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 next Monday.”
The Photo.
The Party by John W. Howell © 2019
“Now let me get this straight. The guy comes over and asks what you would like to drink.”
“Yes about an hour ago.”
“You tell him,’ Surprise me.'”
“Yup that’s what I said.”
“He then brings you what?”
“A gin and lemon. It’s right here. I tried it.”
“You didn’t like it?”
“I told him that.”
“What did he do?”
“Went off and came back with a glass of white wine.”
“You haven’t touched it.”
“I know. I don’t like Chablis.”
“How do you know it’s Chablis?”
“He told me when he plopped it on the table.”
“So you said what?”
“I don’t like Chablis.”
“What did he do?”
“Came back with that beer over there.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“A pale ale. Too bitter.”
“Why didn’t you just tell him to bring you something you like.”
“I did. I said, ‘Get me a draft.'”
“And?”
“He did. That’s what I’m drinking.”
“So are you enjoying your party?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Seems like a hassle so far.”
“I can imagine given the struggle over a drink. What are you going to eat for dinner?”
“Humm. Surprise me.”
Fiction Favorites 
What a no-win situation! He’d be wise to take a “no surprises” stance and find another friend for the evening. 😀 Great job, as always, John.
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So true. This guy would be a pain on any front. Thanks, Gwen.
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I can think of a few surprises for that guy. 🙂 Nicely done, John!
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Thank you, Jill. 😁
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haha I can’t beat that story, John!!
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Thanks, GP. 😁
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Oh, there would be a surprise coming for dinner, that’s for sure.
Nice job with the prompt, John.
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Hahaha. How about starting with stewed opossum? 😁
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Nice touch
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Hahaha. Thanks.
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That’s when you hand the person a therapy bill alongside half a grilled cheese sandwich.
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Hahaha. Love it. The sandwich is the best part.
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LOL! What a clever take on that photo. Loved it–and the fab ending!
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Thank you, Mae. 😀
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Bet he’s be surprised if the cook chased him around the room with a butcher knife.
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I love that vision. Guy in chefs hat looking like Oliver Hardy chasing the patron looking like Stan Laural. 😀
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Perfect.
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Buahahaha!
If he told me to surprise him for dinner, I’d choose Applebee’s. Sure the food blows, but at least they offer up everything you could think of!
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There you go. I was thinking a Chinese food menue.
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Genius!
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Hahaha
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“Surprise me” does NOT go with food and beverage!! Golly, one could wind up with a plate of fried rattlesnake and a Lima bean smoothie.
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So not appropiate. Thaks, Debbie.
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I don’t think I’d like serving him…
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No. One way ticket to a lap job.
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Lol! Surprise me! 🙂 Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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Good job!
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I felt like I was eavesdropping, and I loved it.
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Oh good.
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🙂
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If the chef is a disciple of Mr Blumenthal the poor bloke could be in for a major surprise!
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The US Senate Mr. Blumenthal?
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No, John. I had in mind U.K. celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. He specialises in weird and unlikely combinations of flavours like egg and bacon ice cream and snail porridge!
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That turned into an expensive party fast. One can imagine all sorts of entrees for dinner he won’t like either. Fun story, John!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Buahaha! Surprise me with everything I don’t like!
Just the type of customer I’d like to bop on the head… 😉
Fun stuff, John.
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Or a shoulder dump of spaghetti. 🍝
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Seriously…
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“Oops. Sorry sir. Can I get you a napkin?”
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Ironically, I spilt a beer on a couple yesterday… Was done in a most spectacular fashion. He said: Well, now I’ll find out for sure if my shoes are as waterproof as they are supposed to be; she said: well, my pants were going into the wash anyway.
Embarrassed much?
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Does happen. Especially those pint drafts.
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Some of the branded glasses are just asking to be knocked over… tall and skinny, narrower at the bottom – I just hate them!
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I can imagine. When I worked in a bistro it was the twelve-ounce drafts that were the problem. One wrong tip and six could end up on a patron. Was like a tsunami. 😁
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Well done, John. No winning, and a never ending food and drink misunderstanding. Love it!
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😀
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[…] The Party by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
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Thak you, Keith
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Your comedic timing is spot-on, John.
Well done.
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Thank you, Hook
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