Iain Kelly

Fiction Writing

POWER CUT

POWER CUT

Nobody knows if the power will be restored.  It went off with a small click and that was it. No countdown, no explosion, no event.

We’d all been warned often enough that oil and gas were running out, that we weren’t investing enough in renewable energy. Now only essential services and the rich have power.

There was no hysteria when the lights went out. It’s even had some benefits: communities pulled together to help the vulnerable; disparate neighbours found a common bond in adversity.

I watch the light fizzle in my table lamp as the last of my oil runs out. As the darkness descends inside, I look to the light out the window. I think I shall like the simpler way of life that lies ahead.

lamps
© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Iain Kelly

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66 responses to “POWER CUT”

  6. We are so dependent on our technology, it’s good to be reminded of the essentials from time to time. Simpler life also means more dangerous life. Good story.

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  9. Interesting take on the apocalypse. Although I’m a fan of darkness and silence, I suspect that the “simpler” life without power won’t be quite as simple, or as pleasant, as the narrator is hoping for.

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  10. My first thought was “power outage.” We have a stockpile of candles – both wax and battery operated – and kerosene lamps for such occasions. We lose power at least once a year. And thank goodness for the wood stove. I like how you turned the bleakness of losing gas and oil supplies into a positive event.

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  13. Indeed much simpler. Electricity changed everything so much. It’s like going back to the beginning of the 20th century, even a bit before.

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  16. Say it ain’t so. No power, no internet, no Friday Fictioneers. Okay now that I got that off my chest, I liked your positive spin and the thought of people pulling together to help each other.

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  19. We had power cuts due to the miners’ strikes. They were fun as a child and perhaps if the power was switched off for an hour a day to get people doing other things, it could be fun again.

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  23. I do like your spin on all this. My favorite line: only essential services and the rich have power. That says a lot in a few words.
    My fondest memory as a child was the blackout of ’77 in NYC we made a block party of it , sitting on stoops, staying out late, turning on the hydrant, setting off fireworks. In other parts of the city there was looting – so it could go both ways. Succesive blackouts that were not as long had people screaming and wanting to sue Con Edison. We have changed a lot, perhaps a return to the simpler life would be a boon.

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  24. A well written piece on current events. Having just gone through the experince of Hurricane Matthew a few weeks ago, I can identify. People helping each other when the elctricity goes out; others joining together for rescues and the realization that we can survive despite all.
    Nicely done …
    Isadora 😎

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  26. I often think about how dependent we are on external systems for everything – food, power, communication, transport. I don’t like to feel so vulnerable, and envy people who have achieved a degree of self-sufficiency. I love your story – it takes my worst nightmares and gives them a positive, hopeful slant.

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    • Thanks Margaret – I agree, we rely an awful lot on others to make sure we live comfortably by providing us with all we need. Hopefully it will never come to this scenario! 🙂

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  27. Such a thought-provoking story. You’ve presented the best case scenario of what would happen in this situation. If electricity were really cut off indefinitely, do you think it would be possible to prevent the spread of chaos and panic? Serious question. ☺

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  28. Power cuts were (and are still) common in many parts over here. But the situation is much better and mostly under control largely due to improved power supply and alternative sources like the battery (inverter) and generators. Power cut despite it’s attendant myriad problems does have its own upsides – better bonding for one. My four year old son was absolutely thrilled and prayed for another power cut so that we could all sleep on the terrace. Thanks for an enjoyable piece 🙂

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    • That’s a lovely story about your son, glad you liked the piece. I think in developed countries we tend to despair at the thought of no electricity (or cars or smartphones and so on) forgetting that a lot of the world lives everyday without these luxuries.

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      • Oh we despair just as much and go berserk trying to have back up of back up avenues. 😀 Nowadays, electricity is no longer a luxury but a necessity – almost everything runs on electricity and in times of global warming the heat can be killing. During my childhood i dont ever remember feeling hot and none of us had ACs or coolers (or needed one) but now it’s almost impossible to survive without at least one of these.

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  29. Wow, Iain, that would really change civilization as we know it. No more internet, TV, radio, etc., etc. People would have to use typewriters and wood stoves again and depend on the mails. I don’t know if there are enough trees. No space race either. People would get to know their neighbors again. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne

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