Water Under the Bridge

January 26, 2014 / Steve Lakey / 22 Comments

Photo: Copyright Al Forbes

Visiting time again. Standby for the Grandkids! They’ll probably want to know about more stories about my bridge. I tell them that I built it with my bare hands, back in the day.

The bridge has been a focal point to me over the years. Many’s the time I’ve leaned over the edge and told my troubles to the flowing water underneath. And they’ve all been carried off to who-knows-where. Maybe there’s a part of the sea that holds all my sadness and worries. And a better part where the good things I’ve lost are all there waiting for me. My lovely Alice, for a start.

I don’t go there anymore, at least not physically. I ask the staff, but they say there’s never enough of them on-shift to drive me over there. I’d wheel myself if I could. but my weak arms couldn’t get me further than the TV room.

The staff think I have an afternoon nap everyday. But I’ve got them all fooled. Since I read that “Creative Visualisation” book off the Volunteer’s trolley, I’ve learnt to take myself to the bridge in my mind. In fact, if my daughter and the kids don’t show up in a couple of minutes, that’s where I’ll be heading.

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, January 26th 2014, hosted by Al Forbes. For more details, please click the link.

To read the other stories, click on the logo.

Bed Rest

January 25, 2014 / Steve Lakey / 18 Comments

Photo: Copyright Björn Brudberg

“Mikey! Time to get up! No? Just lay there then. I’ve been ‘blessed’ with the laziest son in the world! Your house won’t finish itself, you know. If you think I’m building it all by myself, you’d better think again, Sunshine.

I’ve bought us a new metal ladder. That old wooden one that broke, I’ve chopped it up for firewood. You should have seen it burn!

Well, I’m going to get myself a nice cuppa. You want one? You can just nod, you know. Or blink. The doctor says you can hear me. Please Mikey, squeeze my hand! Just once.”

This is my contribution to Friday Fictioneers 100 word photo challenge, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Please click the link for more details.

To read the other stories, please click the logo.

Treasured Island

January 1, 2014 / Steve Lakey / 4 Comments

Photo: Copyright Al Forbes 2013

It’s almost time. I climb up the ladder and in through the hatch. I check my calculations on the chart, once again. There’s no need to look through the telescope. The ship won’t be visible for another two hours and eight minutes.

I take a last look around. I have mixed feelings about leaving my Pacific island home. Two years and three months ago my luxury yacht ran aground and sank. I was the only survivor.

Surprisingly, the guilt and loneliness faded after a while. To pass the time, I set myself little challenges and tasks. When the salvaged rations ran out, I had to become self-sufficient anyway. But this island has been good to me, with unlimited fresh water and abundant wildlife for food.

I know the drill, off by heart. It’s a sixty minute walk to Beacon Hill. I’ll light the damp vegetation that’s piled there. It will burn black smoke for the rest of the day. Then, it’s a leisurely walk down to the beach and wait for the little boat they’ll despatch for me.

I sit on the beach until sundown, marvelling at the perfect harmony of the sea and sky.

One of these days, I may actually light that fire. But not yet. I’ll stay in my paradise a little longer.

This is my contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction, 29 December 2013, hosted by Al Forbes. Click here for more details.

To read the other contributions, click the logo.

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.

Walk the Self-Talk

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