PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
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“You’re sure it’s not dangerous.” Linda stood slightly behind her husband Jerry as he looked down at the greenish-glowing pitcher and four glasses.
“They’re a collector’s item, Lin. I got them for a great price. They’re pre-World War Two.” The middle-aged accountant beamed with pride at his own self-perceived cleverness.
“You’re not actually going to use them, are you?” Linda took a step back.
“Most uranium glass only has about two percent of the mineral by weight.”
“You said it registers on a Geiger counter. Why a good price?”
“Oh, because of the death curse, but that’s just old superstition.”
It’s Wednesday and once again time to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 20 September 2024 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image as the inspiration for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
As it turns out Uranium glass is a real thing. I don’t recall hearing about it before. It’s not commonly made today so most of these items are now considered antiques or retro-era collectables. Hence Jerry scoring a deal on his collectables.
Uranium glass, even with weights up to 25% are considered harmless and only mildly radioactive. I had to think of something to punch up the tale a bit, so this set is cursed.
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
My short story “The Other Place” is currently available in the Raconteur Press anthology The Super Generation both in paperback and Kindle formats.
My wee tale “Wraiths” is now available in issue 13 of SciFanSat in viewing (I have trouble getting this one to behave), ePub download. and PDF.
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I was a bit startled to see my name, and even more when I saw what I thought was “Terry.” Looked again and saw it clearly. Jerry 🙂
A death curse would seem to me to be a very good reason to avoid those tumblers and the flowery pitcher. Maybe Jerry likes to live dangerously.
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He thinks it’s just a superstition and Linda’s a really common name. Glad you liked it.
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“Linda” was very common when I was born, but not so much nowadays. Most of the Lindas I know are within 10 years or so of my age. The actress Linda Darnell was probably the reason for the popularity of the name.
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What better way to explain the illness that befalls the users? It couldn’t be that the radioactive glass *is* harmful, could it? After reading The Radium Girls, hell naw, keep it away from me.
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I’ve heard of the “radium girls” as well, but the two situations are quite different, at least officially. There is even jewelry made of uranium glass.
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James, I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this matter. Yes, uranium and radium are two separate substances but both are radioactive. Two situations are different but similar enough to convince me to stay away from both.
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Yeah, I wouldn’t drink from vintage glassware said to have a death curse…maybe he really doesn’t want Linda to touch his prized find.
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That’s a thought, but I believe Jerry would want to show off his acquisition by featuring it at a small dinner party or family event.
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Fun story, and nice last line. Personally, I think I’d stay away from those!
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As well you should, Angela. Thanks.
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i suppose the set should only be for display and not used to serve drinks. 🙂
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Just an old superstition? I think I’ll pass!
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Superstitions have roots. Good piece.
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Thanks, Rob.
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Great little tale, James!
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Thanks, Rosemary.
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LOL, yes the death curse has to be the culprit, no way there is a scientific explanation, Great tale.
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This was good.
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Thanks, Dawn.
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