Not a Bang
“Greetings. Please remain where you are,” it squeaks into my mind from atop its towering mechanical conveyance. Another wee being sits in an eye socket. Three others stand on the collar area, miming universal symbols of three wise [___.]
The vehicle’s mouth is uncommitted except for a wisp of upturn.
My lizard brain tells me I need to run.
Before my body can spring into action, the sliding arms periscope, then snake around me, into a metal cage. I smell welding fumes.
“It’s going to be the hard way, I see. Some species are more resistant than others,” it squeaks.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers. Thanks, Rochelle, for using my photo prompt this week. About the image:
Big Girl Playground by Tom Otterness was recently installed at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.
Tao-Talk 
I must not have had enough coffee this morning. I never saw the wee beings.
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I probably wouldn’t have seen them either if I hadn’t actually been there to see them and knew they were there.
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I like the tiny figures within the main sculpture.
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Gia, I do also. The sculptor did a good job on this. He’s got another big sculpture called, “Mad Mom” that is just outside the door leading out into the main outdoors area, so you see it when you go out and when you return.
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Amazing. Thanks for the detail. I looked up Mad Mom, another beautiful piece. 🤩
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My granddaughter stops there on our way in every time <3
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Now how are they going to get out of that?
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I don’t know. Got any suggestions? When they can read your mind, there may be no escape other than to play along and look for an opportunity?
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This is a lovely place Li. The story is a bit scary
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The kids seem to like it so far, but I’m not that keen on the setup, which is a metal ladder going up thru the middle and the only way up. As it’s new there was a long line of kids jostling to get up and I was afraid one of them would fall, and you know which one :) All of them actually and it looks sketchy for safety. More of an art piece imo.
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I know. The play grounds for kids should be safe first of all.
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A bit of falling never did any harm. I was dropped on my head a few times and I’m still whadjamacallit.
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Lol! 😂
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lol! I remember a comedian who shall remain nameless’ skit about how the people who designed playground equipment were secretly trying to maim/kill kids.
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for the great pic. It was between the one I chose and the one with the three little beings. Imaginative, if not ominous, story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome. And thank you for your comment <3
Shalom,
Lisa
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Cool story and photo!
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Thanks, Liam. Just another wonderful addition to their permanent collection.
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This is such a great image Lisa – and I love you take on it 🙌
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Ange, so glad you like the image. Thanks on the story <3
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🩷
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poor lizard, i don’t see any way out. :(
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Lisa, as art I love it. As a safe, open access place for youth to play in, I love it less as you noted earlier. Run, lizard…run!
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Thanks, Bruce. Good to read your comments again.
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Lisa, good to be here again. I was thinking of you the other day when a cable network we have access to started running Psych episodes. Now, when there is no streaming or sports on the “schedule,” we throw on Psych. It still brings all the laughs…and all the pineapples!
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Haha! on Psych! I just saw Corbin as a villain in S2 of The Punisher. Glad you have access to Psych. I never saw every pineapple, but I was looking and found a few.
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I didn’t notice that those creatures! They do look a bit sad and imprisoned. Great story and photo!
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Sheila, thanks so much :)
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Those are indeed three wise ones. Loved this one! 👍☺️
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Thank you :)
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You’re welcome. 😊
Enjoy a wonderful day ahead! ☺️
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Aha, I can see those three tiny little things, whatever they are. A good one, defo!
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Chris, glad you liked the story, thank you.
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I don’t understand the “[___.]”
I hate it when I’m collecting species, and they won’t stand still. A lot of us saw the sculpture as ominous. Very cool story and pic. Thanks for sharing.
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with the blank, I wanted to convey different cultures and different species, even ETs call them different things but the concept is the same. Speaking of that I ran across a 4th [ ] today: the cellphone one, who sees/hears/speaks nothing outside of its phone. Serendipity at its best (or the bots are watching me and put it in my feed.) You are welcome, Nobbin.
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Interesting.
Ha! Now that you mention it, if seems like a natural evolution. The bots are definitely watching. They see more than Santa.
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lol Yes, they do!
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Ohhh cool! Fun story :-)
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:) <3
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Ooo brilliant
No escaping that thing
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Thanks much, Laurie!
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A fun and imaginative story! The photo prompt sparked a wonderfully creative scene, and the suspense kept me engaged from beginning to end. Great job!
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Anowar thank you so much for your lovely comment.
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You’re most welcome 🤗
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This was a really fun read! Great work. I’d love for you to check out my latest work at https://paraphenatic.substack.com/p/cheating-death-wide-awake-in-naples, if you’re interested! Always looking to get some feedback!
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Luca, I just read it and commented at your substack. Good writing that held my attention.
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Thank you so much!
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You’re very welcome.
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Your writing has intrigue, joviality. Very nice.
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Karl, thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated!
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My pleasure, keep up the great work
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The economy of language is masterful you pack genuine dread into 100 words by focusing on those small details: the squeaking telepathy, the wee beings in the eye socket, that ominous “uncommitted” mouth. The restraint actually amplifies the unease.
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Thank you for your insightful feedback, She.
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