So here is the deal in Keith’s words.
“Using this photo(below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The photo
Ready by John W. Howell © 2016
“So what do you guys want to portray?”
“We want the world to look at our photo and see four handsome eligible men.”
“Okay, I think we can do that. Why did you hire me.? I thought you already published a photo.”
“Well, we did but er it just didn’t say what we wanted it to say.”
“Okay. let me see it.”
“Here it is.”
“Hmmm. What did this photo say that you wanted to keep quiet.”
“For one thing. See that chipped cup in the foreground?”
“Yes.”
“That says poor.”
“Uh huh. I can agree there. What about those ashtrays.”
“They are the finest crystal from Waterford. They say rich.”
“Also they say smokers with stinky breath and clothes.”
“Oh. We didn’t think of that angle.”
“How about that background? The electric cord and the drapes. That orange color looks like poster board. Where did you take this? Looks like the Holiday Inn.”
“That was taken in our office conference room I’ll have you know.”
“Uh okay. You know what that says?”
“No what?”
“No creativity.”
“But I’m holding a camera as a demonstration of my interest in photography.”
“Does a lot of good when your photo stinks.”
“I didn’t take it.”
“Even worse. What about the shirt outside the pants.”
“He forgot a belt.”
“I suppose you all got those ties from the same place.”
“Yes, we did. A guy on the street corner had a sale.”
“Let me guess. Four for one.”
“How did you know?”
“Just lucky I guess.”
“I think you guys need more than a photographer. I can put you in touch with an image consultant.”
“Why do you think we need an image consultant?”
“Your question just confirmed it.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOL… Image consultant… Good one John. Hugs.
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Thanks Teagan. Terrific Tuesday to you. 😀
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Thank you John, and to you as well. After Monday it can only get better. I’m back on track. 😀
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Excellent!!!
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I got such a telling off from these guys for the photo. They wanted to get into stiff, formal poses, and reckoned they weren’t ready when I took this one.
Golly. I was smoking then, too. That places it earlier than Easter 1980 (that’s when I quit for the last time). I didn’t notice the chipped cup before, though!
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Ha ha ha. I really had fun with this one. 😀
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Me too. In a break from tradition, this is a false story – only the nales have not been changed (except that I’m not sure about camera-boy. I promoted him to offset-litho printer when Sreedharan left to go back to India, but I have a bit of a mental block on his name).
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Pradeep.
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Nice take on it. No idea where I would have gone.
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These things jump at me sometimes. Went with the flow. Thanks, Charles.
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Great flow surfing then. 🙂
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Thanks. 🙂 I think you made up a new writer’s term. Flow Surfing – when the story carries you along.
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Sounds pretty cool. Threat of a wipeout is in there too.
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Thats what makes it perfect.
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Oh my…I think they need more than an image consultant. Great job, John! That guy on the far left…LOL!
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I know right? I also loved the polyester fabrics. Thanks, Jill
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Great dialogue, John. Loved the details. I might not have noticed them, as I was focused on how uncomfortable the guys look.
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They do look like deer caught in the headlights don’t they? Thanks, Gwen 😀
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I caught those ties and couldn’t get any farther.
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Ha ha ha. 😀
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Kudos, John, I don’t know where I would have gone with that one! Priceless!
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I had to laugh out loud when I first saw the photo. Could not imagine the true nature of it. Thanks, John 😀
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I thought it was funny, too. I thought perhaps they were practicing their poses for a police lineup!
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Ha ha ha. Good one. 😀
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I agree with John F. I don’t know where I would have gone with that one, but not the way you went. Great imagination and attention to detail!! Loved it!
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Thanks, Jan. I can usually be counted upon to take a different path. Loved your comment. 🙂
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For a men’s group shot this one looks perfectly normal. Enjoyed this, John. My first reaction to the photo was oh no… 🙂
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“Oh no,” is the perfect reaction. Thanks, Audrey. 😀
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Oh good! You’re welcome 🙂
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🙂
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You are so creative! I would have hit a dead end with that photo.
Highly entertaining, John!
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Thank you so much, Mae Clair. 🙂
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Great job with that photo, John. I think you hit the nail(s) on the head. Although, you might owe Holiday Inn an apolgy.
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Ha ha ha. I don’t think so.They have to be aware. 🙂 Thanks, Dan
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Nice take on this one, John. As usual, I had NO idea where you’d go with it, but I’m always ready to go along!
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Always good to have you on the ride, Debbie. 🙂
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I don’t miss the single life… not one bit.
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Me either. Of course its been so long ago I can’t remember.
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An image consultant. What a scream. I love it. 😀 😀 😀
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Thanks Tess. 😀
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Don’t tell me – they’re all ‘winters’ so that orange is just a killer with their complexions…
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Ha ha ha. I think you got it. 😀
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The PR Manager for ‘Holiday Inn’ International Division just called…he wants to do lunch!
He muttered something about needing a new ‘image consultant”
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Thanks, Soooz. Good laugh for the day. 😀
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[…] Ready by John W. Howell © 2016 […]
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