IAIN KELLY

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.

66 responses to “POWER CUT”

  1. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I predict a short term population boom. A great piece of writing in such poor light. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Haha a second baby boomers generation 🙂 Thanks Michael

      Like

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    It’s good to see a positive take on the crises of the future. Thanks for that, Iain

    Like

    Reply
  3. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    The picture was actually taken during a power outage. Evocative piece.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, I must have subconsciously got that. Thanks Rochelle.

      Like

      Reply
  4. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    I was without power fro three days once. I hope that NEVER happens again!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Hopefully it won’t come to this! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    2. rgayer55 Avatar
      rgayer55

      We had an ice storm in 2009 and were out for 11 days. Boy, was I thrilled when it came back on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
        lingeringvisions by Dawn

        Oh my..I can’t even! Three days was horrible enough!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        I bet. I am in no way advocating no electricity as a lifestyle choice!

        Like

    3. Dale Avatar
      Dale

      Only three days? Should have been over here during the great ice storm of 1998… Me, 7 months pregnant, with Mick and our dog, moved in with my sister, her, 5 months pregnant, with her husband and her dog… 2 weeks!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        That sounds like a fun time for all!! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        We did make the best of it! We ate like kings (my no electricity house had 1/4 cow and 1/2 pig in our freezer we could not let them go to waste!)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
        lingeringvisions by Dawn

        Wow! lol

        Liked by 2 people

  5. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    This is when you discover the only food you have is microwave Hot Pockets. And that it’s almost November.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And you can’t buy anything because that’s all done electronically now too…

      Like

      Reply
  6. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Interesting idea – more dangerous life also means more story material 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. FabricatingFiction Avatar
    FabricatingFiction

    It would be nice to see communities pull together somehow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It would, I would hope it wouldn’t take something like this though. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    You paint a very dark picture indeed. Great writing -if I may so.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You may indeed. Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Joy Pixley Avatar
    Joy Pixley

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps he has the skills needed to survive in this sort of world, would need to think more about their back story. Thanks for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. aliciajamtaas Avatar
    aliciajamtaas

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There definitely could be something good about people not being stuck to TV’s and computers and phones and cars, but a lot of negatives too. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. creatingahome Avatar
    creatingahome

    I love this.
    Power outage is a steady occurrence in Nigeria.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You may be better equipped to deal with it than a lot of people in the US and Europe who rely so much on having electricity for everything. Thanks for reading and kind comment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. creatingahome Avatar
        creatingahome

        Very true!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar
    Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    I do hope it would play like that, we need more positive thinking. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, I do too, I suspect it would be different…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Mandi, it has been a blessing for us mainly but there are some downsides to it too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. The Writer's Village Avatar
    The Writer’s Village

    Nice tone. Nice descriptive and predictive piece for what’s to possibly come.
    Randy

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Randy.

      Like

      Reply
  15. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Back to basics, and a warning for the future. Nice!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, I did think of incorporating no Friday Fictioneers into the story, but not enough words 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    It is a nice thought, going back to simpler times… I’m just not ready to give up a flushing toilet! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      😉 very true.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    It’s not a choice and yet somehow it feels as though this new way forward is the only way and is a choice. Well told

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Michael Wynn Avatar
    Michael Wynn

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That’s not a bad idea, not sure how practical, but I would like an hour a day with no TV’s or phones or computers.

      Like

      Reply
  20. Lizy Avatar
    Lizy

    A dark warning we should all heed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz.

      Like

      Reply
  21. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    humans are adaptable. when the lights go out, i’m sure they can come up with creative ways to keep them busy. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I do enjoy the simpler part of life – at least in small doses… a bed to sleep in, go to bed at dusk and all that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It has its charm definitely.

      Like

      Reply
  23. momtheobscure Avatar
    momtheobscure

    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.

    Like

    Reply
  24. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    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 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Isadora, it’s good to know it relates to real life. Glad you got through Matthew okay.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
        Inside the Mind of Isadora

        Your very welcome …. 😎
        Yes, we did fare well. Hopefully, we’ll be spared before the month ends. There’s a new hurricane developing called Hurricane Nicole. We know how women can be. 😳

        Liked by 1 person

  25. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar
    The Reclining Gentleman

    Well written Iain, your opening sentence reflects how such an event would occur.
    Life will always adjust to the circumstances, hopefully with the calm pragmatism of the last lines. Nicely done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Kind words, many thanks. And I hope so too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    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. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think it might depend on how it happened and would be different in different areas. If we had warning and the government dealt with it sensibly then it might be okay. Not that I trust today’s politicians to do that….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. magarisa Avatar
        magarisa

        I also doubt that any of today’s politicians would deal with it sensibly…

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Dahlia Avatar
    Dahlia

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dahlia Avatar
        Dahlia

        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.

        Liked by 2 people

  29. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Suzanne, definitely some positives that might come from it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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