I wrote a short short story as a Sunday Vignette on the According to Hoyt blog, and thought I’d share it here.  The story prompt was ‘unlikely’ and the goal was no more than 50 words.

My first draft was 120 words. I managed to chop it down to 69. Writing short is hard!

Comment and let me know which you like better!

[P.S. – In case you don’t know… SMOD = Sweet Meteor Of Death]

[P.P.S. – I’m not really this pessimistic. It’s all in good hyperbolic fun!]

SMOD 2016

——————————-120 word version———————–

IMPACT: UNLIKELY [42%]

“It keeps going up! I’m telling you something’s affecting its orbit!” Earl argued.

“Now THAT is unlikely, believe me!” said Don, waving his hand. “That would take a micro-singularity. That rock is HUGE. Reset the sim to rerun while we’re gone. The polls close in an hour.”

“We can’t just leave!” Earl protested. “What if it changes to a likely impact? We need to warn people!”

“It’s already too close. What difference, at this point, does it make?”

Earl deflated. “OK, Fine! The end of the world could be tonight, but YOU still think your vote counts.”

****

Don and Earl walked out of the polls just in time to see the eastern sky begin to boil.

 

——————————-69 word version———————–

IMPACT: UNLIKELY [32%]

“It changed! Something’s moved it!”

“Now THAT is unlikely, believe me!” said Don. That rock is HUGE. Reset the sim. Rerun it while we’re gone. Polls close in an hour.”

“Leave!?” Earl protested. “We might need to warn people!”

“It’s too close! What difference, at this point, does it make?”

“Fine. TEOTWAKI’s here, but YOU still think your vote counts!”