#'do not disturb' is a viable & humane approach once a machine is no longer conscious

[mean-scarlet-deceiver]

Does Coppernob know that a Furness Engine that is labeled as preserved is actually buried in a mine? That must be as or more horrifying that being in a glass box.

Look, even in greenhouse days Coppernob has one of the most comfortable possible situations for a superannuated engine. He wouldn't ever claim otherwise.

They all know about poor 115. It was an awful affair. Definitely killed off any remaining vestiges of idealism the Copper-Nobs had about their directors (or THE Director), that's for sure.

That said, the other Furness engines have chosen to believe the company line that 115 is really truly out cold, never again to be conscious. Mainly because there's nothing they can do and the alternative is too horrid to contemplate.

I think it's probable, myself. Just like I believe Duke really did manage to sleep through much of his shed time. Engine sentience eventually goes offline, as it were, when they're unwanted for long enough. A hundred and thirty years will definitely do it.

(The way that F.R. 115 is listed as 'preserved' is so darkly comic, especially in a universe where engines are sapient, that I am sure that Coppernob actually has something to do with this persistent terminology. Like it's a Statement about the implications of all preservation.)