by Kate Keeley
Member since:
March 4, 2007

Blue Scream of Death--100 word stories, week 8--Challenge

April 02, 2008 12:05 AM EDT (Updated: April 07, 2008 12:59 AM EDT)
views: 158 | rating: 10/10 (59 votes) | comments: 59

"Hey," Jackie says. "It's Friday. It's five o'clock. It's time to leave."

I nod. "I just have to send this email to my boss."

"Bon Jovi. Front row." Jackie sighs. "Back stage passes."

My heart flitter-flutters. "The email's not doing anything."

"What do you mean?"

"It's sitting there like a dog with a peanut stuck in its windpipe."

"I'm going with or without you."

"I need this job," I say. "I'll get fired."

"I'm leaving." Jackie blows a kiss. "Bye."

The blue scream of death rises in my throat. "I'm going to kill you, computer." I throttle the silent screen.
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Comments: 59

Sandra (secretary of Lalaland) C. Apr 2, 2008, 12:15am EDT
Great Story.
Linda K. Apr 2, 2008, 12:20am EDT
The way you've written it, I can see it perfectly as a completed scene in a film.
sheila h. Apr 2, 2008, 12:22am EDT
LOL...
quite a collection of interesting stuff going on here in 100 words,Jan..a real tasty smorgasbord of info,imagery and surreal ideas!
love it..
Tanya P. Apr 2, 2008, 12:46am EDT
Love it. Can one actually throttle the silent screen? I can't get my hands around it, and believe me, I've tried.
Tony G. Apr 2, 2008, 12:59am EDT
Amazing what you talented folks can do with a one word challenge.
Good Stuff Kate. How was the concert ?
lynn a. Apr 2, 2008, 1:09am EDT
In better times she'd blow that joint. And I would as well. Good commentary on real life in a few words. Great 100 word drabble.
Kate Keeley Apr 2, 2008, 1:27am EDT
Ha, ha, Tony! I was in Denver last night and so was Bon Jovi. But while they were singing (or whistling through peanuts as the case may be), I was in the airport dealing with flight delays. While I might have wanted to throttle something, it had more to do with airplanes, or the lack thereof... Fodder for another drabble, pehaps; ).

Thanks everyone for your kind, fun comments.
Hit the damned thing with a hammer, Kate!
Wilhelmine Estabrook Apr 2, 2008, 6:57am EDT
Now that's funny. Great.
Becky Powell Apr 2, 2008, 8:50am EDT
Very nice! Boy, I really like the way this builds up to the scream -- and you manage to do that in so few words. Expertly done.
Nanina Hawk Apr 2, 2008, 11:47am EDT
I think this is fantastic!
Parul S. Apr 2, 2008, 12:54pm EDT
This is the best way to describe what everyones computer has done at some point or the other...and mostly it is at times when one is in a bit of a hurry.....I know i was reduced to silent sobs once when this happnede to me....great job
Lynn R. Apr 2, 2008, 1:23pm EDT
Who hasn't been in your shoes here. I think we can all relate to throttling something or someone. Fantastic.
Jim Ross Apr 2, 2008, 3:10pm EDT
@!#/%*& computer anyway! Wonderful portrayal of frustration, Kate. Your ". . . dog with a peanut . . ." line is priceless, as is the " . . . blue scream . . ." Great drabble.
Jen M. Apr 2, 2008, 3:15pm EDT
Another great one! Still don't know how anyone can portray a whole story in only 100 words. Intrigues me each time.
Ruthe M. Apr 2, 2008, 3:35pm EDT
Great story, Kate! Oh, the frustration!!!!
Sheila Deeth Apr 2, 2008, 4:16pm EDT
Ah, blue scream of death. Aghgh. Computers. Great job.
Jimmie (Hey! Let's Gather!) Harris Apr 2, 2008, 5:12pm EDT
Been there.... done that! A great drabble for the challenge!
Patricia F. Apr 2, 2008, 8:29pm EDT
I can feel the tension! Go! Leave! I mean...it's Bon Jovi!
necee t. Apr 2, 2008, 8:42pm EDT
wow, Kate... this is perfect... great job... i hate when that happens... hehe
Lisa J Apr 2, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
I had to laugh... been there... done that. Great story.
Susan B. Apr 2, 2008, 9:55pm EDT
Very colorful story! I love it Kate :)
Alison Pearce Apr 2, 2008, 10:07pm EDT
Great drabble
Stephanie B. Apr 2, 2008, 10:16pm EDT
It's not difficult to imagine this scene.
hahahaha...sorry I have to laugh. I can't count the number of times my computer has locked up on me when I was in a hurry.
Great drabble Kate.
June B. Apr 2, 2008, 11:21pm EDT
We've all felt like this sometimes. I had to talk my mother out of throwing her pc out the window once. That was a trip. She's 85!
Tara T. Apr 3, 2008, 4:35am EDT
I want to strangle my computer 100 times a day, LOL! Great drabble Kate, I loved it!
penni d. Apr 3, 2008, 8:15am EDT
Enjoyed the Visual created by your words....good drabble,kate. :)
Amanda C. Apr 3, 2008, 11:33am EDT
I loved the imagery in this story, well done Kate!
Lucky Stars Apr 3, 2008, 11:38am EDT
Nicely done, Kate. I loved the take on the blue screen of death. :-)
Kay M. Apr 3, 2008, 11:40am EDT
LOL. Great drabble Kate.
Lynn Doiron Apr 3, 2008, 12:11pm EDT
You never disappoint. A peanut in the throat, eh? Love that image. Can see the dog; can see the protagonist.
Dee - Nature Babe! Apr 3, 2008, 12:13pm EDT
a great story. You've done wonderful!
Marge H. Apr 3, 2008, 1:58pm EDT
Computers can be so frustrating sometimes. Great and realistic story.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Apr 3, 2008, 2:04pm EDT
Interesting stuff..I had to laugh but the frustation still prevails...very nice Kate.,
Jennine D. Apr 3, 2008, 6:32pm EDT
LOL this is funny and very well done. We all have experienced the frustation of a snail slow computer.
P.W. Dowdy Apr 3, 2008, 7:00pm EDT
OMG! I was ready for the whole story. Kate, you can really "hook". Once again, it's a rave!
Jonathan S. Apr 3, 2008, 7:19pm EDT
Too much work, too little time...

