Passing Time

Quibble was lost in the reality of glass days. Each day was formed and spun and left to cool, and once it cooled, Quibble and the world lived it. Ended days stood around the world like satellites. While the focus of reality was each newly cooled day, the older days could be tapped for hints and clues and prophecies that could step forward into the design of the current day. An industry of gnomes sprang up, ready to point out which past days most likely would help in navigating this day. Quibble accepted their advice, held his tiny hammer hidden.

From Guest Contributor Ken Poyner

Kelp

Life as a kelp farmer meant eating a lot of kelp. They said it was the most efficient source of nutrition known to humankind, but that did nothing to offset its blandness. If anything, knowing how healthy it was for you made it worse.

An entire industry had opened up around making kelp palatable to consumers. There were kelp salads, kelp chips, kelp sandwiches on kelp bread, even kelp burgers.

If it were up to Monica, she'd be doing just about anything else. But these days, there was only job, and that was harvesting kelp. So that's what she did.

Journey

This is a long haul, intercontinental flight. In the allocated, limited space on the plane it is a matter of organizing myself.

The challenge is to get as comfortable as possible. In such a tight space it is not easy. I keep shifting position.

I can’t believe how cramped conditions are and quietly curse the designer.

A saying pops into my mind. It is the journey, not the destination.

Common words yet concise and sagacious, they resonate immediately.

The most contradictory thing about this wise saying strikes me; globally quoted, all the while remaining completely unknown in the airline industry.

From Guest Contributor Barry O'Farrell

Barry is an actor who sometimes writes, living in Brisbane, Australia.

The Arts Alliance of Pine Rivers has announced Barry's piece RETREADS as runner up in their most recent writing competition. Also, Barry's story ARMED will appear in The Flash Fiction Press during the last week of October.

Pollution

My pager summons me to the Master Observation Analysis Lab (MOAL).

Based on the theory telescopes will see pollution in the atmosphere of planets which have, or had, industrial life as we might know it, MOAL is analysing photographic images of planetary atmospheres.

Initially we agreed upon three levels of pollution, Minimal, Moderate, High, which are yet to be calibrated into sub-levels.

“We've found the very first planet with measurable readings and in the High zone,” calls the Manager to me excitedly. “We need you to verify.”

“Wow! Fantastic! How many light years away?”

“It’s in our own solar system!”

From Guest Contributor Barry O'Farrell

Barry is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. Barry's other stories can be found on Cyclamens & Swords, 50 Word Stories and of course here at A Story In 100 Words.