The idea of a finger-point prompt is to open a book at a random place and, without looking, point to the page. The word or words closest to the pointing finger becomes the prompt. For example, today, I opened The Last Drive to page 151. The word closest to the pointing finger is “claims.”
Claims by John W. Howell © 2023
“Her father was a no count. Claims he has a bad back.”
“What are you doing?”
“Singing a song.”
“I can’t get the tune, but the words sound familiar.”
“Polk Salad, Annie.”
“Could have fooled me. I thought you were singing “Ring of Fire.”
“The words don’t match.”
“Well, your tune is one I never heard connected to the song.”
“I guess I have a tin ear.”
“The man claims to cover his music ineptitude.”
“By the way. I was very happy here by myself.”
“I’ll bet. I just came from the insurance office.”
“What were you doing there?”
“Had a couple of claims to sign.”
“What kind of claims?”
“Remenber that guy who backed into my car.”
“Yeah. That is one claim.”
“The guy behind me had damage when my car hit his.”
“Oh. I didn’t know. Makes sense there would be two claims.”
“Three.”
“Three? How.”
“The guy behind the guy behind me.”
“You are making my head hurt. Is everything okay?”
“Yup. Everyone is happy.”
“That’s good. Well, I’m off to get lunch.”
“Oh yeah? Where you going?”
“To the clam shack to stake my claims on some clams.”
“”I think we are done here.”
“I hope.”
Fiction Favorites 
The clam/claim line made my eyes crossed. Truly diabolical.
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a ha ha. Thanks, Charles
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Great job, John.
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Thanks, GP 😁
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I’ve staked way too many mining claims in my life. That’s where my mind immediately went.
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I thought of mining claims but couldn’t get there. “Claim jumper” kept getting in the way.
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Dealt with a couple of those, too. It really happens.
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I’ll bet.
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Those multi-car accidents must be a nightmare for claims adjusters. Good job, John.
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I’m sure they are. It is a Who’s on first situation. Thanks, Dan
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Fun one, John.
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Thank you, Staci. 😁
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You are the clever one, Mr. JWH…of course, I’ve always claimed that as fact.
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Thank you, Jim. I’m glad you liked it. 😁
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Good one, John! I’m dealing with a claim, too, hail storm. Our windows escaped and we’re unharmed, but our roof was totaled.
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Hail and roofs do not get along. Best wishes on dealing with the insurance company.
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I love that song! A great take on claim.
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Thank you, Darlene.
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I had to reread the clam claim a couple of time to make sure I was reading that right. 😂 That was a head spinner of a tale!
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Ha ha ha. Evil writer here. Thanks, Deborah.
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😀😂
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😊
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I always loved Poke Salad Annie. It was a great song to go-go dance to. 🙂 A clever response to the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jan 😊
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LOL! Great story, John. 😄
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Thank you, Gwen.
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Cleverly phrased, John — thanks for another good finger prompt!
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I’m glad you liked it, Debbie
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I can’t remember the last time I saw a “Polk Salad Annie” reference, if ever!
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Well then you could expect to see something as obscure as that, here. 😁
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😀
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🤣
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Good one, Johan 🙂 That insurance claim sounds like the one my husband did when a deer ran into him and two other cars behind him.
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That comes pretty close. Thanks, Denise.
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You claim the top spot in my book! Well done!
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Thank you, Pam. 🤗
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Very imaginative, John, especially the domino effect accident. 🙂
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Thank you, Tim 😁
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After a trip to the insurance adjusters I’d be ready to claim a stool at the cantina, lol
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Ha ha ha. Good one Jacquie.
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That’s too much math to deal with this early in the morning. And I’m pretty sure later on today? It will STILL be too early for all that math!
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Math itself is too much math. 😁 Thanks, Mark.
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This is my truth as well.
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Yup
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Reckon you ‘claimed’ it, John! Bravo 💕🙂
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Good one, Harmony.
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😉
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Great job on the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jennie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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Definitely done here, …😉. Enjoyed the read, immensely, …✨👏✨, ..
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Thank you, Penn. Thanks for letting me know.
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No probs, a pleasure to catch up with your site after so many years, …✨✍️✨
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You can claim a job well done on this one, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Diana. 😊
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I hereby proCLAIM that you did an excellent job, John! Bravo! ❤
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Thank you Rachel. You are now part of the plaintiff claims for retribution. 😁
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LOL!
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😊
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I so enjoy point-finger prompts, John. Yours was the best icing on that cake, though. Fun, I claim, and don’t ever let anyone clam you up! (umm, perhaps that doesn’t work, but it’s the POINT that counts. 🙂
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The point counts a lot, Pam. Thank you so much.
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