in the deaths of both Dr. MacNare and the children, leaving Alice to face the aftermath of their experiment gone horribly wrong. In the end, Adam is left to be discovered by authorities, who see only a vicious rat, unaware of the complex consciousness that had developed within. The narrative explores themes of ethics in scientific experimentation, the nature of intelligence, and the consequences of playing god, ultimately questioning the morality of their actions and the price of ambition.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1986 · Genre: Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Speculative Fiction