The Automat is a story of a mild-mannered introvert named Horace Gray, who slowly descends into madness after he becomes obsessively enamored with a woman who stares at him from behind an automat wall. The Automat is a fictional story exploring the dark side of human nature and the innate desire of being loved. It is a story of unexpected change in the routine of one's simple life, of obsession, guilt, and the consequences of betrayal. The Automat will appeal to readers of literary fiction with dark undertones.