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 Dark by John W. Howell © 2021
“So here’s the plan. We are going to try and get the tree shot before it gets fully dark.”
“I don’t understand what’s so important about the tree shot.”
“It’s not your job to wonder about anything important. You are the talent. I’m the director.”
“Well, okay. Put that way, I’ll just be quiet.”
“A welcome change of pace. Now I need you to get under the tree.”
“Ew. Things are hanging in the tree.”
“Those are the vampire bats that are going to bite you on the neck in the scene.”
“Wait a minute. SAG rules are no biting.”
“For heaven’s sake. Have you read the script?”
“No. I saw I have no dialogue, so I just skipped it. Besides, you always tell me what I’m supposed to do.”
“Too bad you don’t listen. So here’s the scene. You have run away from the pack of zombies—”
“No way.”
“No way what?”
“I don’t run. It’s in my contract.”
“I know we have a stunt double.”
“So why say I run?”
“Let me rephrase that. In the form of a stunt double, your character runs away from a pack of zombies and comes to this tree. She is all out of breath—”
“Who is out of breath?”
“The character.”
“Go on.”
“She looks up into the tree and then sees the vampires. She falls to the ground screaming, and then we cut. Any questions?”
“I don’t fall. It’s in my contract.”
“We will cut in the stunt double falling. The shot will have you screaming and then a closeup of you on the ground.”
“It’s wet.”
“What?”
“The ground.”
“Let me guess. You don’t get wet. It’s in your contract.”
“Yup.”
“Okay then. Well, put a cover on the ground and make it look like dirt. Then, you’ll be completely dry.”
“What’s the cover made of?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Can’t be latex. I’m allergic.”
“Okay, we’ll use a cotton cloth.”
“Sustainable, organic cotton.”
“It’s in your contract fight?”
“Right.”
“You know if you weren’t my daughter, I would fire you.”
“Oh, come on, Daddy, don’t be a grumpy grump.”
“And if this weren’t your drama class project worth a semester’s grade, I would fire me.”
“You going to keep grumping, or are we going to do this?”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice to see young talent starting off the way she means to carry on! Good one, John. Thanks.
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Thank you, Keith. 😊
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LOL! Boy was that ending unexpected. I LOVED this, John. Definitely one of your absolute best!
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Thank you so much, Mae. Had fun doing it. 😁
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Still sounds better than a lot of what’s coming out these days.
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You make a good point, Charles!
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😁
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🤣
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Lol! Great job, John!
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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Ha ha ha!! 😀 😀 😀 This is hilarious!! The ending was so unexpected–yet at the same time, so right!
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Thank you, Liz. I’m glad you liked it.😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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Haha – what we do for our daughters. Great dialing, John, marvelous twist.
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Thank you, Dan 😁 The daughters rule.
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From birth
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SAG almost sounds like a governmental agency! 😀
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I think they think it is.
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Where can I buy tickets to this film?
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Hahaha. Thanks, Craig.
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Perfect ending and there is no way you’d get me under a tree of vampire bats for any grade!
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Very good, Daddy!
I don’t have my glasses on – are the stars leaking?
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Nice twist! I think she’s training for the right profession.
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Oh, the joys of working with family.
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Hahaha
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Brilliant, John. I would never have guessed the ending…but it’s perfect! Bravo! 😂
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Thank you so much, Gwen. I appreciate the visit.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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Fabulous, John! I hope i will remember this sentence “You are the talent. I’m the director!”, if its needful to do. ;-)) xx Michael
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Yes, that is a good one.
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I loved that you introduced a daughter character. Obviously, not the same character with who you enjoy a beer occasionally. Or….
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Not the same, Steve. Daughter and I share a bourbon occasionally. 😁
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There must be a country western song about that…
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I think it would be a good one. Title: My Bourbon, My Daddy, and Me.
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John, that’s a winner. Now, go write it. I’ll be watching AND listening. Now, off to my walk. It’s early and hot. Wow, there’s another title, Early & Hot!
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Throw a “She’s” in front and you have something. 🤣
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The reality is, this is probably the genesis of songwriting, bantering.
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I think so.
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Another surprise and perfect ending, John. Loved this one!
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Thank you, Lauren. 😊
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Fathers and daughters, right? Loved it, John.
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Yup. 😊
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Haha! You had me there. Never saw the end coming.
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A good thing as far as I’m concerned.
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😀
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Haha. As soon as “something was hanging in the tree” I knew this would be terrific, John. I liked the father/daughter twist too. Keep enjoying your Wednesday breaks. You’ve earned it. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. I love the Wednesday break.
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LOL!! I knew it was going to trouble when there were vampire bats hanging from that tree, and she had so many “not allowed” things in her contract.
Great ending, John! What we do for our kids eh. 🤣
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So true, Thank you, Deborah.
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Lol, John! I think you might have nailed the woes of a father-daughter acting team. 🙂
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Thank you, Jan. Yes this could extend to any project. 😊
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