2026-03-29 #VisualInspiration prompt:
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2026-03-29 #VisualInspiration prompt:
Does your heart still beat?
Use this image as inspiration to write a very short story based on it.
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2026-03-29 #VisualInspiration prompt:
Does your heart still beat?
Use this image as inspiration to write a very short story based on it.
---
- What do you think, Rupert?
Dr Wackenstein grinned self-complacently when he pointed at his new invention - apparently a kind of articifical heart that he intended to implant into the miserable creature beside him.
- Indeed, very interesting, doctor, said Rupert, not sounding very convinced.
- Just interesting? It’s marvellous! My masterpiece! The era of New Humanity begins with this apparatus. No more hovering over graveyards, no more morgue-lifting!
- But are there six orifices leading into it? I know only of four...
- You have a good conception of the human anatomy, my friend. And of the natural numbers, said Dr. W. That’s why I call it a milestone of human development. I added a channel for viscosity control and another one for emotional regulation.
- Emotional? But you always taught me that human emotions were not installed in the heart but in the nevous system.
- Right again, Rupert. But it’s all biochemistry. With the sixth channel, I can inject several substances like serotonine, theobromine et cetera and so level up or down feelings like hate, fear, obedience – well, everything a human being needs. This is the beginning of the age of biochemistry. And we are its forerunners!
- I see.
- And you are the first person ever to try out this enhancement.
The assistant showed a hesitant look on his face.
- I… I don’t know, doctor. I’m just afraid it does not…
- Not what?
- Doctor, I’d rather… you know, it’s like when you replaced my boonga-boongas.
- Your what?
- My…
- Ah, you mean your alekto-testiculary device. Seriously?
- It’s just… I don’t feel a thing since you replaced it.
- How long do you work as my assistant, Rupert?
- It must be eighty-five years next month.
- You see? Did I ever betray you? Lie to you? Harm you?
- No, doctor, but… I want my boonga-boongas.
Dr W gently laid a hand on his minion’s shoulder.
- The feelings will come back. I promise. Your new heart will take care for that. As I said, it’s all biochemistry.
- If you say so, doctor.
- Trust me, Rupert. Be my masterpiece! The first of the coming race!
- Well…
The scientist clapped his hands.
- Now prepare the operation table while I’m mixing the narcotics. You know everything we need, right? -
- What do you think, Rupert?
Dr Wackenstein grinned self-complacently when he pointed at his new invention - apparently a kind of articifical heart that he intended to implant into the miserable creature beside him.
- Indeed, very interesting, doctor, said Rupert, not sounding very convinced.
- Just interesting? It’s marvellous! My masterpiece! The era of New Humanity begins with this apparatus. No more hovering over graveyards, no more morgue-lifting!
- But are there six orifices leading into it? I know only of four...
- You have a good conception of the human anatomy, my friend. And of the natural numbers, said Dr. W. That’s why I call it a milestone of human development. I added a channel for viscosity control and another one for emotional regulation.
- Emotional? But you always taught me that human emotions were not installed in the heart but in the nevous system.
- Right again, Rupert. But it’s all biochemistry. With the sixth channel, I can inject several substances like serotonine, theobromine et cetera and so level up or down feelings like hate, fear, obedience – well, everything a human being needs. This is the beginning of the age of biochemistry. And we are its forerunners!
- I see.
- And you are the first person ever to try out this enhancement.
The assistant showed a hesitant look on his face.
- I… I don’t know, doctor. I’m just afraid it does not…
- Not what?
- Doctor, I’d rather… you know, it’s like when you replaced my boonga-boongas.
- Your what?
- My…
- Ah, you mean your alekto-testiculary device. Seriously?
- It’s just… I don’t feel a thing since you replaced it.
- How long do you work as my assistant, Rupert?
- It must be eighty-five years next month.
- You see? Did I ever betray you? Lie to you? Harm you?
- No, doctor, but… I want my boonga-boongas.
Dr W gently laid a hand on his minion’s shoulder.
- The feelings will come back. I promise. Your new heart will take care for that. As I said, it’s all biochemistry.
- If you say so, doctor.
- Trust me, Rupert. Be my masterpiece! The first of the coming race!
- Well…
The scientist clapped his hands.
- Now prepare the operation table while I’m mixing the narcotics. You know everything we need, right?@knodel I think I know where the inspiration came from!
Poor Rupert. Here's something for him, with 6 orifices by the way:🫀
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@knodel I think I know where the inspiration came from!
Poor Rupert. Here's something for him, with 6 orifices by the way:🫀
Guilty as charged.
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@knodel I think I know where the inspiration came from!
Poor Rupert. Here's something for him, with 6 orifices by the way:🫀
By the way, you know the day today? It's
-
The owners of the shop are
Senores Casares and Borges, I presume. -
2026-03-29 #VisualInspiration prompt:
Does your heart still beat?
