Gazing at my watch convinced me to stay inside this morning. The temperature is below freezing, and the wind chill is in the teens. This is not a day to consider opening the front door. Getting settled with a hot cup of coffee and my trusty Apple, I was looking forward to a productive day of writing. That is when the sound of something hitting the roof caused me to jump.
The coffee was dripping behind me as I ran across the floor to the window. The cold of the glass caused my breath to fog the view. I couldn’t see what was lying in the driveway. Clearly, whatever it was had first impacted the roof and then come to rest out there.
There was no choice but to open the door and enter the deep freeze. Oh sure, I could have left the item laying there till spring, but what fun is there in that? Besides, not knowing what it is would make this a brief post.
Suitability outfitted with the latest winter gear, I undid the deadbolt and made one small step for knowledge. With the ice crunching under my feet, I arrived at the object. A quick investigation determined a box addressed to Wile E Coyote in care of my address. Feeling somewhat put out, I decided to simply leave the box where it was, and if Mr. Coyote wants to get it, he will need to swing by and pick it up.
Turning to go back inside, I heard a horn sound followed by the sound of a panic stop. Looking down, there was what appeared to be a drawing of a roadrunner with a printed page from an e-mail in its mouth. Taking the page, I could see it was a prompt from Linda Hill. Here’s what it said. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “page.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun! If you want to join in this fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/02/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-5-2022/
The horn sounded again, and with a swishing sound, the bird was gone.
Page by John W. Howell © 2022
“Don’t you dare leave us hanging like that.”
“Like what?”
“We want to know what’s in the box.”
“Who are we? I only see you.”
“Never mind. What’s in the box?”
“I have no idea.”
“Come on. You are writing this trash. Tell me.”
“You saw where I walked away, right?”
“Yeah, but you must know what’s inside.”
“I didn’t open it.”
“Arrrgg. Okay then. Let me ask a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Your question?”
“Why would you bring in something that was supposed to be delivered to Wile E. Coyote yet shows up on your driveway.”
“Simple.”
“Uh, go ahead.”
“It sets up a story for the next time.”
“I get that, but why can’t we have the story now?”
“No time. I ran out of available words. In fact, folks are starting to hit “like” and move on even as we speak.”
“What, folks?”
“Fourth wall, folks. Right out there.”
“OMG. I never saw them before.”
“Behave then.”
“H-how do we get out of this mess?”
“We get on the same page. You offer to buy the beer, and we exit stage left.”
“I’m buying.”
“Let’s go.”
“Don’t we need to do the soft shoe or anything?”
“You can if you wish.”
“No, let’s just go.”
“After you, my man. Page the bartender and tell her to set ’em up.”
“Page?”
“Never mind, I was just taking another kick at the prompt.”
Fiction Favorites 
Never mind the bartender; if you page Paige’s page, he’ll bring you drinks, then take a leaf out of his boss’s book and page through your WIP for you.
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He’ll find my WIP in that Sachel & Page courier bag over there. Too bad there are no page numbers for reference. Thanks, Keith.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael. 😊
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Pretty well penned, John! I am so sorry for the coldness at your site. Have a nice weekend! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michel. Have a nice weekend as well.
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I think some jazz hands as you exit would work. I’ll be ruminating on the contents of that box all week. Well, at least for a few minutes. Well done, John. I hope things are warming up in your area. Take care.
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Well let’s see. Last night 20s. Today 48 tonight 21. It’s getting better. Thanks, Dan 😁
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Wile E. Coyote, the Roadrunner, AND breaking the fourth wall–a hat trick of blogging humor!
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Thank you, Liz. 🤣
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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😊
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‘What’s in the box?’ A question many in my generation can’t hear without thinking of Brad Pitt screaming it in ‘Se7en’.
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Good one, Charles. I could have used that if I had known about it. 😊
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Ha ha ha! Brilliant prestidigitation!
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Thank you, Pamela. 😊
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You have your own weird way of thinking, don’t you, John?! lol
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Yes I do. I heard that exact comment in the 9th grade when I presented a project in science class.
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Oh jeez, I’m afraid to ask!!
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It had to do with fruit flies. I’m sure they still occupy the building.
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hahahahahaha
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😁
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Be extra careful on that ice. We don’t want to be reading about your accident on the front page of the local fish wrapper…
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Steve. 😁
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LOL! This was hilarious, John! Happy Saturday! Stay safe.
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Good one, John. As soon as I saw the prompt my thoughts wandered off to Bob Seeger, the way they always do, but you punched through the wall and pulled me into your world. Well-done. 🙂
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Bob Seger is my favorite. Turn the Page is a great song.
