WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS!
Seize the opportunity to free your muse and allow her take you on a magic carpet ride.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
THE RULES:
- Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
- MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH.
- While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
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- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
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My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism. 
- Shalom,
Rochelle
Genre: Coming Soon
Word Count: 99
ARBEIT MACHT FREI
Grandpa’s tattoo fascinated me. No birds or snakes, just a row of numbers.
“When I grow up, I want one just like yours.”
I was six and didn’t understand his tears as he picked me up and squeezed until I couldn’t breathe.
Over the years, his horror stories changed my mind about the tattoo.
“How did people let it happen, Grandpa?”
“One freedom at a time.”
“Never again, right, Grandpa?”
I’m now the same age he was then. Times have changed. Absentmindedly I scratch the still raw RFID tag site on my wrist.
Rome wasn’t burnt in a day.
What’s RFID? Click to find out. We live in interesting times.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Rochelle, this is a beautiful story – brings back memories of a black time in human history. How touching your piece is! Thanks, Nan
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Dear Nan,
Thank you for your lovely comment. I didn’t think about the 27th being Holocaust Remembrance when I wrote this. It just happened that way.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, wonderful story and thankfully we may never revisit the world of your Grandpa. I loved that subtle ending well done.
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Dear Michael,
Amen to that. Fortunately this story isn’t true as far as my own grandpa who escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe in 1903. Unfortunately it is true for too many and certainly for relatives I never had a chance to meet.
Thank you for your wonderful comments. We live in interesting, if not frightening times.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely done Rochelle, with just the right tone to it. A timely reminder, if reminder were needed at all.
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Dear Sandra,,
Unfortunately, I believe, a reminder is needed and those who remind us will soon be gone.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Great message withing the story as well.
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Dear Jenn,
For me this message is one of the more chilling ones I’ve written and not for the historical content. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Chilling story.. From the title and onward.. I will take this picture and ponder it a little… I’m currently in California and will leave going back on Thursday night.
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Dear Björn,
Where in California? My son, wife and baby live in North Hollywood. Are you visiting friends?
Okay…enough of my nosiness.
Thank you for your comments. My story makes me shiver with the oncoming truth of it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m outside San Francisco (Silicon Valley) on business – leaving Thursday night.
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Ah, that would be this evening. You are an early riser, aren’t you? I so relate to that. 😉
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What goes around, comes around. Even easier now to track and know where people are. The saddest part of the story is that the cycle is continuing.
janet
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Dear Janet,
I wish this was more fiction than fact, but I fear otherwise. Beastly reality. Thanks for commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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They can track so much even without a chip…and do.
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Very well-written, and suddenly more chilling for the future. The trend now is certainly not good to put it mildly, and the connected with the tattoo is potentially there. That tale packs a couple of heavy punches.
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Dear Managua,
I love technology. Without it we wouldn’t have this blog challenge and I’d never have made some of the best friends of my life. However there’s the cloud in the silver lining waiting to destroy us.
Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the line “One freedom at a time”. Racial prejudice is everywhere as any news bulletin will confirm – the Jews’ story is one of far too many similar ones.
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Dear Liz,
Right you are. Thanks to the Nazis and their insane pride to chronicle their atrocities we have more photos and films than anyone should have to see. But under our noses genocide in the name of racial purity is happening across the globe.
Thank you for your comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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very chilling! even more chilling when I noticed the genre: “Coming Soon”. A few years ago, the whole RFID thing was mere horror fiction for me and I kept swatting away the thought, but with every year, it’s turning into reality. a sad and terrifying cycle. i feel like this is two stories melded into one, bravo for another masterfully crafted tale.
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Dear KZ,
You’re an astute young lady for catching my “genre”. Not sure the literary gurus would agree with it as a true genre, but I didn’t feel I could even call it speculative fiction. I’m very creeped out by the RFID chip.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom
Rochelle
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You made me shudder, Rochelle. One Freedom at a time and Rome wasn’t burnt in a day. I don’t know which of those lines is my favourite; they are both so chilling. I don’t know why, but this message keeps coming up in my life at the moment – the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. I hope the good men are as busy as the rest, right now.
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Dear Jennifer,
I guess in writing this story, I deal with my own fears. From all reports, many died in the camps because they just couldn’t believe it could happen. Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to swing by and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I admire your ability to tell a chilling, emotional tale in so few words!
The first time I read about your 100 word count prompts I became excited for how I could hone my writing with them. I’m going to give it a try.
