Golden Times November/December 2016

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Creative Writing Corner "Futurstic" by Rosemary J Shelfer Jenny opened her eyes and blinked away the fog until she could see the room where she lay. Pale blue everywhere, a door, no window, and some unfamiliar machines. She felt a sense of alarm rising, and slowly sat up. That’s when she noticed the tiny cctv camera in the corner. A man in a silver uniform came into the room and gave her a friendly smile. “Don’t be afraid, Jenny,” said the stranger. “You have been on a long journey. A very long journey,” he added with a light laugh. “Where am I?” said Jenny. “Zatog. It’s a planet a long way away from your Earth, I’m afraid. We had to come in and do a massive rescue mission, as it was getting rather unpleasant down there, shall we say.” Again, the light laugh. “We don’t go in for any of that killing up here. What a waste of human resources THAT is. Why, it makes no sense. People killing other people they don’t even KNOW!” Jenny nodded. “What’s your name?” said Jenny, full of curiosity to see the rest of the place. “Solen,” he answered. “Come and meet some of your friends.” They walked along a short corridor where she saw a balcony at the end which looked down onto a huge hall. Solen walked up to the edge, touched his shoulder and his voice came out loud as if speaking on a tannoy system. “Everybody! Please may I have your attention for a moment!” A hush fell upon the people below. Solen beckoned her forward as he said to the crowd, “Jenny has arrived at last!” There were gasps of delight, and when they caught sight of her, a great cheer went up, and clapping. Jenny wondered what on earth all this was about. Or rather not ‘on earth’. “Come down and meet your friends, Jenny. They have been waiting a long time but never gave up hope of seeing you again.” They stepped into a small, glass lift which took them down to the level where all these people were waiting to greet her. Some old friends from work stepped forward, grinning. Bernice and Caroline! She hadn’t seen them for years and was so delighted to see familiar faces that she felt like bursting into tears. They guided her through the crowd, some faces she recognised and a lot she didn’t. Then she saw her estranged brother, not seen since the big family row. He stepped forward smiling, and said, “Long time no see, sis!” And that is when her tears did fall. He gave her a hug until she had gathered herself into a state of calmness. “Come with me. Mum and Dad are here, too!” he said. She stopped in her tracks. “But they are dead! I arranged the funerals!” “Oh, yes, I know. We’re all dead here, Jenny. Sorry, I forgot. No-one’s told you yet, have they? This is heaven!” "Flashing the Plastic" by Pamela Latter I've lost my friend Sally. She has been replaced by a plastic version which I barely recognise. Not only does she look different, but after years of intimate sharing we no longer speak the same language, and I'm rather sad about it. When I bumped into her last week she was off to have her contact lenses renewed; later she had an appointment with the dentist to have her gums drilled and false teeth screwed in. The very thought is toe-curling. "Just a little pain, and then it will all be over," she told me cheerfully. Afterwards she was treating herself to another tattoo (if she could find enough bare skin amid the plethora of artwork she already has). Both her hips were replaced last year and as a little reward she splurged on a facelift, a jaw tightener, and an eyelid lift. "A sort of job-lot," she said, "with a big discount for multiples." For a while she looked like the Invisible Man in his bandages, but she remained quite happy about it all. "No pain, no gain!" she chirped. Revealed to the world once more, I thought her expressionless features made her look positively robotic but like a good friend, I said nothing to dampen her exuberance. "Isn't it marvellous what they can do these days?" she enthused this morning. She was wriggling about in front of the mirror at the time, struggling to adjust her Lycra one-piece running suit and preparing for her obligatory five-mile jog: "I'm going to have these silicone boob implants replaced too – with larger ones." She tried to smile but couldn't. The hearing aid implants seem to have pleased her though. She can pick up the latest hits with them through Wi-Fi. "No headphones, see? The grandchildren think they're wonderful. Now they want them too, of course." All that exercise has certainly done something for Sally. She has fine calf muscles. Pity her ankles are giving out from the constant pounding though. They will probably be replaced next. I watched her tie the laces of her new sneakers with the flashing heels, then she began pill popping. Suddenly she looked up and registered my suppressed sigh. them." "Got to keep up the vitamins, you know. My little helpers, I call I swallowed a yawn: "I must get a move on. I've got to get something for dinner tonight." She would have crinkled her eyebrows if the Botox hadn't frozen them. "Eat healthily" she tapped my arm confidentially. "I have a box of fresh veggies delivered every day. No meat of course - it clogs the system. Did I ever tell you that? Be a hunter-gatherer again, Claire. It's the natural way." I felt vaguely admonished by this Sally I no longer recognised, but the lesson was unabated. "A few lettuce leaves and a tomato can do wonders." But I don't need them. I'm wondering already... 8 If you would like to submit a short story (450-500 words) for inclusion in Golden Times, please email jason@goldentimes.co.uk or post your story to us at: 78 Elphinstone Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2BS 10 Find us online at www.goldentimes.co.uk
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Page 1 and 2: Goldentimes Nov/Dec 2016 Your FREE
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Page 13 and 14: An exclusive development of beautif
Page 15 and 16: Tricia's column - Ho, ho, ho I t's
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Page 23 and 24: Phoenix Gardening All aspects of ga
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Page 27 and 28: Wholesome Irish Stew - Recipe by Fa
Page 29 and 30: Lunch out with old work colleagues
Page 31 and 32: Hands Up!for Chestnut Tree Give a l

Golden Times November/December 2016

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