Iain Kelly

Fiction Writing

THE SIGNALMAN

The signalman wrenched the last heavy lever into place and watched the long freight train slide passed him.

He sat back at his old, beaten up desk, checked off the last piece of paperwork and filed it away.

That was it. No fanfare, no applause, no big farewell. Tomorrow morning the computers would take over, doing it all automatically.

He would start his new job as a supervisor, a new desk and chair in a modern new building in the centre of town, only a short walk from his house. The signalman smiled. He couldn’t wait to get started.

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.

85 responses to “THE SIGNALMAN”

neilmacdon

January 11, 2017 at 10:02 am

A lovely little tale of technological change and its effect on people. I wasn’t expecting his response at the end, and, in truth, I was a little disppointed by it. I suppose because the trope of skills and pride disappearing is one we understand, whereas his reaction wasn’t motivated. It would be a more interesting one than the standard trope if we knew why he felt this

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 10:08 am
  
  Thanks Neil. I wanted to show that not everyone is scared or put off by technology change making life easier. The natural thin is to feel sorry for the workers, but I’m sure there are some who welcome change. With more words I would have emphasised cold days, broken old machinery, train delays, old bones and tired muscles, and so his reaction is to a nice comfortable new job to see out his final years of work.
  
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2. rgayer55
  
  January 12, 2017 at 6:04 pm
  
  I have to agree with Neil. We’ve seen leaps and bounds of technological progress in my field (printing) over the last 40 years, but at the same time a tremendous loss in craftsmanship. Anyone can push a button, but it took real skills back in the old days.
  
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  1. Iain Kelly
    
    January 12, 2017 at 6:16 pm
    
    I agree with that Roger, and the same applies to a lot of creative industries. However, does a signalman require craft or artistry that is a loss to the world if it becomes pushing buttons instead? Pleased I’ve started a bit of a debate with this one.
    
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rochellewisoff

January 11, 2017 at 11:19 am

Dear Iain,

Like Neil, I was expecting a different ending. Somehow I was comforted by his response to change. Nicely done.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 11:24 am
  
  Thanks Rochelle, I was hoping to show that it’s possible see the good in change and the advances that technology can bring that helps us. It’s not all bad 🙂
  
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Singledust

January 11, 2017 at 11:30 am

on first read I conjured up an old man as the signalman, but then I re-read it and thought, this man is happy because he can out some of his training to use. that must have included training in automation. Additionally if he lived in a country with extreme weather conditions he would certainly welcome sitting behind computers and controlling the trains like he has always done. Nice little compact story Iain Kelly.

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wmqcolby

January 11, 2017 at 12:10 pm

Ah, very nice. I see signal man was happy, too, to get on with something else. Pretty good little yarn you’ve spun, Iain. Something positive. Nice!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 1:59 pm
  
  Thanks, it felt like it was time for something a little more positive this week!
  
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  1. wmqcolby
    
    January 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm
    
    Yes!
    
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J Hardy Carroll

January 11, 2017 at 12:30 pm

Nicely told. I remember an episode of the second season of The Wire where the longshoremen’s union leader watches a presentation on automatic loading docks and sees the writing on the wall. All he can see with this technological wizardry is his children’s hungry faces.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 2:01 pm
  
  I love The Wire and remember this episode. Sometimes though I do think there is a romanticised idea about some of these industries and jobs – longshoreman would be one definitely – where it’s just obvious that machinery would make it all work better and smoother. It is a worry though in the decades to come – what jobs will there be left for humans to do?
  
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  1. k rawson
    
    January 11, 2017 at 2:42 pm
    
    I, too, thought of The Wire as I read this. Which is maybe why I why I was surprised by the narrator’s reaction. Nicely done, so much conveyed in so few words.
    
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Matthew Burgos

January 11, 2017 at 1:15 pm

A warm story with circles of underlying messages. Somehow, the traditional approach will be missed. Well-written.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks Matthew. I agree it will be missed and hopefully maintained somewhere, but time and technology move on for us all eventually.
  
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yarnspinnerr

January 11, 2017 at 1:22 pm

A smooth and happy transition.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks 🙂
  
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FabricatingFiction

January 11, 2017 at 3:19 pm

I’m so pleased he was pleased!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 4:43 pm
  
  Thanks Louise 🙂
  
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Sandra

January 11, 2017 at 3:46 pm

Such a refreshing twist at the end there, Iain. Well done.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 4:44 pm
  
  Thanks Sandra, a happy ending for a change.
  
