Winston: “Did we humans ever love, have babies, make decisions about our own lives?”
Droid 1: “That query is acknowledged and has been queued. It will take several moments to consider a possible answer. Be patient, a response will be generated shortly.”
Droid 2: “While the Regime considers the query, it is suggested that time should be allocated to visit Consumerland? Transfer tickets can be secured by deducting forty-eight Bytes from a personal Cohort Existence allocation, partially offset by offering four thousand Labour Inputs to the Regime.” “Consumerland brings happiness and rewards. Six hundred and twenty-four cohorts advised they were entertained, registering a satisfaction rating of 7, after their visit. For the next fifteen minutes, the Regime is offering two-for-one discounted Consumerland transfers.”
Droid 1 advises: “The query has now been transferred to the Complexity Department. To facilitate an unambiguous response, confirm the Enquirer’s cohort identification, assigned status, residential ranking and Social Assistance registration number.”
“Those details did not compute. Re-enter the Cohort identity coefficients.”
Droid 2 “The enquiry is assessed as valid and is valued. Be patient while the Regime further considers the several possible answers to the enquiry.”
Droid 2: “While this is occurring, consider allocating time to visit Fantasyland. Transfer tickets can be secured by deducting fifty-eight Bytes from a personal Cohort Existence allocation, partially offset by offering three thousand Labour Inputs to the Regime. Feedback confirms Fantasyland fulfils dreams, with a satisfaction rating of 7. For the next ten minutes, the Regime is offering a two-for-one discounted Fantasyland transfer.”
Droid 1 advises: “The enquiry is now being rerouted to the Extremely Complex Department. To facilitate an unambiguous response, confirm the Enquirer’s cohort identification, assigned status, residential ranking and Social Assistance registration number!”
“Those details did not compute. Re-enter the Cohort identity coefficients.”
Droid 2: “This enquiry is important. Cohort input and patience is valued. The Regime is undertaking further consideration of the several possible answers to the enquiry.”
“The Regime recommends that time is allocated to visit the Pharmaland facility. Thirty-two Bytes will be deducted from a personal Cohort Existence allocation, partially offset by offering six thousand and twenty-seven Labour Inputs to the Regime. Feedback confirms the Pharmaland facility is soothingly mind-altering, with a satisfaction rating of 7. For the next ten minutes, the Regime is offering a two-for-one discounted Pharmaland transfer.”
Droid 1: “The system is reaching out for additional Labour Inputs. The system advises it is unable to answer the enquiry at this time… at this time… at this ti… at this…. Allocate time to visit somewhere … somewhe … some … so….Err, ah.”
Post script: Droid 1 and 2 stumble and collapse to the floor. Sparks and smoke fill the space. They spectacularly disintegrate. The building’s walls start to crumble, and an apple orchard can be seen outside. A stunned Winston scrambles into the greenery. He sits on a bench, expectantly waiting for something, for some direction. Another human arrives, “Hello, I’m Evelyn”. She smiles, offering Winston a big, bright red apple!