For many generations her copper gown had signalled hope for immigrants. After days at sea, suffering from rotten food, seasickness and scurvy this sight was the start of an American Dream.
Captain Jason had been through it too and now lived well in his Manhattan condo.The mission had been successful and would add substantially to his wealth. Maybe he could buy the Jaguar his wife craved.
The four girls below had suffered as all immigrants but they could not share the hopeful view of Liberty Island, and any dreams would soon be crushed in seedy rooms of underground bordellos.
Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields
This was one of my favorite prompts and I decided to repost my old story with just a few editing changes.
Friday Fictioneers is a group of writers captained by Rochelle who is now working hard in writing the last of trilogy. I’m currently reading her second book.
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July 20, 2016
Whenever somebody makes a buck, it’s quite often off the back of someone else. A sad tale, Bjorn.
I think humans can be both the worst and best… alas being worst brings the bucks.
A poisoned paradise
Indeed.. or maybe poison only.
Human trafficking is one of the most horrid things imaginable.
I agree… and imagine that combined with consumerism…
You’re right, my story could be a very sad sequel to yours, the next generation. Brrrr.
Sandra’s comment is spot on.
I feel that it has to end… and alas the only common denominator is spelled men
Bloody dreams of freedom.. What an ending!
Indeed an end instead of a new beginning.
And that is the sad reality we call life.
Indeed it’s happening every day.
Tragic and yet it happens all around us every day, doesn’t it? The powerless are so easy to manipulate. A sad and timely story, Bjorn
I would never dare to blame the powerless though… The blame should be put elsewhere…
Oh, yes, absolutely. Those who exploit are always to blame
Human trafficking = human tragedy.
Indeed it is…
Broken dreams so sad.
So sad, so common…
I fear this happens all too often. Well told in just a few words.
I fear it happens everywhere.
Reblogged this on chithankalai.
Thank you.
I have personally known a family that came to America and they just couldn’t make it work. That happens a lot of times. Their expectations were too unrealistic, the kids went crazy, the wife went back and only one stayed. Oh well …
Well done!
And being brought against ones will make it even worse…
Sadly, as others have said, this is a tragic reflection of the truth.
Alas … yes reality can be black
Oh oh oh! The dream becomes a nightmare for some and a reality for others!
Yes, but nightmares are also dreams I guess.
The Dream only works out for a few, alas. Great piece.
I hope it can work for more though…
For some, it’s a dream. For others, a nightmare. Sigh.
Yes nightmares and dreams are opposite sides of the same coin I guess.
You set this story up well with the opening paragraph. Hope and dreams keeps us going. So sad that these young girls had theirs stolen.
I think dreams can be both a good guiding light but it can also lead astray.
As Mr Hemingway put it in a similar situation, To Have and Have Not.
Sensitively created, Bjorn.
Too often it’s have not I think.
Yes, what Sandra said. And it’s in Europe too. Good story.
I think it exists everywhere where bodies are bought…
Oh those poor girls!
Yes.. indeed. So much sadness in the world
behind every fortune there’s a crime
I suspect that this could be true…
folks who deal in human trafficking are the worst kind. they are monsters and should be shot on the spot.
Though I don’t agree with death penalty I see them as the worst of scums…
Dear Björn,
It sounds as if the captain might be having a surge of conscience. At least I hope so and that he can do something to rescue those poor girls. Well done. And always happy to hear someone’s reading my book. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
I wonder if there is any conscience that not a drive with the jaguar can dull… I try to read it, but I don’t have a kindle so I have to read it on my ipad… But I read so little beyond what’s on blogs these days-
Tragic and yet beautiful in a way, love the piece!
Thank you.. tragic is just the beginning.
What a sad story. The sad fate of those four girls is more tragic as they pass by the symbol of hope and freedom – although unseen.
That’s exactly the contrast I wanted to give.
The desperation of would-be immigrants has always tempted the unscrupulous. A story worth repeating, Bjorn.
It does tempt… and the higher the walls the more unscrupulous they will be.
Another triumph of story telling Bjorn
Thank you Mick… storytelling is fun…
So tragic. In today’s chaotic world of war and displacement, so many are vulnerable.
An important tale to tell.
Yes, all around the globe desperation is rising.
Chilling 🙂
Yes very much so.
And they say crime doesn’t pay. It doesn’t pay only if you get caught. As always, love the twist.
It’s so sad that some are promised a bright future and then end up worse off, or a different kind of horror perhaps. This is a great prompt to revisit. Well done.
Good story, Bjorn. It puts an entirely different slant on passing by Lady Liberty. Let’s hope men like the Captain in your story ends up in jail for a long time. Good writing. —- Suzanne
This is uncomfortably realistic
A crushing end about crushed dreams…it’s interesting that this picture brought on tales of expectations–all different expectations and different results–and a little about the backstories of those who’ve arrived at the moment of immediate anticipation. Good job bringing in the brutality. Some stories definitely need it.
I would write a long comment, but this article will summarize. https://theanimalprojectblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/trump-immigration/