Every week #VisDare posts a picture challenge. This week the theme is “Indifference” and the photo prompt is:
Here is my story:
“More Rain”
by Dr. Mike Reddy (@doctormikereddy)
[150 words]
The three sisters manifested without a single mortal noticing, as only the Apportioners could. Even the fashion photographer, Gundlach, who had just been shooting an uncharacteristic landscape of the flooded square, was pleasantly surprised later by the unexpectedly iconic foreground that appeared in the developing fluid.
Clotho, the youngest, sighed. “I do so hate the mid 20th century. So little made by hand. So many machines.”
“Oh, I quite like their naive sense of accuracy. Such a belief that they’re in control.” her elder, Lachesis, disagreed, before bending over her charts.
Atropos, the oldest, said nothing. So much rebuilding in the last fourteen years. She loved Berlin, especially von der Mark’s tomb, for which she’d granted Schadow more thread.
“Ah, we’re HERE.” Lachesis folded her charts. “This way.”
Clotho followed, unconsciously twisting some thread. “Who is it again that needs our personal attention?”
“It’s complicated.”
Atropos silently tested her shears.
Okay. There is a wonderful complexity here that I am just dying to know more about. Without googling, I’m guessing there’s a distinct significance to the name selection? Would love to know more!! So glad you joined the VisDare family!!
Moirai, the Fates were the three sisters, daughters of Zeus, who decides the destiny of mortals. Clotho spun the thread. Atropos cut it, determining when you would die. Lachesis would decide if you would be good or evil. The photographer is the person who took the prompt image in 1955 Berlin. The national art gallery there houses von der Mark’s tomb sculpted by Schadow, which is a famous representation of, you guessed it, the Moirai. The title, “More Rain” is a pun on their name. Who they are there to meet, is one mystery you will have to work out for yourself.
🙂
I really enjoyed this, you’ve taken an interesting take on the prompt. As someone who never studied the classics at school (I left at 14) I surprised myself by actually realising the three women were the Fates – your clues were subtle, but enough for me to think i knew who they were 🙂
Brilliant mythological and historical references woven together seamlessly (Atropos would like that pun, yes?).