The sound and aroma coming from the machine give hope that the cup of soothing syrup will soon be filled. It is done, and the first sip is installed through quivering lips. Sure enough, the liquid has reached the brain in a short time, and the nerve endings have all stopped screaming like the audience at a Taylor Swift concert.
There is time to contemplate the prognosis on the day. Like a steel hammer hitting a horseshoe on the blacksmith’s anvil, the thought returns. That cursed box from ACME is still on the back patio. Weak knees follow the thought like a sled behind a team of dogs.
Reluctantly, I approach the box. At least there is no need to disarm the security system since the patio is inside the secure perimeter. Whoever dropped it there knew the layout, so there is a strong suspicion whoever did knows me. With that chilling thought, my ear quickly goes to the side of the box. There is no sound inside, which is a good sign that there may not be a character to deal with today.
A small parachute lands beside me as I pull my ear away from the box. Attached is an envelope. Of course, it is from Linda Hill, and inside is this message.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “last thing that broke/you had to fix.” Think about the word that best describes the last thing that stopped working for you, and use that word any way you’d like. Enjoy!
If you want to see what other bloggers have done with the prompt, visit Lindas bloh. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/10/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-14-2023/
Broke/Fix by John W. Howell © 2023
“So what word did you choose for something that broke and you had to fix?”
“Ignition.”
“Ignition? I didn’t expect that.”
“Neither did I.”
“So tell me.”
“I finished exercising at the gym—”
“Hold on. You still go to the gym.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“You have an EMT standing by?”
“Verry funny. You want to hear about the ignition or not?”
“Go ahead.”
“I have a car with a keyless ignition.”
“And?”
“I got in it and turned the switch and got a message ‘No key detected.'”
“Whoa. I would be finished. What did you do?”
“Remembered a tip from a guy and held the remote device next to the switch.”
“It worked?”
“It did.”
“Here, I thought you were going to have a story about tearing into the electronic guts of the car and spotting the problem and solving it like Walter Mitty.”
“Well, to me, it was like that.”
“Do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell anyone else. They’ll laugh you off the planet.”
“I need some VooDoo time. Did you call Uber.”
“Yup, and he’s over there in the garage.”
Photo by Dustan Woodhouse on Unsplash
“By that Humvee?”
“No our ride is the Humvee.”
“Can’t say I’m surprised.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hi John. My husbands car is also keyless. I’m not sure if I like it. I don’t always know where exactly the key is because it’s just in the car somewhere.
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Ha ha ha. I can hear the car going nuts warning you that the key has been left behind. Thanks, Robbie.
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😆
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Great job in the prompt, John. Keyless ignition is a nice change, I like it, but it brings along a host of problems and adjustments. Not the least of which (for me) is finding a way to bend over that doesn’t involve setting off the help-me-I’ve-fallen alarm. Sweet ride, you guys be stylin’
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Thanks, Dan. My watch also thinks I’ve fallen when playing with Twiggy. Comforting to know there are those watching.
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These are good features, John.
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For us guys above 80 I would say so.
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And for us guys who aspire to get to 80 😊
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Yes indeed.
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I had my own issues with keyless ignition a few weeks ago. A keyed ignition was good enough for my pappy and my grandpappy; it’s good enough for me. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
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Aw come on, Liz. You need a few technological challenges. Keeps you young. 😁
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So THAT’s how I get the second childhood I was promised!
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Yup. Be like a 3 year old trying to open a yogurt cup for the first time.
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Throwing a a temper tantrum would not be out of order . . .
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No go right ahead.
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Don’t mind if I do!
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😊
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I have to keep reminding my better half that in case things don’t work normally, there is a key inside the fob.
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Yes. That hold next to the starter button is a secret none of the manufacturers state in any material.
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My car is a 1999 Nissan and keyless was not an option. At least, I do not have to crank it!
My husband has a keyless, so I will pass this tidbit of info on to him.
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Yes, cause he won’t find it in the manual. 😊
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I like the keyless ignition. Until the fob battery died the first time, I didn’t know there was an actual key inside the fob. Good one, John!
