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.
“So tell me. Is it going to be okay?”
“How long has this been going on?”
“No more than a couple of hours.”
“Well, that is a blessing. I’m glad you called me right away.”
“We didn’t know what else to do.”
“I think you did the right thing. Most people wait too long and then it is too late.”
“It’s not too late I hope?”
“Just a few more moments and I can give you a better idea of what we are facing.”
“I’m sorry for being so anxious, but we wouldn’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Betsey.”
“Betsey that’s what you named it?”
“Her.”
“Excuse me?”
“Betsey is a girl.”
“Oh my gosh. I never would have guessed that the way it looks.”
“Her.”
“Yeah, I get it. Her. Hold on. I think I have found the problem.”
“Thank heavens. Can you solve it?”
“Yes, I think so. I have the instrument in my bag. Humm. Let me see. Oh, yes, here it is.”
“What do you have to do?”
“I’ll need you to help.”
“Anything. Just tell me what to do.”
“I’m going to make a slight cut here. After that, I need to use this to go in and remove the blockage. I want you to hold this instrument and when I tell you, place it in my hand. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I’m good.”
“Okay, so here we go. First the cut. Yes, that looks good. Hand me the instrument.”
“Here you go.”
“Ah. I’ve got the blockage. Hand me that cloth.”
“What is that thing?”
“Looks like a chunk of charred wood.”
“Charred wood? How is that possible?”
“You’re right. It’s a petrified piece of brisket. How often do you clean this thing?”
“Every time I use her.”
“Well, you better be more careful. You almost lost it.”
“Her.”
“Whatever. If you want to keep it in top condition, you better do a better job of cleaning. You’ll save my fee too.”
“We have a lot of hamburgers to grill. Is she up to it?”
“Yes. I sealed the cut. She is good to go.”
“You know they don’t make grills like this anymore.”
“Yeah, I know. Here’s my bill.”
“This bill is more than my doctor charges.”
“I know. I used to be a doctor.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice twist, John.
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Thank you, Keith.
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This was a fun surprise, John. 😀 I suspect most of us have had a Betsey that needed attention, especially cleaning. Hope your day is perfect, maybe even grill-perfect.
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Thank you Gwen. We have temps in the 50’s so it is bundle up time.
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Nice going, John.
I kept trying to figure out what that gas tank was behind them. So I didn’t come up with much more than ____ “Well that does it for our Halloween practical jokes, this one knocked him out!”
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Ha haha. I was having the same problem which gave rise to the grill idea.
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Excellent twist ending. 😀
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Thank you, Charles. You made my day. (I know not much of a life :-D)
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It’s the little things that matter. 😉
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So true.
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hahaha Loved it!
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Thanks, Pamela.
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Nice job, John! These photos always make me laugh. 🙂
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I have to laugh too but sometimes it is nervious-type as in “what am I going to do with this?”
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A new definition of Urgent Care, but I can see it. Well done, John (oh, and that’s how I like my burgers).
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Thank you, Dan. Me too.
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OMgosh! You are a genius! The grill was great, but the last line was perfection. Laughed out loud over this one, John. applause
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Thank you, Mae.love your comments. 😀
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🙂
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Outstanding. Hope she has many more happy years of grilling.
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I’m sure she will. Thanks, Craig.
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You are so good at these ‘photo ops’ – would imagine there’s a book of these coming down the road – with a thematic layout! ♥
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May not happen in my lifetime. Too much to do already.
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Take ‘Pickett’ off the table… I’m making corrections, and you will see it when finished. You’ve got too much on your plate, good John. ♥♥♥
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Okay. Send me the new one when ready.
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I kept trying to guess what it was. A BBQ never came to mind…lol
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Thank you, Denise. 🙂
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I needed a laugh today, and you didn’t disappoint — thanks, John! At first, I thought they were referring to an old car, but then I noticed the tank.
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Yeah the tank was a giveaway. Thanks, Debbie.
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I hope you’re not by all that flooding. I hear the Llano River rose 16 feet in 6 hours! Take care.
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A girl? Betsey? Quite a story for a grill. I needed that chuckle! 🙂
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Brilliant, John.
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Why thank you, Rob
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Never said lightly. You have a gift.
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Says a very gifted artist. 😀
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It takes one to know one? 😉
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🙂
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Sounded eerily like a doctor, but couldn’t let my head go there. Haha…pricey burgers. 🙂
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Ha haha. He used to be a doctor.
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Ha ha! So funny, John! I was thinking it was going to be something like removing a splinter… This was waaaaay better…
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Oh good. I like to be waaay better. 😀
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🤣😂
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At least it’s not a dig at lawyers bills… May be next time!
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Lawyers are too easy. Thaks, Geoff.
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Good to know.
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🙂
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John,
Every grill is precious, buahahaha!
And umm . . . house calls are expensive, but a classic grill is worth it.
Love your BBQ tale
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Thanks, Marc. I have spent many an hour working over a grill that has coded. I know what it feels like to lose one.
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It’s such a tragedy, really. So many great years ahead of it and BOOM! Gone . . just like that.
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I know right. We are setting up a Go Fund Me for a memorial.
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What a great idea! 😉
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😀
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
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Brilliant, John, such an unexpected ending.
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So nice of you to say so, Robbie. Thank you.
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Haha! Well done, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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[…] The Procedure by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
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