Keith explains what is going on in his 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 often 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
A headache by John W. Howell © 2017
“Yeah, that’s what I said. We are stuck.”
“How did we get stuck?”
“Well, I think it is pretty simple. We came to a tunnel that wasn’t big enough, and we got stuck.”
“How is this even possible?”
“Look I’m not a tunnel engineer. I’m a railroad engineer. How would I know?”
“Have you gone through this tunnel before?”
“Why yes. Yes, we have.”
“With this train?”
“Now that you mention it, yes with this very train.”
“So don’t you think it odd that on this particular trip you got stuck?”
“You know. It is odd.”
“Can you think of any reason why?”
“No. Wait it may be that out cargo load is heavier.”
“Think about it. What would weight have to do with getting stuck? You are wider is the reason. Can you think why you are wider?”
“Hmm. Wider. Let me think about that.”
“You do that, and I’ll call dispatch and see if they know anything.”
“Great idea.”
“Hello, dispatch. I’m calling about old 2120. It seems we are stuck at tunnel forty-one. Yes, forty-one. Okay, I’ll hold.”
“What they say?”
“I’m on hold. Oh yes, go ahead dispatch. You don’t say. Wow, amazing. Okay, we’ll try it. Thanks.”
“So what’s the solution.”
“Dispatch says to check the passenger’s list.”
“What for?”
“To see if there are some unauthorized people on board. Looks like these people have bloated your train.”
“People. Like who?”
“Well, this train don’t carry no gamblers this train. This train don’t carry no liars this train. This train don’t carry no smokers this train. This train don’t carry no con men this train. This train don’t carry no rustlers this train. This train is bound for glory and don’t carry nothing but the righteous and holy. Dispatch thinks you have an overload.”
“The guy in dispatch. You get his name?”
“Yeah. Guthrie.”
“Figures.”
Fiction Favorites 
Too funny, John…I suspect Woody is getting a good chuckle out of this as well. A really fun story – with a twist I could not have imagined – at least not for This Train. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Thank you , Gwen. It was a fun one and I had to work hard to get to the end. 🙂
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From the first line, I knew this would be great, John! This is kind of how my Monday went. 🙂
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Aw you poor thing. Its over now. On to Tuesday. 😀
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Nice one. Never listened to Guthrie, so I should look up some of his stuff.
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Woody was fabulous. You should give him a try. Thanks, Charles. 🙂
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Nice one, John. I’m late this week – now I need to rethink my story!
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There is a saying about bird and worm. Sorry about that. 😀 (no I’m not)
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This post is bound for glory, John! You do a great job with these. I love the dialog and the twists.
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Thank you so much, Dan. Your words of encouragement are very special. 🙂
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Well done, good sir! A train that gets stuck in a tunnel – had to be Aliens. Thanks, John!
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Or a bunch of freeloaders. Thanks, John 😀
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Yeah – Hosers most likely. 😉
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I couldn’t come up with a good comeback to that story after reading Dan’s comment!! haha
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Thanks, GP. Dan is such good coach. 😀
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I didn’t see Woody Guthrie coming, nice!
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Thanks, Pilgrim. Worked my way there. 😀
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You’re the M Night of the blogosphere!
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You are too kind.
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Nah . . . you’re just that good.
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🙂
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Without a doubt, the MOST clever post you’ve ever written! Love the Woody Guthrie touch! 🙂
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Wow! Thank you, Jan. A very high compliment from such a talented writer. 😀
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I suspected I was reading lyrics to a song, but had no clue. I was a big fan of Arlo, and knew Woody was a legend, but never heard any of his music. Is the train number and the tunnel number from the song too, or did you throw those in there? Either way, cleverly done to see Americana and Folk creep up here. I love it!
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Arlo or Woodie? Great post. Sorry I’m late visiting today.
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Woodie.
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Outstanding!! You’re so clever, John — never know where you’re going with these, and I’m never disappointed either!
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Aw. Thank you, Debbie. 🙂
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Another gem, John! 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. 🙂
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Ha! Bound for glory! Great story for today’s prompt John.
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Thank you, Deborah. It was fun.
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