Contains spoilers for the series.
The Folcroft Four are four computers designed by Harold W. Smith for CURE, the clandestine organization headquartered at Folcroft Sanatorium. Hidden within the hospital, they collect and analyze information for Smith’s office. They are the CURE mainframes, not the separate self-aware Friend program that later occupies a computer system belonging to media magnate Robbie MacGulry.
Design and development
Smith began designing the machines before microcircuitry, then updated them as computing technology changed. He built custom components for functions he could not obtain commercially, including links to other computer banks and the ability to jam satellite transmissions. The development remained an ongoing project for him.
Their appearance conceals their capabilities: the machines look like oversized scrap heaps, but Smith built or adapted much of their internal technology. The system also draws on a network of people who supply routine information without knowing that Smith or CURE is paying them.
Operations
The Folcroft Four gather information from many sources and flag material Smith may need to investigate. In later configurations, the basement mainframes work with optical WORM-drive servers to search and collate material from the World Wide Web. They can also surface reports relevant to CURE cases, including one file about Remo and Chiun. Smith reviews the results at his office.
The computers support analysis but do not replace human field work. Smith notes that incoming results depend on what CURE’s human gatherers can find; when Remo suggests moving the mainframes into the field, Smith says they cannot serve as gatherers.
Book appearances
- #51Shock Value
Four computers at Folcroft that hold CURE’s information and are designed with a self-destruct mechanism.
- #54Last Drop
Smith’s named set of four Folcroft computers; the text distinguishes four more on a Caribbean island.
- #59The Arms of Kali
Name Smith gives to the four computers he designed and uses in his investigation.
- #115Misfortune Teller
Hidden computer system used by Smith to collect and review global information.
- #117Deadly Genes
Smith’s four mainframe computers, used to scan CURE activity and phone records.
- #120The Last Monarch
Four mainframe computers that compile Smith’s suspect lists.
- #134Bloody Tourists
Mainframe computers that process information for CURE; Remo proposes sending them into the field, which Smith rejects.
References
- ↑
- #51 Shock Value · ch03:p0034, ch03:p0035, ch03:p0036
- #134 Bloody Tourists · ch04:p0032, ch04:p0033, ch04:p0038
- #127 Market Force · ch19:p0033, ch19:p0038
- ↑
- #54 Last Drop · ch14:p0007, ch14:p0009
- ↑
- #59 The Arms of Kali · ch16:p0039, ch16:p0040
- ↑
- #115 Misfortune Teller · ch05:p0043
- #120 The Last Monarch · ch09:p0048
- #117 Deadly Genes · ch09:p0003, ch09:p0010
- ↑
- #134 Bloody Tourists · ch04:p0032, ch04:p0033, ch04:p0038
Source notes
Named set of four computers designed by Harold Smith at Folcroft; primary contexts identify the same core set. Additional island computers are not merged with this set.
destroyer-054:folcroft-four: Lead compared the named Folcroft computer set and Smith’s design role; the same headquarters system is established, distinct from extra remote computers. (witness:00000156:ch14:p0007).
destroyer-059:folcroft-four: Lead compared the named Folcroft computer set and Smith’s design role; the same headquarters system is established, distinct from extra remote computers. (witness:00000171:ch16:p0039).
destroyer-051:folcroft-four: Lead compared Book 51 ch03:p0034–0037, Book 54 ch14:p0006–0009 and Book 134 ch04:p0033: each explicitly identifies Smith’s named four Folcroft computers. Identity consolidates the headquarters set while its technology and source-specific capabilities remain scoped. (witness:00000147:ch03:p0034; witness:00000147:ch03:p0035; witness:00000156:ch14:p0007; witness:00000393:ch04:p0033).
destroyer-115:folcroft-four: Same named four-computer system built and operated by Smith; evolving technology remains book-specific. Lead inspected the cited current and prior primary contexts; identity alone is consolidated, retaining book-specific scope, roles, variants and conflicting accounts. (witness:00000336:ch05:p0043; witness:00000336:ch15:p0034; witness:00000156:ch14:p0006; witness:00000156:ch14:p0007).
destroyer-117:folcroft-four: Same named quartet ofCUREcomputerhardware. Lead inspected the cited current and prior primary contexts; identity alone is consolidated, retaining book-specific scope, roles, variants and conflicting accounts. (witness:00000342:ch09:p0004; witness:00000156:ch14:p0007; witness:00000156:ch14:p0009).
destroyer-120:folcroft-four: Same named four mainframe computers developed by Smith; physical hardware object rather than social group. Lead inspected the cited current and prior primary contexts; identity alone is consolidated, retaining book-specific scope, roles, variants and conflicting accounts. (witness:00000351:ch09:p0048; witness:00000156:ch14:p0006; witness:00000156:ch14:p0007; witness:00000156:ch14:p0009).
destroyer-134:folcroft-four: Named recurring subject identified by its established role and setting; origin and historical claims retain narrator or speaker scope. Lead inspected the cited current and prior primary contexts; identity alone is consolidated, retaining book-specific scope, roles, variants and conflicting accounts. (witness:00000393:ch04:p0033; witness:00000156:ch14:p0007).
Shock Value
narrative; on-page mention
Sources 3 references
witness:00000147:ch03:p0034witness:00000147:ch03:p0055witness:00000147:ch12:p0032
Last Drop
narrative; named computer system/set
Sources 3 references
witness:00000156:ch14:p0007witness:00000156:ch14:p0009witness:00000156:ch14:p0010
The Arms of Kali
narrative
Sources 3 references
witness:00000171:ch16:p0039witness:00000171:ch16:p0041witness:00000171:ch16:p0043
Misfortune Teller
narrative
Sources 2 references
witness:00000336:ch05:p0043witness:00000336:ch15:p0034
Deadly Genes
narrative
Sources 2 references
witness:00000342:ch09:p0004witness:00000342:ch09:p0010
The Last Monarch
narrative
Sources 2 references
witness:00000351:ch09:p0048witness:00000351:ch09:p0069
Bloody Tourists
narrative
Sources 3 references
witness:00000393:ch04:p0033witness:00000393:ch04:p0038witness:00000393:ch14:p0001