Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Genre: Steampunk
Word Count: 100
Story begins after the photo.
copyright: Managua Gunn
The Limits
“It’s an automaton,” said Professor Wooten. “But no one need know. No more soldiers suffering a largely ceremonial position.”
“Can it endure the distractions?” Said Lord Houghton. The little dog beside him was barking ceaselessly.
He raised his voice to be heard. “Of course. It’s an automaton. It can endure anything.”
The little dog began tearing at the automaton’s pants leg. “Everything has limits, sir.”
The automaton swiveled suddenly and shot the dog, returning to guard position.
The two men stared dumbly at the, finally silent, dog. “Probably ought to fix that,” said Wooten.
“Quite. It’s aim is slightly off.”
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The Friday Fictioneers is a group led by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Each week, Rochelle provides a photo as a prompt to write no more than a 100 word story or poem. All are encouraged to join in, or at least read the fantastic stories from this collection of imaginative people. This week’s prompt may be found here: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/1328/
EagleAye
Momus News 
Ha! I liked the ending.
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Hehe. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks kindly for stopping to visit.
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Funny!
Does your automaton drone while causing collateral damage? 😉
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Hehe. I think the official report will list the dog as the leader of a terrorist cell. 😉
Thanks much for stopping in and commenting.
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With a couple of the other stories involving urine, I was quite sure the little dog was going to piss on the automaton’s leg. Quite imaginative story, darling.
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I’m glad I wrote mine before reading the others, then. I might have been influenced. Thanks much for reading and commenting.
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Fantastic ending.
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Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by.
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Okay..now that one made me LOL!
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That’s the whole idea. I’m happy you got a laugh out of it.
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Hee hee hee!!! THAT’LL learn ya, dern ya! Nice!
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It’s why yappy little dogs sometimes have a short lifespan. Thank you, and thanks for stopping to comment.
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I love that! What else is he going to terminate, I wonder?
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I think nothing else. The professor intends to redesign it to ignore obnoxious small creatures like little dogs and Scientology missionaries.
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Funny! Even if it is a little disturbing. 🙂
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I’m hope it still got a chuckle at least.
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I’d like to borrow him. My neighbors have a little yappy dog that they leave out for long stretches of time on a short leash tied to the deck. On second thought, could he just come and shoot them? It’s not the dog’s fault.
Loved it.
janet
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It probably is the owner’s fault more than the dog. Take this automaton anytime you need him.
Thanks so much, Janet.
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It’s definitely the owner’s fault, but it’s the dog’s barking that I have to hear. I’ve actually found myself yelling (in the house) at the people to take the dog in or the dog to shut up. 🙂
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I know the feeling. Yappy dogs are like pin pricks in the brain. This repetitive barking can easily drive someone insane. It’s up to the owners to get their dog under control. Any chance some “diplomatic words” to the owners would help?
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I’m going to give it a try, especially since we have an open house Sunday afternoon! Don’t really want prospective buyers hearing that.
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Loved this. The droid could be useful in so many applications. The professor is going to be rich!
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He certainly should be. But he needs to expand those limits. Yappy dogs are one of the least worries of those standing guard duty.
Thanks kindly for stopping by.
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Damn f**king good story.
in the infamous words of WC Fields, “Go away dog, you bother me.”
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Hehe. WC Fields is a classic. Glad you enjoyed the story. I appreciate your thoughts.
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Enjoyed this, it didn’t go where I thought it would but the surprise ending was very funny.
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It’s fun to give out surprises, especially when they’re funny. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Dear E.A.
Your story aimed true. Very funny.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so very much, Rochelle.
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I was laughing out loud her with this one. Loved the last line! Fix ‘it’ indeed. I thought it would have just kicked it across the square. 🙂
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Hehe. It could have. I’m glad you got a laugh out of it. That’s the whole idea. Good to know my plan worked.
Cheers!
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Great story — especially the last line 🙂
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I was the hoping the zinger at the end would be worthwhile.
Thanks for stopping in.
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I guess if the dog had hiked its leg on those shiny boots, automaton would have speared it with the bayonet. Well done, E.A.!
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Yeah, he probably would have. There’s limits, you know. 🙂
Thanks. I appreciate it.
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he would be a hit with people having a pesky dog as their neighbour ! 😉
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Hehe. He might also be handy as a guard at expensive hotels. Those rich women with toy poodles? Not an annoyance any more!
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Saw the end coming, yet, the last line tore me up laughing!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/friday-fictioneers-62113-romantic-fiction-pg13/
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Very cool. That’s what I was shooting for. Thanks much for reading.
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Good!
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Great story, loved it, your last two lines were brilliant.
Dee
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Thanks much, Dee. I appreciate it.
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Great story. 🙂 I think that would keep tourists from annoying the guards and trying to make them smile.
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Thanks! Certainly, they would keep their little dogs away.
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I am sure the fine folks from the ASPCA will be barging through professor Wooten’s door at any minute. As a dog lover I have to say i would come along to watch!
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Okay, but you have to buy a ticket. 🙂
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Dear EagleAye,
Here’s the best compliment i can give an author…. I burst out laughing as this story unfolded. Absolutely loved it. mark it down as one of the best. To say more would be too much.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you so very much! I had hoped the story would get a laugh. Your thoughts and kind comments are much appreciated.
Mahalo!
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