The Library at Emmetsville had been
the center of this small New England town since the 18th Century. Folks from
far and wide congregated there to read, learn, and discuss ideas.
But in the early 21st Century most
people stayed home, glued to the Internet. And after a number of cutbacks, it
was decided the library would close.
Then a massive virus struck the Internet,
wiping out half of all the books ever written, over 80% of existing cat videos,
and dinner reservations at Olive Gardens nationwide.
Confidence in the Internet
extinguished, people turned back to books and the Library once more became the
center of Emmetsville. And the Internet, well, there would always need to
be a home for cat videos.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So a computer virus saves the books of the world. Great! But most importantly, if you have a reservation at Olive Garden anywhere in the United States, it also saves you!
That's the story today according to my Friday Fictioneers response to the prompt above. The responses of the many other Fictioneers are available by clicking here, so please click away and then how about we meet over at the Library at Emmetsville to discuss them?
AND NO, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR CAT VIDEOS!
Three cheers for the Emmetsville Library Revival!
ReplyDeleteAnd three cheers for that virus too!
DeleteSounds like the beginning of a cyberpunk novel- invaluable knowledge getting lost in a place where you're supposed to be able to find anything. There's some fantastic dramatic irony in that.
ReplyDeleteGood suggestion! Cyberpunk be me! And thanks for writing.
DeleteHey, don't knock the cat videos. They're often the cream of the output on internet. :) Good one Perry.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Sandra. That's the sad thing - they are often the cream of the internet. Hold the cream for me!
DeleteI'm with Randy! Hip hip horay!
ReplyDeleteThank you and Randy! Wish I were hip hip too.
DeleteLove it. If only, if only.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish the internet would go away and things return to the way they used to be. But I certainly wouldn't want to go back to typewriters.
DeleteNooo, not the poor car videos :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny story, but it could happen... a cautionary tale to all those who want to close our libraries down.
Yep, keep the libraries open, cut down on the cat videos, and all's well.
DeleteI think one might even start to enjoy the real cats.. I think the printed word will always be needed..
ReplyDeleteTrue. I just hope the printed word will be somewhere other than on the side of my Coco Krispies box.
DeleteI wonder if that virus originated in the Emmetsville Library. Who knows what latent talents the memberrs of the Tuesday Morning Book Club might have? Great story.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of that. Great job, Madame or Mr. Librarian!
DeleteWhatever it takes... save the libraries!
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Dawn. I'm on it!
DeleteCat Videos ... Internet ... Cat Videos ... Internet
ReplyDeleteHey, I thought they were one in the same.
They are, Mike. And everyone who posts a cat video assumes that you and I love their cats every bit as much as they do. Which of course we do!
DeleteDear Perry,
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the puppy videos to go with the cat videos. Oh, and then there are fifty Thanksgiving turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie snapshots. (I live for those).
There's no substitute for the library. Good job.
shalom,
Rochelle
Oy, did I say fifty...I meant fifty thousand on Facebook.
DeleteMaybe I just blocked out the turkey snapshots. Thanks heavens for the Friday Fictioneers or there'd be nothing of substance around here!
DeleteDear Perry,
ReplyDeleteYour dystopian future is closer to reality than you think. Funny and prescient do not often go together but this week, in The Library at Emmetsville, they do. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you, Doug. Meet you there by the vending machine. If they have one.
DeleteThe Emmetsville Public Library is wonderful - they did it! Now all they need is a cape and some masks for their members. This is so flippin funny Perry! You made me laugh again! I like the cat videos but, I've never made reservations at Olive Garden online. Good story and finally relief for our pent up hostility toward cats (personally, I like doggies better, but they are so dumb! Have a good week oh, and there are 4 vending machines in the break room. Nan :)
ReplyDeleteYou just like the library because that's where all the spinsters hang out that you hit on. I can just hear your pick-up line, "Hey baby, wanna get together and write our own romance novel?"
ReplyDeleteIsn't the internet the only reason people go to the library anymore? LOL
ReplyDeleteFun stuff here, Perry. What would we do without all those darling kitty vids?
Cheers!
Marie Gail
Lovely write ... and hopefully we don't need to wipe out Internet to keep our books ... :-/
ReplyDelete