Observations of The Urban Spaceman 
Ruse [Flash Fiction] #writephoto
The group of histourists moved closer together as Clancy Deville led them along a familiar path through the ruins. As he walked, he pointed out features he knew would impress, and waited patiently as they snapped shots with their ocular visors. As soon as they got back to a stable extranet connection, those snaps would be sent back to Ceti Alpha and Terra Minor, where envious family members would soon be booking their own once-in-a-lifetime trips to see a little piece of history.
“Look over here,” said Clancy, directing the group off the beaten track towards a derelict house. He gestured to an elaborate iron door knocker, now green with age and weather, clinging precariously to the ancient wooden door. “This was how our ancestors announced their arrival at the home of their host. The gruesome countenance of this fellow was said to ward away evil spirits.”
A few of the group chuckled over the foolish superstition. “Oh look!” one woman cooed. She pointed to the plant that had adhered to the wall. Clancy was particularly proud of that one; it had taken several attempts to coax the ivy to grow up the trellis. It wasn’t so much cheating as adding authenticity. These people had paid good money to see ancient Earth, and he had overheads to cover.
“Yes,” he nodded, injecting gravity into his voice. “Nature is reclaiming the Earth. Soon, these ruins will be nothing more than forests and nesting sites for birds. It’s good that you came now, before it’s all gone. Now, who’d like to take a picture of themselves standing by the knocker?”
Clancy smiled as hands shot into the air. There had never been a more profitable time to be a histoury guide.
Today’s flash fiction hits two prompts. The first is Sue Vincent’s #writephoto prompt for this week. Please check out the other awesome contributions which will soon come pouring in to her site. The featured image is also by Sue.
The second is the BlogBattle prompt, Ruse.
Glorken
The Urban Spaceman
Observations of The Urban Spaceman 
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Pingback: Ruse [Flash Fiction] by The Urban Spaceman #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
Great take on the prompt and I love the details and how natural it feels. I think Earth will abide and wipe out every sign of us. Hopefully, we will have another place to live before that happens. 🙂
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Nature (and life) is remarkably resilient. I definitely think the world will still be here when we’re gone to our new home in the stars (or the way of the dinosaurs) 😉
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Me too. 🙂
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“Histourists.” Nice.
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Thanks, James! I took a cue from “eco-tourists” and figured if we can make a tourist industry out of ecology, we’ll one day make it out of history, too.
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Good story. I need a door knocker like this.
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Thanks. I think we all need a door knocker like that.
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Well, it’s about time nature reclaims the Earth, is all I’m saying :p
A well-written story, TUS. I liked the elements of humor you weaved throughout, which helped to balance the seriousness of the situation you described.
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Glad you’re on the Nature cheerleading squad! 🙂 Did you ever watch the film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (or read the manga it was based on)? That was kinda the inspiration for this story, though the jungle was a little less toxic.
Thoroughly awesome film, if you haven’t seen it!
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No, but I’m putting it on my to-watch list! Thanks for the recommendation 😀
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No probs, I hope you love it as much as I do! 🙂
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Glad to hear the plants will be reclaiming the earth…they deserve it!
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I know, right? Plants are pretty damn awesome. They deserve to inherit the Earth.
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Short and sweet and fun: enjoyed it!
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I really like this one…though not so much the premise when it is already so close to reality…
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Merci and beaucoup. I know what you mean; sometimes it feels like we’re one step away from ruination. I have a feeling future archaeologists won’t consider us favourably when they look back at our century.
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The odd thing is that we have achieved so much and yet failed, I think, to adjust to ur own possibilities.
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Definitely. One step forward and two steps back… all the time. 😐
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But we still manage to progress, albeit slowly.
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