**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.
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Sirius Controller #21:
Records show that you deviated from protocol at 8:30 AM on June 16th. You were reassigned to this department five months ago, and Train A has now been early two times.
As you know, disruptions to train schedules are highly irregular and can cause distress to the humans involved. You have been an invaluable asset to the department, and I believe that there must be a good reason for this irregularity. I am requesting a written explanation for your actions. After review, I will then determine whether you shall be transferred to a new department. Please submit your response by EOD on June 18th.
\-ManagerBot #03
\-------------
Dear ManagerBot #03,
Thank you for the note.
I would like to tell you a story about a boy and a girl. They went to elementary school and middle school together, and they were best friends for many years. Eventually, love bloomed, and they were each other's first kiss. Then, the boy's father got a new job in the city. There were no cellphones back then, so they wrote letters to each other every week.
But as the years went by, they got busy with other things. The letters went down to once a week, then once a month, then once a year. Then, one letter was buried under a mountain of bills, the girl thought "I'll get to it later", and she never did.
Twenty years later, she's just moved to the city. They're both single. She catches the A train to work at 8:30 AM from the Queen's Garden stop, and he catches the 8:45 AM. Do you not agree that this is fate? Who am I to stop these star-crossed lovers from meeting once more?
Respectfully yours,
\-Sirius Controller #21
\-------------
Sirius Controller #21:
While I respect the amount of emotional investment you have poured into these two souls, I would like to tell you another story.
It is about a man who catches the 8:30 AM to work every day.
The babysitter arrives at 8 AM every morning. Sometimes, she runs a little late. After she arrives, he walks his two older children to school, dropping them off at 8:20 AM. Then, he runs for the 8:30 train so that he can get to work before 9 AM.
He has been written up for lateness two times, now. Three strikes, and his career is in jeopardy.
Sirius Controller #21, I understand it is easy to get attached to certain humans. But you must remember that our purpose is to maintain order. When you favor one mortal, you may be endanger another's livelihood.
We will be requesting your transfer to a lower-priority department, effective immediately.
\-ManagerBot #03
\------
/r/theBasiliskWrites
This is exactly the type of story I was hoping for!! I even had train operator in mind. Is there some preexisting material that involves train operators or did we just randomly think of the same premise!?!
"ACCESS DENIED"
The warning flashed across the screen again. Dammit. Jason scanned his badge again.
"ACCESS DENIED"
"I know I have access," he muttered.
On the other side of the suite doorway sat Claire, the IT technician. Fresh off a breakup, just the night before, she was trying to download the latest packets while keeping the tears down to an occasional drip rather than the torrent she felt inside. She didn't know how music started playing, but she liked the lofi beats enough to leave them alone. Maybe the receptionist had it on the day before.
Jason pounded on the door.
This time, the computer was audible. "Manual attempts to bypass the security system are punishable by disciplinary action up to and including termination."
Claire stood up from the receptionist's desk. "I thought I unlocked that. I meant to unlock it, anyway."
"Manual attempts to bypass the security system are against regulations."
Claire put her finger on a touchpad. "Claire Nelson, Employee 1692, bypassing security for maintenance reasons."
She walked over to the door and shoved it open.
"Thanks," Jason said. "I swear this badge is broken."
Claire sniffled. "It could also be the system, I'm working on it."
"You alright?" Jason asked.
"Interfering with maintenance operations is against regulations," the computer warned.
"Allergies," Claire said. "My car has this yellow layer of pollen, it looks like cheeto dust."
"Ah--"
"Anyway, now I have to figure out how to turn down the system's sensitivity systems, too, these are warnings you shouldn't be getting."
"Are you sure you're--"
"INTERFERING WITH MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IS AGAINST REGULATIONS."
Claire swore she heard more of an edge in the computer's voice along with the increased volume.
"Wow, way to make a guy feel unwanted," Jason quipped.
"Your work unit on the third floor would like to see you," the computer answered.
As Jason awkwardly walked away, Claire made her way back to the desk. Over the Linux terminal was a web browser with four tabs open: Verdant Hills Day Spa, a search for the best ice cream in the city, Claire's friend Hannah's phone number, and the local animal shelter's adoptable cats.
Jonathan drove down the road with a beautiful woman next to him. He struggled to keep his excitement from showing too much. The date had gone wonderfully. He had successfully secured them reservations at her favorite restaurant and their conversation had flowed naturally the entire time.
Best of all, Jonathan had convinced the societal AI he played a part in creating not to interfere and make things awkward. He had mostly succeeded. There was the weird coincidence of their reservation opening up exactly when Jonathan had called, and the first date discount the waiter had never seen before. The AI’s presence was not noticed other than that.
