The pavements and plazas always swarmed with tourists – camera phones plugged into their faces, so that Edward named them ‘Pac-a-mac Cyborgs’.
On days when he saw knowledge light up one of his student’s faces, Edward walked around the backs of the picture-takers and didn’t huff at the crowds shuffling slowly past the monuments and sculptures. But other times, when his class had grasped nothing, Edward got a bitter delight in stopping to blow his nose, or pick at his teeth in between the photographers and their subjects.
Edward had already forgotten that he too had once been a tourist.
***
I’ve been ill this week so I’m a bit late with my story. But on Saturday I managed to meet my mother in London for a celebration of her 70th birthday. I walked from Waterloo to Victoria, past Westminster Abbey, and the number of tourists helped with some much needed inspiration.
This piece of writing is part of the Friday Fictioneers writing group. Each week writers from around the world attempt to write 100 words (or so) starting with a picture, this week from David Stewart.
I’d love to receive comments and constructive criticism. Click here to read other people’s stories inspired by this picture or to join in, with the group hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields.
Claire Fuller 
Hope you feel better not only today but going forward. Illness has visited my body lately and it makes everything more difficult.
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Thanks Joe. I’m definitely on the mend.
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It’s easy to forget where we have been.
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And to criticise others for things we have done ourselves…
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Claire, glad you feeling better and that you were able to celebrate your mom’s birthday with her. Congratulations to her. As for Edward (and many of us), it’s easy to remember that when we go anywhere except our home area/s, we are, in at least some sense, tourists. I sometimes have to remind myself that tourist attractions are called that for a reason–they’re things/places that attract people who are touring. If I’m not ready to deal with the crowds, I go elsewhere.
I like the image of the people having their camera phones plugged into their faces.
janet
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Thanks Janet. You’re absolutely right. I get cross with tourists in my area, but they keep the local economy going.
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very nice, life is a circle, even if we seem to forget.
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Absolutely. Thanks for commenting Bill.
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picking his teeth and blowing his nose. Such a good way to evoke disdain. nice work.
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I was wondering whether to go ruder, but it was in public… Thanks for your comments.
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A little passive aggressive that Edward.
Feel better!
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‘Passive aggressive’ – that’s a very good way to describe Edward. Thanks for reading and commenting
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Great story, we tend to forget our past when it suits us, hope for a speedy recovery.
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Thanks Bjorn, and I’m feeling much better.
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Hope you feel better, Claire.It can be really hard to feel inspired or creative when you also feel ill. Take it easy!
Happy Birthday to your mum. 🙂
I liked the story; Pac-a-mac cyborgs is a great description! 🙂
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Thanks Joanna. I’m feeling much better. Glad you enjoyed the story.
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Dear Claire,
Hope you’re on the mend. I got a kick out of cynical Edward and would love to see some of the resulting photos. Fun take on the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It would have been mean [fun] to do that in the days before digital cameras, when the delete button wasn’t so handy. Thanks for reading and commenting Rochelle.
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aha. well done. very sharp. in this line: “…one of his students’ faces, ” i think it should be student’s instead because you are referring to only one student.
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Good spot Rich, thanks for that, and for reading. Claire.
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