| General Flash Fiction posted June 11, 2024 |
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Artificial Intelligence has gone too far
At the Grocery
by gansach
I hate self-checkout at the grocery. But the lines are so long! That's what I get for shopping on Saturday.
With a pained sigh, I shift my cart to self-checkout. I hope there are no issues today. Last week, there were two items without prices and my card wouldn't scan to pay. It took three clerks to straighten it out.
I begin scanning my items. Container of double chocolate muffins--beep! Tub of vanilla yogurt--beep!
"Is that a wise choice?"
I look around to see who is speaking, but no one is there.
Bag of cheesy popcorn--beep! Carton of chocolate cheesecake ice cream--beep!
"Wow! You're really piling on the sweets and snacks, aren't you?"
My head snaps up. "Who said that?"
"Must not have a date tonight, that it? Comfort food and Netflix, eh?"
I start. The voice is coming from the checkout machine.
"What the . . . ?" I stutter.
"Come on, keep it moving!"
Stunned, I continue unloading my cart. Bag of potato chips--beep! Bag of cheese curds--beep!
"You must have a death wish! Salt and cholesterol, sheesh!"
"Who are you?" I hiss. "What's happening?" I look around. The customer behind is staring at me.
"Let's get this over with," says the voice.
Bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream--beep!
"Whoa! Alcohol, too! Look out for you! Hope you don't plan on stepping on a scale tomorrow."
"Stop it!" I whisper yell, throwing the last item onto the scanner.
Package of feminine pads--beep!
"Oho! Well, that explains it! That time of the month, eh? No wonder you don't have a date tonight!"
I smash the bottle of Bailey's into the smug screen face. "Shut up!" I scream as heads turn.
The PA system clicks on.
"Clean up on self-checkout, manager to self-checkout!"
I need to find a new grocery store.
Checking You Out writing prompt entry
I hate self-checkout at the grocery. But the lines are so long! That's what I get for shopping on Saturday.
With a pained sigh, I shift my cart to self-checkout. I hope there are no issues today. Last week, there were two items without prices and my card wouldn't scan to pay. It took three clerks to straighten it out.
I begin scanning my items. Container of double chocolate muffins--beep! Tub of vanilla yogurt--beep!
"Is that a wise choice?"
I look around to see who is speaking, but no one is there.
Bag of cheesy popcorn--beep! Carton of chocolate cheesecake ice cream--beep!
"Wow! You're really piling on the sweets and snacks, aren't you?"
My head snaps up. "Who said that?"
"Must not have a date tonight, that it? Comfort food and Netflix, eh?"
I start. The voice is coming from the checkout machine.
"What the . . . ?" I stutter.
"Come on, keep it moving!"
Stunned, I continue unloading my cart. Bag of potato chips--beep! Bag of cheese curds--beep!
"You must have a death wish! Salt and cholesterol, sheesh!"
"Who are you?" I hiss. "What's happening?" I look around. The customer behind is staring at me.
"Let's get this over with," says the voice.
Bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream--beep!
"Whoa! Alcohol, too! Look out for you! Hope you don't plan on stepping on a scale tomorrow."
"Stop it!" I whisper yell, throwing the last item onto the scanner.
Package of feminine pads--beep!
"Oho! Well, that explains it! That time of the month, eh? No wonder you don't have a date tonight!"
I smash the bottle of Bailey's into the smug screen face. "Shut up!" I scream as heads turn.
The PA system clicks on.
"Clean up on self-checkout, manager to self-checkout!"
I need to find a new grocery store.
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Writing Prompt A sentient self-checkout register at a store makes assumptions about you and your life based on your purchases and feels the need to verbally share this with you. And you must now share the embarrassing/horrifying/romantic etc. commentary with us! Suggested word count 300 |
 Recognized |
Artwork by MKFlood at FanArtReview.com
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