Bird’s Eye View

“This monitor taps into city cameras and cameras we’ve placed,” he said. “Yes, we have a camera on the roof of this building.”

He moved to the center screen. “This one shows what the gull is ‘seeing.’ It’s looking through its eyes.”

The woman remarked, “Lovely view.”

He smiled. “This last monitor is a city map that shows the gull’s location.”

She nodded.

He gestured at the controls — a joystick, keyboard, mouse, and a stylus and screen. “The gull can be maneuvered using all of these. Flight, direction, speed — all here. There are built in sensors so it won’t fly it into a fixed object like a window or building. If we want a photograph, it will be from gull’s eyes’ perspective. Just tap here.”

“Who actually operates all this?” she asked.

“I do. I’ll warn you, though — it’s pricey,” he said.

“Money is no object,” she replied.

He smiled. “In that case, let’s get started.”

She pulled out a paper. “This is our address,” she said, “and this is where he works. I want to know everywhere else that he goes.”

He studied the paper and nodded.

“Can the gull look into windows?” she asked.

“We’ve had success with first floor windows. The gull can usually perch or walk outside,” he replied.

“That’ll work,” she answered. “I’m especially interested if he goes into stores.”

“You think he’s seeing someone in a store?”

“Seeing someone?!” she scoffed. “I want to know what he’s getting me for my birthday!”

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This is my submission for the Unicorn Challenge. The challenge has only two rules: 1) no more than 250 words, and 2) must be inspired by the photo prompt.

I think my bird spy camera could adapt to the locale. A crow would do well in rural America. Or the ubiquitous robin, although they are nowhere near as brazen as a gull or crow. Pigeons might do nicely in most cities. I may be on to something, right?