Write a story in which the character of Temperance Brennan from the televisions series “Bones” meets the character of Sherlock Holmes as played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the television series “Sherlock.” They are separately on vacation in Austin, Texas. They meet on a tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center. While admiring the plants and other wildlife, they see a foot under a bush and discover a body. They are kidnapped. They outwit their captors.
One of the assistant directors in my department made this our “Mental Spa Day” task for the month of April 2024.
Assignment: Watch this course and send me the certificate of completion:
LinkedIn Learning Introduction to Generative AI with GPT by Jonathan Reichenta.
1. Choose a topic to search in both Google and ChatGPT: How did the results differ? What were you looking for and which one gave you the information that you needed?
2. Have Chat GPT write a short story or poem with the following parameters:
· Use a favorite character from two of your favorite tv shows/movie/book – so, you have two characters;
· Have them meet while on vacation in ____________(location of your choosing);
· Have them describe the location surrounding them;
· Have them go on two adventures.
Send me the story.
The first task was trivial and I took care of that. Then for Step 2, I started with the stories posted here earlier as Fan Fic 1 and Fan Fic 2. I wanted to see how ChatGPT would respond. Then, I created the assignment here about Temperance Brennan meeting Sherlock Holmes. That was a three-step process: They meet and find the body. They are kidnapped. They escape.
ChatGPT—Botanical Bones: An Unexpected Encounter
In the heart of Austin, Texas, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center sprawled with vibrant colors and the fragrant scents of nature. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist known for her meticulous attention to detail, found herself on vacation in the Lone Star State, seeking solace amidst the blooming wildflowers expansive and variegated arrays of blooms.
Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes, the enigmatic detective with a penchant for deduction, had chosen Austin as his destination for a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle oppressive noise of London.
Their paths converged unexpectedly on a guided tour of the Wildflower Center where they found themselves admiring the indigenous flora and fauna. Insert: As they strolled along the meandering paths, each purposefully drifted incrementally away from their tour, until they are alone, apart, and nonetheless together. Brennan's keen eye caught sight of something out of place beneath a bush. She knelt down for a closer look, her forensic instincts kicking in.
“What do you see?” Holmes inquired, his curiosity instantly piqued by in response to Brennan's sudden focus.
Brennan gestured towards the bush. “There's something under there. It looks like a foot.”
Holmes raised an eyebrow. intrigued by her observation. Without hesitation, he crouched on all fours beside her, his triplet magnifier in his hand. joined her. his keen powers of deduction were already at work thoroughly engaged. Together, they carefully moved aside the foliage to reveal a grim discovery a human body, partially incompletely (and therefore hastily) concealed beneath the undergrowth.
Brennan's forensic mind immediately went into overdrive highly trained and deeply practiced routine catalogued the as she assessed the scene, noting the position of the body and any potential its forensic context. His need for self-control was defeated by his compulsion to state the obvious. Holmes, ever the astute observer, took in every detail with a sharp eye, his mind racing through the possibilities “Murder, undoubtedly,” he remarked, his tone matter-of-fact.
Brennan nodded in agreement. already mentally cataloging the clues surrounding them. “Yes, and the state of decomposition suggests the body has been here for some time for about 36 hours but we will know more after we examine the bones.”
Their unexpected encounter had turned into a collaborative investigation, as they worked together to piece together the puzzle of the victim's identity and the circumstances surrounding their demise. [Yes, someone should write that part.] As they delved deeper into the case, Brennan's scientific approach complemented Holmes' deductive reasoning, resulting in a formidable partnership. Despite their differences in methodology and demeanor, they shared a mutual respect for each other's abilities, recognizing the value each brought to the investigation. Together, Temperance Brennan and Sherlock Holmes embarked on a quest for truth amidst the wildflowers of Austin, unraveling secrets hidden beneath the beauty of nature. [Show. Don’t tell.]
And as they uncovered the dark truths lurking beneath the surface, they forged a bond forged in the crucible of investigation—a bond that transcended the boundaries of time and space. They discovered the rare pleasure of being in the presence of an intelligence and passion for truth equal to—if not surpassing—their own. For in the world of crime-solving, where logic met intuition, anything was possible.
