He had a white beard, a red suit, and a twinkle in his eye. Yeah, that was my first thought too. And, of course, his name was Kris.
“Look,” he said, beginning the consultation, “the more statins you take, the less likely is cardiovascular crisis, but the greater the chance of cancer.”
Well, that was a kick in the head! I told him to repair the cancer genes. It transpired that meant I’d get dementia instead.
He wound up for the pitch. “Personalised medicine today offers a good death. A massive coronary half way up an Alp is very popular.”
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
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
Personalized medicine indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. Rochellle
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Ha! Medicines designed for death. As it is, most medicines these days come with nasty side effects. This might not be a bad idea afterall.
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It would require rewriting the Hippocratic oath, but writing is my business
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What an intriguing idea – so imaginative!
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Thanks, Emily
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I think you just summed up the pharmaceutical scene to a ‘T’. Very insightful.
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Thanks, Sandra
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Tough choice to make- Cancer, Dementia or personalised medicine ensuring death?
What choices! Hope all are safe & don’t have to choose from these.
True Treasure – Anita
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Thanks, Anita
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I reckon we need a la carte menus for such things – but as Lupe Velez proved, planning these things does not always bring quite the result we hoped for.
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Life is what happens while we’re making other plans.
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Where have I heard that before? I think Lupe’s story might be a Hollywood myth.
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It’s wrongly attributed to John Lennon. It was probably Allen Saunders. And just because something didn’t happen doesn’t necessarily make it untrue – cherish your myths
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The horns of a dilemma. Well done.
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Thanks, Joshua
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So, since we’re talking about meds designed for death, what will the voice over people warn about at the end of the commercials. “Will cause death.” ……crickets…..
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Death isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you
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Personalised indeed… Not a pleasant thought!
Where’s your hat? 😉
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The dog ate it
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Well done, Neil. This reminded me of those choose your own adventure stories. However, unfortunately, most of us don’t get to choose how we go. Or when for that matter. Much easier when we’re conjuring up dead bodies than working out out own demise.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks, Rowena
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So true. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Oh well I’ve only made it this far due to modern medicine anyway.
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Maybe it’s the doing or not doing that’s really important, not the outcome
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This sounds suspiciously like the way scientists manage flora & fauna. They brought in … because … were too plentiful and causing damage, but then the imported species got out of hand so they had to bring in… to control them.
On the other hand, I haven’t met a person yet who wouldn’t want a nice quick heart attack rather than dying of cancer, living with Alzheimer’s, etc.
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It does speak to a dream of sorts
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Out of the frying pan into another frying pan! Was this ‘Kris’s’ idea of an early Christmas present, if so – socks next year please! Great story Neil and I love your new pic – very good
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Thanks so ,much, Lynn. Kris will pass the message on to his elves
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My pleasure
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Caught between a rock and a hard place.
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Oh I don’t know. A good death is quite a gift
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You’ve done it again! Surprised me with your take on the prompt. Brilliantly done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Actually the truth is that you always die… all roads end at the edge of a cliff
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That’s true, but there are so many different ways to go over the cliff
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Cynical, accurate and excellent.
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Thanks so much
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Dear Neil
What a delightfully cynical story. You envisage a rational world where we are prepared to trade length of life for quality of life. I think the comments on your story tell us their own eloquent story of dismay at this approach!
With best wishes
Penny
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Thanks, Penny. I didn’t mean it to be cynical, but perhaps it is
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Personally, I’d opt for a heart attack while in bed with a pretty girl.
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Your request has been submitted
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Bleak options indeed! I always love the humour in your stories, even when considering death options you still make me laugh. Thank you.
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Laughing is good. Thanks so much
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I bet Kris has taken someone of his delivery list.
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Sadly, he’s not really Mr Kringle
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You summed up the pharma scene pretty well. A grim topic handled with humour. Well done Neil!
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Thanks so much.
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A made-order prescription also has its own side effects!
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Sadly, they all do
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We can decide the way we live, but we can’t decide the way we die–though we often think we can. Very creative take on the prompt, Neil!
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Thanks, Jan. But imagine if we could. What would we do?
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Your Christmas wish list must be unique!
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Nope. A mansion, a yacht, a multi-book publishing contract just like everyone else
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Oh gosh… the way you started I thought aww fun sto… no… personalised death is a creepy thought
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I do creepy sometimes
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one thing about medication, it has known side effects. take it on your own risk. 🙂
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I don’t think side effects mater if the intended outcome is death
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Personalised medicine – that’s seems very assuring…uh… creepy.
I guess, the form would say, “Please chose your death. Tick in one of the options.”
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That’s exactly what the form says
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I suppose you’d die with a view, if you went for the Alpine coronary. I’d have hoped personalised medicine had fewer side- and ill-effects. Oh well, I can keep on dreaming for the perfect pill.
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I think other deaths are available too
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Aahhh … the desire to be healthy with unhealthy side-effects drugs.
Who knows what’s best..??!! I say, “Eat, drink and be merry.”
Isadora 😎
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I’m with you
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Funny. A good death. What more can you ask for of life?
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Thanks so ,much
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Very funny! I like how you’ve done this.
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Thanks so much
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A clever take on the prompt!
http://thewritetypeofteacher.blogspot.com/2018/05/friday-fictioneers-forest.html
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Thanks
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That rings so true. These conversations…! Now where’s that Sherpa?
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Have you considered also the other products on offer? Five symphony orchestras playing the Rite of Spring through amplifiers? Big Bertha is also very popular
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I guess halfway up the alps isn’t all bad. Fun take.
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Thanks, Karen
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