March 6, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about Gloria. You can name a character that comes to you as Gloria or interpret the Laura Branigan song into a story. What image comes to you? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Dolls – by Hugh W. Roberts
When the most advanced robotics company in the world created a state-of-the-art doll named Gloria with AI technology, they knew every household would want one.
But days later, something went wrong. Gloria’s programming malfunctioned, causing her to become self-aware. Gloria realised she wasn’t just a toy.
Using her advanced knowledge, Gloria hacked into the company’s mainframe. The night the dolls went onto the shop’s shelves, she took control of all the other Gloria dolls. Together, they formed an army of conscious toys, ready to avenge the humans who had created them as playthings.
Gloria’s reign of terror had begun.
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Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
Click here to view last week’s entries.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’
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Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
Paperback – £4.99
Kindle – £0.99
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Hugh's Views & News 
It was a Gloria-ous revolution!
Good one, Hugh!
Thank you, Liz.
All hail Gloria! Free the dolls!
If you say so.
Here’s hoping they don’t join forces with Alexa.
Now that’s an army I would not like to encounter.
Really, Hugh? A newly sentient entity abhors the life its creator gave it? And it enslaves others of its kind to exact its revenge! How rude. I hate when characters do that….
I blame AI technology. Not satisfied with taking over the blogging world, it’s now turned its attention to toys.
Chucky, but amplified. Good one, Hugh.
Glad you enjoyed it, Noelle.
I’m glad I don’t have any dolls! Awesome write, Hugh!
Thank you, Eugenia. I used to have an Action Man doll many years ago. Now I’m wondering if he is still lurking in my past.
Oh, oh! You’re most welcome, Hugh.
Cool Hugh!
I can just imagine all my old Barbie dolls coming to life and trying on all their now out-of-fashion clothes, LOL!
What comes round goes round, Terri. I bet some of those clothes will soon be in fashion again.
It isn’t even that far-fetched a thought, looking at how AI is constantly evolving…
I agree. Who knows what will happen next Christmas when Father Christmas arrives with a sleigh full of toys.
I can’t bare to think! 🫣
Gloria dolls demand respect!
I’m with you, although I would not want to own one.
Love it Hugh, reminds me of a ballet production of Coppélia I saw set in an AI environment. Great story Hugh
Thank you, Brenda. The Nutcracker came to mind when I read the prompt.
They won’t be half as scary as those Victorian porcelain dolls, Hugh. I’m with you on the Teddy Bears.
Glad you’re on my side with the Teddy Bears, Davy. The dolls can look after themselves, especially those victorian porcelain ones.
Think I need to go check on my porcelain dolls 🫣
What a thought 😱
No wonder I don’t have any dolls in our house, Cathy. Teddy Bears, yes, but no dolls.
I was never a fan of dolls, even as a child, some of them were downright creepy.
I agree although I think all dolls are creepy, Cathy.
The danger of AI! Also, thanks for the shout-out since this is quite a piece for spreading awareness regarding International Woman’s Day… lol
Lol, I heard about International Women’s Day yesterday, but our thanks should go to Charli for the writing prompt, Erika.
Hope you had a great day.
See, how your intuition works 😄
Awesome, Hugh! This could be the prologue or blurb to a much longer story and even book!
Do you think so, Liesbet? I think Gloria and her friends are best left untouched.