IAIN KELLY

SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE

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.’


russells-bw
Copyright What’s His Name

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.

89 responses to “SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE”

  1. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    A story of Brexit Britain well told.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, definitely one way to read it!

      Like

  2. Indira Avatar

    This prompt is going to bring back lots of sh…y memories. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, a lot of cr*p stories this week!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    Superbly describe. Made for a very depressing story but excellent writing, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  4. magarisa Avatar

    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?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Think positive, that;s his motto and he’s sticking to it!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    I think they’ll reconsider after a few days. The water comes first, not the seat!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Beggars can’t be choosers!

      Like

  6. Susan A Eames Avatar

    With optimism like that, he’ll keep her going. Good story.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan

      Like

  7. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    You’ve captured the feeling. So bleak. Trying to recover what the locust has eaten. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle, like most people, he just wants a quiet life.

      Like

  8. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    I think most people of third world countries already live like this.
    Beautiful writing, as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Moon Avatar
        Moon

        I would still say ‘Lucky them’.🙂🙂🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Fandango Avatar

    The past and present for many, maybe the future for the rest of us. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope not.

      Like

  10. James Avatar

    I’ve become quite spoiled by indoor plumbing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think the developed world all have.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. ceayr Avatar

    Good story, but I now can’t avoid the thought that Iain is the Scots version of John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I prefer to think of John being the English version of Iain 🙂

      Like

  12. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar

    Where there is will there is a way, no? Still, I would prefer a functional toilet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Positive Mental Attitude – at least for now.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Edith M. Field Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely Edith, we forget how much we owe to the humble toilet and sewage pipes!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Optimism in spades Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Blind optimism I would say! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    There is optimism and then there is blind optimism… then again, hope springs eternal and all that!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Got to cling on to some sort of hope, even if it’s just a broken loo!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Sandra Avatar

    An unplumbed toilet has to be the least useful acquisition in the world. Still, baby steps and all that…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, depends – at least it offers a comfortable seat…

      Like

  17. Lynn Love Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Urgh, chemi loos aren’t much better! Thanks Lynn.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Very true! My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Akshata Ram Avatar

    Thats about hope and taking one day at a time, nice one Ian

    Liked by 1 person

  19. kindredspirit23 Avatar

    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/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s such a vital part of creating a civilised world. Good luck with the novel.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Vivian Zems Avatar

    Another good story. Enjoyed it 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Vivian

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Vivian Zems Avatar

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  21. bbryanthomas Avatar
    bbryanthomas

    I like him. He’s got his priorities right

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Heading in the right direction. Thanks.

      Like

  22. Alice Audrey Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Gradually it will get better I hope.

      Like

  23. pennygadd51 Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very true, good advice – I shall pass it on to him!

      Like

  24. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    Lovely, I felt the despair and the optimism at the same time.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. plaridel Avatar

    i love the positive attitude. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  26. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    I actually see ‘high hopes’ in this piece. Good on him for trying to get things back to normal, one toilet at a time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There has to be hope, even if it’s slightly deluded! Thanks Alicia.

      Like

  27. Susan Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That would make you appreciate the simple things in life! Thanks Susan.

      Like

  28. joyroses13 Avatar

    I am afraid his definition of “soon” is longer than what mine would be! LOL! But good for him in being optimistic !

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, yes, ‘soon’ is a relative term!

      Like

  29. Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly) Avatar

    This sounds a bit like Houston after Harvey.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I don’t dare imagine it. Thanks Susie.

      Like

  30. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Like everything, time will heal these wounds too I’m sure. Brilliant take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  31. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Irene – glad at least the council paid for it.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. draliman Avatar

    Baby steps are major triumphs after the world has exploded.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  33. Nan Falkner Avatar

    Wow – you have a lot of followers. Cute story. People who like to rough it would fare better than the spoiled ones.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Nan – I know I wouldn’t last long 🙂

      Like

  34. Liz Young Avatar

    Think camping with a solid roof and they’ll be fine!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thanks Liz.

      Like

  35. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Sounds like they’re doing their best in a cr*p situation

    Like

  36. granonine Avatar

    Ew. Really. I think I’d rather use a hole in the ground. Blech.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  37. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Very droll – think its about a relationship where she always hopes his promises will come true, and he knows they won’t !

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Interesting perspective, thank you.

      Like

  38. rgayer55 Avatar

    Taking a dump is still one of life’s simplest pleasures. I like his attitude.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    You gotta love the optimism!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  40. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    I think I’d rather make use of a hole than shovel. Normal will take a while. Good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Suzanne

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    One step at a time… but I would go for a real outhouse without the porcelain… just keep digging.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thanks Bjorn!

      Like

  42. Tina Sequeira Avatar

    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 :):

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Tiny, lovely comment 🙂

      Like

  43. athling2001 Avatar

    Sad to think of people living this way, but I love his attitude. I know they will make it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, he certainly seems to think so.

      Liked by 1 person

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