The people had been queuing since first light. The sun was now high above; beads of sweat dripped down already flushed faces. However, they’d wait.
Of course, everybody had seen the ancient artefacts before – many times. The City though liked to remind. To reaffirm.
An artist’s easel, a rusting typewriter, a broken piano, a ripped and faded book
‘Did we really once need these things?’ a thousand voices would sneer in obsequious unison.
As the crowds drifted back to the suburbs the people of the City would once again take pride in how much better things were these days.The City wouldn’t expect – or accept – any other reaction.
This is my entry into this week’s 100 word challenge over at Friday Fictioneers.
Paul, I was just thinking today about all the books I have and the ongoing discussion about books vs. e-readers. Your story fit right in there and riffed off it to include various types of art and communication devices. Food for thought.
janet
Cheers Janet. Glad you liked it.
A great idea from the picture – all those things that we think we can’t do without will become museum objects sooner or later.
Thanks Claire.
Original take on the prompt. And more than a tad sinister.
Thanks Sandra.
Very good take on it. I like it. It won’t be that long (a few decades) until it is like this anyway.
Cheer Al. Written a dystopian piece everywhere else I write (nearly) so it was time to do one on FF!
😀
God one Paul, enjoyed it.
Appreciate the comment.
Dear Paul,
I loved the darkness inherent in this piece. Orwellian, to say the least. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Cheers Doug.
Dear Paul,
I’m reminded here of the Borg in Star Trek, one of the most sinister and chilling of Star Fleet’s enemies. Resistance is futile. If you’re not a Trekkie, this is meant as a compliment. You captured collective mindset that leaves no room for individuality. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
The Borg are my favourite all time baddie. My only regret is they didn’t permanently assimilate Janeway!
You depict a nightmare scenario that could so easily become true. Good stuff.
Thanks Mike.
Brilliant idea shining through poetic words…
Nice one!
Cheers Loco.
Glad you liked it.
Maybe one day things will change…
Reminds me of Rush’s concept album ‘2112’, which was inspired by the writing of Ayn Rand.
That was a pretty dark take on the prompt. Hmmm… the City. I always chuckle to myself when I think of what possible use all the plastic and chips and sim cards, etc are going to be when there is no more power, or if an Alien did step down here, how much easier to communicate carvings in stone would be….
Cheers Linda.
This immediately brought to my mind images of all the dystopia-themed films I’ve ever seen. Your personification of the City made me think – the City as the embodiment of all those living there or something more sinister – technology run riot to create an almost living, sentient being?
Very good!
I love doing dystopian pieces but it’s very easy to get all “1984”. Thanks for the comment.
That final sentence made all the sense in the world of a dystopy of mind-control…
Cheers Bjorn.
Cool slant, well done!
Cheers Brian.
dark. i love that you were able to come up with a dystopian tale from this photo 🙂
Cheers kz.
I look forward to your darker, sci-fi twists on each prompt, Paul. Well done, again.
Cheers!