Santa, Professor Rumbold And Bob

'Twas the night before Christmas and outside was blizzardly Mrs Claus was busy hanging baubles on the Christmas tree Santa felt cold and shivery and was succumbing to the flu And told Mrs Claus "I'm feeling ill, what am I going to do?". She was giving it some thought then Santa started to cuss Saying "If I don't deliver the kid's toys, it'll be the ruin of us" She said "I'll call Professor Rumbold to see if he can assist" Santa added "Don't bother him" "I will" she said "I insist". She dialled Rumbold's number and explained Santa's plight He said "Sorry to hear this, I've an idea to put things right" A truck pulled up outside then a loud knock at their door This is a waste of time thought Santa and he quietly swore. Mrs Claus invited Rumbold in and said, "Go sit by the fire" Santa said "I hope you've got a plan 'cos my situation's dire" He said "I certainly have Santa and he's just waiting outside But I'll need some info from you; and he'll be ready to ride". Santa chuckled then said, "Why did you leave him out there?" Rumbold laughed saying "I'll bring him in but he doesn't care" He opened the front door adding "I'd like you both to meet Bob" In walked a six-foot robot; Rumbold said "he'll do your job". He added "I'll need addresses so that he'll know where to go He works in all weather's and won't be bothered by the snow Rumbold took out of his briefcase; a tablet with a large screen And said, "You can watch him deliver and see where he's been". It made Santa feel happier and a smile lit up his sad face He'd no longer be branded a failure, no longer a disgrace Santa gave Rumbold a memory stick containing all the info Rumbold plugged it into Bob saying "He's now good to go". Mrs Claus sorted out for Rumbold, a spare red Santa outfit Then he put the clothes on Bob and they were a perfect fit Bob then climbed onto the sleigh and with a crack of the lash The reindeer started running and they were gone in a flash. Rumbold left them to it and said "I hope you feel better soon Bob will not let you down and he'll be back here at noon" Santa soon nodded off and Mrs Claus watched the screen He started off in London then headed north for Aberdeen. Bob saved time by not stopping for mince pies and whiskey Used a jet pack to go down chimneys; was in and out in a jiffy It was early Christmas morn when Santa woke from his sleep When he switched on the monitor it began to flash and beep. He called Rumbold in a panic and said "Something is wrong" "Oh no" said Rumbold, "I think Bob's been working too long "I'll switch him off here remotely then reboot his robotic brain Then recalibrate his internal engines to get him mobile again". Santa said "He's parked up in Paris; I can see the Eiffel Tower But visibility is quite bad; they're having a heavy snow shower" Rudolph was getting anxious he wasn't used to standing still His ears had gone all floppy and was in danger of becoming ill. Then the sleigh started moving and the loud beeping stopped Santa was pleased to see Rudolph's ears; they no longer flopped He saw that they were now in Germany by the Brandenburg Gate They were now firmly back on track and moving at a steady rate. Santa fell into a deep sleep and woke at the stroke of noon Mrs Claus said "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be home soon" About ten minutes later they both heard bells on the sleigh Santa then went out to greet them; it was now Christmas day. Santa kissed Mrs Claus and wished her the season's best Saying "I'll see to the reindeer first then I'll have a little rest We should invite the Rumbolds over for Christmas dinner It is because of the professor that I'm feeling like a winner". "But I can't stop thinking about the future of all humankind AI is moving at an alarming rate and jobs will be hard to find Everywhere you look there's AI; it will be the future for us all Let's enjoy simple things while we can and have us both a ball".