“Whatever,” I say out loud. The thought that the box is still in the driveway makes me want to go back to bed. But unfortunately, the call of the caffeine god turns me in the direction of the kitchen. As the cup finishes brewing, plans begin to form regarding what to do with that box. The appearance of Wile E. Coyote last week did nothing to aid in its removal. For all I know, the Canis latrans has moved into the box, is my troubling thought.
Taking a sip of the hot steaming stuff as I move toward the front door gives me the courage to open it. Stepping out onto the drive and close to the box, I gently rap on its side. Cocking my head to pick up even the slightest sound, I rap again. The wind in the trees seem to mock my apprehension, for it was the only audio detected.
A tap on my butt causes my natural instincts to kick in involuntarily. I can not explain how I got onto the top of the box and am now looking down at a smiling Wile E. Coyote. My coffee is mysteriously still in the cup clutched in my right hand. My mind drifts from concern about Wile and the box to wondering about the fact that the coffee remains intact.
I am brought back to reality when Wile asks if I would open the box. “Open the box?” I say. Wile explains that there is a latch on top and all I had to do was flip it open. I see the latch and flip it. The sides of the box fold out, and the top, including me, falls to the ground. The five-foot fall does nothing for my mood, nor does the fact that I am looking at a transparent ball just slightly smaller than the box. On the side of the ball is a stenciled logo that reads, “ACME Runner Ball. Be Ten Times Faster.”
Wilie gives me a thumbs up and opens a small door on the side of the ball. He climbs in just as that honking and screeching sound reaches my ears from behind. Turning around, I’m treated by another road runner visit and another note in its beak. I take the message, and the roadrunner runs off. Wilie starts running inside the ball and quickly catches up to the roadrunner. They both disappear around the corner, and I’m left with a note and a wooden box. The box will have to be chopped up. The message said the following Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “whatever.” Use the word “whatever” any way you’d like. Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun! If you want to have fun, go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2022/02/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-19-2022/
Whatever by John W. Howell © 2022
“I don’t know what to say.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s been two weeks, and the box has a stupid ball inside.”
“Looks that way.”
“Why couldn’t it have been something exciting?”
“Like what?”
“A rocket or motorized anvil. Anything but a ball.”
“I don’t know. I think a ball that lets you run faster is a pretty interesting thing.”
“At least tell me if Wilie caught the roadrunner?”
“I have no idea. They went around the corner.”
“Can’t you make something up?”
“I could, but I am not going to do that.”
“Why?”
“Has Wilie ever gotten the better of the roadrunner?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“So what makes you think I can invent a scenario where that happens.”
“I see what you mean. That would be taking fan fiction liberty.”
“Right. And to what end?”
“Would make a good story.”
“And nice lawsuit from Warner Brothers.”
“Well, there is that. Okay, I give up. Time to head to the pub.”
“You know we end this feature every week at the pub. So let’s do something different.”
“Like what?”
“How about the museum.”
“You are kidding me now, right?”
“It would be different.”
“Wait a minute. The fact that it is your turn to buy is not influencing your quest to be different, is it?”
“I am a little short this week.”
“I’ll buy then.”
“Dump the museum idea. Let’s go.”
‘
Fiction Favorites 
[…] I’ll have some John Howell’s Bourbon, a snifter of […]
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Thank you for the link, Dan.
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Phew, the mystery of the box has been solved. Now, skip the pub and file a patent on that spill-proof coffee cup. Wait, did I say skip the pub? Strike that. Enjoy.
Nice work, John. I hope you have a good weekend.
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I hope you have a good weekend as well, Dan.
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I want that coffee cup. Have you patented it? If not, let me have full details so I can get Clare to make me one in her pottery classes.
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I’m more interested in the beer and wine glass versions. I’ll keep working on it. Thanks, Keith. 😁
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I could use a spill-proof coffee cup. Walking from the kitchen to the living room can be dangerous. Whatever, have a great and laughter-filled weekend, John. 😁
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Laughter is the way to go, Gwen. I hope you are getting your fair share. 😁 Have a peaceful Saturday.
