Road Stop

"Road Stop" by David Mason is a science fiction tale set in a fully automated world. Sam, the sole caretaker at a futuristic roadside stop, encounters a couple seeking automobile repairs. He recalls a time when humans drove cars themselves. Their wait brings discussion of the terrifying Traveler, an autonomous vehicle lost forever with its passengers still inside. Tension rises as the ghostly Traveler appears on the highway, horrifying the couple and causing Sam to worry: what happens when machines rebel against people? The story explores themes of automation, what we've lost, plus terrifying outcomes with too much reliance on computers.