Phineas crossed his arms. He didn’t look convinced. This one was slipping away from me.
I made my mouth smile. “Your decision, man. Of course it is. Sure. Turn your back on the future. Perhaps, I’ll offer it to your neighbours. They seem like forward-looking folk.”
For the first time, he looked unsure. I pressed my advantage. “A home nuclear reactor isn’t for everyone. Free power for life—that could be too much responsibility.”
The big play now. Turning, I headed across the road to number 10.
“Wait,” Phineas called.
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 
This made me smile, and I enjoyed how you used the prompt,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Michael
LikeLike
Humans are so predictable. Keeping up with the Jones’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t a hard sell for him
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
Phineas T. Barnum is attributed with the phrase, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phineas himself seems not invulnerable himself to that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Free power for life, tempting. What are the safety aspects? I suspect the con will earn him a fortunate, then he’ll need to hide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, safety isn’t a problem. It doesn’t actually work
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the moment anyone discovers the free source of infinite power they become the person most likely to be killed. That’s cynical, I know, but hey. This is America.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a conman. This is the UK
LikeLike
ah. I get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I think a home nuclear reactor is a bad idea for many reasons! Great story, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Mason
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those salesmen with their silvery tongues and sure-fire ways…
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it all sounded so plausible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It always does, if they are good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like he fell victim the moment he heard “free”. Great take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a powerful incentive. Thanks. Shweta
LikeLike
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, Neil. Phineas reminds me of municipal government.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think municipal government looks kindly on nuclear reactors in your back garden
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not anymore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it! It’s exactly how any good salesman thinks – and you’ve caught the voice perfectly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
He shouldn’t fall for it – nuclear reactor in your own back yard? Nah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He shouldn’t. But it looks like he’s tempted
LikeLike
Quite a good salesman
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neil,
Ah the drive to stay one step ahead of the neighbors: brilliant tactic by the salesman. And when all is said and done, nuclear power is still the cleanest and most environmentally-friendly resource out there. So I won’t give him too hard a time.
pax,
dora
LikeLiked by 1 person
By some criteria it is (so long as you don’t include nuclear waste).But a nuclear reactor in your back garden is not a great idea
LikeLike
Those home nuclear reactor salesmen are all the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Shoddy workmanship
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phineas falls for it. A sale is born! The photo adds to the flavorful writing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Terveen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve lost count of the number of “home nuclear power stations”, “Mars exploration rockets” and the like the doorstep hard sell has foisted off on me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh. You have a Mars explorer rocket. I only have a home nuclear power station
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent con, Neil. But a sharp comment too on how blind we are to what we’re actually doing when self-interest is concerned. Love the inclusion of ‘number 10’. That took me to a whole different scenario!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can sell the bloke in number 10 anything
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad to say, this is true!
LikeLike
What’s the problem with having to observe a few safety procedures when you could be getting unlimited electricity… and radiation probably? Good take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Safety procedures? I don’t think so!
LikeLike
I love how he swayed when the neighbours were mentioned. And when you have that reactor in your garden, watch how huge the tomatoes (next year) get. Yum!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only if it really is a nuclear reactor
LikeLike
free power for life? anything for free, count me in. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll send him round to sign you up
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk about high-power sales tactics! Very well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
I came very very close to going the nuclear route with this one… but who can resist cat toys, eh? Great story, and have an awesome week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Bear
LikeLike
This story just glows with possibilities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All that glitters, as they say, is probably radioactive
LikeLike
A very clever salesperson. The walk away is the key. Entertaining story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Walking away is the turning point in many negotiations
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, the skilful salesman playing with every arrow in his quiver and ping: Phineas is hooked. I loved “made my mouth smile”. Definitely an essential arrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you noticed the “made my mouth smile”, Jilly. Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having spent years as a sales trainer, I think he did a pretty good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure there are more moves in the sales playbook
LikeLiked by 1 person
“And I have a bridge….” Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He probably does have a bridge too for the right mark
LikeLike
Home nuclear generator! Sure, why not. What could possibly go wrong???
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have to take chances if you want to get on in life
LikeLike
Oh oh …
I have a feeling that his neighbors will not be enamored … (though perhaps that won’t be a problem for too long … 😉 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re probably all right. It’s not really a working reactor
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh … whew … 😉
LikeLike