2017

I close my eyes and wake up in a post apocalyptic world. The world is just like ours, but controlled by Robots as the judges and Books as the police. Every thing is an offence if not done as per the programmed routine.

Today, instead of briskly walking across the road at the zebra crossing, I decided to run, in my hurry I hadn't realised it is an offence. The robot at the other end of the crossing instantly flagged me down and my bracelet started beeping. I walk over to the judge to try and explain my way out, it doesn't help. I have to a heavy fine and all offences are paid for using your dignity and pride. I am asked to strip for the police. The robot hands me a book saying this is the police on duty.

I am walking across to a nearby parking lot along with some citizens who have also been fined their dignity. I didn't want to lose the little dignity I have left on my bracelet and decide to cut a deal with the police.

I lie to the book and ask "Are you sure you want to see an old and fat man, naked."

I don't get a response from the book and a minute later the pages of the book turn to an underlined word saying "No."

"Are you willing to tell the judge that I paid my fine to you." I continue talking to the book.

Another single word response with the pages flipping to a "Yes."

I am delighted, I ask "How do you know if someone has stripped. How do you see them pay the fine?"

The book flips to the words "I imagine".

I say to the book "Imagine her" as I hand over the book to an attractive looking girl who had to pay the fine.

"At least books have their imagination alive," I wonder to myself as I exit the parking lot with a smile that I didn't have to lose my dignity today.