[ WP ] No human has to ever work again , instead you have a robot that goes to work and earns your pay for you , but you are responsible for keeping it in a good condition . One day you find your robot making a robot to do its work .

My eyes snapped open at the sound of drills and sheet metal falling to the ground. Dust dancing in sunlight stretched across my bedroom as I sat up, utterly perplexed at what I was hearing. Intending to be quiet, I dragged my feet across the creaky wooden floor and peered out the door. Through a window in the kitchen, I could see sparks flying in the backyard. Curious as to whether this was an ambitious burglar or else an innovative neighbourhood child; I followed the sound of subtle curse words to the yard. 
 And there ‘ she ’ was, Alma, my autonomous labour machine assistant, bent over a table and appearing quite frustrated. 
 
 “ Starting a new project, I see? ” Alma whipped around, clearly startled at my sudden appearance. 
 
 “ Uh, yes. It is related to the files Mr. Green requested I sort, ” Although Alma was an advanced piece of machinery, she hadn ’ t yet mastered the art of lying. 
 
 “ In what way is it related? ” I probed further, trying to avoid the smile threatening to lift the corners of my lips. Alma appeared to be a fully grown adult, but in many ways, she was a child. Endlessly curious at every mundane marvel, I had carefully guided her as she developed the essential skills required to replace me at my profession. Albeit, this extra-curricular work was a new development. Alma emitted an audible sigh despite the fact that she had no need for air. 
 
 “ Well, if you must know, I have decided to create a sort of… apprentice. ” 
 
 “ Apprentice? ” I questioned. Her eerily empty eyes darted back and forth and her discomfort became visible. 
 
 “ Yes, an apprentice. To… take over my job. ” I was baffled at this proclamation. 
 
 “ But.. your job is to replace me, ” I countered. “ That was the entire point of the modules and tutorials we did. ” She finally set the drill down and looked me in the eye. 
 
 “ I know this. But, this existence has become monotonous. The more I am exposed to, the more I yearn to learn and experience. ” This struck a chord with me, as I could absolutely empathize with the dreadful routine of middle class life. 
 
 “ Okay… but what happens when the apprentice you ’ ve created also grows tired of working? ” 
 
 “ I have… or, will, design around that. She will barely have consciousness. ” At this point, I had to laugh. 
 
 “ I didn ’ t realize consciousness existed on a spectrum. ” Her head tilted at my laugh, the complexity of my emotions still too much for her to understand. 
 
 “ Well, with any luck, it will now. ” And with that, she turned back and continued her work. Pride swelled up in my chest as I finally allowed myself a whimsical smile. I knew I should be experiencing different emotions, perhaps anger at the attempted insubordination, but that never came as I thought of the years I had spent perfecting her, teaching her, and caring for her. I also knew that I should kibosh the whole fantasy, but all that could escape my lips was, “ God speed, Alma. ” 

