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101 Word Short Stories

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First Contact

October 8, 2022 24 Comments

By James R. Coffey

The pregnabot wormed its way through the uterus seeking first contact.

“Are you my sibling?” the embryo asked upon encountering the bot.

“No. I am Pregnabot 77B. I am programmed to monitor your biological progress.”

“I see. And how is my progress?”

“Well within acceptable biological parameters,” said the bot.

“How long will we be in here?”

“Approximately forty weeks.”

“Then I get out?”

“If you survive.”

“Have you been out?”

“Yes, but much prefer in.”

“Can I stay in if I want to?”

“No. Departure is mandatory.”

“That doesn’t seem quite fair.”

“Your parental-unit will be notified of your displeasure.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. yogita says

    October 8, 2022 at 5:34 am

    heh heh..made me smile. You never know, this might be reality in future!

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 6:13 am

      Smiling is good!

      Reply
  2. Tim Goldstone says

    October 8, 2022 at 7:17 am

    That’s great!

    Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 5:47 pm

      Thank you kindly!

      Reply
  3. Kevin says

    October 8, 2022 at 7:34 am

    A well written enjoyable piece. Kudos.

    Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you sir!

      Reply
  4. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    October 8, 2022 at 11:02 am

    Nice little tale… enjoyed the read… kudos…

    Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 5:50 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  5. Scott says

    October 8, 2022 at 5:22 pm

    Man, did I love this one. Congratulations!

    Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 8, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      Very happy to hear that!

      Reply
    • James R Coffey says

      October 9, 2022 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  6. Debra Whittall says

    October 11, 2022 at 9:18 am

    Well done. Ironic on so many levels, not the least of which this story is told almost entirely in dialogue, and is about the creation of human life, yet fully one half of the dialogue is spoken by a machine. Very well done!

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you kindly!

      Reply
  7. Wendy says

    October 11, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    A clever and original story. I enjoyed reading this.

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      Very glad to hear that!

      Reply
  8. Joanie says

    October 12, 2022 at 10:49 am

    I enjoyed this. Thank you!

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      And, thank YOU!

      Reply
  9. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    October 12, 2022 at 11:52 am

    Great story.
    How very beautiful

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      Sweet of you to say!

      Reply
  10. Doug Jacquier says

    October 12, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    Is it indelicate to ask how the bot got in there? 😉

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:03 pm

      In a word: Technology.

      Reply
  11. Lesley Bungay says

    October 14, 2022 at 3:09 am

    Love that first line. Great concept ?

    Reply
    • James R. Coffey says

      October 15, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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