I'd click Send and leave, but that's just me.

Good one.
Ann R. Apr 3, 2008, 11:46pm EDT
The degree of freeze up usually corresponds to the degree of urgency. Well done Kate.
Wanda H. Apr 4, 2008, 3:08am EDT
I think I would have had to find another job! LOL great story and of course, excellent writing.
Tracey W. Apr 4, 2008, 12:55pm EDT
oh, that would definitely make me cry! Good drabble. Love the dog and peanut visual - where on earth did you come up with that?
Marianne M. Apr 4, 2008, 7:47pm EDT
Wonderful drabble, Kate! Loved this line, "the blue scream of death." Very creative response to this week's prompt. Gosh-darn computers anyway!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Apr 5, 2008, 12:23am EDT
Three words: Jobs Dot Com. LoL!
Nicely done!

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Charli Mills Apr 5, 2008, 12:39am EDT
I love it--the silent screen! I have been rendered to sobs by a computer at least a time or two. Many different layers and connections in this drabble. Great!
Crystal R. Apr 6, 2008, 12:53am EDT
Thanks for the advice about photo essays. I also enjoy your essays. They are a fun read and are often about things that I do not know much about and I learn a ton from them. Hopefully I'll be able to post a few worth reading in the future :)
Marie J. R. Apr 7, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
Bless you,,, I like this little story,,, makes a lot of sense,,,
Nancy 67 Apr 8, 2008, 12:25am EDT
Terrific story - the Catch 22 situation! I really enjoyed it, Kate!
Erin P. Apr 8, 2008, 12:48am EDT
Nice one. Again, thanks for sharing your creativity with us. Very entertaining.
David S. Apr 8, 2008, 2:51am EDT
Bon Jovi? Rock on! Fun stuff, this!
Jennifer H. Apr 8, 2008, 9:22am EDT
love the dog/peanut image... makes the whole thing
William Dotani Apr 8, 2008, 4:59pm EDT
"It's sitting there like a dog with a peanut stuck in its windpipe." What a clever line. I like the contemporary nature of this story. I certainly can relate.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Aug 22, 2008, 4:46pm EDT
Good story. I would, of course, ditch the computer and head for the concert, but that's me....

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