Getting past the coffee prep gave me zero problems. Sipping the fresh brew caused me to believe that there would be zilch to worry about on this beautiful Saturday morning. Then, as my feet hit the footstool on the back porch, the zip of a figure passed the corner of my eye. Thinking it, another eye floater caused a return to the peaceful reverie and aromatic cup.
“Excuse me.” The words crashed into my consciousness like a hammer through the front window. Looking at the figure before me sent a register to the brain that this was no floater but a person in overalls.
“Yes?” Was all that could be mustered as a response.
“We have a delivery for Fiction Favorites.”
Shaking my head to try and understand how this person got over the moat, past the towers, and through the concertina wire, words did not immediately form for delivery. Then, finally, the words lined up in some semblance of order and marched out of my mouth. “I am Fiction Favorites.” is how they presented themselves.
The guy in overalls nodded and then spoke into a phone, indicating that they had reached the right place. It was only then that the realization of a hovering helicopter came into focus. At least that answered the question of how the security was breached. A mental note was made to the effect of installing antiaircraft systems to prevent such an occurrence again.
After a few more words, a large box descended from the helicopter and gently landed on the turf. The guy handed me a clipboard pointing to a signature line. Being a victim of being told what to do forever, my signature was proffered as directed. The guy grabbed a line and was yanked into the belly door, and the entire machine disappeared.
I pulled the string that said “pull to open,” and about 100 multicolored balloons went skyward. Such a sight brought a smile while reaching for the note on the bottom of the box. It was, of course, from Linda Hill, and here’s what it said. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “zip, zero, zilch.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!
If you would like to have fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy t is. Here is the link.
https://lindaghill.com/2022/04/29/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-30-2022/
Zip Zero Zilch by John W. Howell © 2022.
“Did you find out who the guy in overalls was?”
“No. It didn’t matter. I got the prompt.”
“Sometimes, you have zero sense.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you think your readers would like to know?”
“I think their interest would be zilch.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The whole idea is the prompt. It means zip on who delivers it.”
“Not from what I read when a Warner brothers character shows up.”
“Well, that’s different.”
“How so?”
“Those characters are loved. This was a guy making a delivery.”
“From a helicopter.”
“There is that, I guess.”
“Did you get any markings on the helicopter?”
“No. There wasn’t time.”
“What’s this about antiaircraft systems?”
“Fictional license.”
“Like the rest?”
“Yup.”
“Is VooDooRanger real?”
“You bet.”
“Your turn to buy.”
“I didn’t mention something.”
“What?”
“There were 24 bottles of VooDoo Ranger in the box.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope, and a box of Hanover sourdough hard pretzels.”
“You get paid for these endorsements.”
“No, I just know what I like.”
“Okay, then let’s go.”
“French onion or France?”
“Pardon me?”
“Dip. What kind to go with the pretzels?”
“Where do you get dips.”
“Same place as the VooDoo Ranger.”
“French onion.”
“Good choice.”
“Can we go now?”
“After you.”
Fiction Favorites 
GREAT! 👍
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, dear John
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you. The same to you. 😁
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The question, of course, is this. Did he descend from the chopper on a zip line (no doubt singing zip-a-dee-doo-dah as he came down)?
I know what you’re thinking – Zip it, Tarquin!
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Good one, Keith!
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Thanks Liz. A lot seems to happen in John’s ZIP code, doesn’t it? 😀
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Groan.
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🤓
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It was.
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Well done, Keith. I can now appreciate your challenges with those characters running around your place. 😁
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Oh dear, John. Everyone knows that peanut butter or mustard goes with pretzels!! 🤪🙄
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That may be true but a good ranch dip and pretzel is mighty tasty. (I like mustard on soft pretzels ) Thanks, GP
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Good job, John, but I’m with GP – mustard for those pretzels. Ill tell the helicopter crew to plan on another delivery. Maybe after midnight 😏 🥨
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Warn them about the antiaircraft systems. 😁
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Ooops 😬
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I’d save my money on the anti-aircraft systems. The Prompt Meisters would just find a way around them.
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I’m sure you are right. Besides the two million per missile is a bit steep. 😁
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Dollar down, catch me if you can?
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😁
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I haven’t had Hanover sourdough hard pretzels in years. I always loved mine plain. Good one, John! Happy Saturday!
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill * sung to the tune of My Way by Frank Sinatra.
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HAHAHA! You cannot run, you cannot hide. Your chance of escaping are zilch zero zip!
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So true, Pamela. Thanks for the laugh.
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That was a fairly exciting intro.
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Thank you, Charles.
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John, I had no idea of your security. I have cancelled all plans for a visit. Your landscaping must be amazing.
Instead of rockets, why not just a simple dome over your property. That way you don’t have to worry about rain either.
PS: pretzels and dip does not go with a nice cup of coffee. Not at all. Zip zilch, etc
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The city rules don’t allow domes. Missile silos are okay as long as they are hidden. I hear you on the coffee and pretzels. Beer is another matter. Thanks, Tom.
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“I am Fiction Favorites!” You had me laughing with this one, John. That’s quite a declaration. Of course, the rest of the story kept me going. Well done, my friend. 🤣
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Thank you, Gwen. I’m glad you liked it for sure. 😊
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Good one, John! Thanks for the Saturday morning smiles. It’s a good way for me to start the day. 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Tim. Thanks for letting me know.
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Brilliant! And I do love Shelley too!
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Entertaining, as usual. Bravo!
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Thank you, Susan
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I love the added touch of balloons 🙂 I have a feeling no matter what defenses are put up that prompt will always find a way to you !
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I think you are right Denise.
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Perhaps the guy in overalls was a grown up Elroy Jetson?
Does VooDoo Ranger make red wine?
If so I’m in withe the French Onion.
Entertaining, John….QUITE!
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Voo Doo Ranger only makes a kick ass IPA. I’m glad you liked it, Resa
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing the post, Michael
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Wow, its amazing what you have extracted from this three words, John! Fantastic! Have a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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You as well Michael
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Hahaha! Well done, John. Where was the mustard for the pretzels? Oh sorry, they were hard, not soft. Yes…who was that guy in the overalls?
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I don’t think we are going to find out who that guy in the overalls is for a while.
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Bummer! 😀
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I know right?
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Yup!
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The delivery methods are getting more and more exciting, John. Not that I have any interest in helicopters – zip, zero, zilch.
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See you don’t need an interest in helicopters to enjoy. Thanks, Robbie.
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I love the voodoo (ranger) you do.
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Thanks, Pilgrim.
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Another great post, John! These are so entertaining. 🙂 Loved the intro!
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Thank you, Jan. 😊
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I like that there was zip, zilch, and zero as you cut to the chase. It was a busy weekend and we did not get to the chase until the tree came down. But get to it we did. Cheers.
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Always a good idea to cut to the chase but watch the landing.
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I cannot believe I forgot to get a bottle of VooDoo Ranger when I was in Florida. Dammit…
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Doh! Well, maybe you had other things that distracted you.
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Maybe… 😉
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