| 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.