LODESTAR GAZETTE | LODESTAR PROMPT | FLASH FICTION
The dilemma. Science over patriotism.
Which would you choose?
Based on this prompt.
Balenca was in the garden when the letter arrived. It was a sunlit morn, the world smelled fresh and clean, the overnight rain having washed the coal dust out of the air.
The envelope bore the ministry crest, this was what I’d been waiting for. In haste, I ran to the garden. Balenca was sitting under the oaken boughs of the tree my great-grandfather had planted, his last act before death.
“Balenca,” I shouted, waving the missive, “at last, it has arrived.”
Her face lit up, we had been waiting for what seemed like an age for this. Now all we needed to know was the nature of the contents. My invention had been submitted, demonstrated and proven. If there were any such thing as justice, approval and funds to begin construction should be in this letter.
“Well?” she said, “open it. We must know if they are amenable to your suggestions.”
With trembling fingers, I ripped open the envelope. “It’s from the minister himself,” I said, “or at least his private office.”
I scanned the lines of printed text and my face fell.
“What is it?” asked Balenca, sensing my excitement evaporating.
I could not speak; I handed her the damned letter, so she could read it herself. The words were already etched in my mind.
After careful consideration, His Majesty’s Government consider your ideas to be no more than a step away from lunacy. We will therefore not countenance any suggestions that funds be provided to encourage them. Yours, etc.
She dropped the paper and took me in her arms. “You poor thing,” she whispered. “All that work, the sacrifices that you’ve made. And now this.”
I shouted in my anger. “They are the fools, not I, my theory is sound. If only they could see the benefits that would accrue to everyone. Society is ripe for change such as this will bring.”
“Be calm, for a moment and think,” she replied. “It occurs to me that vested interests in authority may be at work. Your ideas will reduce what power certain individuals have, hence they do not see your proposals so favourably.”
“This is more important than that. Just because some rich people will not become a little richer, it does not mean that progress should be stifled.”
She nodded, “I agree but there are other ways to influence change. It takes time but, we have come so far. It would be wrong to give up now.”
I thought for a moment; enough time had already been spent. I had no stomach for more rejection from those who resisted progress.
“Perhaps I should seek out those with more open minds,” I mused. “It may be that some foreign powers would be more interested in my inventions?”
“That is treason,” she said, a worried look on her face. “You are a citizen of Norlandia, you cannot help a foreign power to prosper at our nation’s expense.”
“On the contrary,” I said. “It is a matter of science. My invention is a thing for the benefit of all persons, no matter what their allegiance. Surely that fact transcends all national boundaries and thoughts of patriotism.”
“If you take that path,” she said, “then you betray our land. That I cannot countenance in a husband. Go, but do not bother to return.”
I’m Richard Dee and I write all sorts of stories. Find out more, join my mailing list and claim your free novella at
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