IAIN KELLY

SEMI-SKIMMED DIPLOMACY

‘I need to hear whatever is said at that summit. I don’t care how you manage it!’

Field Agent Malone was tasked with delivering the American President’s command.

Now he sat in an office in Seoul, while 50 kilometres north, on the 38th Parallel, the leaders of North and South Korea prepared to meet.

As President Moon extended his hand, Supreme leader Kim Jung-un reciprocated.

In Washington D.C., C.I.A. Director Franks hissed into the comms unit, ‘We’re not getting anything, Malone.’ The President glared at Franks across the situation room. ‘There’s no signal!’

Malone’s voice replied, ‘Attempting to boost the signal now, Sir. Standby.’

Kim Jung-un took his seat in the conference room. In front of him sat his carton of fresh milk, served at exactly 40°F. In the expectant quiet before the first dialogue, a small whirring noise was heard.

With a pop, a small antenna emerged from the milk carton. After a moment of astonished silence the room erupted. Accusations flew between the two sides.

‘Are you hearing anything now, Sir?’ Malone asked Washington.


photo-20181001154610579
Copyright Yinglan

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem in around 150 – 175 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.

33 responses to “SEMI-SKIMMED DIPLOMACY”

  1. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Great stuff Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Di, glad you liked it!

      Like

  2. scr4pl80 Avatar

    LOL Can you hear me now?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  3. BarbCT Avatar

    Love it! Thanks for the laugh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome, thank you for laughing! 🙂

      Like

  4. Reena Saxena Avatar

    It was good to imagine Kim Jong Un in the center of chaos, not created by him 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe he was disappointed he hadn’t thought of the idea first! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Reena Saxena Avatar

        😀😀

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Rohan Kachalia Avatar

    Wow! A complete political battle involving nations. A good short fiction, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rohan

      Like

  6. James Pyles Avatar

    That certainly let the proverbial cat out of the bag. However, given that both leaders were Korean, wouldn’t they have bowed instead of shaken hands?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nope, shaking hands was the order of the day at the border: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BRuCYcXKJs

      Liked by 1 person

  7. E.F. Olsson Avatar

    Great story, Iain! It had me laughing! The last line was perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, sometimes, you just have to laugh 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Hahaha! At first I thought it was a way for S Korea to spy on N Korea and then I realized it was the comm equipment for Washington! LOL! I can imagine how mad that made Kim Jung-un! hahaha! Great story, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks PJ. I think all these leaders are as bad as each other, all trying to make each other mad!!

      Like

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Hahaha! I think you are right, Iain!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Ha ha ha, looks like the Johnny English sequel has inspired you 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, have to say I’m not a huge fan of Johnny English so will be avoiding the new film! But this could fit into it, you are right!

      Like

  10. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Not a very covert op, is it? Antenna emerging from milk carton!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They may have to take their gadget back tot he drawing board.

      Like

  11. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    Amazed how u tactfully brought a political scenario in this prompt..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Iain, are you interested in running this challenge? I am having some health problems and need to break away from it for awhile. If you are interested, I would continue paying for InLinkz, and if you would like, I can continue sending out the challenges each week. I just won’t be reading the stories, you will (if you take it). Please let me know! Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for thinking of me PJ. I want to be honest though and say I couldn’t guarantee being able to make the commitment with work, children and all the usual things going on in life etc… I couldn’t fully commit to running a challenge. I really hope your health improves, sorry to hear you are having problems and wish you a healthy recovery. Apologies, and hope you find someone who can help out with the challenge. Best Wishes, Iain

      Like

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Thanks Iain, I understand. You were the first person I thought of.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thank you for thinking of me, I hope you can find someone to help out, and more importantly that your health recovers.

        Like

      3. Priceless Joy Avatar

        Thank you so much Iain, I appreciate your well wishes!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. the dark netizen Avatar

    Hahahaha! XD
    Oh man! I love a bumbling spy story! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      😉 Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  14. the dark netizen Avatar

    Most welcome! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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