The usual Saturday ritual of watching paint dry coffee brew has been completed. A sip of the restorative elixir assures one that life is indeed worth living. A stroll past the windows reinforces the fact that the entire world seems to share the same thought.
A second sip and deep sigh proceed, looking forward to a relaxing time spent with my dear friend caffeine. As the scent of the roasted beans threatens to overtake my consciousness, the doorbell rings. Twiggy and Lucy erupt like the mad dogs of Cerberus, and with the baying hounds behind me, a question is sent out over the Ring camera app. “What the hell do you want.?”
The shivering soul on the porch apologizes for missing the flashing sign and klaxon horn warning about not ringing the doorbell and informs me he was sent by Dan Antion with a message. Dan Antion? is the thought running concurrently through my brain. The other thought is seriously considering murdering the messenger. My opinion of him is not worth a red cent. I finally go through the disarm and unlock process to face the man. He is covered in a curious scent but choosing to ignore it; the inquiry as to the nature of the visit is repeated. He explains that Linda Hill has a temporary electrical problem, and Dan Antion is filling in for her on the prompt delivery.
He hands me an envelope and then asks what spray I was using at the driveway’s entrance. I took the envelope and told him it was the essence of skunk, which helps keep the werewolves away. After that, he spent no more time standing and invested several minutes in running.
After relocking and arming the automatic machine guns, I opened the envelope. Here is the message.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “cent/scent/sent.” Use them in any form you like. Use one, use two or use them all. Bonus points if you use all three, and Cheryl will put your next drink on David’s tab. I know, you used to get bonus points for two, but inflation… Enjoy! It came to me quickly that David owes me a drink. If you would like to join in go to this link and read how easy it is.
https://lindaghill.com/2022/06/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-18-2022/
Cent/Scent/Sent by John W. Howell © 2022
“Well, that was something.”
“What do you mean?”
“Skunk? Werewolves? Automatic machine guns?”
“So?”
“People are going to think you are nuts.”
“Naw, just fiction.”
“If you say so.”
“So, did you enjoy the story?”
“I think you handled the prompt. However, your scent example was sketchy.”
“Well, it was a tough one.”
“I liked red cent.”
“Last minute thought.”
“And, of course sent was a no-brainer.”
“Yeah, Dan was a perfect tool for that one.”
“So, how are you going to work in the pub.”
“Easy. Let’s go.”
“That’s too easy.”
“I’m buying.”
“Better. Good job.”
Fiction Favorites 
[…] did this first glass of John Howell’s Bourbon. It must be the […]
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Thank you for the link, Dan
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I was worried about those machine guns, John. Messengers charge extra if they get shot. Good job on the prompt. I hope Lucy and Twiggy have calmed down.
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Oce the person leaves they are back to normal fully believing that they were the cause of the person leaving. Thanks, Dan
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“I protected my family!” Who’s a good girl?
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There you go.
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Hi John, well done on this great twist for this week’s post hosted by Dan.
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Thanks, Robbie. 😁
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All’s well when it ends in a pub. Have a Happy Fathers Day John.
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Thanks, Marc.
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I love this line:
Twiggy and Lucy erupt like the mad dogs of Cerberus, and with the baying hounds behind me, a question is sent out over the Ring camera app. “What the hell do you want.?”
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Thanks, Liz. I always love it when someone touches that bell. 😁
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The dog I had in Virginia would hurl herself at the French door growling and snarling when anyone came on the porch.
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Great greeting for those who dare. 🤣
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Pity the poor mail carrier . . . I would have just thrown our mail at the porch.
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We have a box at the end of the drive which is in no man’s land
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Our mailbox is at the end of the drive for our current house.
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😊
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This took me by surprise, but once you were sent to the pub, I got it! Good work!
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All’s well that ends well at the pub. Thanks, GP
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Hic, of course!
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I liked the red cent too, John. Great job! Happy Saturday!
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill * sung to the tune of Can’t Buy Me Love by the Beatles.
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That was a rather wild opening.
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Yes indeed. That doorbell always causes mayhem.
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Does it say Acme on it?