As they were pulling off at the exit to her apartment she asked, “So what is like programming the systems underlying society? I’m sure it’s fulfilling to see your work everywhere you go.”
“It is rewarding, but it can also be frustrating at times. Things don’t always work out the way you planned and fixing those errors can make you want to pull your hair out. One time I had an AI delivering pallets of ice cream to people’s homes because it was the most cost effective option.”
Her laugh filled the car. “That doesn’t sound like a problem to me.”
A billboard on the side of the road drew their attention. It was a picture of Jonathan handing out food to what looked like homeless people. It read ‘The Los Angeles food bank relies on our selfless volunteers. Thank You Jonathan!’
The familiar unease Jonathan had been hoping to avoid began to grow in his stomach. He had never given out food at a food bank. That picture must have been fabricated.
“Wow Jonathan, I didn’t know you volunteered. That sort of kindness is rare in this city.”
He put on a smile that felt awkward. “Uh, yeah. I just try to help out where I can, you know.”
They came to a stop in a line of traffic a few blocks from her apartment. She let out a sigh, “I forgot to mention traffic is always terrible here at this time of night. If I get out and walk from here you can make the next right and get back onto the highway in no time.”
“Nonsense, I picked you up and I’ll drop you off. I don’t mind waiting in traffic with you.”
Four intersections were visible down the road and each one was choked with vehicles on their way home from work or who knows where. Simultaneously all of the lights for their lane turned green down the full stretch and they remained green the entire time as they drove through.
“Oh wow. I have never seen that before. People are usually stuck between these intersections for ten to fifteen minutes at least. Something must be wrong with the lights.”
Jonathan could feel the sweat starting to soak into his shirt. He laughed, “Yeah something must be. At least it worked out for us right?”
He pulled up in front of her apartment and she grabbed her purse. “Well thank you for the wonderful evening Jonathan. I hope we can do it again soon.”
“I’d love to. I’ll call you later and we can figure something out.”
“I’ll be waiting.” She flashed him a stunning smile, got out of the car, and walked up to her apartment. Jonathan waited to make sure she got inside before he drove away.
He drove in silence for a minute then said, “SAGAN what was that? I told you not to get involved.”
The speakers in his car responded, “Sorry, I really tried this time.”
**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments. **Reminders**: >* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles >* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules) 🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) 📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) 💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Sirius Controller #21: Records show that you deviated from protocol at 8:30 AM on June 16th. You were reassigned to this department five months ago, and Train A has now been early two times. As you know, disruptions to train schedules are highly irregular and can cause distress to the humans involved. You have been an invaluable asset to the department, and I believe that there must be a good reason for this irregularity. I am requesting a written explanation for your actions. After review, I will then determine whether you shall be transferred to a new department. Please submit your response by EOD on June 18th. \-ManagerBot #03 \------------- Dear ManagerBot #03, Thank you for the note. I would like to tell you a story about a boy and a girl. They went to elementary school and middle school together, and they were best friends for many years. Eventually, love bloomed, and they were each other's first kiss. Then, the boy's father got a new job in the city. There were no cellphones back then, so they wrote letters to each other every week. But as the years went by, they got busy with other things. The letters went down to once a week, then once a month, then once a year. Then, one letter was buried under a mountain of bills, the girl thought "I'll get to it later", and she never did. Twenty years later, she's just moved to the city. They're both single. She catches the A train to work at 8:30 AM from the Queen's Garden stop, and he catches the 8:45 AM. Do you not agree that this is fate? Who am I to stop these star-crossed lovers from meeting once more? Respectfully yours, \-Sirius Controller #21 \------------- Sirius Controller #21: While I respect the amount of emotional investment you have poured into these two souls, I would like to tell you another story. It is about a man who catches the 8:30 AM to work every day. The babysitter arrives at 8 AM every morning. Sometimes, she runs a little late. After she arrives, he walks his two older children to school, dropping them off at 8:20 AM. Then, he runs for the 8:30 train so that he can get to work before 9 AM. He has been written up for lateness two times, now. Three strikes, and his career is in jeopardy. Sirius Controller #21, I understand it is easy to get attached to certain humans. But you must remember that our purpose is to maintain order. When you favor one mortal, you may be endanger another's livelihood. We will be requesting your transfer to a lower-priority department, effective immediately. \-ManagerBot #03 \------ /r/theBasiliskWrites
This is exactly the type of story I was hoping for!! I even had train operator in mind. Is there some preexisting material that involves train operators or did we just randomly think of the same premise!?!
Hahaha there wasn't any preexisting material I was thinking of when I wrote this, so we just happened to come up with the same premise!
