Flash Photography

Zed Gretson hated waiting for anything. His life always seemed to be about being forced to wait on something. What griped him the most was that the more he wanted something the longer the wait.1

So naturally when it came to something like taking pictures the last thing he wanted was to get stuck dropping film off and waiting for it to be processed. Even an hour took too long.2

Which is why the idea of a digital camera sounded so perfect to him. Only he didn’t want just any camera. It had to be the best. After all, if he was going to invest in something that would give him pictures in a “flash” it better be the best one you could buy.3

But that meant waiting again. The one he decided on had only been available through the Internet. That meant waiting for delivery. He didn’t like that idea. However, he did pay the fee for special handling and that cut down the estimated shipping time by two days.4

The Ultra View Camera promised, “unparalleled clarity of picture along with easy operation” and most of all “instantaneous viewing.” Of course that would have been available with any camera, but the word “ultra” had appealed to his sense of pride. He always enjoyed the idea of having the top of the line with whatever he purchased.5

When the box finally arrived he eagerly opened it and examined the contents like he was opening a birthday present. Carefully, he removed the Styrofoam packing box from the inside and lifted up the lid. There it was, the silver colored digital camera.6

Taking it out of the packing box and then removing the plastic wrapper, he held the little camera in his hands. It felt heavier than expected and seemed to have a lot more buttons than he imagined. Zed thought it didn’t looked quite as easy to operate as he expected.7

As a rule he hated reading instructions, but in this case he’d force himself. Zed was going to a birthday party for his aunt this afternoon and wanted to show off his new toy. So he took out the instruction booklet and skimmed through the pages.8

There was a lot of detail about lighting and also plenty of instructions on how to use the various adjustments to improve the quality of your picture. However, one could simply use automatic and then all you had to do was press the stupid button for a picture.9

Now, that sounded like the perfect solution. He could handle that. So he found the spot to plug in the power pack that was conveniently shipped already charged so he didn’t have to spend the eight hours waiting for it to be ready to use. Zed had paid extra for that option, but he figured it was worth it.10

Gretson figured he would go out into his backyard and take a couple of practice shots. There was no reason to not make sure the thing worked okay before he went to the party. The last thing he wanted was to brag on his camera to his family and then find out he could get it to work right. Zed hated being humiliated even more than waiting.11

Moseying out to the backyard, he lifted the small camera and looked through the viewfinder. Concentrating on the row of bushes that ran along the back fence, he “framed” a section and then pressed the shutter button.12

Then he lowered the camera and hit the button to see the results. Not bad. It did look very good actually. Maybe not as great as he would have expected from some camera claiming to offer a clearer picture than any other camera, but then it was his first try.13

There was something odd though. He could see some kind of white blur just above the one section of bushes. Kind of like a sheet only transparent. Perhaps it was some kind of glitch or other problem. Zed couldn’t be sure.14

So he walked over a little closer and decided this time to take a photo of the birdbath. Ah, it came out perfect. Well, he had made sure the thing worked.15

But he was still bugged by that white image that showed up in the first picture. There was time he would take it back into the house, remove the computer disk and then put it in the reader that was included in his shipment. Then he could check it on the computer. Maybe, it would look different or make more sense when he looked at it in a larger form.16

Back in his den, Zed fired up the computer and then inserted the disk in the little reader. They he clicked on the icon and called up the first picture. Hmmm. There it was, a definite white transparent blur. Oh come on, it is moving! This is a still photograph. How is that possible? And now it is gone?17

Zed shook his head, then blinked his eyes and stared at the image again. Suddenly, there was a white message box with some kind of writing in it. He didn’t recognize the language, but he just knew it wasn’t English.18

Seconds later the message box disappeared and left visible only the photo of the bushes. It was weird, definitely weird.19

He switched over to the second photo. There was nothing unusual to see at first glance. It was just the birdbath. Wait a minute the image of two small birds slowly appears on the photo. And they are moving! Plus, there is water in the birdbath they are splashing.20

The birds only remain on the photo for a few seconds before disappearing. Man, talk about strange. Zed studies both photos for several more minutes, but they never again show anything peculiar.21

Checking his watch, he sees it is time to leave for the birthday party. Zed figures he will take the camera even if it did have some kind of odd quality about the photos. He would just treat it as his imagination. And that was no reason to not take it with him22

“Zed!” his Aunt Bertha says with a great big smile and hug after she opens the door.23

“Hi Aunt Bertha. Happy Birthday,” Zed replies as he hands her the big box with the bright yellow wrapping paper.24

“Why thank you,” she replies before turning to lead him into the living room where the rest of the family was sitting, laughing and talking. “You know nephew, some women might not want to celebrate being fifty-five, but I think it is a glorious age.”25

“That’s good to know Aunt Bertha,” Zed comments. He really isn’t surprised. His aunt has always been such a great lady. She is one few people he knows that goes to church and is genuinely a kind and decent person, not to mention a loving mother and aunt.26

