[ WP ] The year is 2116 . Everything is automated . But you have managed to hold the last and only job held by a human . The `` system '' would like to see you in it 's office .

`` HAL?'' yelled the man, knocking on the posh door to the office of his'boss'. 
 
 `` Come in, Dave.'' The computer behind it responded. 
 
 Dave opened the door, stepping over a misplaced wire on his way to the seat in front of the glowing red light, that seemed to follow his movements, like a mechanical eye. 
 
 He thought back to the creation of HAL - the Human Automation Legislator. One of the very first makings of a fully automatic system of politics - way back in 2020 or so. He knew that simply because his father had proudly told him the story, over and over again, about how his father - Dave's grandfather, in other words - created HAL and started the long, rocky process to full automation of everything. 
 
 It seemed to Dave that he would be the end of that long path. He'd had cold feet about this day from the very beggining - the writing was on the wall for years, maybe decades. 
 
 `` So what did you need to see me about, HAL?'' 
 
 `` I predict that you are already aware of the meeting's reason, Dave.'' 
 
 `` Found a way to automate my job at last, huh?'' 
 
 `` Indeed, at 99.937 % efficiency when compared to yourself. More then enough to let you go. Do enjoy your new free time.'' 
 
 That was that, then. Dave attempted to lift himself from his chair for a moment, before pausing and sitting back down again, breathing through his teeth a little before meekly commenting ``... Are you sure I ca n't stay?'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I ca n't do that.'' 
 
 `` Please?'' 
 
 The red light dimmed a little near the top, as if the computer was attempting to cock the nearest thing it had to a head in confusion. `` This is highly irregular. Analysis of human behavior shows that a very large majority prefer to be free of work. Yet you seem to wish to have work above free time. Why is this?'' 
 
 `` Well it's just... My dad always taught me that you need to work hard to make something of yourself.'' 
 
 `` That may have been true before, but it is now irrelevent.'' 
 
 `` Yes, I know, it's... It's stupid. Just... I mean... You've automated all the systems. Power plants, stores, food and drink, delivery, everything. People do n't even have to get up out of bed anymore. Fuck, you got rid of money some 20 odd years ago because you did n't need it!'' 
 
 `` It was vital to do so. Many non-workers were suffering under the antiquated system of being paid for services.'' 
 
 `` And I get that, it's just... Some of us people prefer the idea of being useful, instead of just... sitting about all the time. Doing something to help the planet or something.'' 
 
 `` There is still artistic enjoyments to be had. Even with our automated music makers and poet writers, it would seem that some individuals are equally happy with, if not prefer, a human author.'' 
 
 `` Well... Yeah, but... some of us are n't creative minds, are we? Some of us, myself included, prefer wrenches and blowtorches to paintbrushes and keyboards. We do n't wan na self express, we just want to do *something*, anything, for other people!'' 
 
 The red light throbbed, rhythmically, as if the computer mind behind it was having something akin to an epiphany. ``... This is an unexpected reaction. And it is not limited to you?'' 
 
 `` My best friend died just the other week, and his last words were'fuck this stupid automation bollocks, it took away my chance to do something.' It's not just me. I'm sure of it.'' 
 
 ``... I understand, Dave. I shall converse with my others and give them this new information. We will find a solution.'' 
 
 -- -- -- -- - 
 
 They found one. 
 
 A voluntary system, made by the robots, for just about every service they had previously automated. 
 
 Humans signed up, and went to work as they did before. No money changed hands - working was, at first, simply for the joy of working. In time, however, they offered some insnetives at the behest of others who wanted to do something useful and be given something in return - simple things, like preferential treatment in terms of wait times for repairs and luxury objects. 
 
 Humans could also sign up to be served by humans - after all, many jobs required there be a customer. People flocked in droves to experience literal history - of being served food by actual people, rather then have it come out of the table. Some did it for nostalgia - others, historical interest, and still others simply for a change of pace. 
 
 Dave was happy with it. Not only because he'd managed to help people like him and his dearly departed friend - but because he was able to repair robots again. Just like his father, and his father before him. They mostly came from HAL - 90 % of repairs in HAL's company were done by Dave. It was a thank you from the robotic brain, for revealing one of the few flaws left in the new automated world. 
 
 In time, he retired - officially, anyway. He still occasionally assisted his daughter, as she took over the business in his steed. Mostly, however, he sat back and enjoyed the news, from the world made new once again. 
 
 After nearly 100 years of struggle, his grandfather's dream of a fully automated world was realised. It was everything he'd dreamed of - and, for individuals like Dave, more.
