Hands on

Jake walked with a certain swagger since his promotion.

‘No more than I deserve,’ he thought. ‘ I was always the cleverest tecchie kid in my class a decade ago.’

Now he would be in total charge of the computer department in the insurance company.

‘No more licking managers’ boots or dumbing down my answers to silly queries. Freedom at last to run the department  my way.’

As he exited the building he was walking on air. Taking the tram would become a thing of the past. His company car would  be delivered.

His right finger and thumb ached a little,  after a long day at the office. He put it down to long working days.

Arriving at his apartment he had difficulty putting the key in the lock. Eventually he managed it.

Through the cold wintry night he tossed and turned feverishly in his sleep. His fingers and toes turned icy cold and he shivered all night long. Winter’s pallid,early morning  sunlight soon reflected through the curtains. Jake’s extremities rattled like robotic limbs  as he attempted to swing his feet onto the floor mat.

He gazed in horror at the sight. His toes glistened like metal digits in the chill morning light. Soon his fingers took on the same metallic glow. Fear gripped him.

He let out a primal scream. No one heard since his apartment was sound proofed.

He dared not contact Katy as months had passed since their acrimonious breakup.  Katy  always declared that tech got in the way of their shared lives.

Jake was bereft. Today, Tuesday the 1st of January was the day for the all important meeting when he would be introduced to the company C.E.O and all those other bigwigs who had shares in the company.

He was crestfallen. Dad Joe had advised him to take it easy climbing the corporate ladder. He didn’t listen.

His phone pinged. Glancing at his fit bit he saw it was already noon. His all important meeting was scheduled for 11a.m.

What had he become? A robot? Surely not. Humans don’t turn into robots just like that. He was seized with fear. The next day the brand new gold plate on his office door bearing his name:

 Mr Jake Smith

Technology Manager

was hastily removed and thrown in the trash.

Colleagues whispered in corners about his demise.

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