IAIN KELLY

PROCESSING

He was happy with his handiwork. Sturdy cages, strong padlocks, each capable of holding two people, three if they were small.

Business was booming, extra capacity was needed, the good times were rolling.

It had been coming for a while. The overthrow was complete, the government was gone.

Now they would experience the real life results of their ‘tough’ policies on immigration and benefits – see how they liked being kept in cages while they waited on ‘processing’.

With the current spate of corrupt politicians, it could take anything up to five years for them to clear the system.

jhardy-storage
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.

christmas 2019

A JUSTIFIED STATE: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA       CANADA      INDIA   BRAZIL   MEXICO      GERMANY       FRANCE    SPAIN      ITALY       NETHERLANDS     JAPAN

STATE OF DENIAL:   U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA       CANADA      INDIA   BRAZIL   MEXICO      GERMANY       FRANCE       SPAIN      ITALY       NETHERLANDS     JAPAN

73 responses to “PROCESSING”

  1. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Put all the corrupt politicians in cages? Who’d be left? Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That’s true. We’re going to need an awful lot more cages built. My MC is going to be busy!

      Like

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    I’m finding it so hard to summon up any sympathy for the prisoners

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Funny, me neither.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Violet Lentz Avatar
    Violet Lentz

    Can’t help but wonder if we are not already there..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There are some politicians who should definitely be behind some bars in a cage of sorts.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Colline Avatar
    Colline

    Seems like an ideal situation – but these politicians always seem to get away with it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You’ll rarely find them locked up in any sort of cage. Thanks Colline

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Colline Avatar
        Colline

        No you don’t – even though there are those who do deserve it.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    And throw away the key…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      What key? I seem to have misplaced any key, or any memory of where these cages may be buried…

      Like

      Reply
  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Ah, if only. None of them have ever been punished as far as I know.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Certainly very few have ended up caged, but there a few that definitely belong there.

      Like

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

    Looks like comeuppance for the ‘real’ prisoners. Good story, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If only it were true. Thanks Neel

      Like

      Reply
  8. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    The thought of politicians in cages ranks my feel good factor off the scale. Like it Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, glad I could help make you feel a little better! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
        pensitivity101

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Is there space for a Prince?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He’s a latecomer to the party, but there’s a special cage being built just for him

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    I think it will take more than five years. So many who give the appearance of virtue are the most corrupt of all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There is quite a queue 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    Yes! Lock them up!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, you could start a campaign! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Ha ha! I know a few I’d like to see locked up. 🙂

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Don’t we all! Thanks Susan

      Like

      Reply
  13. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Ha! I love that can we include a few corrupt royals too!! Good stuff!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, a few new additions from the Royals have recently come for processing…

      Like

      Reply
  14. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Cages are too good for them. Tents in the desert has my vote. Good story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Just leave them to fend for themselves, I doubt many of them would survive in the real world they have created.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    I don’t like the idea of anyone locked up in a cage. But if anyone NEEDS to be locked up for a while – educationally … – perhaps some current specimen from the deepest swamp might not be the worst thing to have ‘housed’ in such.
    Then again, I do resist the idea that going down to the level of depravity shown by those who cage the vulnerable, even the sick and very young, is to become a bit like them and normalize depravity ..
    So … lemme think of that.
    You go on and build them cages, though. To each their own (and we might need a backup plan, anyway …) OY vey!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’ll have them standing by just in case there are one or two of the worst cases you want to leave with me 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        Deal … 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    What a dream! Pollies are the worse criminals. Something satisfying about this story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s a shame that it does seem satisfying, but they’ve only themselves to blame.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Fandango Avatar
    Fandango

    Paybacks are a bitch! 😏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A little thing called karma – if only it were so.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Two to a cager, a bit crowded isn’t it? And you expect these people will be here for a minimum of five years! Thats a bit too much. Where are human right activists?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think the politicians imprisoned them all.

      Like

      Reply
  19. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    The cage builders will have a nice steady flow of work. And once the current bunch has gone through, I’m sure the new government will have produced a new lot!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A clearout every three or four years seems about right.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Varad Avatar
    Varad

    The tables are turning. Yet, the seat of power can corrupt anyone. On we go, round and round. Good take, Iain. Hope we get to see such a day, even if we get only one of it.

    Congrats on the second book. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s all just a case of history repeating. Thanks Varad

      Like

      Reply
  21. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Good one, Iain – the other side of the coin.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz, if only they could get a little taste of the results of their decisions.

      Like

      Reply
  22. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    The line “see how they liked being kept in cages while they waited on ‘processing’” gave me the shivers. A horrible reality. Your character’s solution seems fair. Nicely written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Only fair that they reap some of what they sow!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    I dunno… I’m thinking five years ain’t long enough…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Not even close… 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    A powerful take on the corruption based on treating people as ‘commodities’. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Like

      Reply
  25. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ha! If only…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yeah, pure fantasy I’m afraid!

      Like

      Reply
  26. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    as it stands, these cages will remain full for a very long time. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There’s no shortage of potential customers.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    Serves them right!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Not a lot of sympathy on the comments here for them anyway!

      Like

      Reply
  28. Girl in Niagara Avatar
    Girl in Niagara

    How the tables have turned. Great story Iain. The builders will be in business for a long time I think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, plenty of work coming their way!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    The good times were rolling. I wonder the undertakers thought the same during the period of the Black Death?
    The question to be answered is where does corruption begin and end. He who holds the chains of slavery holds the key to life – I say.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      One thing holds true – someone is always making money!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    Oh, this is so good! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Eugenia, glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  31. siobhan1967 Avatar
    siobhan1967

    Great take on the prompt – especially bearing in mind the state of the UK general election at the moment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  32. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    The problem is corrupt politicians are like phoenixes. Every one who’s taken down is replaced by another. Though it does seem like we’re finally down to the worst of the worst.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Power corrupts, no doubt about it and I agree, we seem to be moving in ever decreasing circles…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    A dream come true! 😉
    On a more serious note, what a good reminder of the ugly realities behind the euphemisms ‘tough policies on immigration and benefits’ and ‘processing’.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, it’s election time here and I am well and truly fed up of the euphemism ‘spin’ being used by all sides.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Alas there are very few that are small enough… don’t you know that the cages were built for children not obese old men.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m sure we could cram them in, the less comfortable the better!

      Like

      Reply
  35. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    I like this idea!

    Like

    Reply
  36. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    To be fair, there are some good politicians. But they are few and far between, and they either get assasinated or quietly pushed out. Your story sheds a light on humanity, because whoever is in power always seems to use that power to lock up whomever they deem unworthy.

    Like

    Reply

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