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 keithchanning@gmail.com 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.
Das Machine by John W. Howell © 2018
“SICWK 302 calling base.”
“Go ahead 302.”
“I have made a safe touchdown and am now active.”
“We copy that 302. We are receiving an image now.”
“I hope to be able to explain it, base.”
“Yeah. The monitors are showing a carbon unit.”
“Copy that, base. It looks to me like one of the life forms on this planet.”
“Can you tell if it is an intelligent life form? ”
“It hasn’t moved in quite a while. It does have unusual facial features. It almost looks like it is trying to determine something.”
“What form did you elect to take?”
“They have something here called an ATM. There were so many I decided to take that form.”
“What is the purpose of this ATM?”
“It is a reservoir for paper.”
“Paper?”
“Yes. My sensors determined that this planet has little pieces of a compound of fibers that the inhabitants use as currency to barter for goods and services.”
“You sound like you know a lot about it.”
“They also have an intelligent being here called Google. This Google knows everything. I believe it is the repository for all knowledge.”
“Well thank the planets you have help. Has the life form moved?”
“No. It is still staring at something on my face.”
“What is on your face?”
“I had to replicate a screen. It gives instructions on how to use the ATM.”
“Why is the life form staring then?”
“Maybe there is a language problem.”
“What language did you use.”
“Ours of course.”
“Um, 302?”
“Yes, base.”
“What are the odds a life form on a distant planet will be able to decipher Scrungy?”
“Google said Scrungys are everywhere. This thing still hasn’t moved. Maybe it is not viable any longer.”
“I’m so glad we sent you on this important mission 302.”
“Why, thank you.”
“Sure,”
Fiction Favorites 
Scrungy? You talking dirty again, John?
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Caught me. Ha ha ha. 😀
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Funny! Google and Scrungy. In an ATM. That’s really good.
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Thank you, Jennie. I had a good time in my brain. 😀
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Your readers did, too. 🙂
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Always good to know.
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👍
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Love your imagination and sense of humor, John!!
I thought he was just saying something like, “Dang this new fangled gadgets! Why won’t my remote work on this thing?!”
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Ha ha ha. I was going to go with “I put in my quarter so where is my gum ball?” Thanks, GP yours is better.
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Oh jeez, that’s a great one!!
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😀
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Now I’m wondering what scrungy is.
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Besides an alien language? It a thingy to hold hair in place.
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Oh. I thought those were scrunchies. Just looked up scrungy and it’s apparently 1970’s slang for dirty and scuzzy. Learned something new. Thanks.
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Too bad I didn’t know. Thanks, Charles.
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Scrungy is still a better word. Much more memorable.
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Ha haha.
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This is good, John. I swear, it must be the way half the screens I see during the day are designed.
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All you have to do is say “hello,” in Scrungy and you might get some help. Hello is “XWY.”
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Yep, Hurricane Harvey was a portal. Aliens are here speaking Scrungy. I knew those workmen were speaking a language I did not understand. 😀
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Ha ha ha. In my case it is true. Thanks, Gwen.
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Bwahaha!
Is Scrungy available on Rosetta Stone, John?
Thank you for bringing the laughter to my Tuesday morning.
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The Scrungy alphabet only has three letters so it shouldn’t be too hard and yes it’s available. Thanks, Marc. 😀
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3 letters huh? So on Rosetta Stone, that’s about fifty words per letter . . .
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Or more. X means peace, love, cuban sandwich and a bunch of other pleasurable things.
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So that’s where “X marks the spot” comes from!
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Yup.
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Sooooo. are P’s and Q’s the other two letters? And should I be minding them? 🙂
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W and Z. I’m not sure what you should be minding. (The P&Q thing was pretty funny.)
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Hahaha!
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You outdid yourself on this one, John! You have to step out of your ‘Mystery/Suspense’ genres and write an epic ALIEN LANDING FARCE… But, Wait! I’m already here! Not as an alien, but as a farce! (I could be mis-spelling FARCE!) 🙂
Really, John, great stuff! ♥
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I think you are spelling farce correctly, but that’s not you. Thanks, Billy Ray. 😀
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♥♥♥
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😀
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Outstanding.
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Thank you, Craig.
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I loved this! So clever and imaginative. I’m still chuckling, AND I got my alien fix for the day 😀
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There you go. Thanks, Mae.
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I sit back and marvel at your creative wit, Mr. John. Nothing short of hilarious!
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Thank you, John. 😀
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Lol, I’ll never look at an ATM the same way again 🙂
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I know right? Maybe next time it will be a fireplug. Thanks, Jacquie
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I guess we better learn to speak scrungy soon…lol Love your take on this pic:)
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Thanks, Denise.
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Where *does* he get these photos? Well done again, John!
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He does have some doozies.
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Ha. A life form. I’ve seen these now and again. Didn’t expect what happened. Thought maybe the ATM wasn’t coughing up the money and the poor guy was waiting cause the wife wanted him to pick up supper; now he has no idea what to do.
This is scrumptious, John. Giggled myself silly till I thought I heard an ATM disgorge greenbacks. Hahaha.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Tess. Glad you liked it.
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Now, that was some funny, funny stuff!!! 🙂 I’m still chuckling.
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Good. I love to do funny stuff.
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This was brilliant, John.
Thank Dog I wasn’t drinking chocolate milk while reading this…
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Ha ha ha. That stuff can get sticky.
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Hilarious, John! This is the first photo in a while that didn’t have Middle Eastern looking men in it. 🙂 What’s with the home loan for women sign? What?
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This was taken in India so I don’t know. I guess it is a specialist in home loans
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You rock the humour, John. This is a gem! 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. Glad you had fun with it.
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hahahaha!!! This is funny! “Google says Scrungy’s are everywhere.” I laughed out loud! Nice take on the photo prompt John.
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To make you laugh out loud is an accomplishment. Thanks for letting me know, Deborah.
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🙂
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This is excellent, John! It’s funny, my first thought was of my Dad and how he lived to be 97 (passed last August) and experienced so much change in technology – learning how to use a debit card, atms, etc. Amazing, to say the least. Your creativity is non-stop, by the way!
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Thank you, Lauren. That is such a nice compliment coming from such a talented person as yourself. :-D.
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You’re very welcome, and thanks, too, for your kind words. 🙂
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😀
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[…] Das Machine by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
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Thanks, Keith
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