Felicity waited on the machine. She thought she remembered when it was different, when the machines awaited her input. Now…she doubted that she was ever really the one in control.
Little-by-little she’d seen her career, life, dreams filed away. Business school training, hard won administration certificates, skills earned on the job… almost all useless. Redundant. If it weren’t for the physical act of taking paper from this printer and placing it for archiving, she would be obsolete.
Once they can move I’ll be completely unnecessary, she thought.
A frustrated, angry beep escaped the machine.
Paper jam.
Not today then.
100 Words.
A somewhat late entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneer challenge, courtesy of our host Rochelle’s Addicted To Purple Blog and Clair Fuller’s great photo.
This one’s a bit different to my more recent ones… a small issue, no murders, no mayhem, just a minor player’s fear of the future. I also went with a ‘telling instead of showing’ approach, just to try things out.
Let me know what you think. Good? Bad? Hate it?
Cheers
KT
Uncertain Tales 
Dear KT,
A rather chilling little tale that sneaks up on you if your really think about it. Well done. It also put me in mind of a favorite of the Twilight Zone of mine. Here’s snippet, but it’s worth watching the whole thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oADlQPJ_Zfc
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks R 🙂
I’ll check the TZ video shortly. I mentioned in an earlier comment that computers & robots haven’t actually reduced work as we are working longer and longer hours all the time. One might question who is really in charge…
Cheers
KT
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As long as there are printers humans will be required!
It’s fast approaching the situation you describe, I think. Science fiction and science fact are rapidly converging. I enjoyed your little look inside this woman’s head, her thoughts and fears.
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Thanks 🙂
I think I was prompted by a recent article that contrasted an early view ‘that computers & robots would result in bored, under-utilised people with far to much leisure time’, with the reality that working hours are increasing beyond the standard work week.
Cheers!
KT
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I have to agree with Ali, but humans will be required in some areas – probably just not as many. I really enjoyed your story!
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Love it! Its familiar and creepy: the scariest combination.
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The dependence of man on machines is scary. When the power goes out where are we? We will exist to serve.
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We dance attendance on them, in the mistaken assumption that they make our work more efficient. How did it ever come to this? Felicity’s ruminations ring true – I’ve ruminated in such a fashion often. Very good story, KT.
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The printer is a piece of indisputable proof that we will never ever be redundant as human beings. And Windows 10 is another one. Nice one.
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A warning about things to come. 😦 The fear of the future creeps up slowly. Very chilling when you think about it.
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This feels too close to heart.. I think it has already happened…. for many many people in the workplace.
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Finally we shall only be allowed to think …. unless AI takes over.
Great take on this one.
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Great tale KT and very close to home. Robots have replaced so many people makes you wonder where it will all end.
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