nano drones fly into the Twilight Zone

In late January, 2015, a small drone crashed onto the White House lawn in the middle of the night. According to reports, the drone operator had been drinking. Huh. Imagine a dude sucking down a $3 bottle of fortified wine, and then sending his toy drone (the ultimate Frisbee) over to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Really, what kind of world do we live in? Which brings me to Mr. Serling.

If Rod Serling returned temporarily from the Twilight Zone, what would he think of drones, particularly commercial drones, which are popping up all over the planet. Would he say, "Oh, goodie!" Or would he take a slightly more dim view? 

I've been thinking about the host of the Twilight Zone because my new thriller, EXIT, received this 5-star review: 

“…Didn't want to put this down, reminds me of old Twilight Zone episodes. Whereas you won't find any pig nosed doctors operating on your face, you might just find an alternate dimension in a movie theater. Really good read!”

Along with zillions of fans, I love that classic TV show. And, yes, EXIT is a bit in the Zone. What's the novel about? Picture the onset of drones all over the world, add nano technology, then open the door to the Twilight Zone. In short, welcome to the near-future. 

What would Rod think? Maybe this.

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(Cue up the Twilight Zone music.) Ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...

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Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back...Rod Serling.

"Mr. Serling?" we ask. "Overrun by...what?"

"These," Rod Serling replies in his smoky, velvet voice, while holding up his fingertip. 

"Recently," Rod continues, "a small drone the size of a pizza pie crashed onto the White House lawn. Now small drones have been spotted in Paris, mysteriously flying over famous landmarks in the French capital. This is nothing. Wait till these tiny drones (see above picture) fill the skyline like air pollution. Wait till brain-blasted sociopaths and crazed corporations (see below picture) get their hands on these. 

CEO of Drones-R-Us

"What's a nano drone? It's Pandora's Box with six legs and two wings. It's Murphy's Law disguised as an insect. It's the thing flying outside your bedroom window in the middle of the night, spying on you. The days of the traditional Peeping Tom are coming to a close.

Unannounced visitor caught on camera 
(conventional stalker displaying traditional stalker standards).

"Who sent the tiny drone? Begin your list of suspects with this queasy question: 'Who is the most irrational person I know?' (I know, I know. It's an extremely long list of candidates, but choose.)

Irrational person? This is the poster boy.

Imagine this nitwit ordering a drone online.

"Now imagine, if you will, that volatile miscreant (see above dudes) operating a commercial drone capable of carrying a five-pound package of mayhem. Ponder that for a moment, then resume your slumber. Or not. Because...you're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas, of drones and revenge. You've just crossed over…"

Rod pauses, takes a weary drag on his cigarette. Smoke pours between his teeth as he concludes, "Next stop, the Twilight Zone."

After his disturbing remarks, Rod Serling waves goodbye, and downloads a copy of my thriller, EXIT. With his Kindle in hand, he returns to his room at the Bates Motel. 

Imagine Norman Bates buying a drone.

Later that night, he disappears back into the Twilight Zone. Perhaps Rod will return again someday. However, he did leave this cryptic selfie taped to the mirror in his motel room. Make of it what you will. 

authentic Rod Serling selfie

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(Cue up the Twilight Zone music.) Ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...ding ding...

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