FF – Cutbacks
Here is my contribution to Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Ted Strutz.

Copyright Ted Strutz
“So. Judgement Day.”
“Yeah. So this is death. I was expecting a bright light rather than an escalator.”
“Cutbacks, I guess.”
“I haven’t always been the best person. There was that speeding ticket. I swore at that little old lady…”
“I’m sure that won’t count against you.”
“…and then there’s all those people I murdered in the 70’s.”
“Whaaa… you’ll be on the way back down, mate. Here we are. Ooh, a questionnaire. No judgement by angels?”
“More cutbacks? A-ha! ‘Question 7: Did you murder anyone in the 70’s?’ I’ll tick ‘no’. And I’m in! Gotta love the cutbacks!”
Categories: Fiction
flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers
I’m sure there’s a huge database and an algorithm. It will fail to correctly identify people of colour
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I fear you’re right. Why should it be any different up there?
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Reminds me of the Visa questionnaires you get ‘Are you, or have you ever been, a Communist?’ – I mean does anyone really tick ‘yes’ to admit to these things? Still, expected better standards from the Almighty!
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I think he delegated the whole thing to that fool Gabriel…
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This is hilarious! I guess background checks have gone by the wayside as well. 😀
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Who has the time and money for that? I’m sure the majority were upstanding citizens 🙂
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I think these days all they have to do is check your Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/etc… feed.
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Judgement for the modern age…
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Love your take on the prompt. Lot of truth in that too. A friend took this photo and I liked it knowing some good stories would come. You can see her work here… https://instaology.com/
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So much automation – cheaper than manpower but not always as efficient despite what “they” say…
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I’ve just read that they are ceasing the escalator service next year. More cut backs!
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Oh great. That’s a lot of stairs!
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i guess he’s ok for now until they find out later. 🙂
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Yes, he’s in for a rude awakening , I’m sure!
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Lol love it!
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Thanks 🙂
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Cutbacks – is no institution safe? Fun take and I’m thinking he might eventually be found out…. or not.
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Maybe he’ll run into one of his victims and they’ll shop him 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Something tells me the angels already have his number. They might be giving him a chance to fess up. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You could be right. I’m sure there’s some sort of overwatch going on!
Ali
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Haha! A funny story with a nugget of truth at its heart.
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Let’s hope it’s not really like that when we arrive. Or maybe… 😉
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Reminds me of the questionnaires that are so prevalent now to weed out “unqualified” applicants. Why shouldn’t Heaven take a leaf from our book?
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Why not indeed? After all, no-one ever “stretches the truth” on these things 🙂
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Just wait until he finds out the cutbacks have affected heaven as well. His eternal reward will be a small hotel room with lumpy bed and a tiny, tiny bathroom. Check out time…. never,
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You think he’s getting a bed?
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Well, if the rats will be kind enough to share their nest…
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Haha just like life! Made me chuckle.
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At least everything up there will be somewhat familiar 🙂
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I’ll remember this when I’m on the way up! Nice one.
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Yep, a little tip for everyone there!
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I enjoyed this immensely, Ali, it seems that even I might have a chance!
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As long as we all remember to tick the right boxes we’re all in!
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MOL…I think it’s funny, Draliman😸Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend🐾😽💞
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You have a happy weekend too 🙂
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Thankfully I was just a kid back in the 70’s! The 90’s…well, I still didn’t do it! Innocent!
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It wasn’t me either, honest guv!
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The inevitable tick in the box auto selection.
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Life’s just a box-ticking exercise and it doesn’t stop at death, apparently.
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I love the casual way they talk about heaven and the day of reckoning. The cut back theme made me laugh, very topical.
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One would hope it would be different up there, but apparently not 🙂
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Great take on the photo. Damn those cutbacks, completely the wrong sort getting into heaven these days.
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The screening process has all gone to pot. Very disheartening!
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I also think somewhere there’s a database that handles entry. It could also be a trick to see if you lie. It’s probably run like the airports and you get pulled out and taken to a room for a more thorough interrogation. 😀 — Suzanne
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Presumably, after the interrogation there’s a handy trapdoor to help them get to their ultimate destination without delay 🙂
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I think I’d prefer a ladder to a trap door. One goes up and the other goes down. —- Suzanne
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I think the question implies the all knowing. I think he’s goin’ back down, cutbacks or no. Entertaining as always, Ali!
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Yes, it was oddly specific, wasn’t it? 🙂
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Creative story unlike the tick boxes which are miserable things,
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They certainly are.
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Even heaven is not safe from cutbacks… or murderers! 😉
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They’re everywhere!
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Apparently so!
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When you think of it, world population has increased explosively the latest decades. Hard to keep track of all the sins for sure. Stay low and you’ll be safe.
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There’s just too many to properly screen these days.
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Well the 70’s were a different time, they might overlook it. Best of luck! 😉
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Anything goes in the 70’s!
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I was just watching some old commercials from the 70’s on youtube…wow…what a different time!
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With all the fear taught about judgement day, it was nice to see something whimsical. Thanks for the post.
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Yes, possibly not as bad as we think, though it does look like they’ll let anyone in these days. I’m glad you liked it!
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