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 keith@channing.info 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.
Business by John W. Howell © 2107
“Hello is this the repair office?”
“Yes, ma’am. You Fix-It at your service. What can we do for you?”
“I live above the Sears store, and someone was supposed to be over to fix a leak above my window.”
“Yes, ma’am. Could I have your name?”
“Oh, of course. It is Sharon Sears.”
“Thank you. I see your work order right in front of me. The man is supposed to be there now.”
“Oh, let me look outside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t see anyone out there. There is a ladder though.”
“Ah, that’s a good sign. Let me call our man and see where he is. May I put you on hold?
“Certainly.”
“Hey, Driskoll. Where you at?”
“I’m at the Sears store.”
“Okay, exactly where you at?”
“I’m on a tall ladder looking at the roof.”
“Okay hold on.”
“Ma’am?”
“Yes.”
“My man says he is on a tall ladder looking at the roof.”
“There is no one on a ladder. The one here is short. Ladder that is.”
“Hold on ma’am.”
“Driskoll?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What’s the address of the store?”
“Not sure. It’s the one at the Parkland Mall.”
“Okay, hold on.”
“Ma’am is your store at the Parkland Mall?”
“Oh no. It’s the one downtown. We have leather crafts and gifts. The other is a hardware and clothing store.”
“Yeah, I’m familiar with Sears. Please hold on.”
“Driskoll, you are at the wrong Sears store. Get off that roof and go to 121 Bakewell Street.”
“But boss.”
“But boss what?”
“The manager paid me in advance to fix the roof.”
“How much?”
“Two thousand.”
“Yikes. Hold on.”
“Ma’am?”
“Yes?”
“My man can’t get there today. How about tomorrow?”
“What is the forecast?”
“Slight chance of rain.”
“Okay then, tomorrow. Thank you.”
“Goodbye, ma’am.”
“Driskoll. I got the other job scheduled for tomorrow.”
“How’d you do that?”
“Told the lady there was only a slight chance for rain.”
“You know that’s a lie. There’s a typhoon forecasted for tomorrow.”
“Sometimes I hate myself, but business is business.”
Fiction Favorites 
Wow…I couldn’t have imagined this story. My focus was the puppy. Great job, John! 🙂
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The puppy did have some opportunity but I couldn’t pull it together.
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Nice job, John! What up with the woman to the right?
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I think she is camera struck. Ha ha ha.
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Sneaky fellow. Well done spotting the ladder – I hadn’t seen it until now, and I only took the photograph eleven days ago!
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I wanted to focus on one of the women but couldn’t get a story that hadn’t been told before.
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For some reason, I can’t stop wondering how she doesn’t know about the typhoon. Then I remember how there are people around here that remain ignorant of snowstorms until they’re stuck on a highway.
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Of course, the writer of this piece could have a plot hole as well. 😀
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We’ll just say she doesn’t get the Weather Channel.
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Great solution. You da man.
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Never let them know you made an oopsie. 😛
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What oopsie?
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Exactly.
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I couldn’t take my eyes off that woman on the right, so my caption for the photo is…
“Well, John? Are you taking my picture or the blonde in front of Sears?”
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Ha ha ha. I have experienced a few of those. Thanks, GP
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I thought the story would revolve around the woman looking at the camera too. Didn’t even see the ladder! You faked us out on this one, good sir. Love the lesson – beware of the business person. LOL
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Yes. Business is business. :-D. Thanks, John
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Good job finding the ladder in this photo, John. I feel like this is how every service call really goes.
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Thanks, Dan. I agree with you.
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I think I lived this story. Business people…
Great work, John.
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Ha ha ha. After almost 50 years in business I can’t help poking fun.
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I’m in the habit of looking at the picture every week now seeing if I can guess where you’ll go. Never saw that one coming at all. I was looking at the disappointed looking woman on the right. You wrote a pretty good explanation of why the repairman is always late.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Craig.
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Good one, John! I hadn’t even seen that ladder until you pointed it out. Guess I’d zeroed in on the shoppers and the dog!
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Yes. I saw them originally but couldn’t come up with a story. The ladder another story all together.
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That was excellent. I didn’t expect you to focus on the ladder. Like many others, I thought you’d zero in on the woman on the right. I didn’t see the ladder until it popped up in the story, almost like one of those “hidden objects” games!
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Ha ha ha. You must know by now I have a different drummer in my head. Thanks, Mae
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A nice way of phrasing it 🙂
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Ha ha ha.:-D
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And so, as ever, the small business person loses out – such is life! 😀
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Yup. The big wheel keeps on turning.
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Ol’ Driskoll better bring a coat. And a boat.
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I would say. He won’t be working tomorrow. That person will have more water in her living room than she can bail.
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Ha! With a healthy dose of reality taboot. Like GP I got preoccupied by the woman with the “What the what?!” expression on her face. I didn’t even spot the ladder. You have a good eye for detail. Have a terrific Tuesday. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs and wonderful evening to you.
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You’re tuned into a higher power, John.
Thanks for this.
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Thank you, Hook.
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And so it is. Another good one, John!
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Thank you, Jan 🙂
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These are the kinds of people I always seem to get on the phone.
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Me too. “Uh, what was your address again?” You want to call up a Patriot missile
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Bottom line strikes again.
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Yup
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[…] Business by John W. Howell © 2017 […]
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