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Submitted for the September 2024 prompt: The Bogeyman Cometh
My agent said the gig was worth big money and would be all over social media. I didn’t need to be told twice. My rent was due next week, and the tips from my waiting job had been almost non-existent.
Filming was in some big industrial area and security was insane. The head big-wig, called Sharon, came out to see me while I was getting my hair and makeup done. “Andy, we’ve got all your non-disclosure, medical and consent forms. Filming is set to proceed in an hour. Do you have any questions for me before then?”
“Do I get to keep the prize money?”
“If you win, then yes, of course. The money is yours in addition to the fee we’re paying you.”
I smiled. This was going to be easy. “And I get to ask them anything — right?”
“Correct. Good luck.”
I didn’t think I’d need it.
An hour later I was taken out to meet a bubbly blonde who was the host of the show. It was just me, her, the cameraman, and some people in white coats. "No audience?" I asked.
"We don't need them. You ready?"
I gave a little nod, and we were away.
“Well, everyone, this is Andy. Andy is an actor who works part-time in a restaurant. His hobbies are gaming, reading and Dungeons and Dragons. Tell me, Andy, do you think you’ll be able to spot the odd one in our lineup today?”
“I haven’t seen them yet. But I reckon I’ll know which ones are robots. I don’t reckon technology has got that advanced yet. I should be able to hear their cogs turning or something.”
Blondy fake-smiled.
A curtain fell back and there they were. Seven of them, all sitting down on chairs and all I had to do was spot the one human.
“Damn! They all look so real.”
“Not what you expected?”
My words were lost for a second. Four guys, three girls, different ages and ethnicities, but they looked so… human.
“You have one hour to make your decision. Good luck!”
The cameras followed me at every turn.
Number one was a sarcastic female who seemed to dislike me and had a bad case of attitude.
Number two a computer nerd.
Number three a prissy do-gooder cheerleader.
Number four was much like me, a gamer, but worked in IT.
Number five, an asian female, who spoke with a clipped accent and said she was homesick.
Number six a likeable old geezer that looked just like my dad.
And number seven was a rich tosser who’d been given a Tesla from his parents on his twentieth birthday and was at university.
They were all so life-like. There were no robotic sounds from any of them, and I made sure I shook everyone’s hand. It was all human skin I touched, complete with freckles, discolouration, and even age spots.
“Come on, you’re having me on, aren’t you? They’re all real, right? Someone’s gonna jump out from behind a screen and say, “Joke’s on you Andy.””
“I assure you Andy, there are six robots here and one human. Have you made your final decision?”
Time was ticking. I picked the old guy.
I was wrong.
It was the tosser with the Tesla that was human. Insane.
“Thank you for participating today, Andy. We hope you enjoyed yourself.”
I was ushered off the stage, given a fat paycheck and reminded that my contract prohibited me from talking about the show. I returned to my waiting job.
I never did get to see the footage on social media. But I did see that old guy again, years later. On the news, pushing AI, and now campaigning for President.
I’m voting for the other guy.
Copyright 2024 - SFS Publishing LLC
Not Like the Others
One of these things is not like the other...