Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Al Forbes (A Mixed Bag) for providing this week’s challenging photo.
Sell any papers today, old man?
Nah… who buys newspapers anymore? The only thing they are good for is lining a bird cage.
As the boys took their jabs at Joe, owner of the last newsstand, he knew they were right. Print news was a modern-day dinosaur. Facebook delivered news faster and Twitter didn’t waste time with too many words. Joe represented a past they no longer cared to remember: a time when news was delivered on your doorstep, not your iPhone; when reporters investigated first instead of apologizing later.
Joe never gave up hope, however. One day, the readers would return. Until then, let the boys have their fun.
The jangle of cell phones interrupted today’s game.
“Another school shooting!”
“Says here, the shooter was ISIS!”
“No, they were Russians!”
Joe noticed one of the boys with a furrowed brow holding back.
This is it, thought Joe.
“Hey man, give me one of those newspapers.”
“It’s not going to tell you anything about that school shooting,” said Joe. “You’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s edition.”
“That’s OK. Maybe by then they will have the story straight.”
The Revolution had begun.
Redbuds and Roserocks 
Would that this were true. Maybe one day. Well written Susan.
There is always hope Iain. Thanks!
Well done. Maybe one day newspapers and magazines will come back.
I have to admit the story is a bit strange for me to write since I rarely read either. I am an online news reader; however, where I think we miss the mark is not vetting the information we get and accepting it on face value. A newspaper or print medium does provide a way of slowing down the process so that not everything is reported before it is deemed true. Thanks for your comment!
That’s a lovely dream indeed, and one which just might come true with all the outrage surrounding Fake News and hoaxes on online platforms.
Unfortunately, most people only read the news that fits their world view, so whether it is on-line or newsprint, i am not sure it makes a difference. I do like the idea of slowing down and not being drowned in a sea of news stories. I have been a news junkie and doing my best to kick that habit. Thanks for your comment Anurag.
It often appears that most thing come round again, I enjoyed this story.
I glad you did Michael. Thanks for commenting
Good story, Susan!
Thanks Sasha!