Every Friday, from around the world, writers gather at the virtual fireside of Rochelle Wisoff to share flash fiction stories of 100 words, inspired by a photograph and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome. This week’s photo is courtesy of Jean L Hays.
La Vie en Bleue
“What’s that fish, mommy?”
I was observing, through the blue bits of the glass dolphin embedded in the door, the rippling apartment building opposite.
“It’s a dolphin. Dolphins aren’t fish.”
“Is a fish!”
At the bottom of the building, red plastic traffic cones contorted.
“Dolphins are like humans.”
“Looks like a fish.”
“Dolphins have warm blood, lungs. Fish blood’s cold, they have gills. Dolphins have babies. Fish lay eggs.”
“Will I have babies?”
What was I talking about? Dolphins were fished to extinction when grain crops failed globally. She’d never have babies.
“Cellar, now. Magnetic storm coming.”
Ann Isik
99 Words
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Poetic Mapping: Walking Into Art 
Unfortunately a future which could actually happen 😦 I guess after a global crop failure the human race is also somewhat diminished – I can’t believe there are (were) enough dolphins to feed everyone.
Nice bit of dialogue!
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They ate the whales and sharks too! (And cod would have been fished to extinction here in the English Channel without legislation to restrict fishing). I would say I’m glad to be vegetarian, but last year’s weather 2012 was disastrous for fruit, veg and grain crops. But do have a nice Christmas. Don’t want to scare you just before Santa arrives! Ann
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Yay, Santa’s coming 🙂
You have a lovely Christmas too!
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wow i totally loved the shocking switch at the end. a very interesting and chilling tale. happy holidays 🙂
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But not as chilling as yours. I’ll never go to the toilet again! 🙂
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An apocalyptic take on the prompt, and what a scary one at that. Nice, I wasn’t prepared for that end. 🙂
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Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a nice holiday. Ann
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Nice read, it makes one pause to think.
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A bit dark, for the season, but what will out, will out …! Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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I hope we never see this day. The day we longer the dolphins swim the sea is a sad day, indeed. Riveting story, Ann! Happy Holidays to you. – Amy
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Thank you, Amy.
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Dear Ann,
That was a rather chilling ending and, hopefully, not prophetic. Spot on dialogue. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. It is rather dreadful, my tale, I admit. And thanks for your kind comments. Happy holidays to you! Ann 🙂
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Sad apocalyptic tale but well written.
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Thank you Liz. Happy holidays. 🙂
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You’re getting into the Christmas spirit early then! 🙂 Good story, nice dialogue. (Oddly enough, I’ve been working on a story entitled La Vie en Rose this week). Have a good Christmas.
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Ah synchronicity! Yes, my tale is somewhat bleak for the season, but I only write stuff down. Where it comes from is a mystery, largely! That’s interesting about your Vie en Rose. I’ve been having strange dreams recently … Zeitgeist … Happy Christmas! Ann 🙂
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Your piece has made me want to know more about the world you’ve created, Ann. Magnetic storms, no crops and we’ve eaten all the dolphins, an almost sacred fish? I’m intrigued.
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I’ve been drawn to create an apocalyptic story with this prompt, it seems! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Reblogged this on Charlie Slang.
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Thank you Charlie! Ann
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Great, unexpected pay-off
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Thank you Etienne. 🙂
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Nice switch at the end. I was still waiting to meet Flipper;now it’s never gonna happen?
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I’ll write a sequel where you can hope to meet Flipper ‘on the other side’ some day! I always get this cheerful around Christmas … Thanks for commenting 🙂
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A clever denouement. And a “lucky escape”. All profoundly sad.
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Thanks for reading. Yes, it is a bit of a sad tale … and here’s me full of the spirit of the season!
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Sad story, but contains more truth than we care to think about….
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I hope my characters remain fictitious! Scary! Thanks for commenting! Ann
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Wow. That’s pretty heavy. Love it. And wonder how long before it is no longer fiction
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Sorry! I can’t help what my characters say and do! Hope it never comes to pass. Tks for reading. 🙂
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Me too.
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Interesting piece Ann, somewhat pessimistic about our future. Enjoyed the dialogue though, well done.
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Hi! I am not so pessimistic, though. It’s my characters, they just say and do what they like! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I like that idea of the characters dictating the action, works for me all the time.
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