2023 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 25
Write a piece of flash fiction each day of February with the February Flash Fiction Challenge, led by editor Moriah Richard. Each day, receive a prompt, example story, and write your own. Today’s prompt is to write about the last human in a profession.
I've been thinking more about AI and the fear of non-human intelligences taking over for humans in different jobs.
For today’s prompt, write about the last human in a profession.
Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.
(Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue. Fingers crossed there are no tech hiccups!)
Here’s my attempt at a story about last human in a profession:
The Last Human Grocery Clerk
Our town was a nowhere place, not even worth pulling off the highway to stop for gas. But when Mr. Henderson became the last human grocery store cashier, people started coming by. Even just to buy a pack of gum or some car snacks, they lined up at his counter to marvel at his wrinkled hands and shaky smile.
“Lovely day for a drive, eh?” he would say, and for a moment, they’d feel seen in a way that the robot counters couldn’t replicate.
“Why aren’t they all people?” I overheard one child ask.
“Um…probably convenience, sweetheart,” his mother said.
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.
