Iain Kelly

Fred Casey looked over the Columbus Circle intersection at the Trump International Hotel. Shuffling his feet to generate some warmth against the autumnal chill, he finished his coffee before heading inside.

As he walked through the entrance he saw Sam Jones running across the reception, almost colliding with unaware workers.

‘What’s happening?’ he shouted.

‘Another statue,’ Sam called back before entering the revolving door.

Where now? After Charlottesville it was only a matter of time before there was another flashpoint. It would be the lead on the evening news.

He got back to the office and found Jack Collins waiting for him.

‘Who are they removing this time?’ Fred asked.

‘Not removing,’ Collins smiled. ‘They’re protesting against a statue being erected.’

Fred gave his old colleague a puzzled look. ‘A statue of who?’

‘Our current President.’ Collins pointed out the window.

Fred saw the small crowd gathering outside Trump International Hotel. He could see Sam Jones directing her cameraman to get shots of the protesters.

‘He’s going to call this fake news again,’ Fred sighed.

Stating the obvious, but just to avoid any confusion, this is a work of fiction and not meant to represent the real CNN, other than the geographical relation between their New York offices in Columbus Circle and their proximity to the Trump International Hotel – and the strained relations between the two.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

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