Screen Print – Friday Fictioneers

AnElephantCant claim he is educated
He totally fails to master technology
His thoughts keep escaping
Because his head is misshapen
He is a great prize for any student of phrenology

Once again it is Friday Fictioneer time.
Presented weekly by the Queen of the Keyboard Rochelle, this tells the typed tales of tons of talented writers.
And AnElephant.
The idea is to write a very short story, circa 100 words, based on this picture prompt (below).
That’s it.

Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy

Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy

Screen Print
He wakens with a start, slightly shaken by his dream.
Not enough to be exactly a nightmare, but he is disoriented.
He is seated, or rather sprawled, at his desk.
Where he often drifts off into that strange in-between, twilight area.
His thoughts often take him on imaginary yet frightening journeys.
But something seems not quite right.
His books, his lamp, his notes, are all where they should be.
His laptop is, unsurprisingly, on his lap, also dormant.
He hits the space bar.
His screen-saver disappears.
He gazes in disbelief and mounting terror at what he sees on the screen.

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21 Responses to Screen Print – Friday Fictioneers

  1. storydivamg says:

    A fine story from this prompt, Elephant.

    Cheers!
    MG

    Like

  2. wmqcolby says:

    Nice, Elephant! You built up the story and BANG-O!!! Good work.

    Like

  3. elappleby says:

    Dear Elephant
    I enjoy your stories.
    A lot.
    And this week was no different.
    But each week I can’t help wondering.
    And thought I might finally take the plunge this week and ask.
    Why do all your sentences have to be on new lines?
    Every time?
    For me, it breaks up the story too much.
    Would you agree?
    Or disagree?
    🙂

    Like

    • AnElephant thinks it is obvious.
      He disagrees.
      Clearly.
      Or he does not do it.
      But he is unperturbed by your question.
      In fact, he is happy you ask it.
      He does it for a reason.
      Some folk like it.
      Others not so much.
      It is how he writes.
      C’est la vie.
      Il s’en fou.
      It is all rock and roll, dear elap!
      Thank you.

      Like

  4. What’s on the screen???????! I must know!!!! Awesome (and aggravating) creation of tension, Elephant!

    Like

  5. Helena Hann-Basquiat says:

    Love the technological terror you’ve created.

    Like

  6. Great ending – I wonder if he is really awake or still in that twilight area …

    Like

  7. EagleAye says:

    Yikers. You know it’s terrible to leave something to MY imagination. There’s all sorts of scary things there. Great buildup and great tension!

    Like

  8. dmmacilroy says:

    Dear AEC,

    He sees a 404 screen and realizes his internet connection is down…. Great story.

    Aloha,

    Doug

    Like

  9. Elephant, That was really a cliffhanger ending. Well written and creative. 🙂 —Susan

    Like

  10. That’s all a bit wee bit worrying. And rather frightening. He needs to speak to someone about his sleeping habits.

    Like

  11. Nan Falkner says:

    Dear Elephant, I love your story. Anticipation creeps into it very slowly and then WHAM, something appears where the screen saver was. Perhaps a ransom note to unlock his computer? From Russia with love. Very clever! Thanks, Nan 🙂

    Like

  12. ….and then I heard the sound of the ominous drums and horns that always play when discovering such horror. Dum de dum dum…..

    Like

  13. Where he often drifts off into that strange in-between, twilight area.– Lovely line. What DID he see on the screen. To be continued.

    Like

  14. Al says:

    Great story with goosebumps.

    Like

  15. yarnspinnerr says:

    This is a wonderful take to this prompt. Excellent as always.

    Like

  16. Yes.. cyberspace can bring shockwaves of disaster directly into our rooms… creative piece

    Like

  17. Indira says:

    It left me ask for more. Very well written.

    Like

  18. Dear Elephant,

    I don’t think he’s seeing Hokusai’s painting at the end. You left me hanging and cringing. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

  19. niasunset says:

    …. 🙂 Loved it, well pictured and expressed. Thank you, love, nia

    Like

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