Saturday, April 16, 2011

Hashtaged Out.

The prompt  over at Write Anything  this week looks at what the world might be if Facebook REALLY took over. 

As always, this is in first draft format.

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The holographic text above Ethan’s head shimmered and faded as he changed his status to private.  No need letting workmates know how hungover he was or how much he hated slaving his hours in those cubicles. He eased his way past the kitchen, keeping his head slightly bowed so that he wouldn’t catch the eyes of the other office drones; so he wouldn’t be forced to look at their perky status updates, click the like button or worse yet, make some sort of socially acceptable comment.

“Yo Ethan, check out Lisas latest photos. One of your ex’s is tagged in one of them too.” Nathan’s lanky frame extended out into the corridor.  “Hey you  #looklikecrap. #TGIF huh?”
Ethan nodded, looking about to see where his supervisor was. Nathan grinned, “I’m ahead of you. She’s tagged and checked in at the conference room doing a presentation.” Nathan’s forehead furrowed as his fingers flew over the tiny palm held controller. “Looks like most of the #bigwigs are in there as well.”
Ethan plonked himself down on a spare seat and pulled out his PHC, staring into the holographic photos Lisa had just posted up. “Why can’t I pull her profile up? I’ve followed the tag link.”
“She probably unfreinded you when you guys broke up.” Nathan shrugged.
“Who does that? Just because we don’t go out together any more doesn’t mean she has to be so rude as to unfriend me. That spiteful bitch.”
“Its about the only freedom we have anymore with #FB. Maybe she was #tryingtomakeapoint ?” Nathan continued to click and tap, bringing further holographic screens up around him.
“Do you mind?  Can you stop tweeting our conversations?” Ethan waved his hands ineffectually through the pale glow of the images around Nathan.
“Geeze Ethan. Ya showing your age. #getwiththeprogram.”
Pushing himself up from the seat, Ethan towered over Nathan, “Ya know, I never understood unfreinding someone before. But you’re annoying enough to be my first.”
Ethan pushed a button to the side of Nathans face. “Now I don’t need to put up with your stupid hashtags and inane dribble any longer. You’ve invaded my space long enough.”
Nathan rocked back on his chair. “Ya know - you could have just edited the settings; just got less from my feed.  Its #prettyharsh. #lifesucks”.




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This is a first draft.



PROMPT: Set your story where Facebook institutions have been integrated into the norm  This prompt was sparked by a FB discussion–so have fun with it!

Story inspired by the [Fiction Friday] prompt at Write Anything  and submitted to JM Strother’s #FridayFlash via Twitter. 

This story will be recorded and posted up for Spoken Sunday via Audio Boo at a later stage.


6 comments:

Sam said...

A great story, but what a horrible thought - Facebook integrated so closely into everyday life. *shudders*

Unknown said...

Amusing take, I like the hangover guy trying to keep his life private during work without as much success as he would like. FB taking over everything so we are stuck and it nearly runs their everyday lives to the point of a rebel being "unfriending", very nice.

Unknown said...

thanks everyone. scary thing is that I don't think we are too far from this - maybe not the holographic screens - but the ease at which we pick and choose 'friends' and access to the internet on our phones etc...

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love the idea of Twitter being linked to fb and holographic screens. Or should I say I hate the idea. You're right- It's worrying how potentially close a world like this is.

AidanF said...

Fun piece. I particularly like the cutting assessment of "Its about the only freedom we have anymore with #FB."

Theresa Milstein said...

Hello fellow sub. Thanks for participating in the contest for a cause.

You have so many blogs listed! I'm glad I chose this one to follow.