Automaton kill switch car – Tales of the courier.
It’s not everyday the road makes a delivery. Most of the time, the road goes on. It doesn’t usually make deliveries. In fact, it facilitates deliveries. And occasionally it stalls deliveries. Therefore, when it does offer up a delivery, it’s best to accept the unusual gift. 1courier grins. Unusual gift indeed. He walks around the specimen as though it’s one of the seven wonders of the world. In a way it actually is, he thinks, as he drags his finger down the side of the antiquated machine. This will do. This will do nicely.
Automaton
The previous day.
The delivery went bust back at the station. Notwithstanding the long delay caused by the automaton. 1courier glances at all the taped camera ports. And those are just the ones he can see. Furthermore, it is as silent as the vacuum of space inside the ride. No radio. Apparently, the automaton can decide it’s too much of a distraction. Which is probably best considering all the citations he’s already earned on this little botched adventure of a delivery.
With this in mind, he slightly regrets the loss of the m-com link. After all, it’s only a device. Furthermore, no matter how annoying it became, the thing was only broadcasting received info. It didn’t make the rules. 1courier takes the next exit off the highway. Fortunately, he memorized the drop-off address. Therefore, the delivery completion is still possible. Although late, it is still possible. He slows and stops for the red light at the end of the exit ramp. The ride stalls.
Kill Switch Car
1courier immediately checks the dashboard, and all the corresponding instruments. No warnings. Similarly, no flashing lights. Just a large, habitable brick, in the middle of an intersection. An intersection filled with heavy traffic. Yay. He examines the dashboard area with more scrutiny. Then discovers, there is a warning light. Of a sort. It flashes on the screen where a normal radio dial should be.
“Auto Start-Stop Technology is saving you money and saving the planet at the same time! Release the brake pedal to resume course.”
1courier stares at the flashing message in disbelief. The ride is a kill switch car. Furthermore, it’s been programmed to think that’s a good thing. Oddly enough, he didn’t remember picking up a load of bullshit at the last pickup merchant. However, here he sits, in a ride full of it. Furthermore, he’s saving the planet. One perilous, traffic safety compromise, at a time. He releases the brake and the nearly useless machine starts up immediately. And then it stalls again.
A horn sounds behind him followed by another. Therefore, a feeling of severe aggravation comes over 1courier as he looks for the cause of the new dead in the water issue. He doesn’t have to search for long. A voice comes through the audio system. A cheery voice. Probably designed to be uplifting in some strange, authoritarian, way.
“Vehicle disabled until required pupil verification.”
Tales of the Courier
1courier stares at the road ahead in disbelief. More horns sound behind him followed by a few angry shouts. This is getting bad, and quickly, he thinks. Required pupil verification. Where is a damn key when you need one? The thought is so odd he barks a laugh. Indeed, imagine using a key to start a vehicle. What an old school thought. However, the thought sparks a firm feeling of nostalgia, as he listens to the symphony of horns behind him.
A loud thump hits his window. Someone just threw a shoe at the ride. Seriously? A shoe? Did they think he wanted to be stuck right here in the middle of this intersection trying to prove his humanity to a kill switch car? Then, a second thump (the other shoe) hits the window, as more horns blare behind him. This was becoming the worst delivery ever. It’s downward spiral is remarkable. To say the least. Quickly he begins removing all the tape he previously installed on the invasive, internal, cameras.
Unsure of where to look (required pupil verification) he decides to look at the road ahead. Ten eternal seconds later, the vehicle starts. Then he’s able to put it in gear, and flee the intersection, before something worse than a shoe hits him. Three blocks and this delivery is in the books. Three blocks, and this ride will also be in the books. The failed delivery books. Although, the for sale book, is where it actually belongs. In fact, a junkyard might be better.
Kill Switch Car Hustle
Today.
1courier walks down the other side of the specimen, tracing his finger as he goes. The year is right, and the style is sweet. He taps the machine lightly with one knuckle. The solid reverberating sound is like music to his ears. Detroit steel in this one, he thinks. Speaking of music. 1courier cups his hands and peers through the faded glass on the driver’s side. There is indeed a standard radio. With a tuning knob, the way it should be. Actual, eyes on the road, tech.
He thinks about the kill switch car he left a few miles back. This Detroit steel specimen was entirely worth the walk to get here. He grins as the salesman appears. He is holding a key. “Want to take her for a spin?” The question is real, and the salesman knows this will likely be a sale.
1courier grins again, and warmly accepts the offer. “Yes, I do.” Once in the ride he keys the ignition, and listens, to the roar of the motor, as it lights up the ride. Time to fly.
Previous Story: Camera Shy Short Duster – Tales of the Courier
Like, share and follow the anonymous courier on X at @Theanonymousc1. Like and follow here for the Facebook page The Anonymous Courier on FB. Also find The anonymous courier on Pinterest.
Click on the Subscribe link to receive updates on new posts, updated posts and new features. Join today.
Comment here