2084: Slavery Resurgent

Slaves are less expensive than robots, are easier to maintain, and have superior intelligence and comprehension. In 2084 career criminals have the choice of being transformed into automatons or prison History repeats itself. While technology advances exponentially, social evolution moves forward (and periodically regresses) at a snail's pace. In 2084 a 13th Amendment decision by the Supreme Court results in the enslavement of "duly convicted felons." These slaves have been chemically castrated, psychologically reprogrammed, and given frontal lobotomies to render them non-aggressive. They are auctioned by the federal government to corporate bidders. The resulting proceeds are used to severely cut taxes. Also, crime is virtually eliminated. The program proves enormously popular with the general public. As time goes on, the demand for slaves exceeds the supply. Clandestinely, the federal government opens an underground laboratory in Area 51 (Nevada) to clone enough automatons to meet the increasing demand for slaves.