The soft whirr of beans meeting blades is followed by the olfactory stimulation that only coffee can produce before hitting the cup in a consumable form. The steady flow of the intoxicating liquid is finished with a cap of crema that only a machine with instrument DNA can produce. There it is. My route to survival. A sip confirms the road ahead will be paved with good intentions, a big ole smile, and a few sinkholes.
As the chimes awake the heretofore sleeping dogs, my eye goes to the small sign on the counter that reads, PLEASE DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL. Another day of a forgotten install above the doorbell sank the quiet and is rewarded with the sound of a pack of wolves chasing a panicked elk through a forest of aluminum trees. As the Westminster chime drones through its complete cycle, the din of the mayhem reaches the acme of volume somewhere in a decibel range of eardrum bleed.
A handful of treats tossed into the next room brings the sound of silence to the entryway. Moving through the security system bypass allows the front door to be thrown open. Standing there is a mob character in a pin-striped suit right out of central casting. The only detail missing is the violin case hiding the Thomson submachine gun. My hopes have sunk to a new low when he mentions the boss would like a conversation. “Who’s the boss?” comes out of my mouth before a reasonable edit.
“Yeah, I liked dat show. Now quit fooling around and come wit me.”
Not wanting to go with the gentleman, an excuse about the dogs being left alone is made. He seems to understand and hands me an envelope. Inside are two messages. The first is from Linda Hill. It says, Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “sink/sank/sunk.” Use one, use two, or use ’em all and get bonus points. Enjoy! The second is from the boss. It reads, Go with Louie, or he will break both your legs. This would appear to be an offer that cannot be refused. Before leaving with Louie, let me say if you would like to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s blog. Here is the link, https://lindaghill.com/2023/05/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-27-2023/
Sink/Sank/Sunk by John W. Howell © 2023
“I would say this is taking a nasty turn.”
“Well, if you consider the mob, I would agree.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Go with Louie. What else is there to do?”
“What do you suppose the Boss wants?”
“I’m guessing it is connected with the statue.”
“Man. Everything is in this story but the kitchen sink.”
“Stay around a while. It may get added.”
“I think your desire to forget the statue just sank.”
“My desire is sunk, alright. But this is how fiction goes.”
“I keep forgetting this isn’t real.”
“Who says?”
“You just said the word fiction.”
“If that is the case, the VooDoo Ranger is a figment.”
“Okay, hold on there. You said fiction, not me.”
“So you believe?”
“Just texted Uber now.”
“Good man.”
Fiction Favorites 
Going straight from coffee to beer. That sounds like a rather low key Saturday. 🙂
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Yes it does. The usual around here.
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Nah, no way! The voodoo is real! And Imma be toasting your Ranger to my bourbon tonight Boss.
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Maybe I’ll switch it up and do bourbon too. Either way a toast will be in the air.
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Nice. Enjoy it my man.
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You too.
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Sooner or later, you’re gonna need those legs, John. I’d take that ride.
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Good advice, Dan. 😁
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Perhaps the Boss is just in need of some good company and a few Voodoo Rangers to console his fortunes being sink, sank, and sunk. And if he asks remember the answer is “Me !!! I didn’t do nuthin !” Quickly followed by “If you don’t believe me ask Linda.” Remember Linda is very well connected… she knows everybody.
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Outstanding observation, John. She is well connected. I’ll follow your advice.
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Oh dear, John, this is getting a little scary. I think Twiggy needs to bring the puma to help.
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It might be helpful to call Twiggy for help. (or maybe not )
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😉
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An Uber ride sounds perfect. Hope you have a great weekend, John. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I hope you do as well.
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Crazy start to your Saturday, John! A couple of VooDoo Rangers might help, if Louie will allow the delay.
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I think I can talk him into it. Thanks, Tim.
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Maybe the Boss can just text it to you while you’re at the tavern.
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Good idea, Craig.
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Louie?
Well, wether it’s with Louie or for a VooDoo, you gotta go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnLmPLlbARU Let’s just call this one an
🐂perience!
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A definite 📦 -b experience. Loved Tom Petty. Thanks.
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John, you slay me with every one of these intros, as well as the posts. I hope there’s some help with whatever driver arrives with the Uber.
Oh, and I agree about the aroma of coffee even before it’s brewed. It amazes me that it can do that. Hugs.
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I’m glad you like the intros. I’m practicing doing first person without using “I” I’m writing a coming of age story and want to eliminate the “I” from the first person narrative.
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Great post today John!! Better go with Louie or else!! Oh and olfactory is such a good word. Not only do you paint pictures with your words, you paint smells.
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Thank you, Jill.
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Well-played. I’m still trying to process this auditory image: “Another day of a forgotten install above the doorbell sank the quiet and is rewarded with the sound of a pack of wolves chasing a panicked elk through a forest of aluminum trees.”
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I hope you don’t get hurt doing so. Thanks. Liz
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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😊
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Lol! I’m waiting for you to skip the coffee and start the day with a Voodoo or two.😉 Thanks for the email and song today, John!
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My pleasure, Jill. Thanks for the visit. I know you have a lot on your plate and I appreciate it.
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John, I hope you laugh out loud as you write these Saturday prompts. From aluminum forest to eardrum bleed, I laughed! looking forward to what happens with Louie. You are a brave soul.🙂
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Thank you, Jennie. Yes I do have a laugh putting this together. 😁
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I’m glad to know you laugh when you’re writing this! 😀
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😁
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The plot thickens….. 💜
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Like cornstarch in Cashew chicken.
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Yes indeed 💜
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🤣
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Uh oh… going with Louie doesn’t bode well. Best enjoy the VooDoo while you can!
And I’m toasting you with Marc 😉
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Excellent, Dale. Can’t think of a better wing man for a toast.
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Sweet!!
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😊
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Hi John, I hope you stay safe with Louie, and don’t forget to enjoy that VooDoo Ranger before it becomes fictionalized! 🙂
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Thank you, Lauren. Staying safe with Louie might be iffy. Should never have opened the front door.
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Well, a lesson learned then. 😁
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Yes indeed.
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I do so love these pieces, John!
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Thank you, Traci. I enjoy writing them.
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Lovely!
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Thank you, Meg. I’m glad you liked it and it was so nice of you to let me know. 😊
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[…] Favorites https://johnwhowell.com/2023/05/27/stream-of-consciousness-saturday-prompt-sink-sank-sunk/ The soft whirr of beans meeting blades is followed by the olfactory stimulation that only coffee […]
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Thak you for the link, Traci.
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When someone says, “the boss wants to see you,” it can never mean anything good. The fate of the statue hangs in the balance. Good one, John!
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Thanks, Jan. Yes, a summons to the boss usually is not a good thing.
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