Steven Helmer Publications

The drive to the factory was quiet, as had been the case for more than a year as mass unemployment and localized economic blight forced businesses to shutter and caused homes to be foreclosed upon and left vacant. The boarded-up windows and for sale signs would be a depressing sight for Greg if he didn’t view it as the cost of progress. It was nearly the third anniversary of his decision to copy other factories in the area and replace his human workforce with AI-powered androids. It was a massive financial investment, but Greg did not regret it.  The integration had been almost effortless. The androids were easier to train than most of his human employees had been. Just show them the task once and they would mimic it. With repetition, the androids learned and after the second or third upgrade, were even proactively making changes to make their work more efficient. It didn't take long for his android workers to surpass the productivity of a human workforce twice the size. Greg had g...

 To Lt. Jensen: I am submitting to you my final albeit abbreviated report, which is being written both under urgency and duress. Our undercover fact-finding mission has been successful but has come at a cost. Wilson is dead and with my cover blown, my status will likely be the same by the time you receive this.  Please keep me in your prayers as you read the summary of my findings below: Inauguration Day is, as expected, the execution date. The AI presidential replicas remain out of the picture until after the election and swearing in ceremony. The man standing on stage with his hand on the Bible is, in fact, human, but is replaced by his replica soon after. The President is unaware of this up until the moment they inject him with a quick and powerful sedative and make the exchange behind closed doors. From that point forward until the next president is elected, the replica handles all presidential functions and decisions. After Inauguration Day, the president is kept in a bu...

The cold rain began to fall harder, washing what was left of Jill’s makeup from her face. Normally, the self-conscious 27-year-old blonde would be concerned about that but as she stopped running, both to catch her breath and to examine the slash on her arm that was gushing blood, it was the furthest thing from her mind. She knew she shouldn’t have stopped. Her life depended on her running or at least walking. However, her head was already starting to feel light, and she wasn’t going to get much further if she didn’t get the blood loss under control. Removing her jacket, which wasn’t doing anything to keep her warm anyway, she rolled it up and, with difficulty, wrapped it over the wound. Jill was about to begin running again when she heard the terrifying voice overtop the sound of the raindrops. “Marco!” Tears began to run down Jill’s face as she covered her mouth. Her legs were frozen, as though glued to the ground and an overwhelming urge to respond filled her body. Jill was only able...

James took a seat at his desk, calmly leaning back in his chair as though it was just a normal, ordinary night and there wasn’t a man standing near the door of his den holding a .38-caliber revolver. “Take a seat, Mr…” James started to say. “Watson,” the armed man responded. “Matt Watson.” “Please make yourself comfortable, Mr. Watson,” James said. “Can I call you Matt?” Matt nodded and walked over to a worn couch on the far wall. Pushing up the glasses he wore on his thin, unshaven face, he scanned the room cautiously. “There aren’t any weapons, if that’s what you’re worried about,” James told him. “And as luck would have it, I left my phone in the kitchen.” James could see Matt studying him, trying to read his tone of voice and facial expressions. “I have no reason to lie to you, Matt,” James said. “I am willing to cooperate fully and get out of here alive. You just need to tell me what you want. I should tell you, however, I don’t have a lot of money in the house or really anything ...

Marybeth was the most popular girl at my high school. This was mostly because of genetics. Her mom was a former beauty pageant winner, and her father was an underwear model. Marybeth got the best of both of them, including her mom’s blonde hair and her father’s piercing blue eyes. This is why it shouldn’t be any big surprise she was also the frontrunner and eventual winner of every high school honor you could think of, homecoming queen, prom queen, class president and (more the result of perverted teachers than actual intelligence) valedictorian.  Her charmed life continued after graduation. After a year of following in her father’s footsteps and modeling underwear in multiple catalogs, she moved to Hollywood and had a semi-successful career in horror movies. She couldn’t act to save her life, but she didn’t really need to because she was willing to show her perfect chest at the drop of a hat. That perfect chest once again on display. Only this time, instead of being on the latest ...

 It's going to be another ramen noodle night The kids will just have to deal. There's way too much going on right now And I don't have time to make a family meal. I know this isn't like you see with the families on TV June and Ward always had dinner waiting for Wally and the Beav. My wife and I, on the other hand, Are lucky if we can find a few minutes to breathe.  I'm sure there are other parents who would look down on me And say this isn't the healthy meal my kids deserve. But they have school in the morning and, if they want to get to bed before late This is what they are going to get served. Sure, I know it's not the healthiest choice However, that's OK. I'll just give them a glass of milk to go with And try to make up for it another day. Image courtesy of Pixabay I know I'm supposed to put the kids at the table For breakfast, lunch, dinner and other. But our table is once again So full of clutter. Yes, I could grab the garbage can and get st...

