Flash Fiction: The Opportunist

By: Carl Papa Palmer

Jason Amalynn was the leader in his field of TV and movie special effects. His invention was a spectral prism laser projector using image reflection and light refraction to create a 3D hologram. The mirage could be created and shown most anywhere on most anything, not just as trick photography on film, but projected upon buildings, clouds and even a waterfall once.

I was in total awe of Jason as his apprentice, however felt completely betrayed when he vowed to take his technique public. That’s why I killed him.

Using only a picture of the original object, multiple objects are created, not unlike the mirror fun house. Amalynn wanted to donate this “illusion of mass” for military scenarios, multiply our troop strength, virtually surround the enemy and cause them to surrender without loss of life. His humanitarian effort would not put money in my pocket.

Being completely familiar with the equipment, it was a cinch to setup my operation, and I had the perfect location, Pier 55, Seattle Washington.

My sign read:

Alaska Cruise Special - $200

Next 3 hours Only

Sign up Today and Sail Tonight

Out in the drizzling foggy mist of Puget Sound was my cruise ship luring a growing line of suckers ready for a deal. I was racking in the dough so fast I didn’t see the police arrive or see that the sun had come out to fade my cruise ship into reality.

My biggest mistake was to believe that it always rains in Seattle.

Bio- Carl “Papa” Palmer of Old Mill Road in Ridgeway, Virginia, lives in University Place, Washington. He is retired from the military and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enjoying life now as “Papa” to his grand descendants and being a Franciscan Hospice volunteer. Carl is a Pushcart Prize and Micro Award nominee.
MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever!

Setu, April 2019