Use this image as inspiration to write a very short story based on it.
---
1/35
~~~~
1833
~~~~They come in from the Pampas into Buenos Aires, dust rising in their wake. Dust covers their chests, heavy with fossils and rocks, notebooks filled with observations and diagrams and sketches. And below Darwin's seat, the chest with their most unusual finding, the Heart.
Darwin can feel it beating slowly in the chest below him.
#shortstory #argentina #sciencefiction #alternatehistory #buenosaires
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1/35
~~~~
1833
~~~~They come in from the Pampas into Buenos Aires, dust rising in their wake. Dust covers their chests, heavy with fossils and rocks, notebooks filled with observations and diagrams and sketches. And below Darwin's seat, the chest with their most unusual finding, the Heart.
Darwin can feel it beating slowly in the chest below him.
#shortstory #argentina #sciencefiction #alternatehistory #buenosaires
2/35
Cool wind touches his cheek as they unload the chests into their hotel, under the watchful eyes of Governor de Rosas and his gauchos. De Rosas wastes no time in accosting Darwin as soon as they finish unpacking, closing the door beyond them.
"So, Mr. Darwin, I believe you have found an interesting... artifact," he fixed Darwin in his gaze, dangerous and wanting.
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2/35
Cool wind touches his cheek as they unload the chests into their hotel, under the watchful eyes of Governor de Rosas and his gauchos. De Rosas wastes no time in accosting Darwin as soon as they finish unpacking, closing the door beyond them.
"So, Mr. Darwin, I believe you have found an interesting... artifact," he fixed Darwin in his gaze, dangerous and wanting.
3/35
Darwin doesn't ask how he came to know this. Their retinue, which de Rosas had supplied to protect them from the attacks of the indigenous tribes of the Pampas, had many brutes, scoundrels, and spies, Rosas' loyal henchmen from the Mazorca secret police force.
"Yes, quite so, Mr. de Rosas. I must warn you, though, that this artifact in question must be studied further in order to assess its risk, we..."
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3/35
Darwin doesn't ask how he came to know this. Their retinue, which de Rosas had supplied to protect them from the attacks of the indigenous tribes of the Pampas, had many brutes, scoundrels, and spies, Rosas' loyal henchmen from the Mazorca secret police force.
"Yes, quite so, Mr. de Rosas. I must warn you, though, that this artifact in question must be studied further in order to assess its risk, we..."
4/35
"Make it a quick study then, señor Darwin. We are at war against the natives of this country, and against our enemies from within. And now it seems our country itself has given to us its strength, el corazón para pelear!" He pauses and looks appreciatively at the dusty chest. "I expect a return for my support of your little expedition, señor. You know," he adds menacingly, "there are rumors you are, in fact, an English spy. We wouldn't want these rumors to cause your expulsion, no?"
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4/35
"Make it a quick study then, señor Darwin. We are at war against the natives of this country, and against our enemies from within. And now it seems our country itself has given to us its strength, el corazón para pelear!" He pauses and looks appreciatively at the dusty chest. "I expect a return for my support of your little expedition, señor. You know," he adds menacingly, "there are rumors you are, in fact, an English spy. We wouldn't want these rumors to cause your expulsion, no?"
5/35
Darwin swallows and nods. They have found the Heart quite by accident, while digging for fossils under an abandoned armadillo burrow next to a scorched Querandí settlement, far beyond the Rio Salado. Syms Covington, the young seaman from the Beagle who was assisting with his research, noticed slow, methodical thumps coming from inside the burrow. "Oy, over here!" and off they went to dig it out.
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5/35
Darwin swallows and nods. They have found the Heart quite by accident, while digging for fossils under an abandoned armadillo burrow next to a scorched Querandí settlement, far beyond the Rio Salado. Syms Covington, the young seaman from the Beagle who was assisting with his research, noticed slow, methodical thumps coming from inside the burrow. "Oy, over here!" and off they went to dig it out.
6/35
A mechanical heart, bigger than a human's, slowly throbbing, as if its missing owner was asleep. Entombed there possibly many eons ago, probably enshrined by the locals before the Conquest. They dug around the area, but could discover nothing further. The body, if there was any, was not to be found. Or at least, that's what Darwin told the others after he returned from an excavation with his loyal crew.
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6/35
A mechanical heart, bigger than a human's, slowly throbbing, as if its missing owner was asleep. Entombed there possibly many eons ago, probably enshrined by the locals before the Conquest. They dug around the area, but could discover nothing further. The body, if there was any, was not to be found. Or at least, that's what Darwin told the others after he returned from an excavation with his loyal crew.