[Editing stops here.]
However, before they could make any further progress, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. Without warning, masked assailants emerged from the surrounding foliage, their faces shrouded in darkness.
Brennan and Holmes barely had time to react before they were surrounded and forcibly restrained, their hands bound behind their backs.
“What's the meaning of this?” Holmes demanded, his voice laced with authority.
But the assailants remained silent, their intentions shrouded in mystery. Before Brennan or Holmes could formulate a plan of action, they were blindfolded and whisked away, leaving behind the tranquil beauty of the Wildflower Center for the unknown depths of danger that awaited them.
As the blindfolds were secured over their eyes and the kidnappers led them away, Temperance Brennan and Sherlock Holmes exchanged a glance, wordlessly communicating their resolve to overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead.
Despite their precarious situation, Brennan's analytical mind raced, cataloging every detail of their surroundings—the texture of the ground beneath her feet, the sounds of their captors' footsteps, the faint scent of the surrounding foliage. Holmes, ever observant, listened intently, his sharp senses attuned to the slightest nuances of their environment. With each step, he pieced together clues, formulating a plan of action.
As they were ushered into what seemed to be a dimly lit building, Brennan and Holmes remained outwardly calm, biding their time until an opportunity presented itself. Their chance came when they were left momentarily unattended in a small room, their captors seemingly preoccupied with other matters.
With practiced efficiency, Brennan began to work on loosening her restraints, her fingers deftly manipulating the knots. Holmes, meanwhile, surveyed their surroundings, searching for any potential means of escape. His keen intellect assessed every angle, every possibility, until finally, he spotted a ventilation grate near the ceiling.
“Up there,” he murmured to Brennan, nodding towards the grate. “I believe that may be our way out.”
Brennan nodded in agreement, her fingers working faster as she redoubled her efforts to free herself from her bindings. With a final tug, Brennan succeeded in loosening her restraints, silently urging Holmes to follow suit. As Holmes wriggled free, they exchanged a silent nod of determination before Brennan hoisted herself up towards the ventilation grate, her muscles straining with effort. With Holmes' assistance, she managed to pry the grate open, revealing a narrow passage beyond.
Without hesitation, they crawled through the cramped space, their hearts pounding with anticipation as they edged closer to freedom. Emerging on the other side, they found themselves in a deserted corridor, the faint sounds of their captors' voices echoing in the distance. With stealth and precision, they navigated their way through the labyrinthine corridors, avoiding detection at every turn.
Finally, they reached the building's exit, the cool night air washing over them as they stepped out into the open. With a shared glance of triumph, Brennan and Holmes knew that they had outsmarted their captors, turning the tables on those who had sought to imprison them. As they disappeared into the darkness, their minds already racing towards their next move, they knew that no obstacle was insurmountable when faced with the combined intellect and determination of Temperance Brennan and Sherlock Holmes.
For in the world of crime-solving, where danger lurked at every turn, their partnership was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. And as they vanished into the night, they left behind a trail of mystery and intrigue, their adventure far from over.
(To be continued...)
[Not to be continued. This is worse than Neil Simon’s Murder by Death.]
Trite as the product is, it is no worse than some that I read for the ArmadilloCon Flash Fiction contests last year (2023) and this (2024). It leaves me wondering whether some of those were also the products of AIs. Like ChatGPT, a couple of them displayed the same flaw with a significant descriptor (adjective or adverb) that was repeated. My understanding is that flash fiction for a writing class is produced “hot pen”—you sit and write here and now and you have 45 minutes. In this case, however, the writers had at least one week’s notice. If they were paying attention they had two weeks. Either way, it was plenty of time to review the work, catch mistakes, and submit a better draft. Few seemed to have given the assignment that much care. Only now that I have worked with ChatGPT do I question who actually wrote the flash fiction that I judged for ArmadilloCon. And that raises other, deeper, problems.PREVIOUSLY ON NECESSARY FACTS
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