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Bot-Four

This is but a sample of this story.  The complete version is available in my print collection Man Against the Future.  From there, you can order signed copies, or buy it for the Kindle or the Nook.

I want to go back to sleep. I don’t know what that crash was bit it did wake me up. Shit. Fall back to sleep.

“The time is six-fifteen. Would you like to snooze for five minutes?”

Shit. The alarm clock.

“The time is six-fifteen and thirty seconds. Would you like to snooze for five minutes?”

Fuck it. “No.”

“Good morning, then.” I’m up anyway, might as well get to work early. Maybe get some coffee. Forget the coffee, it makes me too excitable.

“Harold?”

“What dear?” Goddamn crash got her up too.

“Could you get some more milk and cheese on your way home today?” I hate going to the store. I hate buying milk and cheese.

“Of course, sweetheart. Why don’t you go back to sleep?” She’ll be out like a light soon. I better get in the shower.

Damn. The water’s too cold and my work clothes are wrinkled. Just my luck. The robots at the Works will think I’m up to something. That’s just what I need. “Fucking robots…"

“What was that, dear?” Shit. Did I say that out loud?

“Nothing princess. Go back to sleep.” I wish I could sleep in.

The ride to the Works takes too damn long, as usual. Damn conveyer roads. I’ll be early for once though. Maybe I’ll give the foreman a bloody heart attack. It’d serve ‘im right for what he did to Jonesy. Prick. Glad I’m not Jonesy though. Wouldn’t trade him places in a million years.

“Works Building Four.” About fucking time. Better not forget my briefcase. I could only imagine what sort of trouble I’d get in if I left my case on one of the public road cars. Oh. Here’s my door.

“Hello, Engineer Liman.” Fucking robots.

“Hello, Tad.” Tad was short for CETAD. CETAD was an acronym for Cybernetic Employee Threat Analyzation Droid. Everyone calls him Tad. Everyone hates him.

“You are slightly earlier than usual. Working on a special project?” I wish they wouldn’t subject us to Tad before letting us into the Works.

“No. Nothing like that, Tad.” I chuckled. Why did I chuckle? He’s going to think it’s suspicious.

Fuck!

“Your static suit is wrinkled. Was your laundry unit malfunctioning last night, Engineer? Or were you working late?” Bad sign, he never believes the truth anyway.

The complete version is available in my print collection Man Against the Future.  From there, you can order signed copies, or buy it for the Kindle or the Nook.

Comments

Unknown said…
I don't know how to get the "tab" or "indent" to work on this goddamn blogger thing.
Anonymous said…
I suppose you think you are clever.
I suppose you think you can go around and have characters tell you exactly how they feel.
Well, not in this country mister!
you will remove this story and post it again under the title "How I lost my job writing short stories, cause of this piece of radioactive dookie!"
Unknown said…
Hey, how about some constructive criticism?

What part made you react so harshly? What specifically?

Is this Jason?
Carbonated Love said…
hm... well I had no problems with it. Mr. Anonymous must have a 'glitch' hardwired into his system as well.

I loved it actually.

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