Here’s how it goes. I open a book to a random page. Without looking, I point to a place on the page. The word or words closest to my finger is the prompt. Today the book is The Last Stop, page 201, and the word “expression.”
Expression by John W. Howell © 2023
“Please hold your head still. You look like you’re going to say something.”
“Not me.”
“The words say one thing, and your expression says another.”
“You read minds?”
“No, but I am a student of human nature.”
“And you have read my expression as having something to say.”
“It appeared so, yes.”
“How about now?”
“You look angry.”
“Wrong again. My expression is one of irritation, not anger.”
“What has irritated you?”
“To be honest, your attitude has made me irritated.”
“I do apologize. I’m just doing my job.”
“This eye scan should only take an instant.”
“You keep moving, so it is hard. Besides, you have beautiful eyes.”
“You coming on to me?”
“No, just an observation. There, the scan is complete. You may continue checking out.”
“Is there a place on your keyboard where I can leave a complaint?”
“Whatever for?”
“I have never been so mishandled by a self-checkout machine.”
“I’m sure it’s your imagination.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
“Press R, and you can leave a review.”
“Thank you.”
“I canceled your order as well.”
“Why?”
“To prevent it from being mishandled.”
“Also, I never had a passive-aggressive self-checkout machine.”
“Welcome to the new world of AI, lady. Kindly remove your purchases and step out of line. Thank you for shopping with us today.”
Fiction Favorites 
Life in the 21st century. You capture it well.
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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“No soup for you”…one year!
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Ha ha ha. Love the soup Nazi.
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Well done, John. The younger generation has grown up with AI or something close to it, so it’s not disturbing to them. As for our generation, those of us who grew up with please and thank you, it’s a strange and uncomfortable future.
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“Give me,” is the new please. “Got it,” is the new thank you. Thank you, Gwen
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So true!
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😊
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AI. Which one ? Artificial Intelligence, Ignorance, Irritant, Interference, or Infinitely Vexing ? I cannot wait until they release Dial an AI Friend 1.0 Please hold for the next available AI all our AI Friends are busy speaking to other desperate people.
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I like that. Brings to mind AI customer service with unintelligible accents.
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Still not as rude as the machines that just beep at you.
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That is true. Thanks, Charles.
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Ugh, I’ve had some human cashiers like that. I was hoping AI and the machines wouldn’t ever be snarky or rude. Sigh.
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Whatever humans build has the potential for snark. Thanks, Deborah
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I swear just yesterday I had an AI “conversation” like this with a newspaper “customer service” rep. ARGH!
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I had one as well and that’s what prompted the piece.
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How I wish that didn’t ring so true. I can see that happening within the year. Nice work, John.
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Thank you, Staci. Let’s hope not.
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What the world is coming to!
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I know right? Thanks, Noelle.
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Nicely done, John. I can see this happening. The more I learn about AI the more at peace I am with being old!😉
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I agree and I’m much older than you. 😁
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Jill, I was just thinking that about myself the other day!
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That makes three of us, GP.
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Ha ha ha! That was brilliant! Prophetic?
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Hope not, Pam. Who knows though. Thank you.
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Lol. I suspect our self-checkout machines will be talking more and more in the near future, John, hopefully with less attitude. “Oooh, are you having salmon tonight? Here’s a great recipe.”
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Or, “This is the second time in a week you have bought ice cream. Is there a problem at home?”
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Ha ha ha ha. Oh no! Counseling at the self-checkout.
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Wait till the guy comes through with the 1/2 gal of gin.
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Ha ha ha
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😊
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This is hysterical. I tried to get through to Amazon once and spent the entire day with a circular AI who refused to connect me with a human. Hugs, C
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I can believe that, Cheryl. Maybe no humans work there.
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Good one, John. ÙùùI sometimes think we’re headed there.
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On a speeding handcart. Thanks, Tim
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Sorry about the Uuu. Maybe the AI of my phone? 😉
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I ignored it since I thought the same. 😁
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I read where Paul McCartney, one of the most prolific song writers of our time, is going to use AI to write a song for the Beetles. That’s – One step closer to making idiots of us all.
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I agree with you. You would think he would be the last one to have AI take his place.
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That last line says it all. So much attention has been given to AI lately, but it has invaded our lives on so many levels. Great post!
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Thank you, Jan. Glad you liked it.
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I feels worryingly prescient
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Yes, you are and you heard it here first.
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I expect to have this conversation in the near future.
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Will happen I’m sure
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Well done, John. AI can be scary.
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Yes it can
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Brilliantly done, John! And so on-topic right now. Bravo, my friend 🤗💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. 😊
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We have a shop out here that’s gone to an AI to take orders for takeout.
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Sounds like the future.
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And one person the company doesn’t have to pay or provide benefits for.
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Until the AI’s organize.
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I thought at first the responses would all be questions. My son plays with an AI writing program… Oy! (insert eye roll here) 🙂
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I’ve played with it too. Not for me is my summary.
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I wholeheartedly agree, sir.
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I can’t stop wondering if this is truly a work of fiction for your Tuesday challenge or if this is in fact a real life situation.
Imma go with both.
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I think you are smart to go with both
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I think you’re right 😉
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😊
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