The new coffee machine is installed, and one button push produces a perfect cup of soothing coffee bean juice. No more begging for performance. No more waiting for relief. This machine is a new generation and seems to be built without attitude. Taking a sip of the gift of the gods sets my brain into motion. Instantaneously my phone rings, and an “unknown caller” warning flashes on the screen.
Since the kidnappers of Roger Rabbit said they would call, against my better judgment, the call is taken. A computerized voice warned me not to call the police and to follow their instructions to the letter. They overemphasized the fact that the statue would not survive any police involvement. They finalized the call with two demands. The first is a drop off of unmarked bills totaling $100,000 to a location they will identify later.
The second is a message from Linda Hill. (I swear Linda knows everyone) The message is “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with over.” Find a word that starts with “over” and use it for your prompt. Enjoy!” After delivering the message, the phone went silent.
To join the fun, visit Linda’s blog and read how. You can also see other responses to the prompt. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-13-2023/
Starts with Over by John W. Howell © 2023.
“Pretty short intro.”
“Well, as they say, ‘short and sweet.'”
“I think that is an oversimplification.”
“How so?”
“Well, we had no security shutdown. There were no characters. A new box on the porch would have been good. I was thinking you could work Helen Crump into an episode.”
“Helen Crump? Who the heck is Helen Crump?”
“She was Andy Taylor’s school teacher girlfriend on the Mayberry sitcom.”
“How do you remember that stuff?”
“I have an overseer named Dan. He sends suggestions to pass to you.”
“So no, we had no Helen Crump.”
“How do you suppose the kidnappers got a message from Linda Hill?”
“Does this blog look like a place that has logical answers?”
“I guess that’s a no-comment, right?”
“You have guessed correctly. Speaking of over.”
“Who was speaking of over?”
“The prompt.”
“Yes?”
“How about we get overserved?”
“Overwhelmingly good suggestion.”
“Summon Uber.”
“In progress. Hey, there he is.”
“In that Willy’s Overlander with no top.”
“Complain, complain, complain.”
Fiction Favorites 
Very clever, John…
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Thank you, Jaye.
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💕
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😊
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I am overjoyed by your response to the prompt, John.
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😁 I’m overwhelmed by your overjoy, GP.
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Never realized how many words start with ‘over’. Cool job.
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Thank you, Charles.
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My parents and I watch Helen practically every night…lol! I still love that show. Maybe we’ll see Otis, Floyd and Gomer in a future prompt? 🙂 Good one, John!
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You never know on the characters that show up here.. Thanks, Jill. Happy Saturday to you *sung to the tune of Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool by Connie Francis.
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That would be fun
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Roger that…Over🐳
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Red rover come over – Over.
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Glad the new coffee maker is running nicely. I’d hold out until they’re offering you money to take that statue back.
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That seems to be a good plan, Dan. I think I’ll do that.
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Since we are being illogical… it is obvious the kidnappers are from Sesame Street. The instructions were to follow to the Letter. Today’s letter is “K” . Call the police and tell them the criminal is between “J” and “L”. If they need further details give them the name of today’s watering hole. I am sure they will understand. If not show them the note from Linda. After all she knows everybody. Call me if you need bail money.
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Love this, John. 🤣
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Hi John so it’s all quiet on the garden front …my advice is don’t get overconfident anything could happen in the next half hour …I am not over convinced that it will not be overwhelming 💜💜💜💜💜😜
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I think maybe I have been overconfident. You give an excellent warning overall, Willow. Thanks. 😂 🤗
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I think maybe Roger’s statue is overpriced. Hold out for a better offer.
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Good advice, Craig. I don’t want to overreact to the first message. 😁
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That’s far too much money to ask for Roger. I say enjoy the coffee and overserving, John, and leave “those guys” holding the bag and wondering what to do with a huge rabbit statue. Maybe they can dress it up for the next holiday.
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Great advice, Mary. Overserved sounds like the best course to follow. 😁
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I remember Helen Crump! Great show.:-)
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Yes it was fun. Thanks, Vera.
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Being overserved seems like a logical answer to the predicament. Enjoy! 🙂
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Thank you, Tim. I’ll have one for you.
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I think this was just right. You didn’t overdo it with the overutilization of overstuff!
Happy Saturday and enjoy your VoodDoo!
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Thank you, Dale. I will enjoy it for sure. 😁
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🍻
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😁
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Nicely done John. Happy to see that a number of people remember the overstrict Helen Crump. Have a great week end!
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Helens first husband was John Wait. When I go there and she’s gone, John would tell me to go to Helen Wait !!
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🙄
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She’s a hit. Thanks, Dan
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Clever, John! And do not even consider paying the ransom – I’m looking forward to what comes next on that front.
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Thank you, Noelle. 😁
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Congrats on the new coffee machine. That’s a steep ransom for a statue!
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Yes it is.😁
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I’m a coffee lover too! We’ll done John, very clever! 💕C
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Thank you, Cheryl. I definitely need to have my coffee. Lately its the only vice I can count on performing up to expectation. 😁
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I’ve been ogling the new De’Longhi TrueBrew advertised on TV (or maybe it’s because Brad Pitt is promoting it, lol), I do love my coffee. You should have enjoyed your brew and skipped the phone call 🙂
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So true, Jacquie. Of course I’m not fond of the statue so the call was not too upsetting.
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Excellent post John! Over the top fun! I’m still giggling about (I swear she knows everyone). Linda is a keeper 😂
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I agree.
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Short and sweet, John. Glad the kidnappers haven’t returned the statue to you. 🙂 That would be over the top.
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Yes I need to make sure they keep it.
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Haha. Fun use of the prompt, John. I love how you tie the intro story across the prompts. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Hugs
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Ha ha ha. Well done.
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Thank you, Pam.
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Never ever would I have expected a Helen Crump reference!!
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That is why I’m here. To do the unexpected.
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And do it very well!
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Aw. You are the best. 😁
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🙂
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All’s well that ends well, and this ended well. Have a great weekend, John. 🌞
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I guess it did. Thanks, Gwen. I hope you have a great weekend as well.
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Me thinks the kidnappers are still at work. And Helen Crump? Well done, John!
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Oh dear, John, the kidnappers are giving up easily. I have no idea who Helen Crump is.
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There is an American iconic show called The Andy Griffith show and she played the girlfriend of the lead character. There is no reason you would know if the show didn’t make it to SA.
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No, I don’t think it came here. Thanks for clarifying, John.
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😊 Even if it did, you are way too young to have seen it.
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Over? As in overdraft? (if you pay the ransom)
Draft? as in beer?
Beer as in Voodoo Ranger?
Hmm, didn’t see any here today.
I suppose stRanger things have happened.
There was implication.
It’s not over, then.
I’ll have to come back and see what happens!
⨷⨷⨷⨷
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Its not over until it’s over ⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍷⨷ 🌹⨷
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⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍷⨷ 🌹⨷⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍷⨷ 🌹⨷
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⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍷⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍕⨷ 🌹⨷ 🍷⨷ 🌹⨷
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Hahahaha!
It’s a slice of life! ⨷ 🍕⨷
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Yes it is. Out for delivery. 🚙🍕
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🐂🐂🐂🐂
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🐂🐂🐂🐂
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Ahhhhhh!
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😊
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I’m glad the new coffee machine is installed and without attitude (that’s the bonus). I don’t remember Helen Crump even though I watched the show. Good memory, John, and I’m also overjoyed with your response. And it’s amazing how Linda knows everyone!
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Thanks for the nice words, Lauren. I’m overwhelmed. 😂
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🤗
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😊
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Mayberry references always win.
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They do.
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The little things . . .
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