Photo Prompt: (C) J Hardy Carroll
Grandpa scratched his thin beard, the turkey wattle flapping on his neck. “Dammit, we used to make things, we were somebody.”
I didn’t know why he’d brought me to this derelict building, or what he wanted to teach me. Grandpa was just an old man, to be humoured.
“Can’t see how you’re ever going to amount to anything, Josh.” A sad shake of his head. “You can’t make a world out of selling each other insurance policies and burgers.”
Now, fifteen years on, with the DNA price crashing, Grandpa’s message makes sense. I stare bleakly at my own wasteland.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find It here.
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
It sounds like Josh has some regrets over career choices. Your description of Grandpa’s neck is brilliant…’turkey wattle.’ Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. Rochelle
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Well done.
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Rochelle was faster, but I must compliment that “turkey wattle”, with it you painted a complete picture.
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Thanks
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I love that line of you can’t make a world out of selling each other insurance policies and burgers. Very thought-provoking and wise.
Wonderful story, Neil!
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Thanks so much. You can see I’m not ecomically literate. I don’t get it
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But you did articulate and that was what sold it for me. Very good stuff!
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Turkey wattle… love it I have to say it sets the whole scene… and perhaps also why he never listened until all was wasted.
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We never do, do we?
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‘Wasteland’ is one of my favourite titles. I’ve used it myself in a previous short story (not published). It’s so evocative. I enjoyed your take on the title and the photo prompt.
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I could just envisage that neck. I didn’t understand what the ‘DNA price crashing’ meant. I’m economically illiterate that way. 🙂 Good one, Neil.
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Oh, well that didn’t work then. There is, of course, no DNA trading yet. It was just meant to indicate this is some years in the future
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Sorry! 😦
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Its frustrating being an old person who is just to be humored.
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I also wondered about the DNA trading, so thought DNW. = D for dangerous. N for nuclear. W for wasteland, you have got me thinking of more stories for this prompt. Well done
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A lot to think over there. I too loved the ‘turkey wattle’ reference.
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I love the apocalyptic ending.
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Guess he should have listened to Grandpa. Great last line!
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I love the contrasting characters, and the choice between building a world or a wasteland. Very good.
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Thanks Margaret
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Apart from this being a great story, the last line makes me very scared. That’s a very possible future you paint here.
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Scared is good. I’ll take scared
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Grandpa has a good point. I’ve always wondered how we’d cope selling each other frozen peas at the supermarket. Turkey wattle is great, wish I’d thought of it.
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Yeah, I’m with Gramps too
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Great take on the prompt. Grandpa is very wise – we can’t make a future out of seeling each other insurance! I like the way his words don’t hit home until the grandson is grown – advice given is only valued once you’ve learnt the lessons for yourself. Great story
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Isn’t that the truth? Makes you wonder how we ever managed to pass on the secret of banging the rocks together
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Haha! Yes indeed. So many things I was told as a teen I’ve only realised were wise a decade or more later 🙂
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Thought provoking piece. We need farmers and “makers” and recyclers too 🙂
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A brilliant and awful look into the future, Neil! It made me think of Gattaca, for some reason. Have you seen it? Of course, there it’s not about DNA sales and insurance, but rather discrimination based on one’s DNA profile.
I loved the images you evoked. That poor grandfather with his turkey wattle neck!
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Thanks
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I like the tone and flow of this piece. The issue – how true, what are these kids going to do? However, they are fairly inventive, who knows what this generation can create.
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young people are rarely attentive to elder’s advice
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