
Photo by: Jules Paige
Director McKinley stared up at the colony’s windmills. They worked flawlessly. The first year of the colony on planet Kennick went perfectly. “I can’t believe our good luck,” he said.
“Why not?” said Deputy Director Segundo.
“Look back at history. Colonies have struggled in the first year more often than not. The pilgrims who began a colony in America nearly died in their first year. Their experience was awful.”
“Not us.”
“I know. And so much could’ve gone wrong. But the crops are thriving. We have power and oxygen. No machines broke down. The local fauna avoid us. There have been no deaths or injuries. Honestly, all that good fortune is astounding.”
Segundo grinned, “And now we’re preparing for our first New Year.”
A foreman ran up and spoke the words McKinley had dreaded all year. “Director McKinley! There’s a problem.”
McKinley whirled on Foreman Johnson, “The main gaskets are corroding?”
“No.”
“The power connectors are arcing?”
“No.”
“The bees aren’t pollinating the plants?”
“No, sir. We’re missing a critical supply.”
“A certain vitamin? I knew it! We’ll all die slowly.”
“No!”
“What then?”
Johnson sagged. “We don’t have any Champagne for the New Year Party!”
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Written for Sunday Photo Fiction: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/sunday-photo-fiction-december-31st-2017/
Happy New Year everyone!
Oy. Maybe they should have made a still.
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Definitely. That’s a serious oversight. McKinley will hear some choice words about that one for sure. 😉
Happy New Year!
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As someone once said (worse luck that I’ve forgotten who. She should be famous!):
“When you’re expecting everything to go perfectly, even a run in your pantihose can achieve the dimensions of a tragedy.”
Another great little tale, Eric.
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I’d half expect that to be Lucille Ball or maybe Lilly Tomlin. Great quote. Thanks so much.
Happy New Year!
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Great punchline! Wonder if they could whip up some substitute champagne? (OK, it’s bright blue and glows, but hey… look at the bubbles…) 🙂 Hope you and family have a great New Year, Eric, and here’s to a great 2018!
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Ha! They should do that. It’s another planet, they need their own traditions. 😉
Happy New Year to you and your family, Matthew! Have a great year to come! 🙂
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How could they have forgotten something as essential as champagne? 😮 Heads will roll!
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Tsk, tsk. McKinley’s position as Director may be on thin ice. 😉
Happy New Year, Lyn!
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A alcohol free planet, no wonder all is going so well.😉
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Haha! I don’t know. I note that I need the occasional alcoholic lubrication to keep the creative gears turning. 😉
Happy New Year!
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Honey mead? https://www.liquor.com/articles/10-facts-about-mead/
If there’s a vineyard… and bees…
It’s always the minor details isn’t it?
Happy New Year!
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Ooh, honey meade. Love that! It’s true. There’s always those little details that get you. 😉 Happy New Year!
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I can’t believe they have gone an entire year without alcohol. Who are these colonists???
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Oh, they had beer and corn whiskey, just not champagne. I doubt they could’ve convinced anyone to go to the colony without it. 😉
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Eh. An outer first world problem.
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They’ll have it solved before long. 😉
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A major crisis indeed!
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Precisely! It’s just not New Years without it. 😉
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Well, horrors! There goes the good year down the tubes. No proper celebrating for them. They need to plant some grape vines double quick. Hilarious, Eric. 😀 — Suzanne
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Oh yeah. You can be certain a vineyard got planted the following day. 😉 Glad you had fun. Thanks so much! 🙂
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The world is doomed. No champagne for new years party. I don’t know what the world will do to recover. Great story Eric.
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Haha! Nobody promised that colony life wouldn’t be filled with terrifying trials and tribulations. 😉 Thanks so much, Al! 🙂
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