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 Agents by John W. Howell © 2020
“Here, take these binoculars and tell me what you see.”
“Lord, it looks like a castle.”
“My thought exactly.”
“I had no idea that we would be tackling something this big.”
“Nor I. When I got the orders, I simply thought it was going to be a two-person job.”
“Not likely. You and I would be quickly overwhelmed if we tried to do this alone.”
“How many people do you think are inside.”
“Oh, who knows? There could be a hundred given the size of that building. You know how much mayhem a bunch of people cause.”
“My thought exactly. Should we move in closer, or do you think we know enough to walk away?”
“We can’t walk away. We have a responsibility and even took an oath.”
“Yeah, you would have to remind me about the oath. So what do you recommend?”
“I say if we walk away now, we will never be able to live with ourselves. We should do our duty.”
“Even if its the last thing we do?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Okay, I’m with you. Do you have the paperwork?”
“Yup, right here in the rucksack.”
“Should we say a prayer?”
“I don’t think so. You’ve made your peace, right?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Let’s just go. How about we hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It will give us comfort.”
“Good idea. OMG, I’m not sure I have a pen.”
“Not to worry. I have one in my rucksack.”
“Do you have the listing agreement?”
“Yup. All filled out.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go forth and list this sucker in the name of MLS.”
“Mine eyes have seen the glory. . . . ”
Fiction Favorites 
This is a great picture, John. Your piece fits it perfectly.
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Thank you, Robbie. Nice to hear. 😁
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Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen jehovah witnesses all year.
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hahahaha. Thanks, Charles.
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Great job with the prompt today, John.
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Thak you, Jill. 😁 Doing my normal blog feels like writing under fire with all the promo stuff flying around. Of course, as the Producer says, “Self Inflicted.”
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Another great take on the prompt! Have a wonderful day, John.
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Thank you, Gwen. Might take a nap.
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I love how suspenseful this short piece is!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Great job, John. Probably best not to mention that deferred maintenance until later on.
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Or the fact that someone hung themselves off the North Tower. Thanks, Craig.
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John, that is one of your absolute best! I had no idea where you were headed with it, but I knew you’d deliver a wallop of a surprise at the end. And working in real estate I absolute LOVE THIS!!
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The story jumped into my head when I saw the photo. I’m so glad you liked it, Mae. 😁
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A real des. res. if ever I’ve seen one. I’ll bet the lie sheet – sorry, sales leaflet will make interesting reading.
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Hahaha. Yes it will. Thank you, Keith.
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A castle for sale? Gee, John, you surprise me every Tuesday! Love this photo, too — those leaves look like they’re outlined in silver!
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They do. I was going to try and do something with that but got stuck. Thanks, Debbie.
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Oh, funny funny. Sending to my realtor friend. 🙂 Good dialogue moving the story along.
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Thank you, Pamela. 😁
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Oh, you do take the cake with this one, John!
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Thank you, GP. Chocolate I hope.
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A castle that comes with its own clinical therapist and a direct line to the local exorcism expert? How much are they asking??!!
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Looks like 12 mil. There is a dungeon too. You can have Tiny on retainer.
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It’s a little out of my price range, but hell . . that never stops the Pentagon. Where do I sign?
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Only be $34,000 a month for a thirty year loan. Sign right here
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Yes, but only if you throw in the dishwasher . . .
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Done.
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Another fabulous twist, John! Love it!
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Thank you, Jan
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This is one of your best, John! I felt the suspense. 🙂
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Thank you, Lauren.
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I can’t top the convo you had with Marc so I’ll leave this with a chuckle, a snort and a guffaw… My father was in real estate and I worked for notaries (which we use to make things legit vs youse guys with the lawyers), dealing with real estate agents daily. This is too funny.
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Thank you, Dale. 😁
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😁
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Because I’m woefully ignorant if all religions, I didn’t get this one at all. When he said ‘let’s list this sucker’ I thought he was referencing putting it on the list of historic buildings we have in the UK which is dully administrative and an aggravation for the owner who wants a new kitchen. But then Charles mentioned Jehovah’s Witnesses and I was stumped. I need to stay in more…
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You can count on Charles to take a route not well travelled. This was about real estate agents and listing the house for sale. So as far as I can see the historic thing could work. 😂 (now we have three unique story lines)
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Yay!!
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I didn’t know where this was going, John, but it was terrific!! MLS. Haha!
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😂
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[…] The Agents by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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