 |
| It is a TV Reality Show! |
Utopia…Utopia…
Just thinking that word sent chills through Sir Edward St. James, as the steam
engine carried him to the place of his dreams: Utopia. He smiled smugly, straightening his necktie,
recalling how he obtained funds for this great venture. After
all, a little plagiarism to boost sales on my latest book should not
surprise anyone these days.
The ideal society where
logic and elevated thought processes was Sir Edward’s expectation. A gleaming white hall with pillars would be
filled with men of his class and intelligence, sharing discourse with the great
thinkers of the 19th century.
 |
| The Great Awakening |
As the train nudged to a
stop, whistle sounding, Sir Edward settled his silk top hat and valise, preparing to
step out into the 1872 version of heaven.
Not only did an intellectual paradise wait for him, but a mail order bride
as well. Cynthia Brighten was a devout
spinster who would fulfill his selfish needs and do laundry.
Stepping out onto the
platform, Sir James was immediately seized and squeezed tightly by an obese
homely woman who covered his face with sloppy kisses. Cynthia? Oh God please noooo…
Before he could pull away
from the passionate woman, Sir James gazed in horror at what was the real Utopia. A white crude wooden barn-like structure dominated the center of the town, and was
surrounded by muddy streets. Fellow Utopians stomped through the muddy streets
in their elegant finery, struggling to discuss Descartes and anything else
except the hellish Utopia and its damn mud.
 |
| New Harmony, Indiana, 1831 |
Sir Edward’s automatic
response to this horror was to ask, “I would like a ticket back to
Philadelphia, one way, for one person.
Immediately.”
Many thanks go to Delores at Under the Porch Light for her dedication in stumping all participants in "Wednesday Words". Delores provides six words for writers to shape into poetry, prose, story, flash fiction... You will find some excellent contributions at her site above. If you would like to jump in, please click on the Methodist Church in the right site bar.
Many thanks go to Delores at Under the Porch Light for her dedication in stumping all participants in "Wednesday Words". Delores provides six words for writers to shape into poetry, prose, story, flash fiction... You will find some excellent contributions at her site above. If you would like to jump in, please click on the Methodist Church in the right site bar.
One mans misery is another's Utopia...I think he got what he deserved lol.
ReplyDeleteSo do I...selfish man. This apparently was a big movement in the 19th century, most of which did not succeed.
DeleteA one-way ticket is the only way to "get outta Dodge."
ReplyDeleteI wondered when the train would leave.
DeleteBest to leave quickly, lest presence alone lead to more situations of grief. ;)
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for poor Cynthia. I think she need to go West.
DeleteGet out of there stat when Utopia turns out to be a trap.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine anyone thinking that a Utopia would be as he imagined. they would starve to death.
DeleteI love it! And really laughed out loud... doing that always feels great! Thank you for sharing Utopia with all of us!
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad you did not head out to join one? In the 1960s, they were called "Communes".
DeleteI was interested with the combination of the story about "Utopia" and a picture of John Wesley preaching. (I was leading worship for our congregation this past Sunday, and focused on Wesley's assumption that the Christian faith could — and did — change peoples lives.) The question for me, would I prefer Utopia or Wesley?
ReplyDeleteI'd take Wesley any day.
Blessings and Bear hugs, Susan! Best regards to the Cat.
Wesley, absolutely. He changed America with his songs, writing, and preaching.
DeleteNow this would make a much better reality show! I hope Cynthia found another man who appreciated her laundress skills! Very clever!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Good luck and God bless her! She has a big,giving heart, and Sir James did not deserve her.
DeleteToo often expectation does not match reality. I feel sorry for Cynthia, she gets disappointment and desertion.
ReplyDeleteI suspect Cynthia has had a loveless life and deserves so much more. I think she should head for the Western Wilderness, staying on the Bride list. A rancher/farmer would appreciate a hard-working woman.
Delete