Nonplus

" Je t'aime " : 

a nonplus.

Hélène L.

*  *  *

Bieber stepped through the doors of the new Future-Mart and seated himself in the chair of the next available trolley. He dropped his token into the slot and waited for the screen to boot.

*Welcome to Future-Mart. Please input your first item.*

‘Bread’

*Please be more specific.*

‘White Bread’

*Please be more specific.*

Beiber sighed and remembered the days when customers were allowed to walk through the stores themselves. He knew from experience it was impossible to roam through Future-Mart on foot. The floors were fitted with sensors and alarmed – “For Your Own Safety”, apparently.

**I’m sorry. You did not input your item correctly. If you would like to see a list of brands please press here.**

Beiber’s trolley was shunted to the centre of the thoroughfare so the other trolleys could move to and fro unimpeded. He scanned the list of brands and chose ‘Future-Mart Fortified White Bread, Thick Sliced’

*Thank You. Please remain seated while I take you to – Future-Mart Fortified White Bread, Thick Sliced.*

The automated trolley whirred into action and trundled along the main thoroughfare before turning right at aisle 267. Three quarters of the way down it slowed to a halt.

*You are now at – Future-Mart Fortified White Bread, Thick Sliced.*

A mechanical arm attached to the shelf extended a tin of ‘Future-Mart Baked Beans’ towards his basket.

*Please confirm your selection. Add to trolley / Remove item*

‘Remove Item’

*Please input your next item.*

‘Future-Mart Fortified White Bread, Thick Sliced’

*Thank you. You are now at – Future-Mart Fortified White Bread, Thick Sliced.*

The mechanical arm extended the tin of Baked Beans back towards the trolley.

Beiber was nonplussed.

Kelli B.