Sheila stared at her boss’ newest acquisition.
“ What is it?” she asked, though her heart was sinking. She’d seen the human-like robot – or one very like her – on TV the other night. Her boss, Mr Paisley, had presumably watched the same programme.
“They call her a FoodBot,” he said happily. “There’s nothing she doesn’t know about food and nutrition. Not only can she cook and clean, but she can also process a debit-card payment straight into my inbox before the customer has even finished his sandwich. She’ll be running this café in a week, you mark my words.”
“What about my job?” quavered Sheila, who’d worked there happily for 30 years.
“This is the future, Sheila,” he said briskly. “I wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand. Besides,” his eyes gleamed, “a FoodBot works for nothing and you don’t.”
After he’d gone, Sheila faced the robot who’d remained blank-faced and silent throughout the exchange. The creature was slim and pretty, her synthetic skin flawless.
“My name is Sheila. What’s yours?” said Sheila tentatively.
Something flicked on behind the robot’s green eyes. “My designation is IV1Z56.”
“That sounds more like a password than a name,” said Sheila. “What if I call you Ivy?”
The FoodBot considered this. “That is acceptable.”
That settled, Sheila ran through the menu. “. . . and today’s specials are mac and cheese, and chicken pie,” she finished.
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 10 June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 10 June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'I'M BACK!'
ACK!’ Scandal after scandal hits Jacob Zuma, yet nothing ever brings him down. Now he’s plotting his return to parliament and he’s hinted he has his heart set on another term as president
A BRAIN YOU CAN COUNT ON
Meet Aaryan Shukla, the 13-year-old from India whos just been crowned the worlds fastest human calculator
FUN WHILE IT LASTED
It's all over for oddball couple Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
THE TEEN MACHINE!
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has set the footballing world alight with his dazzling displays
A BETTER LIFE FOR ELIJAH
A rare condition means this little boy can't bend his arms and legs, but his parents are doing everything they can to give him a normal life
A DOCTOR'S JOURNEY
He chose to do one of the toughest jobs in medicine: looking after children who were dying. In this moving extract from his memoir, Cape Town paediatrician Alastair McAlpine reveals how, with wisdom and humour, sick kids taught him crucial lessons that changed his approach to life
'SA WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME'
Cindy Nell-Roberts is starting a new lite Down Under with her family. She tells YOU about the chaotic but happy p ansliepent why shes missing home
HOW TO SPOT A NARCISSIST
They often look like the most confident person in the room, but narcissists are insecure and desperate for validation, says a new book
DEFIANT TO THE END
He went from star athlete to Hollywood hero and ended up a reviled criminal but OJ Simpson remained unapologetic
BRING IT ON TAMMY!
Peet and Mel Viljoen arent going to let threats deter them from their fabulous life