Not in my job description – Tales of the Courier
Technology can be a good thing. There is no denying it has many uses. In fact, 1courier remembers an old saying. Necessity is the mother of invention. So, technology is like a vehicle expediting that process. 1courier scratches his head. He watches the motionless robot as he walks past. Not much expediting happening there. Maybe technology isn’t always the answer. If not, then what is? And also, is it too early to be thinking this deep?
He checks the map. Two more blocks, then the drop-off. Sweet. This is how we get the job done. He grins and looks back at the motionless robot. Its built-in screen flashes C-11 Fetter Hall. Ha! He’s going to C-13 Fetter Hall. This is going to be embarrassing. For the machine. Furthermore, it’s a block further back and still sitting. But that was the risk in sending a machine to do a courier’s work. Looks like someone would be waiting, and it wasn’t going to be 1courier’s drop-off.
1courier returns his attention to the path that leads to the dormitories. It’s the only way to access this part of the campus. Furthermore, there are no roads leading to Fetter Hall. Yet this is one of the busiest zones on the weekends. He almost feels sorry for C-11. In fact, one could say it wasn’t in the robot’s job description to meet at the door. At least they were close to their delivery. This time 1courier chuckles.
Not In My Job Description
It’s a four minute walk to the Dormitory. Then a few more minutes climbing the stairs. Fetter Hall is a building constructed over a century ago. There are many corridors filled with old, narrow staircases. It is seven stories high, with twelve rooms on every level. Except level seven. 1courier consults his internal map. Yes, he would be going to the seventh level and the thirteenth room.
Once again he studies his internal map. Memorizing these details saves time, each time he delivers here. Therefore, he calculates the shortest distance to his goal. Eight, maybe nine, staircases. Looks like he has some cardio ahead. Especially considering this is something a machine can’t do. 1courier smirks. What’s the robot car going to do, squeeze up those narrow staircases?
He thinks about the machine sitting back at the road with its fancy display screen. Furthermore, he thinks about the limitations of the dang hunk of metal. One thing is for sure he thinks, as he begins his climb up the first flight of stairs, getting the job done was in his job description. Then, he begins taking the steps two at a time as he ascends. Maybe he would try to alert C-11 that their delivery was with the machine. Back at the curb.
Tales of the Courier
Two flights away from the seventh floor he drops the double step routine. He needs to be able to talk when he reaches the door. There were always jokes about the long walk up the stairs. The final tread creaks and squeaks as 1courier steps onto the seventh floor. The woodwork of the staircase is a testament to the expertise of the craftsmen who built this place. Back in the days long since gone by.
1courier treks down the corridor to the last few rooms. He can see the end of the corridor, and his target room C-13, on the right. Across the hall from C-13 is C-11. Additionally, there is a large delivery order sitting at the door of C-11. 1courier blinks as he nears the end of the corridor. Then he watches as the door to C-11 opens and the delivery items are carried inside. Just before the door closes 1courier gets a quick glance. And then a quick word.
Nevertheless
“You know this new robot delivery service is so cool. It’s also the quickest delivery I’ve ever gotten out here!” The door closes. And now 1courier is left pondering. Surely not…he unloads his cargo and knocks on the door. No time for chatting today.
He runs back down the stairs, at full speed. Out the door and onto the path. Then back into the parking lot. And he’s just in time to see the machine with the fancy screen, leaving the lot. Furthermore, it appears the screen has a message for him this time.
Pep in the Step. Better luck next time, 1courier.
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