Death by chemistry lesson is a subject dear to my heart as I did, in fact, nearly die from a chemistry lesson once. Not, as you might imagine, from the chemicals or other laboratorial hazzards, but from sheer boredom.
This week the 100 word challenge has stretched to 150 words to accommodate the extra needed for dialogue. I've discounted the prompt: Are you sure it should be that colour? as instructed. I've also not counted the two names of my interlocutors as they are purely functionary. Click on Julia to read the other entries.
Lara: I hate this.
Computer: Is there-an-adult-present
Lara: They're out so let's just get on with it.
Computer: I-repeat-is-there-an-adult-present
Lara: Okay, my mum's here.....[whispers] not.
Computer: There-are-two-cups-in-the-kit-one-contains-deadly-acid-the-other-an-alkaline-solution
Lara: Yeah, yeah.
Computer: Take-two-strips-of-litmus-paper-dip-one-strip-into-each-cup
Lara: So what do I need the other strip for?
Computer: Miscomprehension-repeat-instruction
Lara: Sorry, no time. [clicks 'next']
Computer: The-acid-shows-pink-the-alkaline-solution-shows-blue
Lara: Hmmm what colour is this?!
Computer: Drink-the-alkaline-solution-to-prove-the-litmus-test-is-accurate
Lara: No clue, it's all one muddy colour.
Computer: Abort-experiment-immediately
Lara: And forgo my final grade? Not likely. [clicks 'next']
Computer: Are-you-sure-it-should-be-that-colour [blue light flashes]
Lara: Stop flashing, dirty old computer [drinks one solution]
Computer: Are-you-sure It-should-be-that-colour [blue light flashes] Are-you-sure
lol, I think I might like reading your blog more often.
ReplyDeletelol hilarious I love this x
ReplyDeleteWow that was quick HonieBuk. I shall enjoy having you over as much as you like. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery intriguing, love this! The 100 word challenge sounds fab, definitely creativity in constraint!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, very good. I found chemistry boring too and dropped it at the earliest opportunity, but my eldest is studying a Masters in it! Didn't get his interest from me then!
ReplyDeleteSusan you slipped in while I was replying to Honie. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Res - why don;t you join in?
Nikki - Good to know my academic preferences (half-days, holidays, and teachers' strikes) won't necessarily be passed on to DD ;)
This is awful scary -- and awful funny!
ReplyDeleteI chose a science theme for mine too! Maybe the scariest aspect of this is the computer as the thing administering the test...
ReplyDeleteSparks and Colin - I agree, the lack of real comunication when you are dealing with a computer is frightening, especially as we have to do so more and more.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha love this one. Funny and scary together. Horrible thought that a computer really could administer this type of thing. Well written.
ReplyDeleteOoh, a catastrophe! Love the computerspeak, at the end I almost expected it to say "computer says no, computer says no" (from Little Britain). Scarey post. Polly x
ReplyDeleteAnna - it's just a matter of time...
ReplyDeletePolly - Little Britain? Wash your mouth out ;)
Sounds a bit like some of the chem classes I have taken (and failed)! :)
ReplyDeleteOops, maybe we should listen to the computer. A clever and witty piece.
ReplyDeleteTaochild - yes chemistry was not my finest hour.
ReplyDeleteTheotheralig - intersting point of view. Everyone has focused on the problems of computers giving instructions but you have pointed out thaat the computer was actually right and the human was wrong. Hmmmm...
I love the way you have interpreted the challenge. I hope this isn't a taste of things to come, though.
ReplyDeleteDughall - Thank you ans I hope not either, speaking as a teacher, a mother, and a human being.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a little adult supervision is a good thing. Love the title of the piece!
ReplyDeletePerfect. Litmus. Can't quite believe this appeared just now...but of course I can. So funny (not the piece, the synchronicity)... :)
ReplyDeleteBill - thank you for your understated common sense, but try telling that to a teenager :)
ReplyDeleteJane - And the piece, surely? :)
Very funny! Great idea the 100/150 word challenge. I must give it a try sometime...
ReplyDeletexx Jazzy
Please join Jazzy - it's a lot of fun and you have a great turn of phrase.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the prompt!
ReplyDeleteFantastic take on the prompt, Love the Sci-fi/futuristic element. I so hope this is not what's in store for the children of the future.
ReplyDeleteLove the take on following directions and using a literal character, Robin
ReplyDeleteFrom GSussex
ReplyDeleteThought this was brilliant! Love Science and technology so it worked well of he. Loved the attitude and humour!
Thanks guys, it was a fun one wasn't it - after the solemnity of last week. xxx
ReplyDeleteMy chemistry teacher was mean to me - I dropped it and did double Biology instead!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Just brilliant! I love the tone of the piece and the idea is soi clever. You have the syntax and vocabulary just right for a computer yet managed to create a relationship between them. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julia - you know I wait for your comment as I really value your opinion when it comes to writing. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was great, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete