In Keith’s words to let you know what’s going on. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The photo
Whoops by John W. Howell © 2107
“Okay steady as it goes.”
“Man, this new computer does all the work.”
“Don’t get over-confident. Keep your hands on the controls.”
“I know, I know. I’m just saying this thing is so easy to fly with the new computer.”
“I agree, but we need to be on guard for any malfunction.”
“Yes, so true. What’s our position?”
“We are two minutes from touchdown at cruise speed. We have just passed the Earth’s moon and are heading for a place called North America.”
“North America. I studied that area. Filled with some humans, right?”
“Yeah. Unfortunately. That’s is why we are landing while our site is on the dark side. We can avoid them.”
“So this site is in North America, but specifically we are on a trajectory to land at location Alpha.”
“That is correct.”
“Alpha is the name of a place?”
“No, it is just a designation.”
“But one with no obstructions.”
“Yes.”
“When was the last survey completed?”
“Just last month. There is nothing there but a few natives. It is one big island.”
“Do we know the Earth year at landing point Alpha.”
“Let me see. Yes, the year is 2017.”
“And what was the Earth year on the survey?”
“Here it is. 1617.”
“Wait. That is four hundred Earth years. Do you think there will be any changes.”
“Are you kidding? Those primitives? Not a chance.”
“Does the island have a name?”
“Well, the indigenous people call it Manhatten.”
“How do we know that?”
“The survey team sent back that information.”
“Oh okay. Looks like thirty seconds till touchdown. Initiating automatic landing sequence. All we have to do is sit back and—Wait what are all those lights?”
“Whoops.”
Fiction Favorites 
Great job, John! It sounds like you had fun with this one. Happy Tuesday!
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Thanks, Jill. I have to say I usually have fun with these. 😀
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Hmmm. Slight miscalculation methinks. Easy done when you’re travelling through time and space.
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Yes. The old slide rule error.
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Ah – I remember guessing sticks.
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A miscalculation that prompts reflection–well done, John. I wonder what the next 400 years will bring? 😊
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Not too many landings at point Alpha I’ll bet. Thanks, Gwen.
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Manhattan… that tiny, uninhabited island in the NE. Who would have thought? Fun story, John.
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Thanks, Staci. 😀
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This does make me wonder why aliens are never caught visiting large cities.
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Hard to get between the buildings I think. 🙂
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Just land on a few. Nobody will notice as long as their Wifi and phone signals don’t get disrupted.
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Ha ha ha.
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Another wonderful and creative interpretation, John! I just loved it! The cheek of those primitives putting up a city at landing point Alpha!
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I know right? And only in 400 years.
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Pretty amazing “primitives”!
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🙂
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UH-OH, it looks like Mildred tried to make french fries again!
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Ha ha ha. Good one GP.
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Nothing like handing in a v-e-r-y short story, eh?
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🙂
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That’s great, John. Then again, landing in Manhattan, they might just be ignored.
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So true. Thanks, Dan 🙂
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Creative and entertaining! 🙂
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Thank you, Jan 🙂
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Good job, John. A fun way to start my Tuesday.
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Thank you, Karen. 😀
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“Whoops” is right — good job, John! Who’d have thought so much progress would be made in 400 years?!
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Amazing right? Thanks, Debbie.
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Surprise, surprise! Never underestimate the “primitives” LOL.
Another fun and creative micro fic, John!
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Thank you, Mae Clair. Glad you liked it.
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I can honestly say i wouldn’t be up to this challenge, John.
Well done.
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Reminds me of my nav system. I made the mistake of paying to “update” it. It listed all the new burger joints but still doesn’t cover all the roads.
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What is more important? A burger or getting to your destination?
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A burger naturally
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Right. So your money was well spent.
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Good one, John
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Thank you, Audrey.
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You never fail to put a smile on my face with these, John!
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Thank you, Teri. That is all I need to know. 😀
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Hahaha! That was a good short story John!
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Thanks, Deborah. 🙂
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