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Lynn Love

January 11, 2017 at 4:58 pm

I like the fact he was happy with the change in his job. We sometimes forget that technology – as well as putting folk out of work and breaking traditions – often makes peoples’ lives one hell of a lot easy. Just think of farming – one industry where back breaking labour has been reduced greatly. Nice tale, Iain and a lovely, upbeat ending

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 6:45 pm
  
  Thanks Lynn, a happy ending for a change this week. And I’m glad you got the intention I was aiming for.
  
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  1. Lynn Love
    
    January 12, 2017 at 6:38 pm
    
    My pleasure. 🙂
    
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Dale

January 11, 2017 at 5:02 pm

I love that you sent us on a different ending! I, too, was expecting sadness or anger and am happy you showed the other side.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 6:45 pm
  
  Thanks Dale, glad you liked it 🙂
  
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swarmsandbee

January 11, 2017 at 9:18 pm

This tugged at my nostalgia and I was hoping that the last line was sarcasm but as I can see from the other comments, it wasn’t. My reaction was ‘Nooooooooo’. I am always so sad that things are torn down and replaced to make way for advances.
Please forgive me Iain as my mind won’t let me believe he was happy in the end. Nostalgia beat reality for me on this occasion. Great piece, I always love writing that I battle with.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm
  
  I wasn’t expecting such strong reactions to this piece! Glad it provoked a strong response from you. As I say, I do think some of the industrial jobs that are being replaced are often romanticised, and those that have actually spent years doing the hard work and labour night actually be pleased to get some help! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
  
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nonsmokingladybug

January 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm

I like the signalman’s attitude. Change does not always have to be bad. Great take on the prompt. I loved it!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 9:32 pm
  
  Many thanks, it seems to have divided opinion, I liked his attitude too 🙂
  
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  1. nonsmokingladybug
    
    January 11, 2017 at 9:33 pm
    
    Some old story. There are forward thinkers and backward goers. 🙂
    
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Christine Goodnough

January 11, 2017 at 9:38 pm

“And he lived happily ever after.” 🙂
A well captured, satisfying moment in his life.
(I tried your link to “read other stories HERE” and got nowhere. If no one else has this problem, then I must conclude my whatever isn’t in sync. Sigh.)

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 9:44 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment. I’ll double check the link, thanks for pointing it out 🙂
  
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Mike

January 11, 2017 at 10:37 pm

It is good to have work, and if the job gets lighter so be it.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 10:38 pm
  
  I agree 🙂
  
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Edith M. Field

January 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm

I very much liked your story, Iain. Your words were very evocative and created a picture of what it is like to work as a signalman. I loved the contrasts that you created. He is leaving work in isolation to be a supervisor – working with people, not trains and machinery. He’s exchanging an old, beaten-up desk for a new desk and chair in a modern new building rather than a draughty signal box. He will have a short walk to work. No wonder he’s smiling. I would be too! In fact, I am smiling just thinking about it!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 11, 2017 at 11:11 pm
  
  Thanks for your lovely comment Edith, I’m glad it gave you a smile and you saw the positive contrasts 🙂
  
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Jessie Ansons

January 12, 2017 at 12:30 am

A sad tale with an ending of hope and joy!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 7:36 am
  
  Thanks Jessie 🙂
  
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Alicia Jamtaas

January 12, 2017 at 12:38 am

This reminds me of the story a young woman I worked with wrote for a college class. It was to be the reaction of a slave newly freed after the Civil War. Her take? He didn’t WANT to be free, he felt safe right where he was. I wasn’t expecting that nor was I expecting your ending. Well done.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 7:36 am
  
  Thanks Alicia, interesting parallel.
  
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plaridel

January 12, 2017 at 2:27 am

he got lucky. management must have thought he could still be trained. sadly, it wasn’t always the case. 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 7:37 am
  
  Sadly not, but a happy ending in this case.
  
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draliman

January 12, 2017 at 8:37 am

Lovely, a case where someone is happy the more menial side of their job is being automated and they’re not being laid off.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 8:51 am
  
  Exactly, many thanks.
  
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Siobhan McNamara

January 12, 2017 at 10:06 am

A lovely surprise ending. Despite our nostalgic attachment to older ways, there’s a lot to be said for a warm and comfortable workplace.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 12:48 pm
  
  Especially when it’s snowing like it is here today! Thanks Siobhan.
  
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neelwritesblog

January 12, 2017 at 11:11 am

I am so glad Lain you chose pragmatism over nostalgia. A really positive spin to what otherwise is a depressive reality. I particularly liked the visual contrasts you were able to draw out.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 12:48 pm
  
  Many thanks Neel.
  
