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.”
Here is a link to Keith’s post https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/10/09/kreative-kue-402/
The photo.
My Position by John W. Howell © 2023
“What’s this number twelve mean?”
“You’re the twelfth fastest qualifier.”
“Okay. But in terms of the race, what does it mean?”
“You are in the twelfth starting position.”
“You mean there are eleven ahead of me?”
“Well, there are three rows across, so that means you are in the fourth row outside position.”
“What does ‘outside position’ mean?”
“The inside is by the rail. You are two camels to the right of the rail.”
“How can a person win from way back there?”
“It is possible, but I’ll admit it is harder than the number one position.”
“Who’s number one?”
“Sassy Sady.”
“Who?”
“The camel’s name is Sassy Sady.”
How many camels are in the race?”
“Twelve.”
“So I’m behind the whole flock?”
“Entrents.”
“Huh?”
“The flock, as you say, are called entrants.”
“But I’m behind them all.”
“Except for the two abreast of you.”
“I might as well call this an outing and just take my time.”
“Except for the mob bets, I would agree.”
“Mob bets?”
“Yeah, the odds are forty-six to one you will win?”
“So, who would bet on me?”
“The mob.”
“Why?”
“They think you might win, so I would give it your best.”
“Or what?”
“Ever hear of cement overshoes?”
“No.”
“Take my advice and run like your life depends on it.”
“They can’t be serious.”
“Never saw one of ’em crack a smile.”
“How does this happen?”
“Luck, I guess. See ya at the start.”
Fiction Favorites 
And if, by chance, number 12 should win, let’s hope there’s no… erm… testing of the entrants
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Ha ha ha ha. Good one.
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Run like the desert wind, Clyde. (Arab the Arab reference.)
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That would be Ahab. Hi yo Clyde.
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Great song.
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Yup.
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The mob doesn’t mess around. They don’t seem very good at betting either.
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They just pick the winners.
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They don’t pick winners, they make winners.
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There you go. At those odds the other horses come down with the flu.
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haha, you get me every time, John.
All I was going to say is, “BOY, does my butt hurt!!”
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That is a good one, GP. 😁
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You are kind.
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LOL! This is hilarious…and so is that photo!
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I agree, Jill. Thanks.
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Hahaha! You made me laugh out loud! 😀
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Always a good thing, Kymber.
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Put that camel in gear and get going! Well done, John.
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Thank you, Dan.
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I’m guess her smile is a pained one after learning this thing… Let’s hope number 12 is a fast ‘un!!
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I think you are right, Dale
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🙂
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Good one, John. 🙂 It seems that I haven’t heard cement overshoes in a long time.
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It may be a Jersey thing.
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I’m from Jersey. Sounds about right. One of my uncles was, how do you say…involved with the mob in a very small way. We didn’t see him too much.
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I’ll bet he was interesting too.
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“Hey, does my camel have a name?” “Yes, good luck.” “Thanks for the luck, but what’s its name?” “That is its name. Good Luck.” 😆
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We need a rim shot and a cymbal.
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ha! As the Italian side of my family always said (way before The Sopranos, I might add): Ba da boom!
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Yup.Ba da bing, ba da boom.
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OMG, John! I’m seriously laughing out loud. I don’t know how you do it. Good one!
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Thank you, Jan 😁
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Yikes! I’ll be sure not to enter any camel races!
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Or bet on them. 😊
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That, too!
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Excellent…. What I want to know is… Did you back the Winner? 🙂
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Knowing what I know, O course I did. Bet the farm. Thanks, Sue.
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🙂 … 🙂 smiles
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😁
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I hope he runs a good race for his health!
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😊
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A little incentive never hurts, does it? Well spun, John.
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The old cement incentive seems to work well. 😁
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Yikes!
From my experience, it’s damn near impossible to make a clean (or fast) getaway on sand. But hey . . I guess when it’s a matter of concrete shoes or seeing tomorrow, you’ll try your best.
Another winner, Boss
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Yes indeed. Thanks, Marc.
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OMG. This was a crazy ride and I was just a spectator. 😉 Great job, John.
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Well done, John. I am trying to imagine getting twelve camels lined up!
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Might be hard to imagine them all standing still to line up. Thanks, Jo
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Pure craziness at its finest! Well done, John. I shook my head in disbelief until the very end. 😄
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Yes, pure craziness for sure.
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Hmm. And twelve is my favorite number. I may have to rethink that, LOL!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Mae.
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Love this John, nothing better than a great writer with a killer sense of humor 🐂
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Aw. You are the best Holly. Thank you for such a heart warming comment. 🐂
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Ha! That’s quite a predicament for her, John. Maybe if things go badly with the mob, she can get the camel to spit on them until she gets away.
Thanks for the reminder that you are at Teri Polen’s Bad Moon Rising today. I’m looking forward to your post there. Hugs.
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Good idea about the spitting. Have you seen the reel where the camel puts its head in a car and spits in the girl’s face? What a surprise.
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I think that’s where they got the Valley Girl phrase “Gross me out the door!”
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Ha ha ha
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John, this was great!
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I’m glad you liked it, Jennie.
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🙂
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[…] My Position by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
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