In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.”
The link to Keith’s post.
https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/02/27/kreative-kue-395/
The photo.
The Cabin by John W. Howell © 2023
“The realtor said she would meet us here.”
“Right away, I can say this is out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Hello. How many horror movies take place out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Come on. It’s not that remote.”
“Why did we have to walk half a mile from the road then?”
“Yeah, that was a pain. I could see us trying to carry groceries all that way.”
“I’m worried about how safe it is here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Woods have animals and creepy people who make booze and meth.”
“Not all woods do.”
“I’m just saying. How about when the sun goes down? I don’t see any lights at all.”
“I’ll bet it is pretty dark. Does the description mention electricity?”
“Yeah, it says electric, heat, and A/C.”
“So we can put up some lights.”
“At least there is no grass to mow.”
“Why would you care about that. Grass mowing is my job.”
“I know, but reminding to mow is mine.”
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“We both want to have a vacation place, but I think this one is a little too rough for us.”
“Hi, folks.”
“Wow, you startled us.”
“Sorry about that. What do you think of the place?”
“We were just saying that it might be too remote.”
“Yeah, we noticed no lights, and the road is so far away.”
“But the price is right. You’ll never find a three bed two bath place at this price.”
“I don’t know. The price on the listing seems a little high.”
“There’s been a reduction. The seller is anxious to close.”
“Why so anxious?”
“He needs the money for his defense.”
“Defense? What kind of trouble is he in?”
“I shouldn’t tell tales, but he was caught making meth.”
“Meth? Please don’t tell me he was making it here.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you that.”
“What did I just say about people in the woods?”
“Now, dear. Let’s not bother our agent with our thoughts. How much is it now?”
“Half price.”
“That still seems high for a former meth lab.”
“It’s not former. Everything’s still there.”
“But he got caught.”
“Yeah, at his other place. This one is off the books.”
“Is this ethical or legal?”
“Ah, the preacher shows up. Do you want it or not?
“We’ll pass.”
“That is a shame. Two nice kids like you. Now that you know about this place, I will be forced to eliminate you.”
“I knew your name sounded a little weird.”
“How so. I think Soprano is a normal-sounding name. Now close your eyes. I don’t want to scare you with my big pistol.”
* * *
Dan Antion has a wonderful review of The Last Drive, along with a terrific review of Patrica Furstenberg’s latest book of poetry. Here is a link.
Fiction Favorites 
Ah jeez… this is definitely a shoulda coulda woulda situation…
Halfway walking towards the joint, they shoulda turned back; they coulda ended up alive and they woulda been none the wiser 😉
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You made me laugh with this comment, Dale. 😁
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Woot! Success! 😉
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Thanks, John.
I’m happy to say that no hard drugs were manufactured in that house during my occupancy, John. The gardener grew bananas, maize and potatoes mostly. We did find some cannabis plants growing, but he assured us that they were the result of seeds blowing in from another property and he wouldn’t have lied, would he?
Oh, and a matter of days before the maize crop (only about a hundred square metres) was ready to harvest, a troop of baboons came through and scoffed the lot!
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Ha ha ha. What a story. 😁
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Last name Soprano… that had me chuckling. Good work, John.
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Thanks, Staci. Glad you liked it.
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Quick Toto click your heels together three times and wish we were in Kansas…
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Would be the best time, John. 😁
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Probably better to just burn the place down for the insurance money.
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That is a good solution.
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An anxious seller is often a red flag. Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jill.
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Well, that turned into a nightmare! Good take on the image, John!
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Thank you, Deborah. I have bought and sold 22 homes in my life and this represents the feeling.
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22!! I’m on my 2nd there’s probably a 3rd in there but, not 22! That’s a lot of moving.
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Yup for sure. Our current one, I had The Producer go buy and I saw it when we moved in.
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Looks like a few places around here, but most aren’t cooking meth. Notice I said ‘most’. Great story, John. (I am headed over to Dan’s to read his review.)
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Thank you, Maggie. Glad you liked it.
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Ouch – nice twist, John. Well, except for the potential buyers. I wonder how many are buried there.
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Ha ha ha. Good question. 🤣
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A rapid price drop is a sure indication of something being terribly wrong. Great response to the prompt, John.
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Thank you, Gwen.
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Has it been a tough day?!
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😁
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A perfect instance in which price shouldn’t be the sole determining factor, John. Thanks for another entertaining take on one of Keith’s photos!
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You are so right, Debbie. Thanks for your compliment. 😁
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Good one, John, with a cool twist for the ending! A Soprano involved in that place, with no driveway to hose down? 🙂
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Yup. No evidence at all.
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Haha! A clever and funny one, John!
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A fatal error for sure! Good one, John!
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Now this was hilarious 😂
Excellent piece, John, and congratulations on that excellent book review from Dan Antion.
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That price was definitely too high! I did not see that coming.
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Yeah, the resale value of meth houses is shit for. But the price you pay for even inquiring about them is worse.
“At least there is no grass to mow.”
“Why would you care about that. Grass mowing is my job.”
“I know, but reminding to mow is mine.”
THAT is classic John Howell right there.
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Thank you, Marc. You are the best.
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As are you, good man.
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I did NOT see that one coming!!! And here I was thinking it looked like exactly the sort of place I would love to have … no traffic, no immediate neighbors, plenty of nature to bask in … until BANG!!!
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Actually that was a wet tuna “WHAP.” 🤣
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Ahhhhh … I thought something smelled fishy! 🤣
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😁
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Whoa, this took an unexpectedly dark turn.
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Indeed. Surprised me too. 😁
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“He needs money for his defense.” Hahaha!
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Glad you liked it.
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Sounds like commercial property to me. Price just went up.
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🤣
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Great story, John. I think they were wise to pass!
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I agree.
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Although not so wise to go with Mr. Soprano (meant to include that in first comment!)
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😊
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I was typing to fast!
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All the best to your poor fingers.
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Oh, my, John, you had me going with this one! Meeting up with Tony Soprano is definitely a horror story 😉
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Yes it is, Marie. Thanks for the visit.
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Well done, John. Soprano, of course!
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Of course.
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😎
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[…] The Cabin by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
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