The blessed coffee machine generously gives up its treasure without nary a peep. Sipping the revitalizing fluid generates a lightning flash in the Morpheus stunned brain. It comes with the melodious and, if truth be known, ominous cords of the calliope. The circus must still be in the backyard.
Racing to the back confirms the worst case. The large tent is still in place and filled with what appear to be hundreds of spectators. Phil Harris’ electronic voice echoes throughout the interior space.” Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages. I now direct your attention to the center ring where our very own Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner will attempt on the high wire a feat that has never been attempted before.”
A hush comes over the crowd, and a lone spotlight picks up Wile E. Coyote precariously balanced on a bicycle high up in the tent’s rarified air on a taught wire. There is no net, so death-defying takes on a new meaning. He is holding a rocket from the ACME Bird Blasting Company. The Roadrunner is at the other end of the wire, and it appears that she intends to run straight at Wile while continuing to maintain balance.
The music reaches a crescendo, and the Roadrunner begins her run. Wile engages the rocket fuse and takes aim at the Roadrunner. As the distance closes, the rocket ignites, and Wile struggles to hold it for a last-minute adjustment. Unfortunately, he does so for a second too long as the afterburner kicks in, and the rocket and Wile punch through the tent ceiling and are last seen acting out the “Rockets Red Glare” lyrics from the Star Spangled Banner.
A “beep beep” causes me to jump two feet and realize the Roadrunner is behind me. Once turning, she hands me an envelope. Then, with another “beep beep,” she is gone. We all know the drill. It’s from Linda Hill. The message reads, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with gen.” Find a word that starts with “gen” and use it in your post. Have fun!
If you want to have fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. While there, you can read some other posts with today’s prompt. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/04/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-8-2023/
Starts with Gen by John W. Howell © 2023
“Okay, I hope this is the last circus bit.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“I still don’t get it. This is your blog, yet you act like you are a victim of all these visitors.”
“I get that feeling sometimes.”
“What’s with your generation of writers anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“You all talk about your characters going off and running the show.”
“It does occur once in a while.”
“What are you, a wimp? You have the keyboard, for heaven’s sake.”
“As a general rule, yes.”
“So what happens?”
“A writer allows a character to go in a certain direction, and then before long, it seems like the character is writing the scene.”
“Sound like hocus pocus.”
“That’s a generalization.”
“I’ll stick to things I can see.”
“Like what?”
“VooDoo Ranger.”
“You’re obsessed.”
“I prefer to say ‘genteel.’ Of course, maybe it’s genetic.”
“Let’s cut the ‘gen’ generation and get to the pub.”
“A genuine suggestion.”
“Quit it.”
“Uber is on the way.”
“Genial thought.”
“Now you quit it.”
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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A funny and very entertaining story, John! You kept the tension until the end. 😉 I wish you a wonderful Easter! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Happy Easter to you as well.
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Thanks, John! xx Michael
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😁
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More genius on a Saturday morning Boss.
Yes, the character DOES live on its own. All we can do is guide it.
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Thanks for being on my side. That other guy gives me a pain sometimes.
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I hear that.
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😊
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This wasn’t an easy prompt. You did great with it, John! Happy Saturday!
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Happy Saturday to you, Jill. *Sung to the tune of Sixteen Reasons by Connie Francis
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You had a toughie here, John. Good job.
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Thank you, GP. Glad you liked it.
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Well geez, John, haven’t been here for two weeks and I completely missed the circus. Were there bears on unicycles and monkeys riding on horseback? Dang, I love the circus! Anyhow, I hope Wile has found his way back to earth, much as you would do after too many Voodoo’s. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thank you, Mary. Sorry you missed it. After too many VooDoo Rangers it is hard to find the way back. 😁
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Absolutely brilliant John the only thing that worries me is how did that Road Runner get into your kitchen ….or had you gone out to the big top…. I just did not hear or see you unlock the security system?