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gahlearner

January 12, 2017 at 3:03 pm

Ha, I love the way you turn nostalgia on its head here. Not everything modern is bad, and old stuff may be romantic, but also often inconvenient.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 5:10 pm
  
  Thanks, glad you saw what I was aiming at 🙂
  
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Handmade Jewelry Haven

January 12, 2017 at 7:20 pm

Despite the happy ending, it still made me a little sad. A bygone era to be sure.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting 🙂

– Lisa

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 7:27 pm
  
  Thanks Lisa, a lot of mixed reactions to this one, thanks for commenting 🙂
  
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Laurie Bell

January 12, 2017 at 7:54 pm

Winds of change. I think somehow the old switches were more reliable. At least on my line.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 8:05 pm
  
  Hopefully when the work is finished you’ll get the benefit of modern technology without the unreliability.
  
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  1. Laurie Bell
    
    January 12, 2017 at 8:07 pm
    
    I have my fingers crossed. But they are not replacing technology only stations! Sigh…. so probably not
    
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  2. Iain Kelly
    
    January 12, 2017 at 8:07 pm
    
    😦
    
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

January 12, 2017 at 7:58 pm

Love the end… change is not always bad. Good for him to get an upgrade in job.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 8:06 pm
  
  Thanks Bjorn.
  
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shehannemoore

January 12, 2017 at 11:14 pm

Nicely done. You got it all in

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 12, 2017 at 11:15 pm
  
  Thanks Shehanne
  
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Michael Wynn

January 13, 2017 at 9:53 am

His reaction to the march of technology makes a refreshing change at the end and a good twist, although like others I have a certin lament for the loss of old skills

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 13, 2017 at 10:21 am
  
  Thanks Michael, this seems to be the most common reaction.
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

January 13, 2017 at 12:20 pm

A bag of mixed emotions. Time to move on and embrace the new.

…when I grow up! My tale.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 13, 2017 at 3:04 pm
  
  Thanks Keith.
  
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Steve Kennedy

January 13, 2017 at 5:31 pm

Really enjoyed your story. Lot’s to think about either way, but I loved the positive take. Out with the old & in with the new, at least for him. Great twist that I didn’t see coming. Also, thanks for the feedback today, I really appreciate it.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 13, 2017 at 5:46 pm
  
  Thanks for your comment Steve. Look forward to reading more of your work.
  
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Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

January 13, 2017 at 7:05 pm

I like his acceptance to change. The nostalgic feel at the beginning added to how far he had come in his job and ability to change.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 13, 2017 at 7:12 pm
  
  Many thanks.
  
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Maddie’s Mama

January 13, 2017 at 7:08 pm

At first I was a little sad… I thought that much like many other jobs, technology was taking this poor guys job away. Was very happy to see it turned into a promotion for him and he can finally enjoy a break in his manual labor.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 13, 2017 at 7:13 pm
  
  Thanks, glad you saw the positive in the story 🙂
  
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HonieBriggs

January 14, 2017 at 4:45 pm

A nice bit of fiction here, Iain. I think it is the rare person who accepts change the way your signalman does.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 14, 2017 at 4:46 pm
  
  Thanks Honie, I agree.
  
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lingeringvisions by Dawn

January 15, 2017 at 2:57 am

A nice story of moving on.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 15, 2017 at 6:52 am
  
  Thanks Dawn
  
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creatingahome

January 15, 2017 at 1:56 pm

At least he gets a slower pace to retire from.

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Clare Hempstead

January 16, 2017 at 6:05 pm

Ha ha, I thought he was going to hate hate the thought of a desk job!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 16, 2017 at 6:09 pm
  
  Thanks Clare 🙂
  
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The Reclining Gentleman

January 16, 2017 at 7:08 pm

Like some of the other commenters, i enjoyed the surprise happy ending. Technology isn’t always a bad thing, although there are many occasions when has a negative impact on lives

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 16, 2017 at 8:59 pm
  
  Like everything it brings benefits and penalties in equal measure, although I think we are predisposed to fear change. Thanks for reading.
  
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  1. The Reclining Gentleman
    
    January 17, 2017 at 5:31 pm
    
    I agree. I really don’t like change but I know it’s (mostly) an irrational fear
    
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Dawn Quyle Landau

January 17, 2017 at 3:25 pm

Alas, far too common, how everything has become automated. I know it’s progress, but I am becoming “that” older woman who sees doom and gloom in change. Simple, lovely tale.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 17, 2017 at 3:39 pm
  
  Thanks Dawn, I too feel like I’m part of that older generation already!
  
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patrickprinsloo

January 27, 2017 at 5:19 pm

lovely story and great use of that prompt.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  January 27, 2017 at 5:22 pm
  
  Thanks Patrick
  
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