 Look at you wearing that old-fashioned hockey mask Holding a butcher knife or machete with eyes full of rage. You may think you’re terrifying But I have survived a pre-teen girl who went on a rampage. So why don’t you once again focus on teenagers Because if you think you’re going to scare me, don’t even bother. You might be scary to most people. I on the other hand, am raising daughters. Raising your voice in anger or growling like a wild animal Might make you seem tough. But I spend my days walking on eggshells Because you never know what will set these girls off. Yeah, one moment they may act all sweet and innocent And even love their dad. Just look at them wrong, however And, boy, do they get mad. Image Courtesy of Pixabay Also, let’s not forget the various landmines throughout the house Whether they are naked Barbies, other toys or pieces of board games. I really hate to say this, But they would make a hunter like Predator envious and put it to shame. Not to mention the glitt...

  Image courtesy of Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay The grocery store three blocks from my house had been family owned since at least a decade before I was born. That recently changed, however, after the original owner retired and his son decided to sell a couple years later due to health issues. Now, the store is owned by some corporation out of California. Sure, they claim nothing has changed other than the name but there are plenty of not-so-subtle differences whenever I stop there on the way home from work. The produce department, for example, is smaller with less of a selection. Meanwhile, my pizza rolls are in the freezer that used to contain chicken nuggets, and the chicken nuggets seem to be relocated once per week. The most noticeable difference though is at the front of the store, where even during the busiest times of the day (like when I shop), there is usually just one cashier working. I don’t know if it is by choice, as a way of cutting costs in these uncertain economic ...

  Image courtesy of Pixabay I get to the office And the phone is already ringing. Can't these customers at least wait until my computer is on Before they call me with their complaining? It's not like it hasn't already been a morning. Nearly walked out the door without my lunch. Not to mention keep dropping things, Not just one item, a whole bunch. In fact, my morning routine was already thrown off By the added stress Of dropping my drink And needing to find a mop to clean up the mess. I'm already exhausted And far from being in a great mental state. Oh, for Pete's sake, What do you mean it's not even eight? I guess it's just going to be one of those days. The kind that messes with my head  And makes me wonder If I should have just stayed in bed. ____________________________________________________ Another Ramen Noodle Night (A Poem) A Father's Prayer for His Daughters (A Poem)

Santa's elves Are sweet and kind Their hearts are open And they care about all mankind. Santa's elves Don't judge or hold grudges even when they are dissed. They are quick to understand and forgive Because they know there's always room on Santa's nice list. Image courtesy of Pixabay Santa's elves Remember those in need. They remember those who don't have anything And those who need stomachs and souls to feed. Santa's elves Remember, even when times are tough, it is important to spread Christmas cheer. So, maybe, just maybe, all of us Can strive to be Santa's elves this year.

Children walking in the street Paying no attention to their surroundings. Instead, they have their smart phones in hand And they are focused, like zombies, on tiny screens. Image courtesy of Pixabay Married couples use Facebook to air troubles That would be easier to overcome if kept behind closed doors. Knowing full well everyone with an opinion will use that platform to express it. Even if their current situation Is no better than theirs. Hackers are making millions Off the information they obtain through acts of piracy. Seems like everything about you is stored in a computer somewhere And we can no longer have a reasonable expectation of privacy. News is spread almost instantaneously But, not always with the correct facts. Lives can be (and are) wrongfully destroyed in a matter of seconds Even on the rare occasion someone apologizes and retracts. Certain world leaders going to Twitter With every comment and every insult they feel th...

I'm walking through the house turning off lights Like I'm a police officer walking his beat. And, during the winter, I'm the first to look at the thermostat and turn down the heat. I find myself getting up at the crack of dawn, Even on mornings when I don't need to. Yet, in the evenings, I watch TV and movies While trying to pretend my eyelids are see-through. It's not like stuff like this Frustrates me or makes me mad. I just want to know, When did I turn into my dad? I'm getting gray hair, which isn't that big of a deal. After all, I'm not ashamed of my years. But, do I really need to get that gray hair Growing out of my ears? I seem to get aches and pains quite often. Everything from my fingers and toes to my knees. And, did I seriously just get another one in my back Because I had to sneeze? Stuff like this should probably be making me grumpy. Or, at minimum, be making me quite sad. I, however, can live with it Just as long as...