On the wall hung the cracked television they couldn’t watch because there was no electricity.
The kitchen had an old cooker and refrigerator but without power they were merely metal cupboards.
And now this.
‘What do you think? Our new bathroom suite.’
‘Where did you get them from?’
‘Found them. Minor defects but perfectly intact. No more hovering over a hole in the ground for us.’
‘We’ll still have to shovel the crap out and there’s no water.’
He looked at their dilapidated cottage with it’s crumbling walls and rickety doors.
‘One step at a time, darling, soon be back to normal.’
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 stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
A story of Brexit Britain well told.
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What a great comment!
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Haha, definitely one way to read it!
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This prompt is going to bring back lots of sh…y memories. Nicely done.
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Yep, a lot of cr*p stories this week!
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Superbly describe. Made for a very depressing story but excellent writing, Kelly.
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Thanks Neel
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How anyone can be that optimistic following the apocalypse is beyond me. Perhaps he’s putting on a brave face for his wife’s sake?
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Think positive, that;s his motto and he’s sticking to it!
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I think they’ll reconsider after a few days. The water comes first, not the seat!
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Beggars can’t be choosers!
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With optimism like that, he’ll keep her going. Good story.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan
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Dear Iain,
You’ve captured the feeling. So bleak. Trying to recover what the locust has eaten. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, like most people, he just wants a quiet life.
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I think most people of third world countries already live like this.
Beautiful writing, as always.
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Interestingly those in the Third World will perhaps be able to adapt much better in this sort of crisis than the pampered First World inhabitants.
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I would still say ‘Lucky them’.🙂🙂🙂
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The past and present for many, maybe the future for the rest of us. Well written.
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Let’s hope not.
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I’ve become quite spoiled by indoor plumbing.
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I think the developed world all have.
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Good story, but I now can’t avoid the thought that Iain is the Scots version of John.
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I prefer to think of John being the English version of Iain 🙂
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Where there is will there is a way, no? Still, I would prefer a functional toilet.
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Positive Mental Attitude – at least for now.
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Very powerful! It highlights how much we rely on the conveniences (!) of modern life and how desperate we would be without them. An excellent story, very well told.
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Absolutely Edith, we forget how much we owe to the humble toilet and sewage pipes!
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Optimism in spades Iain.
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Blind optimism I would say! Thank you.
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There is optimism and then there is blind optimism… then again, hope springs eternal and all that!
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Got to cling on to some sort of hope, even if it’s just a broken loo!
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An unplumbed toilet has to be the least useful acquisition in the world. Still, baby steps and all that…
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Haha, depends – at least it offers a comfortable seat…
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I knew people who lived like that for months while they built their own home, though I think they at least had a chemi loo! Grimly told Iain
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Urgh, chemi loos aren’t much better! Thanks Lynn.
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Very true! My pleasure
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Thats about hope and taking one day at a time, nice one Ian
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Thank you
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I am writing a post-apocalyptic novel and, truly, one of the important things I had to think about for quite awhile was how a group of 12 was going to handle going to the toilet and what to do with the wastes. Good thing as a writer I have full control over it all.
Scott
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/11/29/friday-fictioneers-a-memory-a-fear-glad-i-am-older/
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It’s such a vital part of creating a civilised world. Good luck with the novel.
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Thanks
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Another good story. Enjoyed it 😊
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Thank you Vivian
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You’re welcome!
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I like him. He’s got his priorities right
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Heading in the right direction. Thanks.
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In a situation like that you’re better off giving up with the old lifestyle and going for something just a little better than the new now.
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Gradually it will get better I hope.
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You’ve given him great optimism, which should help them survive. Now he needs to realise that their waste matter is a resource. Composted for twelve months and they’ll have a clean, odour-free fertiliser!
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Very true, good advice – I shall pass it on to him!
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Lovely, I felt the despair and the optimism at the same time.
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Thank you
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i love the positive attitude. well done.
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Thank you.
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I actually see ‘high hopes’ in this piece. Good on him for trying to get things back to normal, one toilet at a time.
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There has to be hope, even if it’s slightly deluded! Thanks Alicia.
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Clever story! have to say, I can relate to a certain extent to the story. After a December ice storm, we were left without electricity, without water (we are on a well) and by default, without a working toilet. This lasted for 8 days. At least our walls were not crumbling.
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That would make you appreciate the simple things in life! Thanks Susan.
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I am afraid his definition of “soon” is longer than what mine would be! LOL! But good for him in being optimistic !
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Haha, yes, ‘soon’ is a relative term!
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This sounds a bit like Houston after Harvey.
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I don’t dare imagine it. Thanks Susie.
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Like everything, time will heal these wounds too I’m sure. Brilliant take.
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Thank you.
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Reminds me of a house we looked at when it was for sale. The person that bought it got council to inspect it and they gave it the bathroom approval despite nothing being connected to anything. Council ended up having to pay for its connection to sewer. Great story. Thanks for the memory.
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Thanks Irene – glad at least the council paid for it.
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Baby steps are major triumphs after the world has exploded.
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Absolutely.
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Wow – you have a lot of followers. Cute story. People who like to rough it would fare better than the spoiled ones.
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Thanks Nan – I know I wouldn’t last long 🙂
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Think camping with a solid roof and they’ll be fine!
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Ha, thanks Liz.
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Sounds like they’re doing their best in a cr*p situation
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Ew. Really. I think I’d rather use a hole in the ground. Blech.
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Needs must.
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Very droll – think its about a relationship where she always hopes his promises will come true, and he knows they won’t !
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Interesting perspective, thank you.
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Taking a dump is still one of life’s simplest pleasures. I like his attitude.
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You gotta love the optimism!
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Thanks Dawn
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I think I’d rather make use of a hole than shovel. Normal will take a while. Good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne
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One step at a time… but I would go for a real outhouse without the porcelain… just keep digging.
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Ha, thanks Bjorn!
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Very nicely done again, Ian! Loved your take on the prompt…I would stick to the optimism here and hope for the best…after all ´Necessity is the mother of all invention´. Who knows what lies in store….Conquering the Apocalypse :):
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Thank you Tiny, lovely comment 🙂
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Sad to think of people living this way, but I love his attitude. I know they will make it.
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Thank you, he certainly seems to think so.
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