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Dear G.N.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Join in anytime. We’re a friendly group. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. 🙂
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Powerful message! Rochelle, your insight and compassion move me!
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Dear Marnie,
I had to visit your blog because I didn’t recognize the handle. It made me smile when I recognized the magnificent collages.
Many thanks for visiting and commenting. It means more than I can say.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Too prophetic, Rochelle, especially the “one freedom at a time” line. Strong warning about the future as well as a reminder of the past.
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Dear VB,
As I watch one freedom at a time being taken from us, I shudder at my own story. It’s 1939.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle; Grandfathers. Thank you so much, Silent
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Dear Silent,
I wish this were truly my grandfather…pure fiction. 😉 And I thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another masterful short 🙂
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Thank you, Helen. 😀
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Rochelle- There are somethings that never should be forgotten in human history and capacity. You do that legacy proud in honoring those before. As usual you story moved me. The line “one freedom at a time” was halting. That is how we disappear -sliver by sliver, shaving pieces of ourselves off. Great story.
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Dear Dana,
I do believe we’re like the frog in the kettle. The water’s gradually heating and by the time it hits the boiling point we’ll wonder how it happened “so fast.”
Thank you for coming by with your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad how we go full circle. The RFID is quickly becoming a reality. Love how you got the point across in your story.
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Dear Kim,
This is probably the most disturbing piece of technology ever. It may seem like a good idea but…Glad my story was clear.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your last line gave me big chills! (The “Holy crap!” sort). Well done!
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Dear Susan,
The “Holy Crap!” effect was what I was going for. Glad to know it worked. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How very unusual for you to drop in a bit of science fiction into your historical fiction. It certainly added to the eeriness of this piece.
Well done.
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Dear Dawn,
I love to use Friday Fictioneers as a forum for experimentation. I’m happy to know it worked.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Wonderful story! I think we do need reminding, unfortunately. I’ve heard of these devices in animals, but not ever in people. That’s a frightening thought. How easy it could happen.
Amy
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Dear Amy,
I believe it’s happening now. We just don’t hear about it.
Thank you for your comments. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A bittersweet memory. I never knew my grandparents. However, knowing a grandparent who suffered through the Holocaust might top that…and not in a good way. hugs for sharing
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Dear Millie,
While my grandfather did suffer the pogroms of Russia, he was in America by the time of the Holocaust. Although I did know my grandfather I never really knew him. So many unanswered questions I never thought to ask when he was alive, So…I’ll take the hugs anyway. 😉
Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Coming soon is coming sooner than everyone thinks. It is happening now. The Internet is no longer ‘neutral. Soon you’ll be paying more for more bandwidth and if you complain you go on a list. Too many entries on various lists and you are labeled an agitator. The slippery slope ends when the Internet is denied you for the safety of others…
Prison, starvation, destruction of your ‘reputation’, credit, and life. You are not a person, you are a government asset and theirs to do with what they will. And they will.
It is happening now.
Great story. Too bad it’s not fiction.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Your comments would be less depressing if I didn’t agree with them. On that note, I’ll say thank you for complimenting my writing and let the rest stand for any and all with courage enough to read and heed.
IHN
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Rochelle goes futuristic/ sci-fi! Not entirely, of course. The detail about the Holocaust anchors this in the present, while the RFID forces us to leap a little. Really dynamic story telling!
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Dear Dawn,
Experimentation is good for the soul. And this is truly one of my concerns of late. I wonder how much is what I’d call sci-fi or even futuristic. Thank you for your comments. They mean a lot to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very moving, touching story Rochelle. Beautiful. You Brilliantly used RFID. Thanks for the link, learned something new.
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Dear Indira,
Always happy to pass things along as I learn them. Although this is technology I already knew about and it scares me. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow very powerful! I like how you intertwined the fascist theme within past and present.
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Dear Riya,
I’m afraid the past, present and future are intertwined because it doesn’t seem we’ve learned much. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it’s a brilliant story. I would try to think up something today 😀
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Thank you Rajlakshmi and welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
what a great comparison between the tracking systems of the past and present/future. It must have been a terrible reminder for Holocaust survivors to live with that chilling reminder of what they went through always in plain sight. Great story.
-David
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Dear David,
I find that past unfathomable and the future possibilities frightening. Perhaps I write about them for my own peace. Thank you for your kind words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You know, I always feel pretty good about my week’s effort, right up until the point wherein I read yours. Beautifully done once again, Rochelle!