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It should. 😁
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Another fun one, John. I’d hate to think what would happen if you ran out of coffee. Oh gosh, the images… 😂
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John,
You got me with the essence of skunk. Your castle is well protected. You may need some kettles of hot lead on the roof ready to tip at the pull of a rope.
Good stuff
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Good idea. I have been using hot oil but I can see the benefits of heavy lead.
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Not a pretty picture. One time when we lost electricity I fired up the grill to make coffee. It was pretty good too.
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😂 my hubby has boxes of Keurig cups for a catastrophe. Without electricity, it’s going to be interesting opening those cups for the coffee grinds.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks for sharing, Gwen
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My pups have evolved past the doorbell. Alexa alerts us when the Ring doorbell sees something. This is their new trigger.
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Yeah we keep Alexia muffled. We have cameras and there is only a tone that they have not associated with visitors yet.
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Great job on that stumper Dan fixed us up with, John. I guess your drinks are going on David’s tab!
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Yup. All the way. Thanks, Maggie.
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HA! Fabulous, John. You slay me with “essence of skunk, which helps keep the werewolves away.” Hugs on the wing… or maybe on the howl.
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Thank you, Teagan. 😊
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Make sure the machine gun is loaded with silver-tipped bullets, John. Werewolves hate those rounds and they are just as effective on delivery people, who are sometimes more difficult to fend off than werewolves.
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Good advice, Ron. Good thing I have a silver mine.
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Your porch is a very scary place! But you handle it with aplomb.
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Thanks, Pamela. It is scary for visitors too.
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Good one, John, and informative. Didn’t know skunk scent would keep werewolves away. 🙂
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This is Fiction Favorites remember? 😁
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🙂
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😊
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Entertaining, as always, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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I feared that essence was of skunk! Muy potent, tell you what.
You are the master of the word sent to you. I’ll keep adding my two cent’s worth to these missives 😉
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Thank you, Dale. Always like your two cents.
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You know I do love to give them 😉
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So were you a design consultant for security at Control ?
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This smelled like a skunky post when I read the title.
Fortunately, the post is free, no 💸 involved.
So, I stayed to read the entire happening.
Hmm, I have a werewolf problem as well. Think I’ll use your technique to send them away!
They really are pesky!
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The biggest problem is milking the skunk. Good luck.
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Hmm…. I’ll need to find a teeny bucket!
No…no… I can do this!
I’ve just got to get rid of those pesky werewolves. They keep eating my blog pals that come to meet me!
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Here is a can of ACME skunk essence. Milking is too hard.
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Hahahaha!!!! Thanks!
I just love the ACME brand of products!
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Yes. Laboratory tested and approved. Be careful when you open the can.
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I’ll don my hazmat! It will be my first time employing the use of my ACME hazmat Suit!
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Don’t forget to zip up that back flap. 😁
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What flap? There’s no back flap!
Do you think it’s pawsible that ACME sent me a flawed suit?
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TYhere has to be a flap. It’s called the relief flap and is clearly marked.
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Okay, so which of the clearly marked 837 clearly marked marks is it?
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The A model.
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Ship! I’ve got the A2 model! UCH…
That ACME is as slippery as a wet coyote!
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Yup. The one for robots. You can wear it just don’t overdo the water drinking.
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…… what about red wine?
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I would give it a try.
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Okay! I could wear a diaper. Does ACME have a line on that?
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Yes ACME adult deluge diverters. They are the best. Good thinking.
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Thank you! It pays to have half brain, and an account with ACME!
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Yes. An ACME platinum card works.
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Of course that may have been the model for robotic use.
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That was fun, John 🙂 I line the idea of skunk spray at end of driveway 🙂
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Ha ha ha. If only it would work.
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Lol
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😊
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Well done, John, especially bringing Dan into the prompt. Your openings are priceless!
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Thank you, Jennie. 😊
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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😊
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Nicely done, introducing Dan’s book, and the prompt! A visit to the pub was also a nice addition. 👏
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Thank you, Deborah.
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LOVE it! I may need to get some of that skunk scent. If only there was a way to spread it through the phone lines as well.
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ACME skunk scent is pretty difficult to handle. The biggest worry is when you open the can.
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Ha! They should sell gas masks with each order as an add-on.
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The small print says “do not open indoors.”
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🤣
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😁
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