Shut In, Shut Out

SHUT IN, SHUT OUT

by

Kelvin M. Knight

This time of day was so predictable. The shutters would just be rolling up, or they would just be rolling down. Bars across the world were the same. Maleek called these times his Just Moments.

He’d had enough of these Just Moments. It wasn’t the jet lag, though that didn’t help – it was the emptiness of these moments, how they’d engraved themselves on his life until they’d worn a hole through his soul. This globetrotting would be acceptable if he was a travelling salesman on commission, but he wasn’t. He was a manager, though he wasn’t sure what he was managing anymore.

His own frustration, festering into boredom?

Too tired to consider this question, Maleek lowered his head onto the shiny counter. Reflections from those lights greeted him, too many lights, bright then dim. Dimness which made him yawn. Dimness which made him miss himself.

Whomsoever that was these days.

(150 words)

---

Message from the What Pegman Saw prompter, Karen Rawson

First a big thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s prompt. It was great seeing familiar faces and meeting new writers. Hope this week’s location proves as inspiring.

This week (01/10/17) Pegman wanders over to the ancient city of Casablanca, Morocco. Looks like this particular location was discovered by Google contributor Raiss Toufik.

I had trouble locating actual streetview in Casablanca, but if you visit the link and hover your Pegman over the map, you’ll find a number of photo spheres to inspire you. I even came across some of the interactive sort that allow you to tour a location.

The rules of the prompt are simple: write a story, 150 words or less. Will you be inspired by the past of a location? Some imagined current drama? Or will you take us to some dystopian futurescape? Your only limits are your imagination.

To enjoy stories inspired by the What Pegman Saw prompt or to submit your own 150-word story, click la’al Blue Froggy.