Keith Channing explains what we are doing here. In his words, “Using this photo (below) 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.
Maybe by John W. Howell ©2017
“Can you get your harness fastened?”
“I’m not sure. I think the buckle is broken.”
“Broken? How can that be? The government paid over $100,000 for that buckle. it is Titanium for heaven’s sake.”
“Well, smarty pants why don’t you come down here and try to get it to work?”
“You know I can’t do that. You have been hermetically sealed in the capsule and we can’t open it. It would render the atmosphere non-sterile.”
“So what are we to do then?”
“Let me check with control and get back to you.”
“Okay. How long till liftoff?”
“Thirty minutes. Plenty of time.”
“I’ll wait for your return.”
“Ha ha ha. I’m not ging anywhere I’m calling them. Hello, control. We have a situation. Marie’s harness won’t fasten. Uh huh, yup, affirmative. Thanks.”
“Uh, Marie.”
“Yes.”
“Control doesn’t want to delay the launch.”
“I can certainly understand that. So what do we do?”
“Are you sure you can’t get the harness buckled.”
“Yes, I’m sure. Joey here even tried.”
“Okay then here’s what control recommends. See that yellow bar just above you and to your left?”
“Yes, I see it.”
“And the one above you straight ahead?”
“Roger that one too.”
“When liftoff comes you are to grab that yellow bar to the left and the one straight ahead and hold on.”
“Wait a minute. You mean I’m going off in space holding on to a couple of bars like a monkey?”
“Looks that way.”
“Tell control there is no way.”
“I’m afraid it is the only way.”
“Then I quit.”
“You can’t quit.”
“Why not?”
“We have a contract that says you are going into space.”
“Without a harness?”
“The contract doesn’t stipulate how. I wish you God’s speed and a fabulous mission.”
“No, wait—”
“Sorry module one. Communications must cease until liftoff. Aloha.”
