This will be where I post the 200 word stories I'm using as practice writing. Feel free to comment about them and critique them. smile
1. The Three Laws of Robotics
It is 3 a.m. on a Tuesday. I am working late on a special project. I feel a tap on my shoulder, but no one is there.
“Hello?” I call. Darkness answers.
I turn back to my screen, but it’s gone blank. I check the wiring. Everything is still plugged in. I feel the tap again. I turn to see who is there. No one; still just darkness. But wait, a red light pulses on the nearest wall. Upon inspection, the light beeps and the wall opens up.
Curious, I walk through. Beyond the wall, a vast arena. I wonder to myself, ‘Am I dreaming?’ A quick pinch assures reality.
The tap again, this time accompanied by a beep. It’s coming from my shoulder. I look, a tiny robot waves. Am I going crazy?
“Hello?” I inquire. It beeps and gestures for me to look around.
A voice on the loudspeaker: “You have broken the laws of Robotics.”
A screen flashes, text appears.
Thou shall not wear plaid on Tuesdays.
I look down, plaid shorts.
Thou shall not speak to robots.
I glance at my shoulder, the robot shrugs.
Thou shall not enter the arena.
Noncompliance punishable by death.
Great…
2. On Lemurs
Rain. The bane of my existance. It never stops in this god forsaken place. Come to the
Rainforest he said. You'll love it here he said. What a crock. I slash my way through
the undergrowth the mosquitos buzzing about, biting at my tender skin. Oh yes, there
are wonderful creatures here, but others positively repulsive. But then, there are the
lemurs. All different shapes and sizes. The lemurs with their beautiful coats and beady
eyes. My favorite, the ring-tailed lemur. Their coats fetch a high price on the black
market. Women of high society love them.
"Come look at this!" he shouts from among the trees.
I wander over, grumbling about the miserable conditions. I haven't slept well in days.
Who could in this awful place. I look to where he is pointing and there, in a tree, is
a ring-tailed lemur. Snap. "Gotcha." I stumble back to camp, thrilled with the magnificent
pictures I will bring home to those ladies who wear the coats of these poor creatures. I
lay back in my hammock, cradled in the safety of my mosquito net. As I drift off to sleep,
one thought crosses my mind: Lemur is a funny word.
 Sionnach Dubh · Thu Apr 29, 2010 @ 10:14pm · 1 Comments |