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I’m still thinking about that steamy cup of coffee. I need mine, but I’ll wait for the laughter to subside first. Cuddle up with the ladies today, John, and stay warm. 😊
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Warm is a challenge. I finished my bike ride today when it was 25 degrees.I have a new down filled jacket that fit the bill. Stay warm as well, Gwen. 🥶
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I will wait patiently for the contents to be revealed, but I fully expect to be strung along longer than a week. 😂 My niece in Dallas sent me pictures of the snow a few days ago. Hope your weather warms up quickly.
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Not getting a break till Monday. Two more nights below freezing.
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Yikes! Be careful out there.
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I took a bike ride this morning so the ice threat is over.
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Oh goodness! Yep, another mysterious box and we have to wait to find out the contents. Great post and great use of the prompt. I think in this weather, I’d page the bartender for a home delivery! 🙂
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Good idea for sure. Thanks, Jan
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I had an image of that big ole hook pulling their dancing bodies off the stay. 😂 What’s in the box!!??
Stay warm!
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I like the hook image. I don’t know what’s in the box. 😁
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😀
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Nice one John you had me giggling from the start , don’t freeze on the way to the pub 💜💜💜
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More like don’t fall on the ice. Thanks, Willow.
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💜💜
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No keep upright 💜
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😁
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What is life without a little or a lot of mystery. I like that your bar has page ahead set up. Now if I could just teach the WP happiness engineers to keep the reader list out from under the trajectory of the acme anvil they might be able to deliver the page of your latest post to my browser. Or it could be they were distracted by that beep beep and the cloud of dust disappearing over the horizon…
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All very possible since the WP engineers have the attention span of a gnat. There still remains the option of two tin cans and string too
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John, I worry about you! Not really! Ii’s in your genes!
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You should worry. Thanks, Billy Ray.
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Aaahhhh you witty brilliant man! Leave us hanging for next week I see. You know “I’ll be back” said in my Arnold from the Terminator voice over voice.
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Ha ha ha. I hope so, Jill. Thanks.
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Good exit but you have me curious 🙂
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I should have done the soft shoe too.Thanks, Denise.
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🙂
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I prefer your tale. When I read what the prompt was I thought about creepy things that happen to congressional pages. Page Paige the bartender sounds better.
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Not sue folks remember what a page is anymore. Thanks, Craig.
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Great kick, John.
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Thank you, Hook.
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Wile E Coyote & Roadrunner… that takes me back! What a fun tale, John. Thanks so much for sharing & entertaining. 🙂
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Thank yu for letting me know you liked it, Mar. 😁
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Great job slipping in a Wile E. Coyote reference. How many times did he go off a cliff and suspend in the air before falling? I kept looking for page, and you deftly slipped it in with another round. A good day to drink a hot toddy, John.
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Thank you, Pete. There is a ‘page’ in the prologue too.
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‘One small step for knowledge’… Hilarious and brilliant post. Who doesn’t love Wile E. Coyote? I hope you (or he) opens the box next week. I just love your Saturday stories, John!
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Thank you, Jennie. The box is still there so maybe I can open it next week. 😁
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Yes, yes, yes!!! Maybe Wile will show up, too?
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I guess we could have a guest appearance. 😁
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I am excited!! 😀. Wait, can Wile handle ice and freezing temps? Silly me, he can handle anything.
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Yes anything
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It would be funny if the bartender’s name WAS Paige, huh?
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That would be fun.
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On your way to the bar, tread carefully! These are always such a hoot and way to leave us ready for next week’s… sneaky, very sneaky!
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Yes I resemble that. Thanks, Dale. 😊
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You do indeed 🙂
Happy Monday!
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Happy Monday to you as well. 😊
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Thank you, kind sir!
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😁
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What’s in the box?
What’s in the box?
What’s in the box?
I just love the Wylie Coyote deliveries. Why won’t you look in the box?
What’s in the box?
I’m sure it won’t blow up….. almost sure.
Love your response to the challenge!
I’ll have a page of wine!
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One page of wine coming up. (You do know a page of wine is 50 liters right?) I don’t know what’s in the box. it’s going to sit there until Wile does something with it. I’m not sure it won’t blow up. Most Wile E. Coyote things do. Thanks, Resa.
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50 litres, eh! I’ll drink it! 💥💥
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Can I help?
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Lol! Yes, bring pizza!
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Ooooooo Great idea. Got some great pizza in Ausin. Le’s see 50 liters of wine. 50 pizza’s ought to do it.
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BURRRRP! Should work. I have chips if need be.
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Maybe after we finish the 50 pizzas. 😁
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Okay!
I hope we don’t gain any weight.
I’m already looking a tad portly due to the poundemic. ⚪️ (Resa’s new figure)
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I can’t see what your new figure is supposed to be but my Pizzas have no calories or fat.
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Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
So, you are a con man!
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I prefer the term enabler.
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Do you have any peanut butter?
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Yes, indeed. Peanut butter on cheese crackers. Look out.
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