In Keith’s words. “Using this photo as inspiration, (below) 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.
Who’s on Board? by John W. Howell © 2018
“Hold on Reggie.”
“What Sean?”
“I don’t remember a train track in this part of town.”
“How often do you come this way?”
“Not very. Usually to visit the Pig and Whistle.”
“The pub you mean?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Well, no wonder you don’t remember a track here. You’re usually pissed when you leave a pub.”
“Aw Reggie. You know me so well. So what is with this train anyway?”
“Beats me. It does look a little different. Hey you.”
“Who?”
“You the engineer.”
“What can I do for you mate?”
“Where’s this train bound?”
“To Glory my man.”
“Glory? I never heard of a town named Glory.”
“It’s not a town. It’s a state of mind.”
“Okay, Sean. I get it. This is one of those preach, teach, and reach outfits. They get you on a vehicle, and pretty soon you’re dunked in a tank or river and yelling that you’ve been saved.”
“Not like that at all governor. This is the real deal. You can get on board and ride this train to Glory.”
“Not on your life. Mr. preacher man.”
“I think you may want to think about life for a moment. What are you going to do now?”
“What do you mean now?”
“Now that you have passed.”
“Passed? What are you talking about?”
“What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Driving Sean here and myself to this town.”
“Did you ever enter the town?”
“Well, let me think.”
“Reggie, we were passing that truck, remember?”
“Yes, I do. The bounder wouldn’t let us back in. . .Oh my gosh. We hit a tree.”
“And so here you are at the first stop of the Glory Train. Hop on board.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice take, John. Interesting that you use pissed in the British sense of inebriated, rather than the what I always understood to be the usual US sense of angry. Does its usage vary across the country?
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Pissed is angry here. I used it since I thought Reggie and Sean were Brits.
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I cammend you on your cultural awareness, Sir. Not only for the appropriate use of the word, but also for recognising in what condition large numbers of my compatriots seem to prefer to pass their holidays (vacations)…
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“Who the heck is this Keith guy that he gets a personal train to pick him up?”
I got too caught up in your story and as you can see – I flubbed on my own contribution.
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Ha haha. Flubbed is a little harsh. 😀
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This is like the beginning of a Stephen King novel.🙃
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Thanks, Jill. 😀
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I can believe this. The guy right next to it really doesn’t look happy to be there. 🙂
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He does look pretty conflicted. Thanks, Charles
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Well done, John. This could have been an episode of the Twilight Zone. The people do look a bit like zombies. 😀
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My thought exactly. Thank you, Gwen
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Very nice, John. It could have ended worse for those guys, it could have been the red engine of the F&B Railroad.
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Ha ha ha. It could have been for sure. Thanks Dan. I know the Fire and Brimstone runs a regular schedule. 😀
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Again! I did not see that one coming! Well done, good sir!
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Do they have a bar car?
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The town of Almost Iowa is considering Light Rail. The line would run from the abandoned store on the south end of town to the abandoned creamery on the north end of town – which is not that far because the store and creamery are located next to each other.
“If you build it, riders will come.”
Who wouldn’t want to ride that train?
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It never fails to amaze me how creative you get. I never expected a Glory train. Well done as always. I so enjoy seeing what you come up with 🙂
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I always find it interesting to read your take on these photos, John — well done! A train bound for Glory isn’t even close to what I’d have thought, but I’m glad you thought of it. Makes for a good read!
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I love the idea of a glory train! Much better than heading to the light:)
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Ha haha. I agree. Club car too.
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Of all the ways this picture could have taken a writer, only you, John, would take it to Glory! 🙂
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Glory be, sister.
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Really good, John.
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Thank you, Jennie
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You’re welcome!
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John,
Hahaha! Take the last train to Glory . . . I guess there could be worse ways to travel to the great beyond . . .
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Especially since this one has a bar car. 😀
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If you’re going to Glory . . it better! lol
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I could hear the distant sounds of The Twilight Zone theme as I read this, John. What a way to enter the bright light. Beats riding the Gravy Train, I guess.
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With bar car too.
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I like the Glory train! Good take on this image John.
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Nicely done, John.
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Thank you, Cheryl.
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