As for you friend has he no soul we all know our characters are the boss….. And he’s very bossy! 😄😄😄😄🤗🤗🤗
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Yes I went out the back door which is open because the 12 foot electrified fence is all around the house. The front door is unprotected is why the security system is needed. My friend is bossy till the check arrives.
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Ah! It’s all as clear as mud now … Thank you 😂😂
Happy Easter 🐰🐣
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Happy Easter, Willow.
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I wonder if characters going off script is older than we think. Just that nobody talked about it.
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I think so. Thanks, Charles.
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Good work generating content for this prompt, John. I hope you have a Happy Easter.
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Thank you, Dan I hope you have the same
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Absolutely brilliant!! I love the characters of course. But you really make them come to life. And Phil still sings it out. I’m surprised “Dan” hasn’t shown up to add to the chaos as only he can do. Perhaps with a knife between his teeth in a dripping swimsuit.
Happy Easter.
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Happy Easter to you. Yes, Dan must be at Krogers or something.
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Great fun today – both the intro and the gen take. I do love Wiley Coyote and the Roadrunner, and you captured them genuinely!
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Thank you, Noelle. I’m glad you liked the post.
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Have a wonderful Easter and be gentle with your genuflections. ⛪
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Thank you, Gwen. Yes my knee has to be watched after. Happy Easter to you.
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Great job, John! You’re genuinely generous with Saturday morning smiles. 🙂
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As are you with your compliments, Tim. Thanks. 😁
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Ha ha, lots of chuckles from this one! Wile E. Coyote has to be the most cockeyed optimist who ever lived.
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I think that is a good way to put it, Liz. 😁
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Thanks, John!
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I genuflect to the master . . .
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🤣
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Awesome! 😀 I haven’t said it in a while: thanks so much for participating in SoCS, John! Very gentlemanly of you. 😉
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Aw. Thank you, Linda. I appreciate that.
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I always look forward to my Saturday dose of entertainment from John Howell. And it never fails me. Good one, John!
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I’m glad you liked it, Jan.
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Dearest John,
I am also on your side when it comes to letting the characters dictate the direction of your story (or rather, standing back coz they will anyway).
You always leave me smiling, John. We’ll toast to you tonight with your VooDoo or glass of wine 🙂
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Thank you, Dale. A toast to you both as well.
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Thank you kind sir!
🍻
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Super fun, John. You’re a genius! A perfect description of the action in that circus tent. I think your characters have definitely taken over.
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Thanks, Diana. Sorry for the late reply but the spam monster caught this one.
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🙂 No problem. I end up in spam a lot, so I never worry about it.
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😊
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They can be such a pain when they take off on their own, can’t they?
One of my favorite books is a short story anthology called “Coyote v. Acme.” The title story is a legal brief for Wile E. Coyote’s lawsuit against the Acme Co.
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Sounds like a fun story.
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That was pretty funny. I think I’d miss the circus if they quit coming to your SOC posts.
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There will be other foolishnesses, Deborah.
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☺
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😁
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John, you were at your best here. Setting the scene, the high wire, and ‘Rockets Red Glare’ ending was perfect. Then, you nailed the prompt. A 5-Star post!
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Thank you, Jennie. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😁
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Hahaha!
A great write, John. Poor Wile E..
Still, he’s one of my all time faves. He never gives up his mission in life.
There’s a lot to learn from him.
Still, he needs to learn to handle the Acme equipment better, in general.
A fun conversation with your VooDoo pal tops things off nicely.
🧟♀️🐂 🍺🐂 🧟♂️🐂 🍺🐂
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Thank you, Resa. I love your emojis 🧟♀️🐂 🍺🐂 🧟♂️🐂 🍺🐂
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It’s VooDoo Ranger emoji speak!
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Terrific.
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I always enjoy these, John 🙂
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I’m glad, Denise.
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Ah, you have to love roadrunner – a definite favourite of mine.
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Mine too, Robbie. Thanks.
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Nice post
Thanks
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😊
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