Today, in 2019, distraction seems to be at epidemic proportions. 

When I wrote this story for a contest being sponsored by National Public Radio (NPR) in 2012 it was just beginning to take root. 

The rules of NPR’s contest were to take the theme, distraction, and write a short story that could be read in three minutes or less. There happened to be a very important election going on at the time so I decided to incorporate this into the story. 

Every time I reread this piece I can’t help but wonder what all I’ve missed when I’ve been distracted.  I hope you enjoy the story. 

---


## DISTRACTED ##

<center> ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/5hrSAmiQCy4yPWR74n/giphy.gif) </center>

The sunlight was quickly disappearing behind the tree tops as the smell of kettle corn filled the air. In the distance the carnies barked with their gravely voices, “C’mon win the pretty lady a prize!” 

Their unofficial anthem, *The Eye of the Tiger*, blared setting the mood of their hustle perfectly from dozens of distorted speakers.

The Canfield fair drew all kinds of folks. It was a magnet for the odd, the farmers, and those who rarely ventured outside their own four walls. The fair was the one event that people felt compelled to experience every year but after they arrived they wondered why.

This particular moment had arrived precisely the minute Elliot handed his paper stub to the ticket taker at the gate. It had been an extremely stressful week at work and all he wanted his comfortable chair and a cold beer. As usual, within seconds of entering the fairgrounds his wife and seven-year old son were already far ahead of him.

“Daddy? Hey daddy, let’s ride the scrambler!” his boy pleaded.

“Ride this one with your mother, I’ll ride the next one.” Elliot smiled as he waved them ahead. Soon, they were lost in the crowd and he leaned with his back comfortably against an old oak tree. 

Elliot sighed and slid his phone out of his back pocket and became instantly transfixed by the blue glow of the screen. His thumbs moved like lightning, he couldn’t get to the night’s baseball scores and stats fast enough.

Elliot slapped his thigh, “Come on Cubs! Is one win too much to ask for?”

“It is when they’re playing the White Sox!” he heard a clear voice from around the other side of the tree.

Elliot was first going to ignore this unsolicited remark as he continued to catch up on the scores but his love for the Cubs, once again, outweighed his better judgement.

“You mean the White Sux? Please!” Elliot laughed. 

Out of the corner of his eye Elliot could see the man peek from around the tree. “I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on that topic.”

“So, if you don’t mind my asking, who do you like in this election?” the man asked.

“Buddy, umm, you know…I don’t mean to be rude but the I.T. world is brutal and I’ve had a really rough week.”

The voice answered, “By all means, I can respect that.”

Elliot ruffled his brow as he logged onto Facebook and checked in at the fair updated his status with ‘Mmm, funnel cakes are calling’!

“But since you mention it, at this point I’m one of the six percent who are still undecided. I’m worried that Romney just can’t sympathize with the struggles of the average person.”

“Then there’s Obama. Four years he’s had to turn things around and here we are.” Elliot said as he scrolled down his Twitter feed to catch up on the news.

“Look, it’s been nice talking with you. Good luck on your choice.” the man said.

Elliot answered, “Huh? Oh yeah. Thanks.”

Suddenly Elliot looked up and noticed a group of people walking towards him. A nervous man hoisted a television camera onto a tripod just a few feet in front of him as a local news anchor fixed her hair. The blaring lights switched on.

“This is Liz Saunders live from the Canfield fair where President Obama paid a surprise visit after speaking at a local auto plant. This man, umm, what is your name sir?” She asked.

“Elliot?” he answered, perplexed.

The reporter thrust the microphone into Elliot's face, “You must be so excited! Can you share what you and President Obama discussed?”

~Eric Vance Walton~

(Gif sourced from Giphy.com)





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