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Somehow I can’t see these two guys going to a museum. Good one, John. Happy Saturday!😉
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill * Sung to the tune of You Got a Friend by Carol King.
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We can put that box to rest!
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Good decision not to take fan fiction liberties with Wile E. Coyote.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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What if you found a museum that includes a pub? Has to be a beer museum somewhere.
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Genius idea, Charles.
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Thanks, John, for the Saturday morning smile. It’s nice to know that whatever the situation, you’ll bring us a story that entertains. 🙂
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I hope that is the case, Tim. Thanks so much.
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Wilie never catches the Roadrunner, John. I guess you know that and going to the bar is far better than a lawsuit or the museum most days. Happy Saturday!
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Most days it is better than those two.. Thanks, Mary.
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Museums are all well and good, but as a supplement to the pub . . . not a replacement.
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I agree.
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How amazing that the coffee stayed intact, and even more amazing that it was my biggest concern. Suffice it to say, I do love my coffee. I never expected a ball inside the mysterious box, but seems to serve a purpose. Good one, John!
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I knew it would be concerning to a coffee drinker for sure.
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You would think Wyle E. Coyote would be suspicious of anything with the Acme brand by now. Loved the revelation. The decision depends on the museum – and the pub – which would win out. Which one serves Fish and Chips?
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I like your decision model. Maggie. 😁
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My stomach drives a lot of my decisions, John.
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Mine too.
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Yeah, the pub’s a better choice, John, and that coffee cup is magical. Good one!
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Thank you, Lauren. I agree.
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What kind of coffee is in that cup? lol
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I think it might be chewable.
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May I accompany you guys to the not museum?
I promise not to vomit if I drink too, much.
I feel so sorry for W. E. Coyote.
At least he’s having a ball.
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You are always welcome barf and all. Yes, poor Wilie. Never a catch.
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Frab!!!!
(just thought a backwards barf was in order.)
Never a catch, you say! The what is the purpose of W.E. Coyote’s life?
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To keep chasing the roadrunner in the hope of one day having a catch. A great story pointing out the value of hope.
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Ahh, yes, hope runs eternal.
Good point, John!
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Yes it does. 😊
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That ever. The ever on the way to the bar. If the museum ever gets a brew court perhaps it will have a culturing chance. After all where did the artists drink ? In the bar not in the museum…
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Yes that is where they got most of their inspiration
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I wasn’t buying the museum either. Nice job, John!
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Thanks, Pete. Now if it were a beer museum….
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The Acme museum could be fun. Might have all kinds of Coyote artifacts.
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That would be fun. 😁
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I like your coffee survived the box mystery. Maybe someday the coyote will finally catch the roadrunner. I have a feeling that ball won’t do it!
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The ball is by far the dumbest thing he has ordered. Thaks, Denise.
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This right here John “On the side of the ball is a stenciled logo that reads, “ACME Runner Ball. Be Ten Times Faster.” I could see it and wanted to jump inside it myself and take off like a banshee. LOL.
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I think you could do that. Imagine ten times faster. 😁
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So it was a ball in the box, and Wile and the road runner took off as they always do. Thank goodness there wasn’t an anvil, and thank goodness you opted for the bar instead of the museum. Super, John!
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Ha ha ha. I like everything you said. 😁
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😀
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You had me worried there… mind you, museum, then pub could work!
And no, can’t mess with things like Wile catching the Road Runner… It would screw up my childhood.
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We would not want to mess with your childhood for sure. 😁
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Hahaha 😉
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😁
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LOL!! I had a cartoon vision of you hopping on top of that box keeping your coffee in tact in the cup.
Poor Wylie E Coyote I’m sure the ball is fun at first but, I bet it pops just when he thinks he’s got the roadrunner cornered. Perhaps it’s the road runner that pops it! 😂
Fun take on the challenge, John!!
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Thank you, Deborah. I think the ACNE spikes in the road will do the trick.
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😂
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😊
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Thank you, Deborah. I’m glad you liked it. 😁
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