Memory Trip

December 9, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 1 Comment

Religious leaders condemned it. Leading scientists expressed their scepticism. But the overnight phenomenon that was Past Masters, went from strength to strength.

Their claims were big and bold. Although the specifics were to remain secret, advanced Plasma-Ball technology had now made it possible to permit Time Travel to the Past, at least for seven days at a time. The ultimate trip.

The week-long experience had a very affordable charge – it all seemed such a reasonable price to pay. There was no shortage of willing volunteers.

Who knows how long this whole thing would have lasted, if undercover journalist John Clay hadn’t taken a remotely controlled micro camera in with him?

Day One involved intense Mind Programming sessions before he was put to work in their factory – reminiscent of a Dickensian workhouse. He stayed there for the whole week, sleeping on the factory floor and eating gruel. He was, of course, making Plasma Balls.

Before he left, a further Mind Programming gave John a replacement memory overlay. What a great time he thought he’d had!

John’s team uploaded the videos and they quickly went viral. Now the people behind Past Masters are having some Hard Times of their own…

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction – 08 December 2013, hosted by Al Forbes. Please click here for more details.

To read the other stories, click the logo.

The Lion Sleeps

December 1, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 3 Comments

Joe Brown was clearly exasperated. After several minutes of walking around “Brite Sparx” electrical store, he had yet to find a member of staff. Then, turning a corner, he almost bumped into a gaggle of four. Joe tried to catch their eye, without success.

“Excuse me!”

Several assistants with ‘Here to Help’ badges looked over for a second, then carried on talking. After a time, they casually ease ‘Kai’ forward. He looks barely old enough, or bright enough, to tie his own shoelaces.

“Er, yeah. Wassup mate, innit!”

“It’s about this lion!” Joe produced his plastic stone-effect toy.

“Woah! It’s not gonna bite me or summat? ROAAR! Ha Ha! I’m jokin’!”

“No, this one won’t bite, roar or do anything. That’s why I’m returning it. I bought it in your Christmas Sale, back in August. I was assured by one of your ‘crew’ that it plays music and dances at the same time. It does none of these things.”

“It might be on ‘Sleep’ setting. Hang on!”

Kai snatched the lion, and pressed a combination of hidden buttons. He put it on the floor and stepped back.

For the next minute, the toy ‘lion-danced’ its way through several musical classics such as ‘Lion Eyes’ and ‘Pride (In the name of Love)’.

“Wow! Thanks, Kai. Have you got any more left?”

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, based on the photo prompt, and hosted by Al Forbes. Please click the link for more details.

Click the logo to view the other entries.

A Bit of a Queue

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 14 Comments

A slightly dishevelled and breathless Micky flies in and takes his place at the end of the queue, next to his older pal, John.

“Alright John?”

“Yeah, not bad Micky, how’s yourself?”

“Late night, John. Late night…You here for the buffet too?”

“Yeah, but I got caught up with looking at that Doctor Who thing. Them at Number 42 watched a re-run this morning.”

“Oh, Number 42, they’ve got the 50-inch Smart TV. Nice piece of kit there, John. Me, I had a heavy night on the millet. Never again mate.”

“Yeah, okay! Don’t we look a right picture here, all in a line. Like a bunch of usual suspects, eh? Things you see when you haven’t got a camera!”

“Ha! You’re right there. You flying South again this winter, John?”

“Yeah, me and the Missus are off to Brighton, for the bad weather. It’s really quiet then, when all the seabirds come inland. We do like the change of scenery.”

“Do you think this queue is moving at all?”

“Patience lad, you’ve just got here! Mind you, one or two here could demolish the buffet by themselves, if you know what I mean?”

“Hang on John, I’ve got an idea. LOOK OUT, LADS! KIDS WITH PELLET GUN APPROACHING! SAVE YOURSELVES!”

“They’ve all flapped it, John. Front of the queue. Sorted!”

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, hosted by Al Forbes. Please click here for more details.

Click the logo to view the other stories.

Sail Away

November 10, 2013November 10, 2013 / Steve Lakey / 7 Comments

Photo: Copyright Al Forbes

Looking back, I hardly knew John Stimson. But he made me a little boat, and it will stay with me forever.

I remember him as an old, thin man with grey hair and a slight limp. He’d look down on me with a smile and ruffle my hair. John could often be loud and funny, but sometimes he would sit very quiet, or go and lock himself in his little garden shed. Sometimes we could hear him singing wartime songs to himself, as he made his model boats. He’d come out again when he was ready.

John was wounded in France in the retreat of 1940, and evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk. A small pleasure craft took him to a Royal Navy Destroyer, and then to safety in England. The physical battle with his wounds was soon won, but his mental war was never completely over.

I didn’t know his story until after he had gone. To me he was just Grandpa, but I’m proud to have known him.

(This story is fictional but is intended as a tribute to the men and women of the British Armed Forces who have given their lives to keep our country safe.)