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Dear Troy,
You’re very kind. However, sir, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I just read your story. Loved it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant story and then the chilling comparison with the RFID tag.
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Dear Ali,
Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very interesting contrast Rochelle-the horrors of Holocaust from the grandpa’s pov and the child’s innocence and fascination with the tattoo at first and the gradual dawning of the bitter truth!Loved the way you added the twist in the end-that things are not that different still,though we may pretend to-technology has its fall outs too!Amazing piece:-)
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Dear Atreyee,
You went where I wanted you to go. Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All should remember this history. Younger people need to carry it forward so it doesn’t just disappear when the elderly are no longer with us. Stories like your’s help to do just that. I know that’s what you must have in mind.
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Dear Patricia,
That’s exactly what I have in mind. I hate to see the memories die with the last survivors. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I READ ABOUT THIS JUST THE OTHER DAY!!!! That they’re thinking of micro-chipping children in the EU
Having grown up hearing tales of the Christian Anti-Christ and New World Order conspiracies, it’s certainly frightening!
You’re such a clever writer, with a knack of punching just the right spots — like an expert martial artist or something!
Very well done, darling.
I’m not writing this week, but I’d love it if you’d drop by my blog for a second anyway, I posted a big announcement today.
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Dear Helena,
I find the whole RFID thing terrifying myself. Thank you for your head-turning comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the way you link the tattoo and RFID, or rather I don’t. As Grandpa says, ‘One freedom at a time,’ what are we sleep-walking towards?
When I first heard about the Japanese using RFIDs to track school children I wrote a story about a world where everyone was chipped, like pets, for their own good. And then there were a few rebellious souls who chose not to be.
Thank you for your very poweful story that has me thinking (and worrying) all over again.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
It’s hard to like a story such as this. I thank you for your insights and compliments. I didn’t mean to cause undue worry…but then again…
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re one of those writers that can hit us over the head without us even realizing we’ve been hit until the end. (I mean that as a compliment if that didn’t come out quite right!) I often worry about what kind of a future we are gradually stepping into –and I wonder why none of us are kicking and screaming . . .
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Dear Linda,
Not to worry. I took your comment as the ultimate compliment. Not surprising that our uplifting technology could very well herald our downfall.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, this piece is so well done. You make the chilling point that history does indeed keep repeating itself — because we always have that evil element with us. So many people like to push that thought under the rug and pretend that things are different now. But they are not. They are only worse. In this little 99-word story, you have clearly issued the alert that unless we CARE enough to recognize the evil and be constantly on guard for our freedoms, we WILL lose them — and you did it without sounding the least bit preachy. Great job.
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Dear Sandra,
I wonder if the slope isn’t too slippery by now as we unwittingly usher in the times. In any case your comments and compliments bring me a smile. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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whoa, history repeating itself? heaven forbid…
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dear plaridel,
have we learned from history? i fear not.
shalom,
rochelle
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A very tender story with a reminder of the evil past. I had a college Professor with one of those tattoos. He shared some personal stories. I think it was the first time I became aware that people in the camps were branded like animals. Evil. Sad. Scary ending.
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Dear Robin,
I’m glad your professor was comfortable enough to share some stories. Often survivors are not. It’s horrible what people are capable of, isn’t it? Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This story is frightening, especially as racism is still so alive and well.
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Dear Bryan,
Racism is indeed alive and all too well. The story is just as frightening to the writer as the reader.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Technology teeters on that sword edge does it not? It can be used for so much good, but it can also be used for so much evil. Makes one think and look at things differently. Great story.
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Dear Jackie,
A two-edged sword indeed. On the surface it all looks like progress but I fear one day it will be regress. Thank you for your intuitive comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great Story Rochelle and for a young person like me it was particularly chilling when thinking that things as cruel as that did happen and may still be happening in the world…well done 🙂
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Dear Camgal,
It’s sobering for everyone if we really give pause to think about the possibilities. It is happening all over the world and, I suspect, given the news media, more than we know. And on that cheerful note, I thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Esmeralda,
Another chilling reminder of a time we should never forget.
And speaking of chilly, it was so cold here on Monday that the teenage boys actually pulled their pants up. – Kris
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Dear Kris,
Sometimes I have to throw out those reminders and pray that I don’t become tedious.
Winter storm warning here. Perhaps some extra writing time on the horizon.
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Esmeralda
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Hi Rochelle. This is an incredibly powerful story. The ending expanded it right out into other related and just as frightening directions. Terrific. Cheers, Karen.
