Sugar Time

Written for Thursday Inspiration

Kudos to Fandango for taking over the reins of Thursday Inspiration for Jim Adams. Fan, Jim left his mark and you’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. Best of luck!

Today, Fandango asks us to respond to the challenge by writing a story or a poem or just offering our raw reaction as inspired by the AI-created image seen below.

OK, kids; here goes!

Sugar Time

The neon-blue lights of the automaton whirred softly as it poured another amber measure of rye. Silas stared at the mechanical barkeep, its chrome chassis a stark contrast against the weathered pine of the frontier saloon. Outside, the dual suns of Cydonia were finally dipping below the canyon ridge.

“You look a long way from home, stranger,” the barkeep synthesized, its voice an eerie imitation of a human drawl. “Perhaps you require some premier galactic hospitality?”

Before Silas could answer, the robot tapped its chrome chassis. A glitching, neon hologram sputtered to life on the bar counter. “This is Sugar …. sweetest little gal in the galaxy!” announced the bartender.

Sugar sported a towering cyber-beehive hairdo, a glowing digital diamond beauty mark, and a metallic corset that looked like it could do some serious damage; she reminded Silas of a saloon girl from one of those primitive television westerns from the 20^th Century.

“Well, howdy, handsome!” she static-hissed, winking with a pixelated eye. “Ready for some deluxe relaxation …. Sugar style …. or is your battery drained?”

Silas nearly choked on his whiskey. “I may be low, Sugar, but I sure ain’t empty.”

NAR©2026

This is “Running On Empty” by Jackson Browne

Thursday (AI Art) Inspiration

Welcome once again to Fandango as our new host and many thanks to Jim Adams for all his work on Thursday Inspiration. Please be sure to check out Fan’s site.

Thanks to you all for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids.

See you on the flip side. 😎

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}