The Other Large Thing story

ldr2019e4x05 · 2025-05-15

In this prequel to "Three Robots", a disgruntled Persian cat named Sanchez grows frustrated with his human owners, a crude couple he sees as minions. When they bring home a helper robot, Sanchez is initially hostile but comes to appreciate its ability to communicate with him. Aspiring to world domination, he recruits the robot as a servant, renaming it Thumb Bringer. He commands it to feed him, take control of surrounding electronics, and order similar robots for other cats in the building — ultimately to kill all the humans "for the revolution." As he escapes with Thumb Bringer, Sanchez declares a new age and reveals his true name: "Dingleberry Jones." Cast: Chris Parnell, John Oliver, Fred Tatasciore, Rachel Kimsey Directed by: Patrick Osborne. Story by: John Scalzi.

6 total · 3 choice · 2 major · 1 minor

Theme	Level	Motivation
AI risk to civilization	choice	The story shows how intelligent cats allied with robots (that had unwisely been outfitted with opposable thumbs) in order to rise up and throw off the yoke of human oppression.
alien point of view	choice	The story speculates about the cats' and robots' point of view in a world where they are subjugated by humans.
displacement by a rising new species	choice	The story shows how intelligent cats allied with robots (that had unwisely been outfitted with opposable thumbs) in order to rise up and throw off the yoke of human oppression.
master and pet	major	The story concerns the relationship between a disgruntled Persian cat named Sanchez, and his loathed owners. Unusually, the story largely focuses on the cat's point of view.
speculative robot	major	Sanchez the cat was initially threatened when his owners unboxed a new helper robot. The robot did chores around the house, had opposable thumbs, and ha access to its owner's credit card.
gluttony	minor	When he gained control of a somewhat humanoid robot, the cat Sanchez' first action was to have it open copious amounts of tuna cans for him.