Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
This is the Wakefield Doctrine’s contribution to jenne and ceayr’s weekly photo-prompt bloghop, the Unicorn Challenge. Each we they provide a photo, an image a clue comprised of light and dark, hue and tint and invite all to write a story of two hundred and fifty words maximum.
The subject, style and genre is left to the author.
And therein lies of tale this week.
“Ya gotta believe me. A hundred and fifty eight human beings will die here. One battle. A war of old men paid in the lives of the young. And that, that 158,000? That’s just the deaths on one side during one battle of the war!”
I’ve been with the homicide squad only a week, Listening to the young man in the odd clothing rave made me think the other detectives were indulging in some 20th C hazing of the new hire. The prisoner was found standing next to an abandoned car, an antique DeLorean, as a matter of fact, in a downtown parking lot. He now sat opposite me in one of the station’s interrogation rooms.
“My machine, it totally works! I’m here, right? Almost where I wanted to go. Just a slight recalibration needed to date and geographical location. Being off by 1818 miles and 110 years proves my theory is correct. Luckily I still have enough fuel to complete my mission.” The volume in his voice decreased, though the same couldn’t be said for the desperation in his eyes.
“We have nothing to hold you on. Your conveyance has been towed to a safe location. You are free to go. We strongly advise you to seek professional help. We’ll drop you off at your,” I indulged a side of myself I’m not proud of and did air quotes with my index fingers, “time machine. Feel free to resume your journey,”
This time I resisted the sarcasm, something about the man’s name was nagging me as I read from his statement, “Mr. Princip.”
About clarkscottroger
Once again, Clark, I am hugely impressed by your research, the location well deduced from the photo.
Intriguing piece, and what a punchline – or punch word, in this case.
Nailer of a story.
PS 1,818 kms.
thanks, ceayr
the research was fun (in fact it took me ‘near’ to a really fascinating bit of geography that I deployed for my primary WIP, ‘Almira’. Suspect you’ll know the town (in France) is had an abundance of natural caves and caverns and might even had been used in WWII the way I used it in my novel, as a hospital. Northern France maybe?
Top form today, Clark, and a brilliant take on the prompt photo.
As C. E. says, impressive research – cleverly concealed in historical teasers. (You had me checking the distance between Arras and Sarajevo.)
And great characters too.
What can I say but ‘Damn’!
totally (as Sally Comments) the fun of a writing. (God! How did writers and writers-to-be) contend with life before the internet!! Sure, I like libraries and bookstores as much as anyone, but the ease of access in the comfort of one’s home. Even with the dross among the silver*
And, sure, there’s a ton ‘o false and incorrect information cluttering up the virtual world, but, as I once said when I was just getting online: It’s always been about stories and fiction and the tales we tell each other about ourselfs.
(I went further than that (being younger) and insisted that the quality of relationships prevalent in the virtual world was in a sense better than in the ‘real’ world in the sense that all responsibility falls to me/the individual involving themselves with this new world. It is my choice to accept others as I read.
(We’re talking putatively mature adults, the children and others are a different matter entirely.)
But I present a ‘self’ to my friends and associates in this world. And, imo, the durability (rather than the more mundane word ‘validity’) of who I am to other virtual beings is in mno small part a function of how good I can write! ;p
to be cont’d
*there! that’s exactly what I mean… wasn’t overly sure of the saying about dross (though it was related to gold…) but a minute or two and…well, I’m comfortable citing the expression
That’s a “wow”.
Clever clue dangling indeed. Witty and engaging, educational time travel story, Clark. Impressive given the word limit.
Okay, Clark — you forced me to do a little research (which I love doing, btw). I was thinking, “Princip — why do I know that name?” But seven years (and a pandemic) ago, I was in Sarajevo. Talked about a city marked by wars.
Great story. Love the DeLorean-Back to the Future nod, too.
Clark, I surely don’t know nearly as much as C.E. or Jenne about the historical and geographical references since I’m in the U.S., but I do know a well-written story and a story that I enjoy! Great job!
Thank you! The internet, being as it isthe biggest used book/magazine/textbook-written-with-humor store in the world makes learning fun.
It’s a wow from me too. Absolutely brilliant.
ty, K
Wow, this was brilliant… I love the part above the DeLorean car and time travel (all of course) … plus, I remember that part of History!
thanks, Chris!