In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.ino before 6 pm 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.
Here is the photo.
Observation by John W. Howell © 2017
“So what are we supposed to be looking for anyway?”
“The dispatcher said to keep an eye out for anything unusual.”
“Look at those yellow awnings. They are unusual.”
“Yes, they are. Not that kind of unusual.”
“So what kind?”
“How long you been on the force?”
“Ten years why?”
“You should know what kind of unusual. Robbers, killers, rapists and anything else that looks illegal.”
“Man I haven’t seen any of those for a while.”
“You know what I mean.”
“What do those kinds of people look like anyway?”
“You are getting on my last nerve. Quit being so literal. Just look for anything suspicious.”
“That for sale sign looks suspicious.”
“I give up. Sit there and be quiet.”
“What if I see something?”
“Ask for permission to speak.”
“Got it.”
“The silence is a nice change.”
“Permission to speak.”
“Go ahead.”
“Whats that guy with the gun doing?”
“What guy? What gun?”
“Permission to speak.”
“Yeah do it.”
“That was just a test.”
“Okay one more and I’m reporting you to the captain.”
“Permission to speak.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Coffee.”
“Coffee what?”
“Permission to speak.”
“Damnit go ahead.”
“The guy with coffee has a gun.”
“Yeah right. Yikes. What was that?”
“Permission to speak.”
“Go ahead darn you.”
“The guy with coffee is shooting at us.”
“Shoot back.”
“Permission to speak.”
“For heaven’s sake get down. Speak.”
“My gun’s not loaded.”
“Okay, we are getting out of here. My report will end your career.”
“Permission to speak.”
“I give up. Go ahead.”
“The guy with the coffee gives me an idea.”
“What is it?”
“Permission to speak.”
“Ugh. Please.”
“Let’s get some coffee.”
Fiction Favorites 
Literal folks can be irritating, but what/how they see may help us. LOL. Great story, John. 🙂
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Thanks, Gwen. This was a riff on the “I’ll do as you say,” as a passive aggressive technique. Glad you liked it.
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Someone could end up shot! 😀
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Sooner or later.
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Surprised that guy made it ten years.
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I know right? I think he is burned out. Thanks, Charles.
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And this is how friendly fire incidents happen.
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Exactly what I was thinking, Craig!
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Great minds.
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Ha ha ha.
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Thanks, Teri.
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Hey! Let’s get some coffee, John! This is so good – I’ll be chuckling all day long. Sorry, you forced my hand. I’ll just have to turn this over to the Reblog Dept.!
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Thank you, John. It is always smile making to be turned over to the reblog department. Also there is cold Molson in the reblog fridge. 😀
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Correctamundo! The Reblog fridge is always stocked with Molson cold ones! You’re welcome, good sir!
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Ha ha ha.
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Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
John W. Howell does an amazingly funny story with a picture prompt today. While you’re over at Fiction Favorites, sign up to follow his blog – something new to delight you every day! Please, read on…
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Thank you for the reblog, John.
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My pleasure, John.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you, Michael. 🙂
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Always with a great pleasure! Sorry today i am a little bit late. Have a nice day. 😉 Michael
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Never late. Only delayed.
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Great job, John. I either want to slap the guy or toss him out so he’d make a better target.
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That would have been a good ending too. “Get out.” Thanks , Dan
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Good one, John!!
All I could come up with is the only house on the block that’s been updated appears to be For Sale. Just doesn’t fit in I suppose.
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Good observation, GP. Thanks. 🙂
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Oh my! The mind of John Howell is a scary place. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. So I’ve been told.
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I can see this playing out as a comedic scene in a Hollywood movie. As always, your mind wanders into the most unusual (and entertaining) scenarios!
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Thank you, Mae. 🙂
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Once again, you can’t fix stupid!! Well played, John.
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I know right.Thanks, Debbie.
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Might as well enjoy a good cup of coffee before getting canned. Great riff, John.
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Thanks, Phillip. 🙂
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Too funny! Thanks for the Tuesday laugh! 🙂
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Thank you for saying so, Natalie. 🙂
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You are so good with these!
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Thank you, Jo. You are so nice. 🙂
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Sounds like Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s on first?” Classic skit. Loved this. Also a great explanation of the word, “literally.” 🙂
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Thank you, Micki. 😀
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Coffee, yeah, that’s it. Fun, John
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Coffee says it all. 😀
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[…] Observation by John W. Howell © 2017 […]
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Thank you, Keith
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