As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. So again today I am promptless. GP Cox came up with a solution. He more or less said, “Why don’t you point a finger at a spot in a book and use that as a prompt.” He recalled a prompt on a Steam of Conscious Saturday where Linda Hill proscribed just that prompt method.
So thank you, GP Cox. Here it goes. I am opening Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez to page 135. Today’s prompt is the sentence, “She was furious for three reasons:” Here goes nothing.
Furious By John W. Howell © 2018
“I see you stomping your foot. What’s the matter?”
“You wouldn’t understand. It is one of those shopping things from which you seem to be immune.”
“Come on. I know it wasn’t me who made you angry, so let me help.”
“Do you know anything about dresses?”
“Um. I know when you look good in them.”
“Typical comment from the totally oblivious.”
“Okay you are mad, I get that. I guess I’ll just leave you to your mood.”
“Wait. I’m sorry. You are right. You didn’t have anything to do with the situation so I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“Tell me what happened. Maybe it will make you feel better.”
“You should know that I’m furious for three reasons.”
“That is a beginning. What is reason one?”
“I ordered a new dress for the holiday party online for pickup.”
“Doesn’t sound too bad.”
“That is not a reason. I was giving you context. Here is reason one. I drove to the store and had to wait forty-five minutes until they found the dress.”
“That seems like a long time.”
“Duh. It was supposed to be in pick up.”
“Reason two.”
“I ordered a petite size, and the dress they gave me was a medium.”
“Uh oh. I’ve been in that bear trap myself.”
“Yeah until I banished you from clothes shopping.”
“How about reason three?”
“There were no petite sizes in the dress I wanted. It was on sale and a bargain.”
“When you ordered it did they say the size was in stock.”
“Of course they did, or I wouldn’t have been able to order it.”
“Did you speak to a manager?”
“I did.”
“What happened?”
“I got a refund.”
“Well, it all turned out then.”
“Except I lost out on a bargain, I wasted gas on the round trip, and I had to spend more money on another dress.”
“More money? How much more?”
“Two hundred dollars.”
“Well, do you like the dress?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well seems like all is well that ends well.”
The other dress went with my shoes. I had to get new to go with this dress.”
“Shoes?”
“One Seventy-five.”
“Let’s sue.”
Fiction Favorites 
Brilliant John and a conversation that has played out no doubt in millions of homes over the years.. My husband never quite got it when I said I had bought shoes or a handbag to match the fleck in my outfit!! Have pressed for later… loved it.. hugs
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Thank you so much for the reblog, Sally. I have witnessed the scene and glad I did the angst justice.
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Oh, the frustrations of shopping for a bargain! You’ve captured the emotional highs and lows exquisitely, John. 😀
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This is why I don’t buy clothes on line! Great job, John. It’s obvious you can relate to what we women go through! 🙂
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I have been a casual observer of the ritual.
😀
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I told you that you had a talented finger! Who else could come up with a sentence like “She was furious for three reasons:” and then do such a great job with it!!
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Thank you, GP. A super nice thing to say.
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Shopping seems more complicated than I realize. Always thought it was grab, try on, and buy if it fits.
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You and I think alike.
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Hah! It’s really all about the shoes, you know… the dress is simply a ruse to need more shoes… not that I ever did such a thing…
And shopping on-line is no batgain.
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Ha haha. Thanks, Dale. I have always believed the shoes were the end game.
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Yep – anything else is just material 😉
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I can speak for myself. I loved getting new shoes. Now I am mostly flip flops but it was fun in the day.
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I used to spend a fortune on shoes because, like she says in the movie “In Her Shoes”, ‘shoes always fit’… You go shopping for a dress or pants or whatever, can find nothing that doesn’t make you feel like a cow… come out with a pair of shoes!
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I only bought one pair every couple of years but spent a ton on them.
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So they were good quality….
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Oh yeah.
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Smart. I have started shopping thus
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One thing is quality doesn’t usually wear out.
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Now that is the truth, right there.
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Plus you can put on new soles and heels.
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Added bonus – if you really, REALLY like those shoes…
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I have one pair of shoes that I have had for fourty years. They were the first pair of really expensive shoes I bought.
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Wow! How many new soles have they received in their lifetime?
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Only two. The shoes became like collectors items.
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They’ll come to you for vintage shoes for some movie one day! 🙂
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Can’t have em. They go with me in the shake and baker.
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As they should!
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You know the next thing is the cute little purse that matches those shoes. I think we can get this easily up to him being furious for 3-5 reasons, John. Great job with the GPrompt.
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Thank you, Dan.
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[…] via Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt […]
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Haha, John, I think you wrote this story about me. I believe if the shoe fits buy it in all colours.
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Ha haha. I like that concept, Robbie.
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I’m with Robbie on the shoes. A woman can never have enough. Of course, then there’s all the other accessorizing too . . . 🙂
You are so talented with prompts,John. Loved the ending. Thanks for today’s entertainment!
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I love it when you enjoy my stuff, Mae. Thanks for letting me know.
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Love it, John. It’s horribly true to life 🙂
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Thak you so much, Mary. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes life like I’m afraid.
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ME: “Hey, that’s bait and switch!”
HER: “Yeah, but it works so good.”
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Ha haha. One person’s bunko scam is another’s new opportunity.
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Which is why I never do in store pick up…lol. good one John and a very expensive trip.
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Yes. I just did a store pick up today and it worked out. I was amazed.
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First of all, I was blown away that the book you chose to open was “Love in the Time of Cholera.” I recently interviewed Michael Martin Murphy for the magazine, and he talked extensively about this book. He said he carries it with him on trips and has read it multiple times. I ordered it but have not read it yet. I think this is a sign. 🙂 Loved your take on the prompt. I agree. Let’s sue!
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Ha ha ha. Yes, a must read for sure.
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Very realistic discussion today.
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Ha haha. Slice of life.
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Shopping. Sigh. I’m not a fan. Your story, yes, but shopping, no.
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I’m with you and a lot of folks it seems.
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I loathe shopping. I head into the store with a clear view of exactly what I’ll purchase. If I haven’t achieved that within ten-minutes I’m outta there. Insightful post, John.😊
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I’m with you, Soooz.
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Love it! ❤ Must share… xo
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Thank you, Bette.
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Lol, good job on one of my favorite past times 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Debby.
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Welcome John 🙂
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🙂
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Now that was really funny… except if it happens to you… which always seems to happen.😀
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Yes it does. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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I’m surprised there is no mention of a new handbag and a new hairdo, John, but who knows how this story went on to end up. 😀 It did one thing, and that was to make me laugh. I can see this happening up and down the country a lot.
Thanks for the laughs.
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I’m glad I got you to laugh, Hugh. You Welshmen need that once in a while.
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Too right we do, John, especially with what’s going in this country with Brexit and the weather 😂
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My father’s side came from Wales in the 1830’s. My mother’s side from Scotland in the 1920’s so my roots are with you.
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Great to know that some of your roots are here in Wales, John.
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Buahahaha!
THAT is the line, and with good reason!
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Yes. In some minds, the best reasons.
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