Have you ever had a situation in which your “smart” technology wasn’t exactly responding smartly? Well, apparently, a lot of Apple Smartwatch users, most notably skiers in Colorado, have lately, according to the New York Times article, ‘My Watch Thinks I’m Dead’. And today’s writing prompt is based on the real events covered in that article. Read the article for more insight and keep reading this post to see today’s full writing prompt and my completed version of it.
Today’s Writing Prompt: My Smartwatch Thinks I’m Dead
Today, write a scene in which a smartwatch calls emergency services on behalf of its wearer because it thinks the person wearing the device is in distress or potentially dead. Try to convey danger or humor in what you write.
Completed Version of Today’s Writing Prompt
What Emergency? by K.E. Creighton
The pines were beautiful as I rushed past them down the slope. They were covered in fresh powder, contrasting with the bright baby-blue sky above. It was hard not to be awestruck by their simple yet majestic presence in the dawning light.
There weren’t many people out here this morning due to the holiday, and it was glorious. I felt free all alone out here. It was as if the entire mountainside belonged to me. Like I was the only one breathing it in.
When I finally reached the bottom of the slope, my smartwatch lit up as I removed my gloves. The screen read “Emergency Services.” And after a light click, I thought I heard a female voice.
“Hello?”
“What is the nature of your emergency?”
“What emergency? You called me. What’s the emergency you’re looking for?”
“Sir, do you or anyone else around you require medical or police assistance?”
“How should I know? I don’t see anyone nearby. Maybe?”
“Sir, please be advised that dialing emergency services with misleading or false intentions or reports is a crime.”
“I didn’t call you. I don’t have an emergency. Other than being annoyed that the effects of my morning downhill run are being interrupted right now. Is this some kind of prank?”
“Sir, are you out skiing?”
“Yes, I was. And now I’ll have to make the same run again, which wasn’t that easy. Now, kindly do not disturb me again.”
“Sir, are you wearing an Apple watch?”
“Yes. I am. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Just as I was about to end the call, I heard some rustling on the other end of the line as the woman caller said, “Hey, Jack. We’ve got another one. His smartwatch called., indicating he might be dead or have life-threatening injuries.”
[All Rights Reserved by K.E. Creighton and Creighton’s Compositions LLC. The above work is a piece of fiction. All names and locations referred to are the product of the author’s imagination and are used entirely for fictional purposes. Any similarities to real-life persons or places are purely coincidental.]
Notes on Completing this Writing Prompt
I was on the fence about whether I wanted to make my completed version of this writing prompt humorous or dangerous. I can see a few situations in which this type of scenario wouldn’t be so funny. But the confusion these false emergency calls caused the first few times was probably entertaining. At least, for an outsider not involved.
Like this post? Leave a tip of $1 or more to show your appreciation. Every dollar helps keep this blog going!