It took a while to get used to the headset. It bumped the pillow and woke me. But this was worth it to earn without effort. And gradually, I adapted to the equipment—even became comforted by the way it cradled me.
Networked with other sleeping brains, the company mines my dreams to solve problems I couldn’t begin to understand. Collectively, we manage topological transforms and matrix algebra.
And I have all the working day free to walk, and to garden, and to chat. Truly, this is for the best in the best of all possible worlds. Isn’t it?
.
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
Not going to lie, I’d be tempted by such a job offer. And yet… there’s definitely a sinister air about it.
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Be afraid. Be very afraid
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Haha! Dream on….
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Thanks, Ain
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Dear Neil,
It sounds like this dream job could be a two-edged sword. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Technology what would we do without it 🙂I fear that they have him dreaming both day and night.
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I agree with your fear, Michael
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Ah, the dream job for many, I’m certain. But then someone isn’t happy with something… Great idea, did you dream your story?
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Thanks so much. Did I dream it? Or am I dreaming now that I’m awake and writing this?
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Hmm… not sure about this one. There is a sense of unease to this that makes me think it’s the beginning of a story, not the happy ending.
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I agree with you
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Sounds scary, if you ask me… especially given the dreams I’ve been dreaming. Great story this week. It’s is an intriguing and challenging prompt to write from.
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It is a great prompt, isn’t it?
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Yes it is.😃
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Well-constructed story, Neil. I like the way you ramp up the unease in the final paragraph, culminating with that killer rhetorical question – “Isn’t it?”
Kudos!
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It’s all about the “isn’t it?”
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Hmm, I’d like it just to let me sleep. Intriguing, well done, Neil
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Thanks so much, Mason
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It sounds great in theory, but I’m that sure! Nice one Neil.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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Oh, wonderful, Neil. Being paid to sleep. Where do I apply? Well done!
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There may be small side effects
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I like how you ended it with a question. Definitely reminds me of The Matrix where humans were used as batteries while their minds were lulled into an illusion. Machines are the most seductive enemies humankind has ever come up against.
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There are humans behind those machines
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Thank goodness — I think?
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Be afraid. Be very afraid
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Neil,
I love the conceit of the human being used as an AI in effect. Nice table-turning.
pax,
dora
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Thanks so much, Dora
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At first glance, this is a genius idea. But then I started thinking about all those brains being connected while their owners were comfortably asleep, and it seems a bit creepy. I wonder what else the bosses can do to those brains,
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What else indeed!
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A wonderful concept. Maybe an insomniacs nightmare?
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Thanks so much, Will
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Dream mining!
Creative story. Dreams hold a lot of possibilities.
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Thanks so much, Anita
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If they can get into your head to read your dreams, what else might they do in there? No thanks!
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Oh, but you never need to work again. Your days are yours to do with as you please
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Great story! A little bit of science fiction that could easily be reality some day…
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Thanks so much, Courtney
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It looks like the Mind Control boffins are getting closer to their aim of a human cell computer.
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Those dastardly boffins!
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Original!
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Thanks so much, Trish
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Id say thats pretty sinister, but I love it, one of your finest for a while I reckon.
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Thanks so much
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It was a goodie today!
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sounds like a great job to have if the pay is right. 🙂
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The pay is suspiciously good
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Wow, I love this concept. Very clever. I sense this could go into every genre! Nice
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Thanks so much, Laurie.
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Sounds great, but I sense there’s a very dark and sinister downside to this…
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Could be. Could be. Maybe
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Yeah, I’ve seen way too many sci fi movies to go for that. Great story!
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Wise of you. Thanks, Anne
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Sounds like the narrator is trying to convince himself that everything is copacetic. Love the touch of sinister here.
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Just a dash of sinister
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