Travelling to Work
The man with an unlikely job sat at the back of the bus, watching the world rush past on the rain-speckled window. His name was Jeff, and he had been working this job since he was a toddler. Not many could say that. Not many would want to. He shared his career with his twin brother, Nigel, and they ensured the work never stopped. They made sure that no one was ever to know the truth.
Jeff checked his watch. Almost time. He adjusted his seat, feeling the familiar weight of anticipation settle in his stomach. The world was changing fast, and so was the robotic industry. Robotics were advancing at an alarming rate, and deep down, Jeff knew his job was at risk. But what else could he do? It was the only job he had ever known. The man with an unlikely job had few options beyond the one he had always done.
The Hand-Over
As the bus reached his stop, Jeff pulled his hood over his head and stepped into the damp morning air. The zoo loomed ahead, its gates welcoming another day of visitors. At the back entrance, he found Nigel waiting.
“Rough night?” Jeff said, anticipating how hot he would be today as the sun shone brightly.
Nigel sighed, stretching his arms. “Peter’s been restless. He banged his leg on the bars, so you must limp a bit today.”
Jeff groaned. “Great. Anything else?”
“Oh, the usual. Before he went to bed, some kids threw peanuts. A woman tried to get a selfie too close. And our employer kept talking about the new robotics.”
Jeff’s stomach clenched. “That again?”
Nigel nodded. “They say the new models are almost lifelike. They’ll never need breaks, and we won’t need Graham or Steve to relieve us when we can’t make it.” Graham and Steve were close family friends who, from toddlers, relieved Jeff and Nigel whenever a problem occurred or if they needed a holiday. “A robot will never get tired.”
“We must argue that a robot could be a problem if we want to keep our jobs.”
Nigel gave Jeff a questioning look. “What argument?”
Jeff nodded very matter-of-factly. “Robots can malfunction. That would give the game away. Everyone will realise the truth more than if you or I are unwell.”
Nigel nodded. “True, that’s a good argument. No way should that truth come out.”
Jeff looked down briefly and said, “Yeah, but let’s not kid ourselves. You and I are the man with an unlikely job, and very soon, we might not even have that.”
Another Day, Another Performance
Jeff sighed and headed to the staff locker room. He knew what came next—the transformation. He unzipped the large storage locker and pulled out the heavy black suit -the head, the arms, the chest. Each piece fitted perfectly over years of routine. By the time he finished, Jeff was no longer Jeff.
He was Peter.
Stepping into the enclosure, Jeff, now Peter, grunted and shuffled into view. A small crowd was already gathered. He dragged his knuckles along the ground, remembering to favour his left leg. A child gasped. A woman clapped. Cameras clicked. The man with an unlikely job had just begun his shift.
The Uncertain Future
Hours passed. Peter climbed, ate, and thumped his chest. He played his role perfectly. But through it all, the thought lingered – how much longer would he be needed? How much longer before a robotic Peter replaced him?
Jeff peeled off the heavy suit as the sun set and slumped onto the bench. Nigel will take over tomorrow. But for how much longer?
He stared at his hands. “The man with an unlikely job doesn’t have many options,” he said to himself. “But maybe it’s time to find some.”
The following day, Nigel came to take over from him as Jeff wearily removed his costume. They chatted about Peter’s latest antics when their employer approached them. “As from next week,” he said, “You will both be without a job. We now have Peter, the android gorilla, to replace you. Nothing you say will make a difference.”
Jeff and Nigel’s job accepted his boss’s announcement. What was the point of arguing anyway? Jeff was no longer the man with an unlikely job.
