" What are you about?" said the vehicle as a panel popped open to reveal delicate components. " I am not accustomed to such usage." The little man said nothing, but began to rearrange connections and sever some linkages within the autocab's mechanism. The vehicle lurched and then spiraled down to a meadow bordered by trees." I will be compelled to summon assist-" said the car, then broke off as Gaskarth made a final adjustment. The autocab dropped the remaining few inches to the grass, and the dwarf twisted the emergency release handle to open the doors. Filidor followed him out of the autocab." Who am I?" inquired the car. " Have I a function?" " Perhaps you are a type of bird," said Gaskarth. " If so, it is your function to fly." The autocab digested this information briefly, then lifted slightly. " Experimentation tends to support the hypothesis," it said, and flew in widening circles out of their ken. "