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.
Monday Mayday by John W. Howell ©2020
“Hey, Boss?”
“Where are you. The meeting starts in five minutes.”
“Yeah, I know. It looks like I’m stuck in traffic.”
“Traffic? What does that mean?”
“You know how the morning commute is, Boss. I guess I just timed it wrong.”
“I’m real confused, Spencer. I thought you lived in the high rise behind the office.”
“I do. There has been a complication is all.”
“What kind of complication?”
“Well, you know how I like to compete in bicycle races on the weekends.”
“Yes, but this is Monday. What does a weekend bike race have to do with the fact the meeting with your client is to begin in eight minutes. You know the client that will only do business with his precious Spencer.”
“Yeah, thanks, Boss. It is a little difficult to explain.”
“Why don’t you try?”
“Okay, but I don’t think you are going to be too happy.”
“I’m already not too happy, Spencer. Just spit it out.”
“Okay. I entered a race called the Grand Prix de Manhatten.”
“So far, not too complicated.”
“I actually came in first place.”
“Congratulations. I presume that was yesterday.”
“Yes, sir, it was.”
“So get to the meat.”
“I’m in another race.”
“What? Listen to me. You get out of that race and into this office. I’ll try to stall Mitchem till you get here.”
“You think you can stall him a week?”
“A week? What are you talking about? Get here now.”
“See the thing is this race is in France. I’m cycling toward Reims right now.”
“France. How did you get to France?”
“By plane.”
“I don’t mean how in that way you idiot. I mean, what are you doing in France and don’t tell me cycling.”
“The first prize for the Manhatten race was an entry in the third leg of the Tour de France.”
“Which began this morning.”
“Yeah. I was on a plane, or I would have called.”
“What about Mitchem?”
“Let’s do a Zoom meeting.”
“With you on a bike?”
“Sure. Why not.”
“This better work.”
“Trust me.”
“Sure.”
“Really.”
“Yeah.”
Fiction Favorites 
Zooming through the French countryside, eh?
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Yup. Praying the WiFi hot spot holds up.
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Perfect timing with sports beginning to come back. Nice job, John!
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Thank you , Jill. 😁
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Now, there’s an excuse for missing a meeting: I’m stuck in the Tour de France! I loved this!
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I wonder if the excuse will hold water. Might be good to try. Thanks, Liz. 😀
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Stranger things have happened lately.
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They sure have. Thank you, Charles.
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You’re welcome.
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😁
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My goodness, social media is the miracle of choice. This was a fascinating dialogue, John. Well done! If only I had a fraction of the savvy of our techy youth! BTW, you prompted me to write a haiku using the photo. Here’s the link (as requested) http://www.gwenplano.com/blog-reflections/waiting-for-sunshine
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Well done, Gwen. Your take captures a lot of feeling these days. 😁
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These things happen.
Good job, John. I was wondering where this was heading. The bosses I worked for would have had a different response. More along the lines of, “it might be a good time to your Europe, now that you’re not working.”
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Hahahahha. Good one, Dan 😁
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You come up with such clever takes on Keith’s photos!
BTW, I love the Tour de France!
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Thank you, Mae. I like it too. 😁
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Ha. Is this a lead in to 10 things not to do during a Zoom meeting ? Good one.
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Could well be. Thanks, John
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The popular solution these days.
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Can you see being on a zoom meeting heading downhill at 40 miles per hour? 😀 Can you say ER visit?
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I’m thinking viral video clip as he goes off a cliff.
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Hahaha. Would be a sight to see.
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When a live meeting won’t happen, Zoom it!
Too funny, John.
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Look out for that curve. 😁
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Haha!
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😀
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Good one, John. I could see a zoom meeting while pedaling:)
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Yes. I’m sure that’s coming.
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You’ve just changed the honored way of doing business!
Corporations are not going to like you, John!
However, darn nice ‘zoom’ of a post! 🙂
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Thank you, Billy Ray. For all the time I was a prisoner of Organized Commerce I never got the feeling I was liked anyway.
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Well, you most definitely are, my friend!
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😁
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Except for the flight to France, this is very believable, John. 🙂 Great job!
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Hahaha. It is only nine hours to France.
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I’m glad I’m not his boss — that excuse for missing a meeting (despite Zoom) was a big fail! Looks like they’re having way too much fun zooming on those bicycles, too!
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Yes. The guy seems a little irresponsible to me.
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Excellent.
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Thanks, Rabirius
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I’ve accepted the fact that you’re the creative one. Me, I’ve been in a meme state of mind lately. I came up with – “Gee, remember back in 2020 when people weren’t allowed to be this close?!
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Love this.
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Just when I think I couldn’t be more impressed with the Tour de France cyclists . . you go and find a way . . .
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Hahahaha. Thanks, Marc
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🙂
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Good excuse. Up there with the dog ate my season ticket and the line is closed due to badgers nesting in the signal box
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Hahaha. Thanks, Geoff.
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Sure it can work, John. I have been in Teams meetings while sitting in my kitchen making flowers out of fondant. Why not on a bicycle!
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Oh I don’t know. Sorta like watching TV and drivig a car. Might be a challenge.
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Well on a bike it might be difficult. You could cycle off the cliff…
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Exactly. 😂
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[…] Monday Mayday by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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