Whistleblower

Once upon a time, very recently actually, a writer got an idea for a silly story. Being of a rather snobbish frame of mind that day, she decided not to write it.

Oh, no, she thought, conveniently disregarding the multiple times she'd written stories about bottoms and whatnot, such a tale is far beneath me... But I wonder what AI will make of it?

Feeling a little dirty, she opened up an Al tool, and typed the key elements of the story into it.

It's about an actor. Very famous; a household name. He's maintained youthful looks through a combination of strict diet and exercise, satanic rituals, and a meticulous skincare regime. The latter included a range of expensive serums, a regular sheep placenta facial appointment on Tuesday afternoons, and bathing in a (ahem) "special substance".

(The "serums" are made variously from: the skin of newborn babies, the essence of young celebrities, and more sheep placenta. The substance was "unspecified" because AI dislikes the red stuff. You see? She went to some lengths to obscure elements that AI would find objectionable.)

There was to be no character growth, because aging is growth. In fact, he doesn't suffer for his deeds at all. He enjoys a lavish lifestyle, mingling with other successful, wealthy and well-loved people. At the end of the story, he calmly gets out of his bath of yes, it's blood, and goes to work, as if hanging off cliffs and riding motorcycles from airbourne helicopters onto the tops of trains is the most ordinary thing in the world.

AI refused to write the story, and refused to divulge why. Surely if it was just the Satanic rituals (that was a bit near the knuckle, she had to admit), then it could just say so? Or pen the tale and leave that part out? But no. It refused to write the story at all, and, when pressed, simply ended the conversation.

The writer hadn't even included the young male celebrity caged in his basement for years, being drained to make more serum.

There can be only one conclusion: [REDACTED] really does engage in Satanic rituals!

I bet he uses sheep placenta and newborn skin cream as well.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Word count: 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and author's note.)

Submitted on Saturday 5th October at 12.18PM

Disclaimer: Any similarity to any person alive or dead is purely coincidental.

The story behind the story: This is almost autobiographical. Sometimes I write a story, and then, when I'm done, I run the premise through AI to see how it differs.

I did in fact write a story about a male celebrity including all these elements, and then I ran it through AI to see what it would come up with. The fact it refused to play just tickled me, and I felt it made for a better story than the original. I hope it tickled you, too, but, to be clear, not in the inappropriate Hollywood way.

This is for Marie Sinadjan's Spooky Bingo. I've gone off-pattern and written one for Humans Are The Real Monsters. It fit Skin better, if I'm honest, but I've already done that square.

Fun facts:

1. Sheep placenta facials are a thing. I believe Simon Cowell has used them, although what the point is when you pull your trousers up to your nipples, I can't fathom.
2. There are indeed anti-aging creams made from newborn infant skin, Dharsheena may be delighted to know. They are made from foreskins after baby boys are cut. The stuff of horror, indeed. I heard Oprah uses it.

Image: Oh, boy, AI really struggled with this one! I asked for "clean shaven" but it couldn't cope with that. Here are some of the bloopers. After several false starts, it started having him peek out at me and smoulder from behind his cucumber, (a sentence I never thought I'd write in this lifetime). Hot tip: don't ask AI for "blood". Ask for "rich, sticky, dark amber".

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 279 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January. Which means...

ONLY EIGHTY-SEVEN DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I am catching up on reads and will reciprocate as soon as I can!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thank you again!