PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
“Dad?” Rod turned to his front door as his Dad Frank walked in. He was expecting him to bring the pumpkin pie, but the old man had something else.
“Happy Thanksgiving, son,” said Frank. “Where are Holly and the kids?”
“Kitchen and the backyard respectively.” Rod’s mouth was agape. “What’s that on your face?”
“These glasses?” Frank chuckled and looked around the living room.
“What was your ophthalmologist thinking?”
“Ever see the movie ‘They Live,’ Rod?”
“Yeah, but…”
“I can see you’re real. I just want to make sure about the rest of my family.”
“You’re off your meds, right?”
It’s Wednesday and time again to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ 28 November 2025 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image up top as the prompt for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
It didn’t take me long after seeing Roger’s glasses to think of the 1988 John Carpenter film They Live! starring Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. It’s the sort of film that challenges your perception of reality and what’s important in life. It also highlights how victimized we are by marketing, even when we don’t realize it.
Cover art for the anthology “Fantastic Schools Familiars”
I even managed to work in Thanksgiving, which in the U.S. is tomorrow (as I write this). Maybe Frank’s off his medication or maybe he and his ophthalmologist are onto something.
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
Fantastic Schools Familiars is available at Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. It contains my short story “Dead Cat Fever.” If you like fantasy stories about all manner of animal and other familiars serving (or not serving) masters and amateurs of the occult, this one’s for you.
In addition to my latest science fiction novel being accepted for publication, another short novelette was just picked up (I haven’t signed the contract yet, so I can’t give out details) which is exciting.
Plus, I’m still editing my fantasy novel diligently to make it submission ready. I’ve read the first two chapters to my ten-year-old granddaughter and she likes it so far. I’m encouraged.
2026 should be a lot of fun.
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I had to look up the movie! Wonderful, James!
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Thanks. You should really watch it.
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Adding it to my list!
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That’s an iconic film, James. Also includes “the bloodiest buddy battle.” Shepard Fairey built a clothing line and more about the fonts in the film. Obeyclothing.com
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Didn’t know that last part. Thanks.
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You’re welcome. He is a graffiti artist and was putting his stuff all over the place. There’s a doc on him out there somewhere.
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Some glasses!
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If you saw the movie, you’d understand, Neil.
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Think I’ll check out the film this weekend, good stuff
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You won’t be disappointed. Thanks.
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Great story. Thanks for the film recommendation. Will check it out.
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Thanks, Will.
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I am going to look up that movie. Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds intriguing, just like your story. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading it. Cool twist at the end.
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Thank you.
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Great film – great story🙌
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Thanks. Glad you liked it (them).
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i’d never seen the movie. thanks for the heads up! 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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great story and I will check out the movie They Live – also, we just watched the Netflix doc called “buy now” and they highlight so many things related to being “victimized we are by marketing” and have good info on planned obsolescence and also making things “not fixable” and how the manufacturers often try to seal areas (like for a simple battery change) so folks have to buy new. One guy, an engineer, now feels guilty for doing that and wants to help raise awareness
I will keep you posted if I get a chance to see They Live
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Yeah, I’ve been aware of planned obsolescence for a while now. I think you’ll enjoy the movie. Thanks.
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thx
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A good tale!
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Thanks, Chris.
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Maybe it’s not appropriate, given the serious theme, but this made me laugh out loud.
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The “off your meds” part was meant to be funny. Thanks.
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Ha! Clever story. Great film.
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Thanks. So far, you’re one of the few people here who have seen it.
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Oh, I like this, James. Good movie, too. Rowdy Roddy Piper!
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Thanks, Nancy. It’s nice to know other people have seen the film too.
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I sincerely hope I do not live long enough to see this become a reality! What a great concept for a story though.
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Thanks, Violet.
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I haven’t seen it. Is that the movie that originated the line, “I’m here to kick and chew gum, and I’m all out of bubble gum?”
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That’s the one.
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