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Flash Fiction Friday – Dolls

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

on

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.

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Click here to view last week’s entries.

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

***

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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39 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – Dolls”

  1. Gloria Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Gloria Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Dolls by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  2. Ash avatar
    Ash

    All hail Gloria! Free the dolls!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      If you say so.

      Reply
  3. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar
    D. Avery @shiftnshake

    Here’s hoping they don’t join forces with Alexa.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Now that’s an army I would not like to encounter.

      Reply
  4. Will avatar
    Will

    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….

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I blame AI technology. Not satisfied with taking over the blogging world, it’s now turned its attention to toys.

      Reply
  5. noelleg44 avatar
    noelleg44

    Chucky, but amplified. Good one, Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Glad you enjoyed it, Noelle.

      Reply
  6. Eugenia avatar
    Eugenia

    I’m glad I don’t have any dolls! Awesome write, Hugh!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      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.

      Reply
      1. Eugenia avatar
        Eugenia

        Oh, oh! You’re most welcome, Hugh.

        Reply
  7. Robert J Jr. avatar
    Robert J Jr.

    Cool Hugh!

    Reply
  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    I can just imagine all my old Barbie dolls coming to life and trying on all their now out-of-fashion clothes, LOL!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      What comes round goes round, Terri. I bet some of those clothes will soon be in fashion again.

      Reply
  9. Ritu avatar
    Ritu

    It isn’t even that far-fetched a thought, looking at how AI is constantly evolving…

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I agree. Who knows what will happen next Christmas when Father Christmas arrives with a sleigh full of toys.

      Reply
      1. Ritu avatar
        Ritu

        I can’t bare to think! 🫣

        Reply
  10. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    Gloria dolls demand respect!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I’m with you, although I would not want to own one.

      Reply
  11. Brenda avatar
    Brenda

    Love it Hugh, reminds me of a ballet production of Coppélia I saw set in an AI environment. Great story Hugh

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Brenda. The Nutcracker came to mind when I read the prompt.

      Reply
  12. davydwriter avatar
    davydwriter

    They won’t be half as scary as those Victorian porcelain dolls, Hugh. I’m with you on the Teddy Bears.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Glad you’re on my side with the Teddy Bears, Davy. The dolls can look after themselves, especially those victorian porcelain ones.

      Reply
    2. Brenda avatar
      Brenda

      Think I need to go check on my porcelain dolls 🫣

      Reply
  13. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    What a thought 😱

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      No wonder I don’t have any dolls in our house, Cathy. Teddy Bears, yes, but no dolls.

      Reply
      1. Cathy avatar
        Cathy

        I was never a fan of dolls, even as a child, some of them were downright creepy.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          I agree although I think all dolls are creepy, Cathy.

          Reply
  14. Erika avatar
    Erika

    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

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      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.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        See, how your intuition works 😄

        Reply
  15. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    Awesome, Hugh! This could be the prologue or blurb to a much longer story and even book!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Do you think so, Liesbet? I think Gloria and her friends are best left untouched.

      Reply

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