October 2024 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO CAT'S CRADLE!!

[Bren G]

En retard à la fête

Like a thin ghostly serpent, the mile-long cloud of steam hovered above the metal packhorses, snaking into London.

We hunkered in the Abbey, as a dank gloom shrouded our good city, the heart of the Empire - upon which, the sun would soon set.

When news arrived that our defeat at Waterloo… was greatly exaggerated.

“Marines in Southampton?”

“Seems Wellington’s late to the party!”

The bell rang, with tears we sang, “Better late than never!”

 

[Azzagorn]

The Early Optimist

Ms. Clarabelle Greyman’s Audio-graph 1912 14th April 23:40

Day 4.

Today I watched as the blades propelled the IAS Titanic across the sky, the other ships look so small on the ocean as we soar above them.

Steam powered blimp is what the call her. A bastion of hope for the future. World smaller now. Its also toxic optimism. But it’s contagious. One can’t help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.

World peace...

 

[StilLearning]

I'm not being too optimistic: An elevator pitch for the crossover everyone secretly wants: ​

As they neared the Gray Havens Frodo asked "Gandalf, what was Sauron like? Y'know... before?"
"Optimistic. Joyful. He said... if he could only whisper his plans, they would change history ”.
Doubt momentarily clouded his face.

Much later:
Miles Dyson, microelectronics engineer, titled a design sheet: 'Skynet'.
Behind him shadows deepened slightly. In his subconscious a gnawing voice whispered: "Like this..."

Earlier again:
Temporal displacement fields dissipated. The T-800 strode into Bree…

 

[ColGray]

The Weight of Brass and Sky

The dirigible hissed steam and slipped moorings, polished brass catching wan amber light. The city’s sprawl fell away, clockwork dreams and obsolete streets dissolving into the metallic tang she’d mistook for progress.

“Free as birds,” she murmured, gripping the railing.

“Birds?” he snorted. “Slaves to instinct. We’re the wind.”

The sails filled and snapped.

His hand found hers.

“The wind,” she agreed, eyes ahead, the promise of clean skies erasing all they’d been.

 

[johnnyjet]

Light Up!

"Everyone needs one!"

While TV talked, I rolled the tobacco in my automatic, steam-powered cigarette rolling machine. I strolled onto the porch with a fresh pack. TV followed, yapping. Jetpacks were still my favorite next great thing.

I passed my pack to Laura and the teens, making sure little Susie didn't snag one.

"Light up!"

TV said, "That's right!"

Happily puffing away, we wondered about the next great thing, hopeful for the future.

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

The Infinite Optimism Drive

Professor Hope’s invention was a game changer for interstellar travel. Working on the acknowledged principle that probabilities can be accurately estimated, it became clear that an event with a predicted chance of 100% must obviously come true. The simplified user interface - a single button - was an added bonus. One push and a vessel could be transported across the Universe to a destination of choice.

The search began for irrationally optimistic individuals to become starship captains.

 

[dgackst]

ARCADES

Smoke billowed out from the mole-sized hole sending little Gretchen into an instant coughing fit. She immediately threw down her oversized rubber mallet and started wailing, at the top of her lungs. “I want to go to the new arcade! I hate this one!”

Her father, a large man dressed amply in leather that’d been bronzed into oblivion, looked distraughtly at his daughter. “But, Sweetie, that digital arcade has no soul.”

 

[Parson]

Optimism and the Success Eli Much’s Mars Expedition

Reporter: Is it true, Mr. Much, that your rocket is going to be powered by anti-gravity?

Absolutely, It’s the most efficient drive. I have 100 scientists working on it currently.

Do you have a working model?

We will.

But I see that you’re already building the ship. Isn’t that premature?

No, it’s good time management. We leave in two years.

Are you sure it’ll be ready?

Humans always succeed in finding the answers they need.

 

[Provincial]

Persistence of Vision


"We should have started at the top of a mountain."

"There isn't any clay for bricks at the top of a mountain."

"It isn't just built from bricks, you know."

"Well, yes; but it was when we started. You can't just wind back the clock."

They rubbernecked up at the impossibly tall tower.

"A smart bit of rebranding, though"

"Yup. Next month is the grand opening."

"What're they calling it?"

"The Space Elevator of Babel!"

 

[Elckerlyc]

The Optimizer

“Noble King, may I present my conceptualization of the ultimate device humankind can conceive and - so I trust - construct. Depending your divine endorsement, naturally.”
“What is that… thing?”
“I call it the Optimizer. It catches the ethereal cosmic rays the gods emanate and which define the flow of life and death. It protects anything, anything, placed inside against decay.”
“To what dire costs?¨
“Nothing of consequence. About 2.3 million blocks of worthless stone.”

 

[The Judge]

Welcome Home ​

​

The other students stared at her exam work. They’d employed AI and the latest materials for their humanoid robots. She’d used cheap plastic and flashing lights.​

​

“She’s hoping for the sympathy vote,” someone whispered. “Half the professors worked with her dad before he became a vegetable.”​

​

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*​

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“Your dad loved those old TV puppet shows,” said a professor afterwards.​

​

“Still does. The only things he reacts to.”​

​

A robot for her dad. Perhaps to wake him.​

​

​

 

[Ursa major]

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Hast Thou a Vista?​

​

“Hurry up! The Grand Celebration starts soon.”​

​

“I’m almost ready.”​

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“When I think how pessimistic we once were, with too little vision. Er… what’s that?”​

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“The latest fashion.”​

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“It’s disrespectful.”​

​

“How?”​

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“They were optimistic; that’s why we’re here now.”​

​

“So are they… in ‘Reserves’.”​

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“You’re trampling over their achievement: creating us.”​

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“The costume’s brilliant: the skin would pass for human flesh.”​

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“The problem’s its shape.”​

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“Why?”​

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“It looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger in that film, Terminator.”​

 

[Ursa major]

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