Uncalled For
17May 24, 2013 by petrujviljoen
Friday Fictioneers: a motley group of writers, some published, some accomplished and some wannabes from all over the world participate in a weekly challenge of flash fiction of a 100 words or thereabouts. Go to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and check out how to take part. This week’s photo is courtesy and copyright Danny Bowman. The stories by the other writers can be found on Rochelle’s site as well.
Theoretical situation? In this case a phone. A public phone. Only the disadvantaged still need it. The biggest segment of the disadvantaged is the poor. This phone is useless for the voiceless among the unmonied.
The thus disadvantaged, spending a dime, only able to listen. If only to be able to hear what the disadvantaged phoned for. If only to be able to hear.
The mute and the unmonied, if that was one person stood, staring, reading the situation: an old school set up: Get a job. Look after yourself. Be independent. Why are you like that? You’re not trying.
petrujviljoen 
Economics then to lean towards those who ‘have to call those ‘without’ ‘uncalled for names’ –
I remember an actress once dressing up as if she were an old lady and how much harder it was to navigate the simple things younger folks take for granted. And how often others were disrespectful because they thought she was too old to hear.
I think your piece is a good description of the seperation between classes. And it doesn’t matter what country you live in.
Thanks for your visit. I am still having difficulty using your icon as a link – as it doesn’t go to your web page. And I didn’t see your link in the Linkz thing…but I did have bookmarked so I was able to find you.
I just found you in the linkz thing… My eyes are crossing with all the contributors. Cheers.
I remember you had troubles before and so did somebody else. I added a link to my gravatar. I think I don’t understand how to fill in the address at the inlinkz site. Will work on it today. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I wish I could help you…But I’m almost in the dark when it comes to the tech part of computers.
I just have to remember that I do have you bookmarked. 🙂
The bookmark is a compliment! The problem probably lies with the information I enter on the linkzin form. I’ll see if it can be corrected this week. Got the beginnings of a story for the prompt this week. It takes me ages.
It is interesting to ponder how the “unmonied” as you refer to them communicate. I’m sure they have plenty of ways. After all, Indians used smoke signals. This story makes me sad, though.
Imagine using a smoke signal in the times we live in. They’d call the fire brigade! In Africa they used to use drums to communicate over large areas. They literally ‘talked’, much like the smoke signals. I’m sure the unmonied do not have plenty of ways to communicate. Stuck without a dime most of them are.
So bleak yet powerful, and maybe even a touch positive at the end, depending. Just all around damned good!
Thank you! I appreciate that.
Dear Petru,
An interesting take on the prompt and the “unmonied”. I’ve had a cell phone for so long I don’t even pay attention to payphones. Do they still exist?
shalom,
Rochelle
Indeed they do. I commented on a few stories mentioning the payphones in the small town close by where I live. I’ve had to use it when there’s no signal here, which often happens. I mean to get a landline at my house because of the signal problems we often have.
Not really sure what I think. I’ve read it a number of times and am still contemplating. 🙂
janet
Interesting reaction.
I’ve been thinking about this and musing about how ubiquitous cell phones are, even though there are still some payphones. If you do find a payphone, often there are no phone books, so you’d better know who you’re calling.
We just got rid of our land line, leaving me feeling bereft for a bit. I’d like to have one, but it’s money I don’t need to spend to talk to people I rarely want to talk to. 🙂 When we go to Wyoming in the summer, up in the mountains you can’t get reception unless you have a satellite phone. That’s great for vacation but wouldn’t be so nice if you lived there.
BTW, my initial comment didn’t mean I didn’t like your story, just wasn’t sure about my reaction. 🙂
janet
I’ve mentioned my surprise on a few sites that most people seem to think pay phones no longer exist. In the small town close by where I live there are a few and they often work and yes, I’ve had to use it once or twice. I would like a landline where I live as there is often no cell phone reception here, for whatever reason. I used the pay phone specifically because I could phone the landline company for free from it. If I used my cell phone the cost would’ve been prohibitive. And I did wonder whether you thought the story wasn’t up to scratch. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to read it again and commenting. I appreciate it. Petru
very cool take on the pic
Thanks!