The only reason survival is possible is coffee. That golden elixir is the only self-medication that stops the spike-driving, rail-laying, metal-on-metal sound in my head from caffeine withdrawal. The aroma alerts my senses to be prepared for soothing peace.
The first sip quells the noise. The second sip, as we are all too familiar, is accompanied by the falling grand piano in the Grand Canyon sound as it hits the floor, a combination of Westminster chimes of the doorbell and the bark to St. Louis, picture window smashing sound of Twiggy and Tempeste treating the idiot who can’t read the do not ring the doorbell sign as a threat to life and limb. A quick toss of peanut butter-stuffed Kong toys into the soundproof room, and a slam of the door hails the arrival of the peace train.
A check of the monitor shows Marc Antony, the Bulldog, with a clipboard and letter. Knowing conversation is futile, the security shutdown process is begun.
The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.
The Bulldog gives me the letter and clipboard, which is signed and returned. A fiver is clipped to the board, so the Bulldog smiles and makes his exit. Once inside, the letter seems to be from Linda Hill and says: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘reason.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-12-2026/
Reason © 2026
“Okay, what’s the reason you didn’t give the Bulldog one of your clever quotes?”
“I thought the fiver would be enough.”
“Don’t you think once he gets back to the delivery company, all the other characters will ask about the motivational tip?”
“How will they know he made a stop at my place?”
“Yeah, that’s a good point. I don’t suppose those characters compare notes.”
“I think they just do their job and go home. What reason would there be to mill around and discuss deliveries?”
“What reason indeed. I’m now sorry I mentioned it.”
“Nah, don’t be sorry. Enquiring minds want to know.”
“Speaking of that, you ready to go to the pub?”
“You get an Uber?”
“Don’t I always? Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Wow, that is some color. Looks like a 64 Chevrolet C10 pickup.”
“Been worked on, too. There is room for three.”
“That’s a good thing. No sitting on the floor?”
“Nope?”
“So what is the catch?”
“This guy is also a DoorDash delivery person.”
“So?”
“We have to make one stop.”
“Uh huh.”
“He needs to deliver a shipment of canaries to a pet store.”
“You make me laugh.”
“Seriously.”
“And the canaries need to ride in the cab.”
“How did you know?”
“Instinct.”
“Here are some overalls.”
“What are these for?”
“The canaries need to sit on your lap, and I don’t want them to get anything on you.”
“Aren’t they in a shipping container?”
“Yes, but you never know.”
“I’ve been in worse conditions.”
“That’s the spirit. Let’s go.”
