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.”
Hmmm. What to do with a miscreant wife? I’m so happy not to be in that unenviable position. Good story, John.
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Good answer, Keith. Thank you. 😀
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Nice story! 🙂
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Thank you, much. 😀
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Most welcome! 🙂
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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.
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For sure. Vocabulary lessons with humor. Thanks, Gwen
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“You mean to tell me that WE can outsource OUR work?”
Sorry, John, that’s all I got this morning. 🙂
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Pretty good for dawn 30. GP
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There are quite a few Shirleys around these parts.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
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The BEST! ♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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Happy wife – Happy life – Did that guy not get the message?
Great response, John.
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I think the memo went into his file 13.
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Loved this one, John!
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I’m glad, Jill.
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What?
A miscreant wife?
Excuse me?
Being a miscreant is a retired guy’s job, not his wife’s.
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And you do such a good job of it, Greg. 😀
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Take my wife, please. – Henny Youngman.
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Ha ha ha .Thought of the same line. 😀 Thanks, Craig.
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Oh my God! I am in stitches. I haven’t laughed this hard in a while. “Welcome to our family, Shirley…” Bwwwwwaaaaahhhhhhh!!
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Ha haha. You know he means it. 😀
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“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?!
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Ha ha ha. I think it might be the veil requriement and it’s 110 degrees over the pot. Thanks, Debbie
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Just priceless, John!
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Thank you, John
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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…
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Thank you, Geoff. Day one as it were. 😀
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yes, indeed!
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Very clever wife and great story. Nice I got to learn a new word, too!
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Oh good. I love that word and you can throw it around in a number of ways. Thanks, Denese.
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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.
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Thank you Dale. Always room in the pool for one more.
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Woot!!
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🙂
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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 🙂
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So glad you liked it Mae. Thanks.
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LOL! This was great John! That guy never had a chance. Shirley may be regretting her choice though. “Shirley welcome to our family.” ROFL!
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Ha haha. Thanks, Deborah.
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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!
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Thank you, Marc. I think he knows not to go too much further.
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🙂
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Simply awesome, John, and I had to look up miscreant, too. 😉
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Thanbk you, Lauren. 😀
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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!
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Good for you Teagan. You need more of that laughter. Hugs
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This was good, John. It put a smile on my face. 😀
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I’m glad
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
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Thank you, Traci
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You’re welcome, John!
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🙂
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[…] The Intern by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
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