Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write in the SCIENCE FICTION genre (05/10/07)
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TITLE: Baying at the Moons | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilee Alvey
05/16/07 -
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Everyone knew that to host a retro film simply required a player, movie screen and someone to press “play.” A once joy-filled ministry had become pure drudgery. Minor had successfully inhibited all ideas of the “core team,” as he called his appointed minions. However, Minor continued to send his verbose, inflammatory daily podcasts. He was, by his own description, “the point man” of the operation.
The toughest team position was that of the popcorn poppers, easily identified by the burn marks on their arms corresponding to the iron kettle that allowed them to serve up buckets of old-fashioned popcorn. Minor’s job consisted of strutting like a Pinou plumed whippet from planet Avion as he welcomed all terrestrial guests to his show. Finally, he would stroll up to the front and issue a formal welcome, basking in a spotlight that shown brighter than planet Citroucine’s fifth star. Meanwhile, the popcorn crew was to continue popping and were warned never to even stick their heads out to greet guests.
Didactic sat down at a table in the Cyber Cafe. Pushing a button, he ordered some black stimulant. The carafe popped up immediately. Within minutes, Minor sauntered in and, after pumping a few arms in greeting, slid into his seat.
“Minor,” Didactic began. “would you mind if we opened in prayer?”
“Certainly not!”
“Heavenly Father, maker of galaxies beyond our comprehension, help our talk remain respectful and make us worthy of being called your sons. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“What’s up, Didactic?”
“Minor, about your operation of the movie ministry….”
“Yes?”
“Working in the popcorn concessions is very demanding. It’s hot and dangerous. All of us are burning out, almost literally. I suggest that we rotate our positions.”
“Didactic, let me make this perfectly clear: I will ALWAYS greet. I will ALWAYS welcome. I have instituted new procedures in the popcorn area. I want every box, every cup, every popcorn packet counted, all currency carefully recorded, and, when all is done I want four people to sign off on it, no two from one family.”
“You want us to count ice cubes, too?” Didactic joked, but Minor’s scowl silenced him.
“When we come to perform our “mission” each evening, I want to know that each position is covered, and who is there. There will be NO rotation.”
“Minor, certainly you don’t see this as the proper way to run a Christian ministry?”
“On the contrary: we have to be absolutely certain that everything we do reflects positively on our Church of the Blessed Consternation. We must be totally transparent and above reproach, hence my new procedures.”
“But, Minor, you’ve built a dictatorship…”
“Every group has to have a leader, Didactic. I am only fulfilling the vision that God gave me on that October night. Surely you’re not suggesting that I alter God’s vision?”
Didactic tossed some drakmas on the counter, then silently walked out. Gazing at the sky and the seven moons of Seldon, he wondered at the hopelessness of it all: a ministry that had been reaching many, with rottenness at its core.
“This would be a perfect time for the Rapture, Lord,” he said as he slid, once again, behind the controls of his MetaCruiser, wearily steering a path toward home.
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Unfortunately, I think that fits some ministries around today. Well done.