IAIN KELLY

NOSTALGIA CAFE

‘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.’


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Copyright J Hardy Carroll

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.


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72 responses to “NOSTALGIA CAFE”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    If there’s no flags any more, how do we have the Olympics?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      At least the opening ceremony will be shorter.

      Like

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    A lot said between the lines. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle

      Like

  3. Varad Avatar

    Yup. Everything that forms our lives will be rendered redundant as population increases and resources decrease.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Unfortunately so for the generations to come

      Like

  4. ceayr Avatar

    Dystopian nostalgia, neatly finished with a sharp jag

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Kelley Farrell Avatar

    Great take Iain. We’re on an unsustainable path for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, something has to give soon…

      Liked by 1 person

  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Plus, it’s MADE OUT OF PEOPLE!

    Great story.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      So they say! 🙂

      Like

  7. Colline Avatar

    Nice! I like this story – I want more 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Colline 🙂

      Like

  8. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Clever, subtle story-telling, Iain. Multiple layers to this piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Penny

      Like

  9. granonine Avatar

    A sad day indeed when food that isn’t any good for us disappears 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, it does provide pleasure and comfort though!!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Clever and timely and important. Lots said that was not said in words. Thank you Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  11. pensitivity101 Avatar

    A sign of the times Iain, and perhaps not that far in the distant future.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It feels like it could happen sooner rather than later.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar

        It’s a worrying thought actually

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Sandra Avatar

    Prophetic tale, I fear.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Something’s gotta give…

      Like

  13. msjadeli Avatar

    A teaching moment. Well-written.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You are very welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

      At least you didn’t mention apple pie. Will there still be apple pie?
      Loved the subtle layers of this.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Well, the apple part will certainly be fine! 😉

        Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. It would be nice to know all the food we eat is produced ethically, but it seems unlikely.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. DB McNicol Avatar

    ‘Nuff said – well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you DB

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Abhijit Ray Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  17. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I’d better start stock-piling burgers and stuff!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I can’t see it happening in the near future, but who knows!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Dale Avatar

    Well done. And as everyone said, so much was not said…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dale – sometimes it’s the best way to make a point.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. draliman Avatar

    A bigger picture here than just a change in diet. Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, a lot more than that needs to change in the future.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

        I do try to cut down on meat. Moderation sounds good. =)

        Liked by 1 person

  21. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Brings to mind the Eddie Izzard sketch about colonial times, “Have you got a flaG?” great stuff as ever a cautionary tale.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. Ironically, he was a very funny man until he went all political…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

        Have you seen the Death Star canteen sketch? That’s perfect

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    There are so many ways to misuse both food and flags… wonder if we ever can learn moderation

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      We seem to have been unable to do so so far…

      Like

  23. kzmcb Avatar

    Plenty of food for thought, there, Iain. I liked the flow; not everyone can use dialogue well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

  24. JoHawkTheWriter Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A trendsetter! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. James McEwan Avatar

    A subtle nudge, indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

  26. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There are quite a few essentials that we are using at unsustainable rates!

      Like

  27. plaridel Avatar

    like the song says, the times they surely are a-changin’. we better get used to it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. magarisa Avatar

    I like the wistful tone and the subtle reference to nationalism being destructive to our world. You’re particularly good at writing dystopian fiction.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    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.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thank you Eugenia. I couldn’t help but chuckle at your anecdote – I could imagine the scene! 🙂

      Like

  30. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh now that is a brilliant last line, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Laurie

      Like

  31. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’ll need to go back to find one! Thanks Mike 🙂

      Like

  32. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, everyone should be allowed to pick and choose! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Well done, Iain. My ending thought was: particularly those flags!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha!

      Liked by 1 person

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