By coincidence they’d both graduated from university the same year, began work at the same company on the same day, shared the same cubicle, and had the same job-

computer programmer, coder, responsible for inserting advertiser content into websites.

For Cathy and Dot, it wasn’t particularly exciting work, but it paid well, covering their bills with a little left over for play time. And these two young women liked to play, liked to go bar hopping and flirt with other young people interested in two pretty and outgoing females.

It was Friday, lunchtime, and the two coders were leaving the building to hit a local curry shop for lunch. As they passed through the lobby, both noticed a rather solid young woman carrying a toolbox. The back of her blue coveralls had a logo stating “C.J. Plumbing-call us when you’re  backed up.”

the plumber flashed a bright smile at them as she passed by. Cathy and Dot had the same thought, it’s about time management did something about the plugged restroom toilet.

As usual, the curry shop was buzzing, air rich with spicy aromas. Steaming bowls of vegetarian coconut rice in hand, the pair found seats at a counter looking out at the street. They ate watching the noontime traffic and sharing thoughts for weekend adventures.

Entering the company lobby after lunch, Kathy noted, “strange, doesn’t it seem very quiet to you?”

Dot looked around and agreed, “yes, where is everybody?”

but exiting the elevator into the cubicle filled office space, they crashed into pandemonium.

“What’s going on?” Dot asked a frantic young man brushing past her.

wild eyed, he cried out, “check your email!” and disappeared into the elevator.

by now it was obvious something was wrong, the entire office was echoing with screams of surprise, curses, even some sobs. Cathy and Dot found their seats and opened their computers.

They each had new email. Simultaneously they opened the message from management.

Subject: Termination notice.

Please be informed that your employment with us is terminated as of this moment. Close your computer and remove yourself and any personal items immediately.

the management

Both women stared at their computer screens, shocked. Eventually, they turned in their chairs and looked at each other, faces blank.

Then Cathy shrugged. Dot swore. They shut down their computers and gathered their things, a few pictures and memorabilia of good times. Then both stood and shuffled towards the elevator.

“What Happened?” Dot wondered out loud.

They both had minimal shares in the company and had noted the business value had risen dramatically in the past few months. Certainly the company was making money and they’d been a big part of that.

Or had they?

Then, in the midst of the frenzied din they heard the same two letters being repeated.

“AI!”

“AI!”

“AI!!””

Cathy muttered, “artificial intelligence.”

And the two young women who had gone to university for four years to educate themselves so that they could have a successful career suddenly became aware that they’d been replaced by a computer.

Stopping to look back at the future that no longer existed, Cathy and Dot noticed the same solid woman in the blue coveralls exiting the restroom. She smiled at them as she entered the elevator.

Cathy and Dot’s eyes watched the beaming plumber’s face disappear behind the closing elevator doors.

they considered their career choice.


Moral: Toilets are forever


tio stib