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 Pick Up by John W. Howell © 2020
“You call a cab buddy?”
“I sure did.”
“Well, jump in. You can sit upfront with me. Here I’ll open the door.”
“Er. I’m not sure I’m your ride.”
“Why are you not sure. You said you called for a cab?”
“Yeah, I did. But I thought I had called the Yellow Cab company.”
“Ah, what’s the difference. You still get to your destination.”
“Well, that is my worry.”
“What worry?”
“I’ve been reading a lot about gypsy cabs. You know the ones where they kidnap unsuspecting travelers and hold them for ransom.”
“Oh, man. You must have been reading the Enquirer. That doesn’t happen around here.”
“How do I know that?”
“Look at me. Do I look like the kind of guy who could kidnap anyone? I’m an old fart with skinny arms. You could take me in a minute. You work out right?”
“Yeah, I do work out.”
“I could tell by those biceps you got. Some pair of guns. Hey, guy, I need the fare. If you don’t want to get in then just close the door and I’ll be off.”
“I don’t mean to be so cautious but this is my first time here.”
“I understand. If it would make you feel better you can get in the back.”
“That would make me feel better.”
“Okay, no problem. Jump in and we’ll get you to your hotel bing badda boom.”
“You from the States?”
“Yeah, Brooklyn. Born and raised.”
“Okay, I’m in.”
“Where to, Pal?”
“The Continental. Wait why did those doors lock?”
“To keep you safe .”
“Oh.”
“And to keep you from getting away.”
“What do you mean.”
“We are going on a little trip so sit back and relax.”
“Hey. Stop this cab and let me out.”
“Not gonna happen, brother. You are my meal ticket. There at a bunch of nice guys who’ll pay me a thousand bucks for you.”
“Okay, I’m coming up there if you don’t let me out.”
“Yeah just try. Your seat belt has you locked in. You cautious types always put on the seat belt. Makes it so much easier.”
“I demand that you pull over.”
“This is rich if I say so myself. Here’s a guy who is making demands. The same guy who gets in a gypsy cab with the name of Moron. This is one for the boys at the tavern.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOL! As soon as I saw the photo, I knew this would be good. Great job, John! I can tell you had fun with it. Happy Tuesday!
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Thank you, Jill. I hope your Tuesday is smashing. (so to speak) 😊
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🙂
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Nice one, John. The surprise to me is that from your side of the pond, it’s assumed this driving-school car is a taxi.
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I like the taxi story better. Especially given the name.
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Oooh, this is a sticky situation, John. Is it based on real happenings?
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It is not based on real happenings, Robbie. I just made it up. Thanks. 😁
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Whew!
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I know right?
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Saw it coming, but it was still a creepy shock.
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Hahaha. Thanks, Charles.
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Interesting that our hapless friend assumed if the cab driver was American-born, he must be a good guy.
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It is, Liz. Thank you. 😊
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aha! Loved it.
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Thank you, Pam. 😊
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It’s right there on top of the cab! This passenger got what they deserved, if you ask me.
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Yeah. How dumb can you get.
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LOL. He was warned!
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😀
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Ha! I enjoyed this one John!
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I’m glad, Lynne.
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Good one, John! Poor guy should’ve known better. After all, the thing doesn’t even really look much like a cab, does it?
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I learned from Keith that it is a driver’s training car. Hahahaha
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In fact, Keith let me know it is a driver’s training car.
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Its a ride that’s too good to be true.
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Yes it is. Thanks, John
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Poor guy should have went with his gut instinct!
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As we all should for sure.
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I thin judges should be able to mandate drivers placing a moron light on their car for 30 days.
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What a good idea. I was thinking of lawful paint gun tagging. You see a moron you get to hit him with a big red paint pellet. (or ten)
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A fun saturday activity you can enjoy with the kids.
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Could see one standing up and shooting out the moon roof.
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What a moron! Of course, maybe if he had looked at the name a li’l closer, he’d a had second thoughts…
Excellent take… like being Brooklyn-born equates to safe…
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Thank you, Dale.
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😉
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Groan. The driver’s only trading his hostage in for a thousand bucks? What a moron. This post is so funny, John.
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Thank you, Soooz.
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I’m with Jill. As soon as I saw the photo, I knew you would go to town, as it were with this one. Great job, John!
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Thank you, Dan
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Good one! I say, if your gut says ‘this ain’t right’, it probably ain’t right. And if the same person that raises your hackles is trying to convince you that you hackles ain’t got no reason to be raised (and tries to appeal to your vanity and shame you at the same time…), your gut is SURELY right. And anyway, didn’t he order a yellow cab? 😉
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That’s right. So why did he get in the cab?
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Insecurity?
Learning to substitute his own judgement to that of others?
Looking for trouble?
Who knows …
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Yes, who knows?
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Um … (seeing that you wrote this … perhaps … um … you? 😉 )
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Hahahaha. He needed to get in the cab so that I could write the story that finished with the idea he should have known better than to get in a cab with a company name of Moron.
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😃😇
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😊
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Nailed it! Loved it! ♥♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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BUT, c’mon, MAN! you gotta get the guy outta the ‘gypsy cab’, or, I won’t sleep so good tonight! ♥♥
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Nah. Let his family not pay the money and he ends up as buzzard bait in the boondocks.
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hahaha, I don’t think a cab called Moron is anything I’d like to get into! I was thinking the Moron was a student driver car! 🙂
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It is. The cab story just struck my fancy.
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Like they say always trust your gut.
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Always. Thanks, Denise
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OMG!! What a story! Great job, John. This story will haunt me for a while. 😀
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Hahaha. Thanks, Gwen 😳
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When I saw the photo, I knew you would have a killer post, John. Pun intended. This was great!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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You’re not going to just leave us hanging like this, are you? Seriously?
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Yes I am. Literary license. You need to make up your own ending. Mine has the guy in the boondocks feeding vultures.
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Hmmmm … mine has the cabbie being surrounded by cop cars, as the guy in the backseat managed to get his cell phone out of his pocket, turn on the gps, and dial 9-1-1 without speaking! 😉 I was in the mood for a happy ending!
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A nice ending, Jill. 😁
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Beats being fish bait, yes? 😉
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I would say yes.
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Yeah, the name of the gypsy cab should have been a clue. 🙂 I have to say I like Jill’s happy ending. 🙂
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It was a good one. She did not like my Vulture bait ending. Thanks, Jan
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[…] The Pick Up by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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