A Discord Forum I am in has started offering up short writing prompts. Today’s challenge was to write a 3rd person, past tense story in 200 words or less, on the theme “Extra Terrestrials visit Earth, but they’re not interested in humans.” A challenge was added to write every sentence with a unique starting word. I didn’t make the challenge, but I had fun with the prompt anyway!
The silver disc of the alien ship dropped through the clouds and hovered above the grandstand of the state fairgrounds, reflecting the light of the sun in a dazzling swirl of colors that enraptured the dumbfounded crowd below.
A beam of light shot from the center to land on the stage, sending the band members and roadies scurrying to hide behind sound equipment or grabbing mic stands in self defend. Five tall, elegantly robed figures emerged from the light. Their crystalline blue eyes looked out across the crowd dispassionately.
Cameras flashed and tv personalities held their breath, waiting for the first words of their otherworldly visitors. The town mayor eased her way forward and tried to smile. “We-welcome to earth! Have you come to bring us enlightenment?”
Local state police held their rifles at the ready just in case.
The leader turned a disdainful look to her. “enlightenment? For humans?” It sniffed. “Of course not.” It moved to the side as a red convertible with a beat up mannequin in the seat suddenly appeared in the light stream. “We have come to return to you your garbage. Please refrain from cluttering up the galaxy travel lanes
with your unsightly trash.”
This story was inspired by Elon Musk’s Starman, the red roaster with a mannequin in a white spaceX suit that he launched into space in 2018.
