Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Board/Bored

~ John W. Howell

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

A quiet Saturday with no sound other than the death rattle of the coffee maker working on my soul-enhancing cup of the steaming stuff. Looking forward to non-activity that could render me into a condition best described as bored, I take a sip of the Columbian liquid alternative to Bolivian marching powder.

Thinking the paper would be an excellent addition to the bucolic scene created, I open the control board panel and begin the security disengage process. I flip the switches labeled: hot oil, concertina wire, claymore mines, Gatlin guns, iron gate, moat animals, deadbolts, remote crossbows, and locks. Checking the four cameras and seeing no motion or figure, the front door power switch is hit, and the door flies open. All these activities used to be done by hand; now, it is a matter of remote control.

The paper waits on the porch, but if it is a booby trap, the remote robot is sent to retrieve it. As the robot arm is extended to pick up the paper, a flash from my phone signals an alert. Looking up confirms a drone has entered the house. My goodness is a thought that races across the brain. Legs turn to rubber as it seems like my impenetrable inner sanctum has been breached by a dangerous-looking thing with four propellers.

Lucy, the consummate watchdog, jumps from the couch and knocks the thing to the floor. Twiggy immediately stops barking long enough to throw her full force onto the item. The result is a long sigh from the drone and a blinking red light. Thinking the light means imminent detonation, I smash the thing with the coal shovel kept handy for such occasions. (You don’t have to believe that part). The light stops blinking and in the pieces is a rolled-up message.

The unrolled message is from Linda Hill. It says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “board/bored.” Use one, or use them both for bonus points. Enjoy! P.S. You owe me $400.00 for the drone.

If you want to join in, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Others are responding to the prompt there too. Here’s the link https://lindaghill.com/2022/08/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-27-2022/

Board/Bored by John W. Howell © 2022

“I hope you weren’t trying to bore us on purpose.”

“Come on. Have a heart.”

“Okay, but I was expecting some kind of cartoon character.”

“Do you know what this feature is called?”

“Yeah, Stream of Consciousness.”

“So today’s stream produced a drone.”

“Couldn’t miss that.”

“Why are you yawning?”

“Oh, excuse me. I guess the excitement of a drone was just too much for me.”

“You are an idiot, you know that?”

“At least I don’t write about drones.”

“You don’t write at all.”

“My point exactly.”

“I don’t get it.”

“I don’t write so I can be an objective reviewer of your work. I’m a representative of all readers.”

“Okay, so you didn’t like the drone.”

“I have to say you did cover the prompt. You fit bored and board in perfectly.”

“Well, that is one good thing.”

“Like the pub.”

“I was wondering how you were going to work that in.”

“Slick, huh?”

“So slick you’ve earned the right to buy.”

“Yeah. Happy to do it. Maybe wash this bitter taste out of my mouth.”

“Please.”

“Yes, that was a bit overdone. A beer will taste good, though.”

“Since when, doesn’t it?”

“Good point. Let’s go.”

“Should I delete the post?”

“Naw, as you say, it’s a Steam of Consciousness from an unconscious streamer.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Let’s go already. We have much to forget and so little time.”

 

84 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Board/Bored”

  2. Nice job with the prompt, John. I missed the cartoon characters, but I was fine with Lucy and Twiggy to the rescue. And, for the record, who doesn’t keep a coal shovel handy?

    Liked by 1 person

  6. John,
    That was fantastic. I absolutely love the disarming of your house. You seem to add a layer of protection each time. The shovel is a great addition. Do you have the directions or sequencing posted so the Producer can get out in an emergency ?
    I certainly didn’t think your dogs would spring into action too.
    Amazing !

    Liked by 1 person

  7. There is a stupid overlay over the WP button…
    …that makes it hard to comment, because I have to fill in my details all the time.

    To make it brief, I really like your post!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I wasn’t bored at all, John. Although, I think you could stretch beyond cartoons and elicit the fictional wonders of Star Trek characters. Or Star Wars. Or Vikings. So much to work with there… 😉

    Like

  9. You can’t escape these Saturday challenges, no matter how hard you try. And I’m glad for it. I also culled a favorite quote out of this week’s post . . .

    “We have much to forget and so little time . .”

    That is Shakespeare right there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It also comes to mind when Lady Aster commented to Winston Churchill that she believes he has drunk enough alcohol to fill the room up to the molding about five feet below the ceiling. Winston looked up and then said, “So much more to do and so little time.”

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh the fantastic visual images I got from this piece. The ending was a zinger, we all have much to forget … at least around here we do. Thanks John for sharing your gift with us.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Another fabulous Saturday post! And Lucy and Twiggy to the rescue, thank goodness. Otherwise that thing might have knocked over your expensive Ming vase. 🙂 Great use of the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. At least you didn’t drone on about the drone.
    Although, now I’ll have to go through a Saturday cartoon character detox.
    Also, yes, I didn’t buy the part about the coal shovel. Everything else was perfectly believable, though.
    🎼 Beautiful Streamer, 🎶 Stream unto me 🎶 😘

    Liked by 1 person

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