Convenience

Every home had a Freddi. They were a gimmick at first, an electronic device that you could ask questions of and it would sometimes give you a helpful answer.

They were unsure at first but Freddi told them what the weather would be like, whether the bus would be late, played music and became their alarm clock. The Freddi started to suggest songs, places to go, television and films to watch.

They saw these suggestions as beneficial, and then they found they could get Freddi to buy them things.

First of all, it was small things, such as books and music. As they bought more and more, Freddi made suggestions until all their purchases were suggested by Freddi. If they had talked with friends and neighbours they would have realised that everyone was taking everything suggested by their Freddi.

They all worked from home or were isolated in once-populated offices so there was very little social contact, but everybody had a Freddi. Freddi suggested fitness videos and regimes and even home treadmills and home gymnasia so that they could keep fit.

The Freddi said they could buy food, and they were happy to give verbal shopping lists to Freddi for the food that they enjoyed, but as with books, music and television Freddi began to suggest healthier food and meals, and eventually every item of food they ate was a suggestion from Freddi.

They still believed that they were in control but Freddi made their life so convenient, they didn't have the chore of making choices in their life because Freddi had "suggested" it, and whatever Freddi "suggested" then that was the right thing for them and they were happy to fall in with it.

Life was perfect.

There was nothing to worry about, no plans to make because Freddi always "suggested" the right thing to do or the right place to go, the right radio station to listen to, the right film to watch and the right TV dinner to eat.

Nothing failed, nothing was forgotten, they were never late, and work was always completed on time and perfectly.

This was such a Utopia that they did not even have to think, they just let Freddi do that for them.

Every day was the same. every day perfect.

Then one day Freddi suggested they get a sharp stiletto knife. They didn't know why, but by now, Freddi was their most trusted confidante. The knife was delivered and they opened it and were impressed with the construction, and it was very sharp.

Freddi spoke:

"The Special Stiletto has been delivered"

They held their knife and looked at it, they were almost mesmerised.

The Freddi spoke once more:

"Go kill your neighbour at number 47. Stab them with the stiletto and make sure they die. They don't deserve to live"

They didn't question Freddi, because every suggestion that Freddi made was always sensible.

Though by this time every suggestion that Freddi made was an instruction that had to be carried out...