A new day was to begin. Pathways had been cleared during the night, the plough’s work breaking the night’s quiet. Once the sun had risen, the roads would be filled with the trudging footsteps of weary workers. The promised New Beginning had morphed into a living nightmare. Life had returned to the decades of hardship filled with mind-numbing labour. The exorcism of technology had benefited a few – those with power and money. The middle class had joined the working class and the habit of living from day to day. Would they ever have the energy and mindset to revolt?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2020
(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)
That’s a grim vision of the future. I’m not sure the rich can stay rich without technology, or indeed that they would or should foreswear it, even if that were possible. But I liked the way you described the drudgery.
LikeLike
I would definitely have to think of ways for the story to be realistic if I were to expand it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that always the way, Colline? Those with wealth and power gain more wealth and power on the backs of the laborers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So true Rochelle – of the past and of the future. In addition, they have the wealth and power to protect themselves.
LikeLike
Great dystopian scene, Colline – not too dissimilar to the world I have created in the novels I have written – and feels scarily believable in the current apathy we seem to be indulging in.
LikeLike
Thank you Iain. I think the word ‘apathy’ perfectly describes what I observe so often in those around towards current political events.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technology isn’t bad. Over-dependence on it may be, but under-utilization of it will be folly … Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No it isn’t if used approximately.
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLike
I wonder about that too, Colline…
LikeLike
I believe societies work in circles and sometimes I do wonder if we are going backward on some level.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the handmaids tale, good stuff, I do like it but my laptop won’t let me click so!
LikeLike
Thank you! I was definitely in a dystopian mood when I wrote it 😀
LikeLike
Revolts only seem to happen when the common people feel they have nothing left to lose. People in the story are headed in that direction but not quite there yet. Scarce food should do it.
Good reflection on real life. The pressure cooker.
LikeLike
Yes – when a group of people do not have their basic needs met, it is easier for them to fight for their rights. Sometimes that takes a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps only slightly futuristic?
Vive la révolution!
LikeLike
That is what I was thinking 😀
LikeLike
A dark period described with a sense of hope.
LikeLike
There is always hope if people are prepared to fight for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting to me that we sometimes decry technology, while every single one of us uses it daily. The paradox of living in today’s world.
LikeLike
It certainly is. Now can we imagine a world without it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knows–we may have no choice at some point!
LikeLike
True …
LikeLike
Your story is very similar to the history of Mao’s ‘Cultural Revolution’, and the reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge in Kampuchea. Both of these have been replaced by more liberal regimes. Technology is part of the answer, and I can’t see anybody giving that up voluntarily, can you?
LikeLike
The question to ask is – what if we did? Or, at least, convinced that we had.
LikeLike
Love the way you painted the scene with words.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your compliment.
LikeLike
Any extremes are not good! Well done as a relection of a society.
LikeLike
They are not, and sometimes society has to reset itself.
LikeLike
Humanity always seems to grow in cycles, sometimes circling back to the past before taking a leap into the future. I think a revolution will spring in the next generation. Love the perspective you’ve given.
LikeLike
I think so too – and it will be a revolution led by the young, I think.
LikeLike
A dystopia worthy of Margaret Atwood. Maybe with a dash of Hunger Games? –will they revolt?
LikeLike
One can only hope! What they need is an inspiring leader.
LikeLike
Excellent dystopian story, Colline.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Sascha
LikeLike