The British Museum is (enter fawning description in booming voice here.) Whatever, it's big and it has a bunch neat of stuff in it that has been gathered (plundered) from around the world. Over 3.5 million of those objects are in a searchable online database. Now that is just cool! http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx

Pick an object from the museum and write a story that might have happened in its past or might happen its future. Or could be happening to it right now. RIGHT. NOW. The object should actually matter to the story, not just be window dressing, but the story doesn't have to be ABOUT the object. Preferable the story would be ABOUT the characters. Please for the love of god be able to tell the difference. I have faith in you.

Important prompt update: You are not constrained by historical accuracy. It's a fiction contest, not a history class. Please write a good story. It's not a big deal if a dude is wearing the wrong kind of helmet or something.

Since I know all you assholes are weak-willed thumb-suckers who can't make your own decisions, the judges will assign objects if you ask for them. If you only need training wheels instead of a stroller, there is a collection of 5,000 highlight objects here: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore.aspx

LOOK HOW FUCKING RAD THAT ELEPHANT IS.

Hopefully that isn't an image that randomly changes, but if it is, sucks for you if you don't get the rad fucking elephant.

Anyway, post your object when you sign up. No two people can claim the exact two objects, but seeing as the museum has 2,932 Roman lamps, this shouldn't really matter.