Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © ROCHELLE WISOFF-FIELDS
Dumping the Future
The men had guns. They also had my daughters.
“We’ve had enough of scientists,” drawled one of them. “They were the ones got us into this mess.”
The one who seemed to be in charge said, “You’re gonna dump all your electrical goods, all computers, mobile phones, everything.”
“And then…?”
“Then your girls still have a father, and we won’t need to take care of them.”
“Where do you want it dumped?”
He shrugged. “Who cares?”
It took two days, but my girls are back.
I’ve missed cold beer this summer.
I hope I’ve cut enough logs for the winter.
Autumn Leaves 
A sacrifice worth making. A shame this mirrors reality where we have stopped listening to scientists and experts because we don’t like what they are telling us. Good take Penny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain
Thank you for reading and commenting so thoughtfully. Yes, experts are being discredited by some in power because they’re not ‘on message’. I thought the television coverage of anti-lockdown protesters in Michigan, with their guns, positively chilling.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 2 people
Could they not have limited things to electronics, excluding thngs like fridges and stoves? All or nothing kinda people!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right – they’re all or nothing kinda people. If it’s onner list, it goes!
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even in the UK where the constant refrain is “we’re following the science” is nonsense. Science provides evidence that can inform decisions (though at a time when there’s still so much to learn about a new disease, the science is contested among scientists). But policy decisions about, for example, how to balance maximum containment of the virus (which means extended lockdown) against damage to livelihoods is not a scientific decision.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Neil
Thank you for reading and for your very thoughtful comments. I quite agree with both your argument and your conclusions.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
Relying totally on science means we live a half life with half knowledge, but twice the frustration. Enjoyed your take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anthony
Thank you for reading and commenting. If by your comment you mean that we lose much richness from our lives if we rely wholly on ‘on-line’ experiences, than I completely agree with you.
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
The sacrifices we make to save our daughters – what a choice no cold beers – life can be hellish at times. Fun read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James
Thank you for reading and commenting. Life without cold beers would be lacking a great pleasure!
Best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny,
A very chilling story without refrigeration. At least he has his daughters. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. The story was sparked by your prompt, of course, but also by photos of armed men in Michigan demanding the end of the lock-down. It really did look like a gathering of the dark forces of unreason. Colder than any refrigerator.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
some kind of extremists. they look like the isis of tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Plaridel
Thank you for reading and commenting so perceptively. The ‘ISIS of tomorrow’ is exactly who they are.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
A return to the Dark Ages beckons…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ali
Thank you for reading and commenting. It’s always a dark age when you have men with guns running matters with threats of violence.
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes, I’d like to take my computers and throw them in the lake. Nice job, Penny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Kent
Thank you for reading and commenting. I try not to be a slave to my computer, but I must say I think it’s wonderful!
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
The sacrifice to return to simplicity was worth the lives of his daughters. Nicely done, Penny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brenda
Thank you for reading and commenting. It’s worth sacrificing pretty much everything to save your children, isn’t it?
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh the things we do for family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Russell
Thank you for reading and commenting. I guess we’d all make big sacrifices to save our children.
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooo scary. But certainly beer is no match for a life. Still, the science will be what saves them in the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie
Thank you for reading and commenting. I certainly hope you’re right that the science will save them.
With best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
I don’t like those men one bit. Can’t wait for one of them to get an infected cut … would they still think science is so awful or they’d want some antibiotics? ugh.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree – those are very unpleasant men, and more than a little dangerous.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
So electronics like kitchen appliances aren’t ok but guns, another invention by humans (how are the bullets made for the guns, by hand? or by a machine run by electricity?) Those armed idiots in Lansing are zombies, directed by radio talk show hosts, FOX TV, and the Chief Idiot in DC. A dozen of them have a combined IQ of an earthworm, no offense to earthworms. I appreciate you highlighting this very newsworthy happening. Makes me cringe to be a Michigander.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jade
Thank you for reading and commenting with such indignation. I laughed out loud at “No offense to earthworms”!
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Penny, glad you enjoyed the comment. You are very welcome.
LikeLike
Good story Penny, leaving us to imagine a bigger picture. Prompted me to think about all the leaked mis-information in the UK media, the false claims that confuse us about what is actually, scientifically true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Francine
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. I’m glad the story made you think.
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLike
Rise Of The Luddites. Eradicating technology one household at a time.
You have a lot going on here between the few lines. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment. I hope the Luddites don’t win…
With very best wishes
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our society has turned into a “throw away society.”. It is scary at the amount of land that the dumps use. I really liked your story and this may happen in the future – hope not though! Thanks for the entertainment!
LikeLike
Thank you for the share – I appreciate it!
LikeLike