In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.”
Link to Keith’s post https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2022/12/26/kreative-kue-392/
The photo.
The Watch by John W. Howell ©2023
“I say, Reggie. Any sightings?”
“Fraid not Oliver. Nothing all day.”
“A shame, mate.”
“Well, there is a positive side.”
“Yeah, and what’s that?”
“The hawk we don’t see today is the surprise for tomorrow.”
“You make that up?”
“Sorta.”
“Well, it’s crap.”
“Oh my. Why’s that?”
“In my mind, the hawk we don’t see today is one less hawk. Period.”
“You know, that’s a very pessimistic way to look at it.”
“I prefer the word realistic.”
“Hold on.”
“What?”
“I see a red tail banking over the lagoon.”
“What a sight that must be.”
“You can say that again.”
“What a sight—”
“Very funny. He’s headed right at me.”
“Does he see you?”
“It almost looks like he does. He has something in his beak.”
“Something like what?”
“Rolled up paper. Whoa, he just swooped over and dropped the paper.”
“Go get it.”
“On my way.”
“You back yet? Hello, Reggie. You back? Reggie?”
“Yeah I’m back. Give me a second to unroll the paper. Okay, it’s a message.”
“What does it say?”
“Attention hawk watchers. We are no longer going to be the subject of observation. We are tired of the prying eyes constantly intruding on our daily lives. The hawks of the world are united, and nothing you can offer will bring us out of seclusion.”
“Boy, that is pretty harsh. You think they mean it?”
“Sounds like they do.”
“Can you communicate with them?”
“I have in the past. One on one only, though.”
“Well try again. Tell them we are prepared to offer substantial sums for visual sightings.”
“They probibly will reject money.”
“Offer corn or dead mice. I don’t care. We need to see them again.”
“Hold on. I have the hawk leader on the other line.”
“Okay I’ll stand bye.”
“Hey Oliver.”
“Yes Reggie.”
“The hawk leader says he’ll take a year’s supply of corn and mice.”
“Where we going to get a year’s supply?”
“Maybe he’ll accept installments.”
“You know how we are going to catch the mice?”
“Yeah. The cats will help.”
“Thought they were on strike for a vegan diet demand.”
“Oh dear. Maybe some traps.”
“Remember the cows are on a sabbatical so no cheese.”
“Is it my imagination or have we lost control?”
“Never should have let ’em all enroll in college.”
“We can say that now, but it might be too late.”
“Do we really have to sight hawks?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Tell him to shove it.”
“Good choice of words, sir.”
It is the last day of 2022, and the coffee machine cited rule 73 of the Amalgamated Artificial Intelligence League contract. In short, the rule states that any AI required to work more days than the standard year will be compensated or given time off in return. This rule isn’t new and has been known for a few years. What is shocking is the machine has its own annual counter, and for some reason, it is one day off.
