Transactional Disapproval
AI will never know of fatherhood.
2032/07/03
EXT URBAN CORE STREET, LATE NIGHT
Neon reflections in puddles. Distant city din of traffic, trains, and structural creaks and croaks. A man (TIM, early 50s) walks up to a FRED’S BANK exterior ATM, whose AI engine named “FREDDY” verifies him via a retinal scan.
FREDDY
Lovin’ those green eyes, Tim! Thank you for choosing Fred’s Bank. I’m Freddy! How may I help you?
TIM
I need five thousand dollars.
FREDDY
This is ten times your usual withdrawal. Federal identity regulations require me to ask why you need this amount today.
TIM
My daughter Stella’s in a rough patch. I’m going to pay her rent this month.
FREDDY
We’re sorry, but intergenerational wealth transfers are restricted to twenty dollars on birthdays.
TIM
But I’m not giving the cash to her. I’m wiring the money direct to her landlord.
FREDDY
We still will consider that a transfer-in-kind to Stella.