Jerry was always … different. Once when we were kids at the swimming baths he came up for air, pushed the black hair from his brow, and said “wouldn’t it be cool to grow gills?”
Now he’s proposing to do it.
“Jerry, you can’t,” I say. “It’s not right.”
The syringe is poised in his hand. “How so? It’s my body. I can tattoo it, pierce it, so why can’t I modify my DNA? I can cure my colour blindness and add vision into the ultra violet.”
“You won’t be you any more, not fully human.”
He just laughed.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on point of view.
Neil MacDonald Author 
Jerry clearly has bigger plans. Go Jerry Go, Go!
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Jerry says thanks
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That was an unusual take! Good one!
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Thanks, Reena
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I enjoyed this (although I couldn’t see how it linked to the photo). I hope it doesn’t all go horribly wrong for Jerry.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan. The link to the photo is tenuous – I had in mind repurposing of junk
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I think I’ll go for wings. Do you think Jerry succeeded? Can I pick his brains? Nice take Neil.
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I think he did succeeed, but there were unexpected side-effects
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Dear Neil,
This sounds like the beginning of a horror movie where Jerry turns into some kind of scaled creature that eats all of his friends. Now that’s thinking outside the commode.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I think Jerry had a less sci-fi but more damaging response in unexpected cell proliferation but I’m not privy to alll the details
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Reminds me of the woman who thought she was a chicken. Her husband wouldn’t take her to the psychiatrist because he needed the eggs. Good one!
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Ha ha. Thanks, Joshua
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Oh dear. A Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the making, I’m thinking.
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Less,. And perhaps more
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As you may or may not know, I’m writing an entire series of stories based (more or less) on this premise. That said, people in real life are attempting to artificially “evolve” by sewing magnets under their skin or otherwise hacking their bodies. Seems a little extreme to me.
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People are on the verge now of hacking their own DNA. It’s not so sci-fi
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The real life version of that should be used with extreme caution.
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I agree
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I like where your muse took you this week.
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Thanks so much
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Somewhat disquieting story, Neil, and extremely tenuous link!
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All my links are tenuous
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Tenuosity would probably be a good thing If not flmisily attached by invisible thread already weakened by toilet humour.
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It’s amazing the ideas that pop into a person’s head while they’re sitting on the toilet! Jerry certainly was … different. An inspired story, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Edith
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No good can come from this… but hey… all the luck to Jerry…
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A bad idea in reality but a fun story
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Toilets and syringes. Go together hand in glove. Good one.
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You must have a hell of a bathroom!
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Kind of excited to find out if it works! Brave man Jerry
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Jerry is heading down a slippery slope.
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Very
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Great story, Neil. I loved the way you presented the topic. As you’re well aware, with CRISPR we’ve almost reached the point when we have to answer these ethical questions.
My own take is that if the technology is there and can bring advantages, the wealthy will use it come what may. So, yes, permit biohacking, or the rest of us will be even further left behind.
Very stimulating piece of (almost realisable) speculative fiction!
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I think this may be only a year away
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good story, though not sure how this relates to a toilet
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Amazing what you discover in a toilet
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Scary thought, but a lot of it is being considered….we shall see.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/11/29/friday-fictioneers-a-memory-a-fear-glad-i-am-older/
Scott
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We sure will
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I think Jerry has a point. It is his body. Nice thought provoking piece.
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Thanks so much
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Oooh! Playing with DNA seems like a terribly iffy way to go. You really thought outside the box with this one. Nice!
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Thanks, Alicia. It seems if we can do something there’s always going to be somebody who will
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I liked where the prompt took you, Neil.
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Thanks, Neel
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He might not like what the results are. There’s always bravado at the first needle stick.
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But will he be remembered as a fool or a pioneer?
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I liked the story, but couldn’t really get the connection with the photo. Did he stop using the WC after that, and so it is all broken down?
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Thanks. The connection was repurposing junk
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Dear Neil, Cute story – maybe he wants to get out of a bad relationship. He’s gonna be sorry! Enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Nan. Yes I think he is going to reget it
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Oooo dangerous territory. Hope he stays safe. Great concept for a movie tho 😊
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I think there’s very little chance he’ll stay safe
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Maybe he was thinking of imitating Harry Potter!
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Ah! I hadn’t thought of that
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👍
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This story makes me think about how close we are to this story. Wonder how long it will be before this is true? Just look what has happen over the last 120 years in science. Oh well . . .
Great story telling.
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About a year away, probably
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sci fi take on an old potty. has anyone told you you could have a slightly warped view … jus sayin.
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Thanks. They have
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I had a feeling they might haaahaha!
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Dang it Jerrry!!!!!! if you turn into a fishman, what job will the fish have!
I enjoyed this one, it is different, is the most lovley of ways! 😀
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Thanks so much, Sin
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There’s a definite danger to messing around with DNA. I remember Jeff Goldblum and “The Fly”. I wish him all the best. Good writing, Neil. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne, he’ll need it
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I feel that the day this becomes possible I will sure rather grow wings than gills.
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gills may prove easier
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and maybe with climate change it’s better
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Dear Neil, Your story could be the beginning, the middle, or the end of a story – Very clever – Very! Merry Christmas!
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Thanks Nan, I hadn’t realised that
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Dear Neil,
Quite a futuristic protagonist, I must say. Totally unexpected take and an engrossing narrative. You really know how to leave the readers begging for more. Id love to read more of your writings…Very novel! Keep spinning…
Warmly,
Tina
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Thanks Tina. Perhaps not so futuristic theand more nearly presentistic. There are links to some of my other writings here on my blog
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I agree! Coming from the part of the world where I am from, it will still take some time to get there…..we are still decades behind the first world in many aspects. 🙂 Thanks for sharing..will read for sure. Cheers!
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Oooh – a gripping tale, with real energy in it – felt drawn into this scene. With a shiver. Good one.
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Thanks so much
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