“I see you have one of those new digital cameras with you.”27

“Yes, I thought I would bring it along. Actually, I just got it and thought this would be the perfect place to test it out.”28

“That’s sweet,” she says as they enter the living room and all the family looks up at Zed. 29

Their reaction is mixed. Most force themselves to smile, but he knows it is as a rule an act. That is the price he has had to pay for being more successful that the rest. Jealously and envy are reactions Zed is used to experiencing at any family event.30

Gretson strategically sits down next to his cousin, Walter. He is about the only one in the bunch that at least doesn’t seem to give him attitude when they meet. Walter is probably the most like his mother in terms of personality.31

They strike up a conversation about the weather and then work before Zed is finally able to change the subject to his new toy. Walter studies the camera intently and listens carefully as his cousin explains all the benefits and attributes of his new little toy.32

Meanwhile, his aunt mingles, chats with each family member and discusses her impending cruise she is taking that was a gift from her kids. It is some kind of Christian cruise and will be hosted by some television preacher that she listens to and supports. She is all excited and full of energy at the chance to finally meet him in person.33

Finally, somebody suggests they have cake and ice cream and then his aunt can open her presents. Naturally Zed offers to capture the event with a few photos.34

As his one cousin brings in the cake and lights the candles. Zed gets up, turns on his camera. Looking through the viewfinder he gets ready to take the photo while his aunt blows out the candles. He squeezes off a few shots as everyone joins in a chorus of singing Happy Birthday.35

Later while she is opening presents he takes a few more pictures. Gretson gets so busy taking photos that he never stops to see how any of them come out.36

Finally, as everyone is sitting and returning to chatting Zed walks over to a corner and checks the photos. He fights to keep his mouth from dropping open when he sees the first image. It is his aunt, but not at the party. She’s beating his son Walter with his large belt when he is very young. Zed can’t believe the incredible look of rage in her eyes. This has to be some kind of joke.37

The next photo is even worse. It is a picture of his aunt in some motel room and she is having sex with some guy who Zed recognizes is the pastor of her church.38

About this time little beads of sweat are forming on his forehead. He quickly scans through the rest of the photos. A few are from the party, but in the background there appear the images of these transparent figures that look like men dressed in dark suits and sun glasses. It gives Zed a real creepy feeling.39

“So Zed, how did the photos come out?” his aunt questions.40

“Er, ah, they um didn’t,” Zed mutters. “I guess I haven’t got quite the hang of using it yet. I’ll think I need some more practice.”41

“That’s okay dear. Just having you here was joy enough,” she says giving him a big hug.42

Zed returns home and is nearly shaking. He does not like this camera. It is doing some really weird crap. Sitting the camera on the desk, he isn’t sure what to do about the images he took at the party. This must be some kind of sick joke or flaw in the camera. That is all he can figure. Reaching into the box he decides to look through the paperwork for the details the warranty.43

Suddenly, there is a knock at his front door. He gets up and walks over and opens it. There is a man standing there that looks a great deal like those transparent images in the photos he took only he is holding a box in his hands.44

“Excuse me are you Mr. Zed Gretson?”45

“Yes?”46

“May I come in? I would like to talk to you about the Ultra View Camera you just received.”47

“I guess so,” Zed replies, escorting the man into his living room.48

“First of all I wanted to apologize to you, Mr. Gretson. We just discovered the camera we sent you was defective. It has a tendency to distort the images it takes. Normally, we would have handled this with a phone call, but I happened to be in the area on business and decided to bring you a replacement. Now all I need to do is take the original one and I’ll be on my way.”49

“Um sure,” Zed replies as he gets up to fetch the camera. His gut tells him there is something the man isn’t telling him, but he also noticed that bulge under the man’s coat and he has a feeling that saying no might not be healthy. There is something wrong with the man’s story, but Zed just isn’t in the mood to want to know.50

After exchanging cameras, the man leaves and walks out to a black four-door sedan. Zed goes back to playing with the new camera. This one seems to be working correctly. And that is enough for him. Wait till the next party, he’ll be ready to impress them.51

When the man gets into the four-door sedan his partner in the passenger seat takes the original camera and sits it in a box. “Any problems?”52

“Nope. It went pretty much as expected. Frankly, I’m glad. I always hate having to make civilians disappear in these kinds of situations. After all, it wasn’t this clown’s fault that somebody in the camera order department plugged in the wrong info and sent him the agency’s surveillance model.”53

“But aren’t you a little concerned about the fact that he did witness the images of our agents using those invisibility devices to monitor civilians without their knowledge?”54

“Oh we will keep him under surveillance naturally. If he happens to say or do anything to talk about what he witnessed, we can always deny it like usual. After all, he has no proof. However, if that doesn’t work we will do like we normally do. Who will care about another unsolved missing person’s report just like with the stupid idiot in the ordering department who we made sure won’t do screw up again.”55

The second man nods with a sly grin on his face as the car pulls away from the curb. National Security can be so rewarding when you can fix mistakes before anyone finds out about them.56