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.
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 Intern by John W. Howell © 2018
“So what is going on here?”
“What do you mean?”
“Who is this European looking woman?”
“She is my intern, Pasha.”
“Intern? Where is it written that you need an intern?”
“There is no writing as you well know. I just decided I needed a little help around here.”
“And so we are now deciding things without any advice from me?”
“I already know your advice. So rather than put you in a position of being wrong I proceeded to get an intern.”
“I suppose I should be grateful that you spared my feelings.”
“That is a good way to look at it. In fact, I think you owe me.”
“Owe you? Whatever for may I ask?”
“Keeping your manliness intact.”
“What if I forbid this intern thing?”
“Then you will have the embarrassing situation of what to do with a miscreant wife.”
“You would defy my wishes?”
“Oh no, my love. As long as you wished for anything other than the dismissal of the intern I would be pleased to fulfill them.”
“I’m confused.”
“A natural state of manhood my dear. Now run along and issue orders and demands of the livestock and leave Shirley and me to work.”
“Shirley? What kind of name is that?”
“She is from Long Island in the United States and is visiting our country for a few weeks.”
“Does she have a work visa?”
“Of course not, my dear. She is an unpaid intern. She does not need a work permit.”
“Where is her husband?”
“I think he went back to the US.”
“And left her here.”
“No. He ordered her to return with him.”
“And?”
“He is now faced with an embarrassing situation of what to do with a miscreant wife. There is a lesson here.”
“I will leave you two. Welcome to our family Shirley.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hmmm. What to do with a miscreant wife? I’m so happy not to be in that unenviable position. Good story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good answer, Keith. Thank you. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, much. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
My goodness, I not only enjoyed the story, I learned a new word (miscreant). Can’t get better than that! 😀 Have a great day, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. Vocabulary lessons with humor. Thanks, Gwen
LikeLike
“You mean to tell me that WE can outsource OUR work?”
Sorry, John, that’s all I got this morning. 🙂
LikeLike
Pretty good for dawn 30. GP
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are quite a few Shirleys around these parts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
The BEST! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Billy Ray
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy wife – Happy life – Did that guy not get the message?
Great response, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the memo went into his file 13.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this one, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad, Jill.
LikeLike
What?
A miscreant wife?
Excuse me?
Being a miscreant is a retired guy’s job, not his wife’s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you do such a good job of it, Greg. 😀
LikeLike
Take my wife, please. – Henny Youngman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha .Thought of the same line. 😀 Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my God! I am in stitches. I haven’t laughed this hard in a while. “Welcome to our family, Shirley…” Bwwwwwaaaaahhhhhhh!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha. You know he means it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Shirley” doesn’t look too happy about stirring whatever is in that steaming pot, John. Perhaps she’s having some misgivings about being a miscreant wife after all?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. I think it might be the veil requriement and it’s 110 degrees over the pot. Thanks, Debbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just priceless, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John
LikeLike
Nope I don’t buy Shirley, John. Her name has to be more, I don’t know, Kardashian. Though I get Pasha’s frustration. You spend years subjugating a whole gender then along comes a Shirley and you’re right back to the start. Great piece. Mucho smiles in south London…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Geoff. Day one as it were. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very clever wife and great story. Nice I got to learn a new word, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good. I love that word and you can throw it around in a number of ways. Thanks, Denese.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is absolutely perfect, John! I looked at the pic, started thinking maybe I’ll join in, read your story and decided… nope. You did marvellously!
Just loved it and am smiling ear-to-ear… Miscreant wife, indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dale. Always room in the pool for one more.
LikeLike
Woot!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ROTFL!!!
I hit this:
“rather than put you in a position of being wrong” and knew it was going to be great, But it just kept getting better and better with each line.
I think my favorite part is:
“I’m confused.”
“A natural state of manhood my dear.”
You made my afternoon 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you liked it Mae. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! This was great John! That guy never had a chance. Shirley may be regretting her choice though. “Shirley welcome to our family.” ROFL!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha haha. Thanks, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boss,
This dude ain’t no dummy. He knows enough to ask the requisite questions, after which to leave well enough alone and get back to doing his dudely duties.
Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marc. I think he knows not to go too much further.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Simply awesome, John, and I had to look up miscreant, too. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanbk you, Lauren. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! John you made me laugh out loud right in the middle of Mordor! So many great lines in this one. Hugs on the wing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you Teagan. You need more of that laughter. Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was good, John. It put a smile on my face. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Traci
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] The Intern by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
LikeLiked by 1 person