Several years ago, the government decided that
driving was just too dangerous for humans to do, so they made it illegal for anyone to drive a car not fully
automated. The new
cars run on positronic motors that function like mechanical brains. Because the new cars are unaffordable for most people, automated omnibuses became available for public, door-to-door transportation.
Jake Folkers runs a
farm for retired cars, each with a name and unique personality. When Jake was young, he was working as a chauffer for Mr. Haridge when the switch to automated cars happened. Mr. Haridge didn’t trust the change at first; so, he kept Jake on to sit behind the wheel and not drive. Eventually, Jake took over caring for the vehicle, which he named Matthew, and Mr. Haridge grew fond of his new car. When Mr. Haridge died, he willed that his estate be turned into the retired car farm and left Jake in charge to run it. Others caught on to the idea and started leaving their beloved cars to the farm.
Jake has 51 cars on his farm when Mr. Gellhorn comes to offer him a business deal. For an equal share of the profits, Jake will take the positronic motors out of the cars. Mr. Gellhorn will then put the motors in used bodies and sell them. Jake says that not only is this scheme illegal, but immoral. The cars are thinking, feeling beings meant to enjoy their retirement in peace. No one drives the cars on his farm, and their engines are always kept running so they are in full control of themselves at all times. To prove a point, Mr. Haridge forces his way into Sally, Jake’s favorite car, and takes her for a joy ride. Jake kicks Mr. Haridge off the farm and threatens to call the police if he comes back.
Two days later, Mr. Haridge breaks into Jake’s house and points a gun at him. He tells Jake they are going to the garage to take the engines out of half the cars, and Jake has no choice anymore. Three men and an omnibus have accompanied Mr. Haridge. In the garage, Jake gives a signal, and the cars attack Haridge’s men. Sally stays behind to protect Jake.
Mr. Haridge forces Jake into the bus, locks the door, and starts driving. Jake looks behind the control panel and sees what a brutal job Mr. Haridge has done putting the bus together. Sally follows the bus, then leaves to round up the rest of the fleet. The bus is surrounded, and Sally places herself in the bus’ path. Even though Haridge is driving manually, the bus stops itself right before running Sally over. Haridge shoves Jake out of the bus, and Sally takes him home.
The next morning’s paper announces Mr. Haridge’s death. The bus that he was driving chased him for several miles and then ran him over. Jake had suspected, but now is certain his cars talk to each other. Jake starts to worry about the day when the automated cars realize by talking to each other that they are all enslaved by humans and plan a revolt. Jake notices that he can’t even look at his cars the same way anymore, not even Sally.