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 Auction by John W. Howell © 2020
“Ladies and gentlemen. We want to welcome you to our main event tonight. This is a special charity auction to raise funds for the Evergreen Project. For those the few of you who aren’t familiar, the Evergreen Project has as it’s mission to restore the Earth back to a pristine condition that existed prior to the 1800s. Oh, I know. It is a very aggressive goal but that’s not to say it won’t be achieved. It will be people like you who support efforts like this that will make the difference. Tonight we hope to raise ten trillion dollars and coupled with other auctions already held, will bring the total war chest to one-hundred trillion. Yes, that’s right that is trillion with a T. Now unless there are any questions I think we can get started.
Our first item up for a teaser bid to get you in the mood is this beautiful piece of art titled Moon Over Miami. It has been rendered in canvas and oil by the internationally known artist, Keith Channing. I would like to open the bid for twenty million. Do I hear twenty? Yes, sir thank you. How about twenty-five. Thank you, Miss. Now thirty. Yes, sir thank you. Thirty-five? Thank you, Miss. Forty? Do I hear forty? Going once. Going twice. Sold to number 10 for Thirty-five million. Thank you all.
The next item up for bid is Burmuda. This lovely Island can be yours at a very special rate. As a reminder, if you do win the bid for Burmuda it is expected that you will eliminate all life there within a fortnight. Do I hear an opening bid of one trillion? Yes, sir thank you.”
Fiction Favorites 
Wow, that’s some auction, John. I feel a little sorry for the Bermudans, though – perhaps the successful bidder can be directed to the centre of their triangle…
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Thank you, Keith. Maybe so. 😁
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I had no idea auctions could be this exciting!
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Well, this one turned out that way. Thanks, Jill. 😊
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Very imaginative (and unexpected) take on the prompt!
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Thank you, Liz.
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Nice job. Feels like the opening to a story.
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Thanks, Charles. Might be the next one.
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If you want my trillion, I’m going to need an uninfested island, John. What’s the opening bid for that place you use to live?
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Hahaha. Not sure that place is for sale. Thanks, Dan.
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“Long, long time ago, in a world far, far away…..”
Okay, so I’m a little punch-drunk here in quarantine…..
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Hahaha. I liked it. 😁
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Oh my, poor Bermuda. I’ve never been to the Caribbean, but your story makes me want to investigate. All that I know of Bermuda is its Triangle. 😀
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Bermuda will be better off, believe me. Thanks, Gwen. It is a beautiful island. 😁
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Very creative take, John! I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for Bermuda though.
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Don’t worry. Wait until you see the bid for North America. 😀
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I didn’t see the twist coming at the end. Aw, poor Bermuda . . . then again, being part of the Triangle, who knows what will really happen to it?
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Yes. Could blame aliens too. Thanks, Priscilla.
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An apt portrayal of the lunacy (pun intended) of humans.
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One cure for globial problems. Thaks, Jill
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Luckily if you got the moon there’s no work required since there’s no life that we know about:)
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This is starting to sound like the auction and restoration is being directed by Thanos. A slightly slier though not necessarily kinder gentler Thanos. Is Loki teaming up with him ?
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Yes Loki got the car from his dad, Fárbauti. He and Thanos have been joyriding across the universe. They want the Earth to themselves but find it quite dirty with all the humans around. Soon all will be cleaned.
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Wow! That must be a room full of trillionaires! Quite an auction. 🙂
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High stakes for sure. Thanks, Jan.
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I really love how you went with this one, Boss. Very other worldly . . and hey, who says we’re not being bid on from somewhere else as we speak? 😉
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Thank you, Marc. Excuse the delay in answer. Some comments are not showing up in my notifications. I’m suspecting those sent by phone.
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Hmmm, I notice this is going around. And you are always good in my book, Sheriff.
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Thanks, Pilgrim.
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🙂
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Those are some harsh deed restrictions.
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Given the objective of cleaning up the Earth, I would expect nothing else. 😀 Wait till North America comes up on the block.
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Holy cow, John! That there is SOME auction!
If Bermuda had gotten its Triangle under control, it wouldn’t find itself in this mess, would it?
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Hmmm. I think they are only one of the items up for sale. The triangle will help hold the cost down I’m thinking. Thanks, Dale
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😃Whoo-hoo! Hey, John … I have this really huge island South of the equator you may like to auction. Oz something. lol. I loved this post.
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Yeah, Soooz. That one will come up shortly. I expect the bidding to be high given the mud bugs and Foster’s situation. 😂
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I’d take Burmuda! 😀
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Hahahaha. Me too, Jason. Thanks for the visit.
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Well done, John. Bermuda- that was good.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Whoa, that’s creepy! You went full on Sci-fi or horror genre with this one. Right now it’s not looking like there’s going to be a happy ending. 😮
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The only happy ending does not include humans. A nice clean environment is the payoff. I admit the cost is quite high. Thanks, Deborah. 😊
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Pretty radical. Did they upset you somehow John?
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The fact that humans need to wake up to more environmental consciousness? That’s about all.
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Wow – that’s some kind of auction, John. Not sure I know the rules yet!
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Don’t worry. You will be told whenit is time to leave. Thanks, Barbara.
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LOL
What an auction John.
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Yes. My answer to environmental issues. 😁
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LOL
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*scoots chair backwards *
Places napkin on plate –
Thanks but no thank you
🤣
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Hahahaha. 😁
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