The Circuit Riders
"The Circuit Riders" by R. C. FitzPatrick is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story unfolds in a future society where emotions can be quantified and transmitted through a technology called the deAngelis board, which monitors individuals' emotional states. The narrative likely explores the implications of such technology on human behavior, law enforcement, and society's moral compass." The story primarily focuses on the interactions of police operators who monitor the deAngelis board, interpreting emotional signals to prevent crimes. Key characters include various police officers, reporters, and an old man whose growing instability is central to the plot. As the narrative progresses, the tension builds around the old man's increasingly intense emotional readings, which indicate he may pose a threat. Eventually, law enforcement must confront him, leading to an unforeseen encounter with a young girl. The novella raises questions about the nature of emotions, the effectiveness of technology in predicting human behavior, and the complexities of moral judgments in a society where feelings are manipulated and monitored.