FF – Paradise
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Amy Reese.
For some reason, the first thought that came into my head when I saw this picture was that scene from inside the Death Star with those little robots scurrying about the place :-).
To read the other stories, click on the blue froggy.

Copyright Amy Reese
Clutching his half-empty bottle of whiskey, Manfred watched the tiny bot as it sped down the corridor towards him. Off to fix another broken lightbulb or clogged sink, no doubt.
That was his task!
Once.
Now all he had was his drink and a cold corner to sleep in.
He raised his leg and as the bot drew level, brought it down with as much force as he could. The bot shattered. Alarms sounded.
“Jobs for humans!” he shouted as hidden hatches opened, disgorging security bots, their weapons pods already extending to eradicate another undesirable element of twenty-second century paradise.
Well, I get bots calling me on the phone, so why not shooting at me too?
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They’re everywhere!
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They will be!
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🙂
Or actually 😦
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Look out, scutters! (Or, better yet, look out Rimmer[s])! Another great one, Ali!
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It’s only a matter of time before the scutters are fitted with machine guns…
I’m glad you liked it!
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A sneak peek into a not-far-off future perhaps? Great sci-fi story!
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I don’t think we’ll have to wait as long as the 22nd century for this to happen 😦
I’m glad you liked it!
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I don’t know why, but The Doors’ The end popped up in my imaginary brain, Draliman 😀 Pawkisses 🙂 ❤
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It’s funny how photos make people see or hear such different things 🙂
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I don’t know why, but this made me chuckle a little and say, “Go, human!” until the army-bots arrived. Well done.
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He was making a stand. His last stand 🙂
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The bots are taking over! The humans should be afraid, very afraid…..
My computer is giving me the evil eye 😉 Good one!
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Your computer is just biding its time… 🙂
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Brilliant! Is it bad that I was cheering for the bots? 😉
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Well, cheering for the bots will keep you alive longer in “Paradise” 🙂
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I keep texting, and texting and texting. I’ve been looking at my phone so much I don’t even remember what my neighborhood looks like. My phone has a hold on me and I can’t let go!
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It’s already started and you’re Patient Zero!
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Great, now all I can see when I look at the photo is Star Wars too. 😉 Great take on the prompt, Ali – I can relate to the poor guy who’s reluctant to see things change so much.
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This has been happening since the industrial revolution, I guess.
Change the decor a bit and it’s definitely the Death Star 🙂
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Well, this looks like a reality of the future with all that humans are creating! It’s going to be a robotic world soon. Good one, doc!
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I’m betting it’s not too far off – it’s been coming ever since the “spinning jenny” in the 1700s. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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“Jobs for humans!” he shouted…That one line really hit me. Scary future you painted in your story and you did it excellently.
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Thank you! It’s a scary but almost inevitable future, I fear.
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Good one. I can understand the agony of that guy who lost his job to the bot.
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Me too, puts me in mind specifically of the workers who lost their jobs when car production factories converted to using robots for much of the work back in the 80s or whenever it was.
I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
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They’re taking over! I hate those automated voice thingies when you phone somewhere: Press 1 for this and 2 for that – bring back the humans!
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Me too. Especially those ones where it actually asks you questions and then claims not to have understood 😦
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Very interesting story.
I hope it never happens.
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I fear it already is… 😦
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Ah.. in the end you go down with a raised flag at least…
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He’s not going quietly.
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And who will eventually come along to replace the bots? Their day is coming too…
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Apes! Or aliens. Alien apes from the planet Quziquarg!
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Dear Ali,
I need a laundry bot. Clever story from your beautifully twisted mind.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I like that – “beautifully twisted mind” 🙂
Actually, I could do with a vacuuming bot now you bring up household chores…
Ali
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Manfred was one angry guy. Many would be happy to have total freedom and drink to go with it. Now he’ll be eradicated-eradicated. Good writing, Ali. 😀 — Suzanne
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I guess after his job was taken away he turned to the bottle instead of doing something productive. I’m glad you liked it!
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The story made me laugh as well. I am cheering for the human although it looks like he is done for. Great imagination and take on the prompt.
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Yes, I reckon he’s a goner but maybe it’ll start a revolution! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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The remaining humans should unite and just stomp on them until they fizzle out. Great story, I also love the idea about the death star and the bots.
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They should! As long a they avoid the security bots 🙂
I think it’s the way the photo is taken close to the floor that made me think of that Star Wars scene.
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I’m with Rochelle. I want a laundry bot and a cook bot! This made me laugh because I could just see little bots zooming down the hallway. Great one!
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They’re everywhere, zooming here and there! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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Interesting philosophical dilemma. Is he the modern day equivalent of a Luddite or are his concerns genuine and in need of being addressed?
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Oh my….
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Indeedy 🙂
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Wow! Love this. Poor droid and poor out of work guy. Aw…. Fortunately, if memory serves me accurately, I don’t think their aim is so great provided he is the main character. 😉
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Ha, no. It’s like “The A Team” – the baddies are a terrible shot!
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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That picture looked like a hallway inside Death Star to me as well.
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I can’t believe it isn’t.
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You paint a scary picture of a far too possible future. Very nicely done, Ali. 🙂
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We’re halfway there already 😦
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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