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Dear Karen,
Thank you for such high praise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Scary idea, Rochelle; not new, just scary!
Scott
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Dear Scott.
There’s nothing new under the sun. Scary indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, Rochelle, shocking and upsetting, especially in that I didn’t know what an RFID tag is. As always, very effecting writing as well as elucidating issues, history, and human nature. And I got schlock humor. We’ve got it covered!
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Dear Perry,
A tattoo wouldn’t really be effective anymore, would it? It wouldn’t show up among the rest. I find it all frightening. I’m going to your site now for a dose of humor to cheer me up. Thanks for the wow. Wow is always good. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely way to convey our present with the past.
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Thank you, Obed.
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Dear Admin,
I am new here. I loved this concept and would like to participate. However, I have a doubt. Do we need to use the picture prompt and then write a 100 word story on it?
Pl let me know. I blog at- http://www.numerounity.com
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A chilling idea…good thought provoking story!
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Truth is more frightening than fiction. Many thanks, Georgia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So very true…Ciao, Georgia
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A moving story of history and a lesson I hope we have learned. I had two different German language professors in college–one a Holocaust survivor, the other a former Hitler Youth. When class was over and the former had to turn the classroom over to the latter, he would always roll up his sleeve so his tattoo would be visible–a very personal way to signal to never forget.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/family-ties/
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Dear Maggie,
Now that’s one intriguing scenario. I can feel the tension in the reading of it. I hope we’ve learned the lesson but not convinced we have. Thanks for commenting and sharing your experience.
Shalom,
Rochelle.
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Very excellent use of this 100 word medium. The best. And a sobering message.
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Dear Stephen,
I’m humbled by such high praise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I’d not heard of this RFID implant thing till I read your story. Then I did some research. This is about implanting something into the body for ‘identification purposes’? This cannot surely be true? This is just high-tech tattooing (read branding) isn’t it? You’re right. One freedom at a time. I received a letter the other day from my local health service, which plans to make patients’ health record details available to other health care providers in the area. I can voice my dissent to this; and I will. I am not allowed to read my OWN health records beyond a certain point back in the past – why should other people I don’t know or have anything to do with, have access to this? One has to get up and say NO! Great, well-written story by the way, on a topical point. Ann
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Dear Ann,
I fear it’s true. Mostly we use it for pet ID but I understand in some places it has been used in humans. I believe it’s a feasible, if not, becoming truer, story.
Thank you for your comments. Best wishes on resolving your health care issues.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the best wishes. I really don’t have health problems, so I don’t know why I should be ‘shared’ about the medical neighbourhood. 🙂
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Oh liebe Rochelle,
as usual a great story. So few words and so deep feelings.
I am sure there are forces who´d like to tag anyone of us, transform us to numbers instead of humans….like the Nazis did.
We should all be aware of that and stand up for our rights.
Liebe Grüße
Carmen
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Dear Carmen,
I don’t understand these less than human wastes of skin, be it the Nazis or others like them. What is it that makes one race think it’s more or less than? I only hope that moral people will stand up before it’s too late.
Your comments mean a lot to me. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Timely reminder!
http://definitivelapseofreason.com/2014/01/28/time-kills-more-than-people-the-holocaust-kids/
And very good tie-in to our days!
+1 Tay.
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Dear Tay,
Thank you for pointing me to your link. Well said. We live in interesting times, don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrifying! Its horrid how one group of humans can be so cruel to another. I wasn’t aware about RFID chips before reading this, I must say the concept is chilling. Very well done
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Many thanks, Tinkerbelle. Terrifying indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful story. And now I know about these chips. I’ll have to read more. I must say there will be a lot of organisations thinking it’s a good thing – there be power and profit in them thar tags.
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Dear Patrick,
I can only echo your sentiments and say thank you for your kind compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What powerful words…glad we’ve connected. I learned of FF through Maddie Cochere http://www.breezybooks.com/ and can already tell I’ve got to step my game up 🙂
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Dear Blogged,
Nice to see that our word’s getting around. Having just read, your story, I’m glad we’ve connected as well. High praise from a good writer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The more things change, the more they stay the same… I wonder if we’ll ever learn (probably not until it’s too late….).
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Dear Freya,
You hit the nail on the head.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi again – thanks to the collective feedback…I’ve updated my entry and am pleased with the results:
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Dear Blogged,
I thought your entry was good to begin with, but your revision has captured my heart. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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