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Part 2
Part 3
What Could Go Wrong?
ShopMax's logo glistens in the afternoon sun as a team of three engineers enter the store. Their excitement is infectious.
"I can't believe it. Two years of effort and we're finally going to see Securibot in action! Boy, I'm pumped!" shouted John, the team’s research assistant, surprising a few patrons who were leaving the store. His two colleagues were amused.
"Now, now, let’s not lose sight of why we’re here. Let’s make sure this diagnostic check is thorough. The robot is still in its beta, remember?” said Seo-Yun sternly, her golden badge of Project Director flashing as she spoke. “It'll be another few months before we can actually pitch it to international supermarket chains."
Ayodele was busy on his smartphone, his casual look of a purple shirt and faded jeans obscuring his position of Project Coordinator. "I'm 90% sure I brought us to the right location, but I can't really seem to find the store manager's number in my email," Ayodele shot a quizzical look to his boss. "Do you have it?"
"No need for that. The man you're looking for is right here!" said a burly man in a green uniform as he waddled towards them. Ayodele couldn't help but be reminded of a mall Santa.
He pointed at his ID that said 'GLENN MAXWELL, STORE MANAGER' in a comically bold font. "You must be the engineering team, then? Pleasure to have you over!"
After introductions, the team followed Glenn as he made his way through one tight aisle into another.
"Ever since you sent us Securibot two months ago, our shoplifting rates have almost gone down to zero," Glenn said earnestly. "It feels like shoplifters actively go out of their way to avoid robbing our store. Even my coworkers have taken a liking to him.”
*** abbreviated version for website ***
Targets Acquired
The robot’s arm retracted to reveal its taser again. This time, the threat was fully recognized by everyone present. Glenn, the store manager, reacted first.
"Sorry, but- my heart!” was all the group heard as Glenn dashed away.
For Ayodele, time had slowed. He saw the Securibot aligning its aim at its two targets, he saw the initial sparks flying between the electrodes, and he saw the completely frozen body of his boss, Kim Seo-Yun.
He grabbed her by the arm and shouted, "Run!"
A loud zap was heard behind them, but they were already turned. They ran for minutes, dodging through shelves and aisles, eventually making their way up the stairs. They hid behind a canned food shelf on the second floor, and Ayodele used the metallic bottom of a store brand fried apples can as a mirror to see if the robot was still chasing them.
"I think we’re safe for now, Ms. Kim," Ayodele tried to assure Seo-Yun.
She nodded gratefully and replied, "Thank you for reacting that fast. It's just… I get anxious over tax day, nevermind robot attacks.” She tensed. “And John… I couldn’t check his pulse. I hope he’s not-"
The floor's loudspeaker buzzed into action. A horrifyingly familiar robotic voice could be heard echoing from it.
"Shoplifters are on the run. A store-wide lockdown will commence soon. Non-criminal customers are requested to stay calm and consider browsing our Daily Deals section until the fugitives have been caught. Have a good day!"
*** abbreviated version for website ***
Live Troubleshooting
"Follow me!" Ayodele shouted as he and Seo-Yun dashed away from the rising Securibot, whose upgraded tasers were sparking enough to dim its LED screen.
"Where are we going?" Seo-Yun demanded.
"John! The sequence is on his phone. His Gmail, to be more precise."
Ayodele gave her a short explanation of how he came to that conclusion. Seo-Yun's growing irritation was apparent on her face.
"You buffoons! Once we're done with this whole situation, we're having the team meeting of all team meetings."
Ayodele wondered at that moment what was scarier - a killer robot chasing him or his next employee review.
They reached the ground floor. After checking for cameras and the Securibot, they made their way toward John and searched around for his smartphone.
"Gotcha!" Seo-Yun exclaimed, fishing John's phone from his khakis.
Ayodele glanced at the phone and its lockscreen. "Oh, crap. What about the password?" Seo-Yun’s eyes widened, but then she grabbed John's right thumb and pressed it against the phone screen. Unlocked.
"Thank Rubin for Android!"
*** abbreviated version for website ***
Credits
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