In Keith’s words “Using this photo 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.
“What do you mean you can’t find it? The coordinates are clear.”
“The coordinates are real clear, but we still can’t find it.”
“That’s impossible. Give me an optical scan of the area.”
“Okay. Coming at you.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“That is exactly what I told you.”
“Maybe the solar flares are distorting the picture.”
“Okay. What do you see then?”
“Some vegetation is all.”
“That is exactly what we are seeing.”
“Why don’t you walk a couple of klicks and send us another shot.”
“What? Through the coordinates, you mean?”
“That object is as big as a mountain. It can’t have disappeared.”
“So one would think. Maybe our measuring devices have been damaged. You think the locator on the thing could have gotten damaged in flight.”
“Well, the takeoff was certainly a jolt. You could be right.”
“Not to mention the landing. This planet’s gravity is pretty strong.”
“Okay let,’s assume the locator is faulty. Can you get to higher ground and, maybe you can spot it.”
“Yeah, there is a cliff up ahead. We have to cross what looks like a desert.”
“Go ahead and cross.”
“Okay, the rover made it across the sandy place. It looks like this desert has been dug out of the cliff.”
“Can you climb to the top of the cliff?”
“I have shot a grappling hook and rappelling rope up and over. All I have to do is climb up there.”
“You have permission to do that.”
“Okay, I’m here. My goodness.”
“What?”
“This is a plateau and, it is made of grass.”
“Can you see the sphere?”
“No, but when I rise with my jet pack, I can see a huge hole not too far away. There is some kind of pole rising up from the hole.”
“Send me the picture.”
“Here you are.”
“Look at that. Amazing. Aim the camera up to the top of that pole.”
“I don’t have an LD lens, so I don’t know if you can see the top.”
“Yes, I can make it out. There is some kind of symbol on a flag on top. Jet to the hole and point the camera into it. Be careful and don’t fall in.”
“Here it is. “Look at that. The sphere is at the bottom of the hole.”
“You sure. It doesn’t look like ours. The size looks right, but that one is white. Can you see the letters on it.”
“Yes, I can.”
“Do you have any idea what it means?”
“S-P-A-U-L-D-I-N-G? I have no idea.”
“Well, it can’t be good to see other spheres landing around there. We’ll just chalk ours up to lost and take the penalty. Come on back. It’s time for lunch anyway.”
“Roger that sir.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOL! Nice job, John! This reminded me of my many errant golf shots. 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought of you and golf when I wrote it. Thanks, Jill.
LikeLike
Nice one, John. By the way, did you mean rappelling rope?
LikeLiked by 1 person
@#$%^ Of course I did. Fixed. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have more than one person losing their giant ball, John? Interesting….
(and funny)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha! Great misdirect, John!
You’ve got a hole in one with this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s hit the 19th. I’m buying. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woot! I’ll be there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🍻
LikeLike
Straight down the fairway with this one, John. Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet the launch was kind of jolting. Fun story today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was powered by the Ping Driver rocket. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always going to look at Epcot and think of a giant golf ball now. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
Thanks for a Tuesday morning chuckle, John. It does resemble a huge golf ball for sure. Great use of the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it, Jan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely spun story, John. As usual, I had no idea where you were going, but I enjoyed riding along!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They call me the Wanderer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beam me back up to the golf cart Scottie !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you pay your Beam dues this month?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes paid in full. Beam me back down when we get that artifact with the 19 on it. If it looks safe have one of the other guys put on a red shirt and the both of you can join me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We spent too much time in the 19 artifact. The other guys are out riding around on little cars and hitting white balls with sticks. We’ll get to you in a while. All the red shirts are in the lake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mouth dropped, John. You always manage a surprise, but wow!! This was fiendishly clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. It was fun to do. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very clever, John. I have never figured out the rules or the terminology for golf, but I like the golf cart. Guess that makes me a fan? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
All you have to do is like a golf cart and you’re in.
LikeLike
Joining you on the 19th! Great job! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here you go. 🥃
LikeLike
How did you fix your ‘Like Button’? AND, thanks for the Maker’s Mark – it’s good to see you changed from Willets… ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
The like button couldn’t be fixed until a new upgrade of the operating system was made available. The problem is your browser. Maybe you could try another. If you are running Safari try Chrome. If you are running crome or another try Safari. I didn’t change. Just stocked your brand.
LikeLike
You had me on that one, John. Well done!
LikeLike
[…] Lost by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
LikeLike