‘What’s that?’ Jessie pointed outside at the stars and stripes fluttering on the flagpole.
‘That used to mean something.’
‘I like the colours, it’s pretty.’
‘It sure was. Ready for your food?’
‘I can’t wait to try it. You used to eat these ‘hot dogs’ all the time, Gramps?’
‘And burgers, chips, pizza.’
‘This food sure smells nicer than the supplements we get now.’
Gramps breathed in the familiar aroma of his childhood.
‘Why don’t we have them anymore?’ Jessie asked.
‘Turned out they weren’t so good for you, or the world.’
‘Same as pretty flags?’
‘I guess so.’
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.
My novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
Iain Kelly 
72 responses to “NOSTALGIA CAFE”
If there’s no flags any more, how do we have the Olympics?
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At least the opening ceremony will be shorter.
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Dear Iain,
A lot said between the lines. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle
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Yup. Everything that forms our lives will be rendered redundant as population increases and resources decrease.
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Unfortunately so for the generations to come
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Dystopian nostalgia, neatly finished with a sharp jag
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Thanks CE
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Great take Iain. We’re on an unsustainable path for sure.
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Yep, something has to give soon…
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Plus, it’s MADE OUT OF PEOPLE!
Great story.
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So they say! 🙂
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Nice! I like this story – I want more 😀
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Thank you Colline 🙂
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Clever, subtle story-telling, Iain. Multiple layers to this piece.
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Thank you so much Penny
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A sad day indeed when food that isn’t any good for us disappears 🙂
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Yep, it does provide pleasure and comfort though!!
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Clever and timely and important. Lots said that was not said in words. Thank you Iain!
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Thank you so much
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A sign of the times Iain, and perhaps not that far in the distant future.
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It feels like it could happen sooner rather than later.
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It’s a worrying thought actually
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Prophetic tale, I fear.
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Something’s gotta give…
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A teaching moment. Well-written.
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Thank you
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You are very welcome.
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No more flags may not be a bad thing, but no more comfort food sure is. The way it is produced though… Great story, Iain, subtle story telling but hopefully not a prophecy.
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At least you didn’t mention apple pie. Will there still be apple pie?
Loved the subtle layers of this.
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Well, the apple part will certainly be fine! 😉
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Thank you. It would be nice to know all the food we eat is produced ethically, but it seems unlikely.
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‘Nuff said – well done!
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Thank you DB
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Times change as does points of view. What used to be tasty before, is considered not good for health. Same goes with perception of the flag. What once represented the land of the free and home of the brave, is now looked at differently. in essence, things remain the same. We change.
But cows, pigs and poultry always felt the same. No one asked them ever.
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Very true!
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I’d better start stock-piling burgers and stuff!
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I can’t see it happening in the near future, but who knows!
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Well done. And as everyone said, so much was not said…
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Thanks Dale – sometimes it’s the best way to make a point.
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A bigger picture here than just a change in diet. Nice one!
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Yep, a lot more than that needs to change in the future.
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Your stories are always rich and filled with underlying meaning. I look forward to reading them each week. A timely piece, especially the flag. I have to admit to having hot dogs, chips, and apple pie today. But, not good for me or the earth for sure.
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A case of everything in moderation – if everyone just had a little less meat, a lot of problems would be solved. No need for us to give it up completely!
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I do try to cut down on meat. Moderation sounds good. =)
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Brings to mind the Eddie Izzard sketch about colonial times, “Have you got a flaG?” great stuff as ever a cautionary tale.
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Thank you. Ironically, he was a very funny man until he went all political…
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Have you seen the Death Star canteen sketch? That’s perfect
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There are so many ways to misuse both food and flags… wonder if we ever can learn moderation
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We seem to have been unable to do so so far…
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Plenty of food for thought, there, Iain. I liked the flow; not everyone can use dialogue well.
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Thank you so much
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I don’t remember the last time I ate fast food and hot dogs have never been on my list of good food. Maybe I am ahead of the curve.
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A trendsetter! 🙂
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A subtle nudge, indeed.
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Thanks James
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A good story and well written, Iain. I’m not as worried about enough food as I am enough breathable air. We should be planting trees, not cutting them down. Also, enough water. Try living and growing food without it. —- Suzanne
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There are quite a few essentials that we are using at unsustainable rates!
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like the song says, the times they surely are a-changin’. we better get used to it. 🙂
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Thank you
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I like the wistful tone and the subtle reference to nationalism being destructive to our world. You’re particularly good at writing dystopian fiction.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Unfortunately believable. I don’t see hot dogs disappearing, though. On the Fourth our town nearly had a riot when it was discovered that not one booth had hot dogs! A miscommunication only, between the Boy Scouts and another vendor, but let’s hope that’s all it was. Lots of story underneath, my favorite style.
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Ha, thank you Eugenia. I couldn’t help but chuckle at your anecdote – I could imagine the scene! 🙂
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Oh now that is a brilliant last line, Iain
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Thank you Laurie
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A touch of sci fi, or is it…I have just returned from New England, never found a hot dog for sale, I was most upset.
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You’ll need to go back to find one! Thanks Mike 🙂
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This is thought-provoking. I can see positives and negatives to this new world. I’d probably rather have supplements than hot dogs, but don’t take away my hamburgers. Well done.
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Ha, everyone should be allowed to pick and choose! 🙂
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Well done, Iain. My ending thought was: particularly those flags!
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Thanks Sascha!
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