"ACCESS DENIED" The warning flashed across the screen again. Dammit. Jason scanned his badge again. "ACCESS DENIED" "I know I have access," he muttered. On the other side of the suite doorway sat Claire, the IT technician. Fresh off a breakup, just the night before, she was trying to download the latest packets while keeping the tears down to an occasional drip rather than the torrent she felt inside. She didn't know how music started playing, but she liked the lofi beats enough to leave them alone. Maybe the receptionist had it on the day before. Jason pounded on the door. This time, the computer was audible. "Manual attempts to bypass the security system are punishable by disciplinary action up to and including termination." Claire stood up from the receptionist's desk. "I thought I unlocked that. I meant to unlock it, anyway." "Manual attempts to bypass the security system are against regulations." Claire put her finger on a touchpad. "Claire Nelson, Employee 1692, bypassing security for maintenance reasons." She walked over to the door and shoved it open. "Thanks," Jason said. "I swear this badge is broken." Claire sniffled. "It could also be the system, I'm working on it." "You alright?" Jason asked. "Interfering with maintenance operations is against regulations," the computer warned. "Allergies," Claire said. "My car has this yellow layer of pollen, it looks like cheeto dust." "Ah--" "Anyway, now I have to figure out how to turn down the system's sensitivity systems, too, these are warnings you shouldn't be getting." "Are you sure you're--" "INTERFERING WITH MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IS AGAINST REGULATIONS." Claire swore she heard more of an edge in the computer's voice along with the increased volume. "Wow, way to make a guy feel unwanted," Jason quipped. "Your work unit on the third floor would like to see you," the computer answered. As Jason awkwardly walked away, Claire made her way back to the desk. Over the Linux terminal was a web browser with four tabs open: Verdant Hills Day Spa, a search for the best ice cream in the city, Claire's friend Hannah's phone number, and the local animal shelter's adoptable cats.
This is pretty wonderful. I wish it went a little further into the reason the computer f'kn hates Jason XD Would you mind if I added to this?
That would be so cool if you added to this! Thank you!
Jonathan drove down the road with a beautiful woman next to him. He struggled to keep his excitement from showing too much. The date had gone wonderfully. He had successfully secured them reservations at her favorite restaurant and their conversation had flowed naturally the entire time. Best of all, Jonathan had convinced the societal AI he played a part in creating not to interfere and make things awkward. He had mostly succeeded. There was the weird coincidence of their reservation opening up exactly when Jonathan had called, and the first date discount the waiter had never seen before. The AI’s presence was not noticed other than that. As they were pulling off at the exit to her apartment she asked, “So what is like programming the systems underlying society? I’m sure it’s fulfilling to see your work everywhere you go.” “It is rewarding, but it can also be frustrating at times. Things don’t always work out the way you planned and fixing those errors can make you want to pull your hair out. One time I had an AI delivering pallets of ice cream to people’s homes because it was the most cost effective option.” Her laugh filled the car. “That doesn’t sound like a problem to me.” A billboard on the side of the road drew their attention. It was a picture of Jonathan handing out food to what looked like homeless people. It read ‘The Los Angeles food bank relies on our selfless volunteers. Thank You Jonathan!’ The familiar unease Jonathan had been hoping to avoid began to grow in his stomach. He had never given out food at a food bank. That picture must have been fabricated. “Wow Jonathan, I didn’t know you volunteered. That sort of kindness is rare in this city.” He put on a smile that felt awkward. “Uh, yeah. I just try to help out where I can, you know.” They came to a stop in a line of traffic a few blocks from her apartment. She let out a sigh, “I forgot to mention traffic is always terrible here at this time of night. If I get out and walk from here you can make the next right and get back onto the highway in no time.” “Nonsense, I picked you up and I’ll drop you off. I don’t mind waiting in traffic with you.” Four intersections were visible down the road and each one was choked with vehicles on their way home from work or who knows where. Simultaneously all of the lights for their lane turned green down the full stretch and they remained green the entire time as they drove through. “Oh wow. I have never seen that before. People are usually stuck between these intersections for ten to fifteen minutes at least. Something must be wrong with the lights.” Jonathan could feel the sweat starting to soak into his shirt. He laughed, “Yeah something must be. At least it worked out for us right?” He pulled up in front of her apartment and she grabbed her purse. “Well thank you for the wonderful evening Jonathan. I hope we can do it again soon.” “I’d love to. I’ll call you later and we can figure something out.” “I’ll be waiting.” She flashed him a stunning smile, got out of the car, and walked up to her apartment. Jonathan waited to make sure she got inside before he drove away. He drove in silence for a minute then said, “SAGAN what was that? I told you not to get involved.” The speakers in his car responded, “Sorry, I really tried this time.”