7/35
Now, in his hotel room, Darwin opens the chest, and resumes his sketch of the heart in his notebook. Then he pauses, and flips back to the page where his diagram of the branches of life has been slowly unfolding during his voyages on the Beagle. Tentatively, he starts to sketch another tree of life next to it, a parallel tree, life stemming from iron and sulfur, born in the ancient past, or, maybe, on another world.
On the opposite page, he draws a small map, and a small metal body.
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7/35
Now, in his hotel room, Darwin opens the chest, and resumes his sketch of the heart in his notebook. Then he pauses, and flips back to the page where his diagram of the branches of life has been slowly unfolding during his voyages on the Beagle. Tentatively, he starts to sketch another tree of life next to it, a parallel tree, life stemming from iron and sulfur, born in the ancient past, or, maybe, on another world.
On the opposite page, he draws a small map, and a small metal body.
8/35
Darkness falls. Much later, Darwin lifts his eyes from his notebook and blows off the candle. Just as he looks at the stars, praying for guidance to a God he was no longer sure he believed in, a commotion starts in the city, and shots are fired.
He listens. It seems two groups are fighting each other, getting closer and closer. Darwin bolts the door in alarm, but it is for naught: de Rosas's brutes break it and the General himself enters, his face grim, his uniform bloodied.
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8/35
Darkness falls. Much later, Darwin lifts his eyes from his notebook and blows off the candle. Just as he looks at the stars, praying for guidance to a God he was no longer sure he believed in, a commotion starts in the city, and shots are fired.
He listens. It seems two groups are fighting each other, getting closer and closer. Darwin bolts the door in alarm, but it is for naught: de Rosas's brutes break it and the General himself enters, his face grim, his uniform bloodied.
9/35
"Perdón, señor Darwin," he bows sarcastically, slightly out of breath, "But I'm afraid I need to confiscate your findings, as property of the legitimate provincial government, to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of the damned Unitarios."
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9/35
"Perdón, señor Darwin," he bows sarcastically, slightly out of breath, "But I'm afraid I need to confiscate your findings, as property of the legitimate provincial government, to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of the damned Unitarios."
10/35
Without waiting for an answer, his gauchos lift the chest containing the Heart, and de Rosas snatches the notebook from Darwin's hands. Shots are fired below, and a bloodied militia man rushes up the stairs and is aiming his rifle at de Rosas. But de Rosas shoots first, and the man collapses, his blood spattering on the chest.
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10/35
Without waiting for an answer, his gauchos lift the chest containing the Heart, and de Rosas snatches the notebook from Darwin's hands. Shots are fired below, and a bloodied militia man rushes up the stairs and is aiming his rifle at de Rosas. But de Rosas shoots first, and the man collapses, his blood spattering on the chest.
11/35
De Rosas looks at Darwin almost apologetically, gestures to his gauchos, and together they disappear into the night, taking the body and the chest with them, leaving Darwin standing there, shaken and suddenly afraid.
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11/35
De Rosas looks at Darwin almost apologetically, gestures to his gauchos, and together they disappear into the night, taking the body and the chest with them, leaving Darwin standing there, shaken and suddenly afraid.
12/35
~~~~
1953
~~~~As they set out from Buenos Aires on the early morning, the gentle wind from the Pampas caresses Helmut's cheeks. It is chilly, but not as chilly as it was back in Bavaria, not as chilly as his wife's last look at him, back in his previous life.
He looks at the rear view mirror, but so far no one seems to have followed them. Lately, there have been rumors of Mossad and CIA agents tracking former Nazis.
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12/35
~~~~
1953
~~~~As they set out from Buenos Aires on the early morning, the gentle wind from the Pampas caresses Helmut's cheeks. It is chilly, but not as chilly as it was back in Bavaria, not as chilly as his wife's last look at him, back in his previous life.
He looks at the rear view mirror, but so far no one seems to have followed them. Lately, there have been rumors of Mossad and CIA agents tracking former Nazis.
13/35
A month ago he had finally made contact with José and had procured Darwin's lost diary, preserved in the cellar of the National Museum of Natural Sciences. José, one of the museum's curators, supposedly a Nazi sympathizer and an acquaintance of Eva Perón, allowed him access, saluting as he ushered him in.
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13/35
A month ago he had finally made contact with José and had procured Darwin's lost diary, preserved in the cellar of the National Museum of Natural Sciences. José, one of the museum's curators, supposedly a Nazi sympathizer and an acquaintance of Eva Perón, allowed him access, saluting as he ushered him in.
14/35
"What a shame about the War, señor, uh, Fischer," he said, peering at Helmut, "All gone to waste, uh? Well, I hope our society can help restore the glory of the Third Reich, bit by bit, here in Argentina." He shifts his glasses. "So. Here, as you can see, Juan de Rosas wrote in Darwin's diary right next to the map where the Heart was dug up. They tried finding the body of the metal giant this heart belonged to, but failed, and then gave up."
