“These are funky. I wonder what they were used for, these, what did the man call them? Lamps? And what’s that thing there in the pink one? Isn’t that illegal? Do you think these things were seized from criminals on Earth Outpost? Do you think they were used to commit some sort of mass destruction? Harold? Are you listening to me? I’m talking to you, Harold. Answer me!”
“Why would they auction weapons of mass destruction? Honestly Carol, you’re not the brightest bulb in the box.”
Harold had no idea where that expression came from, but it sounded about right.
*****
This is my contribution to this week’s Friday Fictioneers hosted by the ever clever and talented Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Photo provided by the generous Dawn M. Miller. I think the lamps look like ladies wearing ridiculous hats and blank expressions. The photo reminds me of growing up in houses that weren’t wired for overhead lighting and how lamps were essential. Of course, today’s homes are wired for everything. CAT 5 wiring delivers the lifeblood we all depend upon to keep us connected to the outside world.
It is fun to think about what the future holds. Will everyone on the planet someday have a safe place to call home? Will homes glow in the dark? Will humans occupy and subdue/destroy other planets? Will lessons learned light the way to a bright future? Can you tell I am in student mode? I am currently studying the human side of disaster, civic engagement, and mediation. It’s an interesting time in my life, lots of change happening. I may not contribute to FF as often as I’d like, but when I do, I’ll try to make it worth your time. Thanks for reading.
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Honie Briggs 
Perfect ending, perfect.
By the way, love that red one in the middle. Don’t you?
The one that looks like an oil lamp or the tall one?
The tall one.
Haha, poor Carole; not the brightest bulb in the box.
It makes no difference to Carol. She’s got a good thing going, you know, jet setting all over the galaxy, attending auctions. Plus she’s got that incredible imagination! 😉
🙂
Harold sounds like a long-suffering man, having to put up with Carol must be terribly hard if she’s always like that. Explaining the meaning of what he just said though, might take a lifetime… 😀
That’s the good thing about Harold, he’s willing to take a lifetime just to make sure he is understood.
Loved the simplicity of the ending. 🙂
It’s the simple things for me these days. 🙂
I almost used that line in my story but ran out of words. another coincidence? Or mind meld? Hmmm…
I’m thinkin’ mind meld, Erin. Definitely mind meld. HA!
Neither is she the sharpest knife in the drawer. Sounds like man and wife teams from outer space interact a lot like us. Fun story, Honie.
Thanks, Russell. Isn’t it interesting how we make the assumption that Harold and Carol are married?
I love the tone of these characters. Clever story.
Is that the know it all tone or the smart ass tone? I get them confused sometimes. Thanks for the comment.
Know it all, with a touch of exasperation.
Honie, this was so great! I loved the futuristic implication with the pun at the end. I’m new here, but look forward to reading more from you.
Welcome, Deanna. You’ve picked a group of talented writers with the Friday Fictioneers. It keeps growing, and I don’t always get around to reading all of the stories, but there are always ones that make me laugh and think.
I love Harold already. Great piece of whimsy.
Harold is lovable and good for a bit of whimsy now and then.
Ah, these are fantastical question you ask, Honie. I love the pun at the end. How interesting that you are studying the human side of disaster. Great story! Someday I think a lamp could be a relic. I could see that happening. Computers will control all the lighting!
It’s interesting how some social artifacts end up in museums and others end up in the junk store. I wonder if someone will create a lamp museum. I always ask questions. It’s the easiest way to get answers. 😉
Loving your character’s wild imagination even if she isn’t the brightest bulb (and fantastic use of the pun too!)
That’s the thing about Carol, she gets carried away sometimes with that wild imagination of hers.
Carol is awesome!
I bought 10 packages of light bulbs the other day and my kids said – “Mom – you should use the new ones – they last a lot longer.” This is true but they cost a lot more, and some places I use bulbs, they aren’t needed very often. Anyway, Good story! Thanks! Nan
Isn’t it funny how we can phase out manufacturing of incandescent light bulbs but not assault rifles? So, do you stockpile light bulbs, Nan? The newer bulbs are more expensive. Hope the bulb police don’t show up a your door. HA!
I enjoyed this story Honie. The dialogue was very natural and who knows what the future will bring., perhaps something like this story. I hope you continue to love your classes and do well.
I hope I continue to love my classes too. So far so good. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Honie- I love this take. Like a time capsule far in the future what in the world do these things mean. But the fact that Harold unwittingly used the correct expression was the best part.
Isn’t it funny? That last line just kind of fell into place when I noticed only one lamp had a bulb.
Enjoyed it, Honie. I can easily picture Harold and Carol – perfect dialogue to suit each character’s traits, and their relationship.
That Harold and Carol, they are every couple, aren’t they?
Nice job, Honie! I was thinking about this the other day– the idea that it will soon be illegal to use certain kinds of lightbulbs! Will my grandchildren be scornful of the relics they find in my home? Will my xmas tree lights be so antique as to be weapons? Interesting ideas you’ve explored here.
Weaponizing holiday lights…hmmm. There’s a story there. HA!
Right? 😉
This is a fun story. Nice pun and creative story line.
The prompt was fun.
They don’t auction WMD, they get shipped to Syria. 🙂 It’s interesting to wonder what people in the future will make of some of the things we take as everyday things. Thanks for getting my thinking gears in motion.
janet
You are welcome, Janet. 😉
Dear Honie,
You’ve never disappointed me yet. I can also tell by your story that you’ve been reading Fahrenheit 451. 😉 Who knows what the future will bring? I fear Bradbury was closer to the truth than we care to realize.
Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
Thank you. Thank you.
I can’t thank you enough. I have three papers to write this semester (5-7 pages each) and you have to know that I have the FF challenges to thank for helping streamline my writing.
THANKS!!
Dear Honie,
You are ever-so welcome. As for the papers, I relate. From the time I started with Friday Fictioneers, then under Madison Woods’ leadership, I was hooked. In learning how and when to conserve words, I was able to finally wrestle a novel synopsis into submission. So if I’ve paid it forward in any way I’m pleased.
Writers like you make Friday Fictioneers worth the effort. So I thank you! All the best on those papers.
Shalom,
Rochelle