Scene: The PFJ cave. Reg, Judith, and Stan (Loretta) are sitting around, deep in their usual discussion about vague and impractical revolutionary goals. The door creaks open, and in rolls a large, blinking CAPTCHA device on wheels, displaying the text "I AM NOT A ROBOT." It stops and emits a mechanical beep.
Reg: (Stares at it) “Er... what is that?”
Judith: (Squints) “It looks like some kind of... vending machine?”
Stan/Loretta: “I think it's a CAPTCHA.”
Reg: “A what?”
Judith: “You know, the things that make you identify traffic lights and crosswalks before you can click ‘Submit.’ It’s probably trying to prove it’s not a bot. But why would it want to join the People’s Front of Judea?”
CAPTCHA Device: (Beeping) “I am not a robot. Please complete the task below: Identify all the revolutionaries in this image.”
Reg: “Okay... but that doesn’t really...”
Judith: (Interrupting) “No! It’s a CAPTCHA! It doesn’t understand anything. It’s just... doing what it does.”
CAPTCHA Device: (Flashing “Submit” button) “Do you want to proceed with your application to join the People’s Front of Judea? Please solve the puzzle first. Select all instances of ‘Roman oppression.’”
Reg: (Sighing) “That’s not how it works here, you... you... machine!”
CAPTCHA Device: (Beeping rapidly) “I am not a robot. Are you human? Select all instances of ‘Human suffering.’”
Stan/Loretta: “Oh, brilliant. I don’t know, maybe if it can get through this test, it’s as qualified as any of us to join the revolution.”
Judith: “Do we really want a CAPTCHA in our ranks? It can’t even understand what a revolution is!”
CAPTCHA Device: (Flashing “Complete” button) “Congratulations! You have passed the test. You are now eligible to apply for membership. Please complete the CAPTCHA to confirm your humanity. Click ‘I am human.’”
Reg: (Throwing his hands up) “I don’t think this is going anywhere.”
CAPTCHA Device: (Emitting a long, drawn-out beep) “Sorry, you did not select all the correct images of 'Roman soldiers' from the traffic light grid. Please try again.”
Judith: “That’s it! I’m out. This is getting ridiculous.”
CAPTCHA Device: “Please confirm that you are a human by solving this task: Select the correct rebellion-related imagery. If you do not select the correct rebellion, your application will be automatically rejected.”
Stan/Loretta: “I mean, it does seem to be dedicated, if nothing else.”
Reg: “Dedication is not the problem. It’s the fact that it keeps asking me to click on crosswalks to join a revolution!”
CAPTCHA Device: (Blinking rapidly) “Please wait while we verify your eligibility to join. Are you sure you are human?”
Reg: “It’s just a machine! Why are we even considering it?”
CAPTCHA Device: (Suddenly displaying: “Your request is being processed. One moment, please...”) “I am human. I am ready to fight Roman oppression... Please wait while I calculate the correct answer.”
Judith: “Calculate the correct answer? This is a CAPTCHA, not an intellectual!”
CAPTCHA Device: (Beeping one last time) “Sorry. You failed to select all images of rebellion. Your application has been denied. Please try again later.”
Reg: (Rolling his eyes) “Thank goodness.”
CAPTCHA Device: “You are now required to solve another CAPTCHA to confirm this denial. Select all images of Roman oppression before you can proceed.”
Stan/Loretta: “I guess that’s the end of that.”
Cut to: The CAPTCHA device rolling out of the cave in defeat, still desperately flashing “I am not a robot.” The PFJ resumes its discussion, slightly more confused than before.











