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
Roadside Assistance by John W. Howell © 2020
“Well, folks. I have given the car a complete check over. I have some good news and some bad news.”
“Doesn’t surprise me there is bad news. That POC has been giving me fits for two years.”
“Now, darling. Let’s not be negative. Let’s hear what the nice man has to say.”
“Okay nice man. Give us the bad news first.”
“You sure you wouldn’t rather have the good news?”
“No, I’m a realist and need to deal with the downside of each issue foremost.”
“Very well, sir. The bad news is I don’t think your car is ever going to run again.”
“What do you mean? I just had the thing completely overhauled before we started on this ill-advised adventure.”
“Now, dear. We shouldn’t bother this nice mechanic with some of our petty feelings about this trip.”
“Not bother him. What about me. I said driving that heap would be a mistake. And who’s idea was it to take a trip to visit who’s mother?”
“Okay, Leonard. Now is not the time to start ranting about my mother.”
“I think it is a perfect time. We came all this way, and do you think she could have at least offered a cup of tea?”
“You know she’s not well.”
“Not well? That old warhorse is far more healthy than you, and I combined.”
“Well, she still has her challenges.”
“Challenges? Let’s call that little gin habit of hers what it is. She’s a lush.”
“Excuse me, folks, but I need to get back to the shop.”
“Ah, forgive us.”
“Yeah, please tell us the good news since the bad news says we are pretty much doomed to call my wife’s mother for help.”
“Wel,l even though your car will never run again, I can give you a tow to the garage.”
“Excuse me. Where is the good news in that? Are you saying you can tow us for no extra charge?”
“Oh, no, sir. The fee will be five hundred dollars.”
“That is exorbitant. I’m still waiting for good news.”
“The good news is I can still offer you a ten dollar coupon good on any service. The offer expires at midnight tonight.”
“Such good news, I’m overwhelmed.”
“We only have these coupons once a year.”
“Yeah, I’m not surprised.”
“You and your wife want to ride in the truck?”
“Or what? Walk?”
“Dark sarcasm in the classroom, sir.”
“Yeah, I know. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?”
“You said it, sir.”
“Here’s my card.”
Fiction Favorites 
Might want to get a refund on the overhaul.
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Hahaha. I think so too.
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Eek! Not a good idea to bring the mother into this. LOL! Great job, John! I enjoyed this. Happy Tuesday!
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He is a dead man walking.
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The husband handled it rather well, I thought! He could have shot the guy when told this event was costing $500 – $10 off! That is, if he was carrying! 🙂
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He could fit a bazooka in those big pockets. 😁
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Golly, that’s an expensive tow. Mind you, ten dollars off? Not to be sniffed at!
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I know right?
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Ah, when the bright spot is a dim bulb in the distance. Well done, John. You have to love the enterprising young man. $10 might buy them coffee.
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Or two sugar packets. Thanks, Dan
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I love, love, love this! So funny, absurd, yet completely true-to-life all at once
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Thank you, Liz.
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Funny one,John.
Mine thought was that the woman talking, “He says he won’t budge until you agree to Chinese for dinner tonight!”
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I like yours. 😀
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haha, do we have a mutual admiration thing going here?
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Maybe.
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Could be worse. At least there’s a coupon.
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That’s what I was thinking. “Quit complaining at least there’s a coupon.”
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Might be cheaper to just leave it there and call Uber.
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Definately. Of course the guy will call the police and that brings up a littering charge.
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The ten dollar coupon works toward your Pink Floyd reference. I love when you sneak those in there. 😉
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I’m glad you do. There are so many things that can be explained by The Wall I can’t help using the reference at times. Of course, you are the only one to mention it. Thanks, Marc.
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You bring up a good point. If I had to choose three songs to take with me on a deserted island, Pink Floyd’s The Wall would have to be one.
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I agree. Also reminds me of my son. He was a PinlkFloyd fan and one day he took an acetaline torch and drew in three foot letters a perfect Pink Floyd monogram in the drywall of the garage. I was horrified and impressed at the same time. I left it there until time to sell the house.
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That’s like the Damon Wayans School of Humor that I adopted for my kids. The rule was simple. It had to be funny and not hurtful . . but if they could pull it off, they wouldn’t get in trouble.
I think you made the right choice by keeping it. How could you not? 🙂
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It was classic. My wife (at the time) went off-hook.
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Never let the kids see you sweating it. 😉
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True.
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LOL
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When a bad day goes to worse, huh? Gotta feel sorry for these folks. Hubby, especially, wasn’t in a happy frame of mind anyway and now this.
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How many times does a poor beginning turn into a really poor ending. Thanks, Debbie.
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The old warhorse….gin habit…dark sarcasm in the classroom.
This one had me in stitches—er, the good kind 🙂
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Hahaha. I’m so glad to hear that, Mae.
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🙂
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Marc may be the only one who mentions the PF references, but he’s not the only one to notice them 😉
And this situation blows… but honestly, if you know your car is a hunk o’ junk, you don’t go on long roadtrips… 😉
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That is true about the car.
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I know when I did a cross-Canada trip, we didn’t trust our own car so we rented… 😉
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Renting is so smart. Saves wear and tear.
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IT does!
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Yes and when sonmething goes wrong you get another car.
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Haha!
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😊
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Funny, John and love the Pink Floyd songs weaved in.
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Thank you , Denise.
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Oh, that is quite the dilemma for sure. An ill-advised trip, a lush mother-in-law, a car that will never run again. I think HE needs a drink! Good use of the photo, John!
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Thank you, Jan.
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Why does this all sound so familiar? Giggle.
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Someone once said that a couple should change a tire together before they decide to get married. Brings out the worst in both.
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Where’s the nearest divorce lawyer?
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Next door.
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Well done John!
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😁
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Oh boy! There’s a story that makes me grateful for the road service insurance I pay for with extra mileage towing!
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I have the same. Towed one of my beloved cars 180 miles.
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😀
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Great job, John. I’m not sure bringing his mother-in-law into it is wise. He’s apt to make his wife and mother-in-law lifetime enemies.
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I agree, Michelle. Glad i don’t live with these two.
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[…] Roadside Assistance by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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