In Keith’s words. “Using this photo 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 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.
The trip by John W. Howell
“So where is the cruise ship?”
“Who said anything about a cruise ship?”
“You said we were going on a cruise.”
“I don’t think I said a cruise.”
“What did you say then?”
“I think I said you and I were booked on a boat trip.”
“Boat trip, cruise. What’s the difference?”
“For one thing a boat trip is on a boat, not a ship.”
“To me, they are the same.”
“A boat is smaller.”
“Like those in the river there?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, so it’s a small boat. Still a cruise to me.”
“Hold on. Another thing that separates a cruise from a boat trip is on a cruise you don’t have to do anything but eat, sleep, and play.”
“Yeah, I get that. So on a boat trip, you need to be involved in doing things.”
“Now I think you have it.”
“Like what things?”
“Depends on what you signed up for.”
“Signed up for? What does that mean?”
“Well, for instance, I signed up to be a deckhand.”
“Deckhand. Wait a minute. I thought this was going to be a vacation?”
“It is. A working vacation.”
“You mean to tell me we are going to be working as deckhands on one of those barges?”
“No, not at all.”
“Well. that’s a relief.”
“You’re signed up as a cook.”
Fiction Favorites 
I suspect the narrator enjoyed this mischievous interlude; of course, he might think twice about his upcoming meal. It’s never good to anger the cook. 😀 Thank you for the morning smiles, John.
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Thank you for your comment, Gwen. The narrator seems to enjoy torturing this poor lad, doesn’t he? 😀
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Thanks, John. No more boat pictures for a while; promise.
If this guy’s as good as the cook we had on our houseboat in Kerala, he’ll do fine!
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I think there is trouble ahead. Where’s the can opener?
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“A mixture of alcohol, party boat and surrounded by water – what could go wrong?”
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Ha ha ha. Sounds like a safe trip to me. Thanks, GP.
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I think they might be headed to Gilligan’s Island.
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On a three hour tour. Thanks, Jill
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If they get paid then it isn’t so bad. Then again, it depends on how capable the cook is.
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Had to look up how to boil water. 😀
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1). Insert water into pot. 2). Set fire to house. 3). Add pasta.
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Ha ha ha. 4. Run like hell.
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But if you run, who will eat the pasta?
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Make it to go.
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My kind of cruise. Good hob, John. I spend a year “cruising” the rivers in Pittsburgh. Fun times.
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I’ll bet that was fun. Thanks, Dan
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Too much fun, John. My father got me a job in a machine shop, to remind me that I needed to go to college.
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Ha ha ha. Good man. I worked in a machine shop while in college. Did internal and external cuts on steel rings that were part of a 18 wheeler oil filter set up. What a hellhole.
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I worked in a place that made gun barrels. My mother used to make me undress outside and put my clothes in a garbage bag that she later took to a Laundromat because of the cutting oil.
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That oil got into everything. I actually had a shirt catch on fire with hot shavings and oil combo.
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Oh my goodness! That’s crazy.
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I know right?
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Oh, you are so good!
My first thought was…..what can you possibly do with that photo? Quite entertaining as I started reading, but the punch line made it exceptional.
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Thank you, Mae. You make me blush.
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🙂
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If I had to be the cook, I’d probably abandon ship.
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I would too. Lucky for him the crew is not fussy.
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At least the cook doesn’t have to deal with drunks. He could have been the bathroom steward.
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Very true. This is a barge carrying carbon black. No tourists on board.
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Might be easier to hide out then.
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Yes. If you are a raven.
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I think that would be the last time that person booked a vacation for me…lol. Big difference between a cruise and working vacation:)
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Especially in the galley.
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Too funny! I’m wondering how this is going to end. Badly, I fear. 🙂
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I think so too.
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LOL! 😀
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😀
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HaHa, good one! Nothing like getting your expectations up for a relaxing cruise, then learning you get to practice your cooking instead!
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A small disappointment, for sure.
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I agree with Gwen… you goofed on this one, Mr. John!
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A cook…I’ll take it.
Good one, John
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😀
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I’ve been on one of those boats. I’d take the cook job knowing the deckhand would have a much harder job. 🙂 Good story and thanks for the memory of those boats, and city.
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You are welcome. Thanks for the comment, Deborah.
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[…] The Trip by John W. Howell © 2017 […]
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Thanks, Keith.
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