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Thank you , Jill. Happy Saturday to you * sung to the tune of Raindrops by Dee Clark
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Always wondered if I should get keyless ignition. Though I think I’m more interested in an auto-starter, especially when it’s cold.
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Some cars are equipped with auto start but you have to be careful with the key fob since crooks can clone auto start fobs.
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I’ve heard. Always something underhanded going on.
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Yup
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So, John, you just had to go and mention Taylor Swift, didn’t you! No offense against her (she’s certainly a force in the music biz), but football and my social media posts haven’t been the same since she started dating Kelce. I only hope that she isn’t in the box on your porch or shows up at your doorstep one day in a red jersey.
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I think she has much better things to do than come by my place.
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I love reading your words John,. So far I’ve no experience with keyless ignition. Thanks for the smiles!
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Thank you, Holly. That makes me very happy.
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You’re very welcome!
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😊
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Don’t forget to put on your uniform. The pub is in the demilitarized zone.
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Yes indeed. I think you caught my drift.
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You need a new battery in your remote device! and as for the Humvee, they are so incredibly uncomfortable to ride in. Bring a pillow to sit on!
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There is a new battery in the remote.
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I haven’t experienced the keyless entry yet but through my daughter’s new car. But I will keep that trick in mind when I finally give in and up grade 🙂
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Yes do.
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🤣🤣 I’m with Liz on this one … I’ll stick with using a key! Fact is, I didn’t know there was such a thing as ‘keyless ignition’ until reading this post! Fun way to start the morning … thanks, John!
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Glad you liked it, Jill. Keyless cars started showing up in 2011.
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Wow … I had been driving for almost 50 years by that time! I’m still stymied by the electronic door locks! My daughter’s SUV has all the gadgets and gizmos and I refuse to drive it because the flashing lights, voices, and pictures popping up on the dashboard would drive me crazy! But even hers still requires a key!
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I know what you mean by all the gizmos on current cars. Mine is rather simple except for the key less start.
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I just hope my old Saturn, with about 150,000 miles on it, lasts me for the rest of my lifetime! I only drive it about 4 miles a week, so maybe …
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52X4 = 208 X 30 = 6240. Yup I think you’ll make it.
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Ha ha … more like 52×4 = 208 x 2 = 416! Yep, ol’ Greta should make it that far!
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Get outta here. More than 2.
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Keyless ignition takes some adjustments. It ought to be a good ride to the pub. You can hum your favorite tune all the way there and back. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. And lose a liver on the bumps.
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😀
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😊
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I’ve only experienced a keyless starter with a rental, and I guess I’m old-fashioned, but I like a key. Great story, John, and your Humvee looks like a fun ride. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen.. 😁
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When something breaks in our house, my better half invariably asks, “who do we need to call to fix it?” I invariably answer, “you’re looking at him”. She rolls her eyes and shows her disdain for that approach. She’s often right.
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Ha ha ha. I’ve pretty much stopped doing anything big. I think my wife is relieved.
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I think I’ll follow your lead.
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I’m not sure I like keyless. My apartment building has gone keyless. I have no back up! I keep forgetting the bloody fob!
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Oh dear. Not a good thing.
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Gone are the days of being able to fix a car with tools ….it’s all done by computers these days! ……I wonder if the box will still be on your patio next week???
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The box will still be there unless someone comes along and steals it. Of course, that is what the tower machine guns are designed to prevent
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Well ….I think that’s comforting…
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Yes it is comforting. Thanks, Willow.
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😊😊😊😊
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Thanks for the tip! I will try to remember it. Nice ride – catch any chicks whilst you were on your way for your VooDoo?
Happy Sunday – coz I’m late, of course!
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Never late. Just delayed. Happy Sunday to you.
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🤗
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I for one will not laugh you off the planet. I’d be completely flummoxed. I need a key! So, that ACME box is still a mystery.
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Yes, we have no idea what is in it. I will be off-line next week so we’ll have to wait.
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Enjoy the family wedding. I’ll be here by the ACME box when you get home. 🙂
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Yes, keep an eye on it for me.
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Will do! 😎
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That’s SOME Uber ride, Boss.
And I’m glad he didn’t go MacGyver on the thing . . . .
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Yeah. I don’t think my liver would survive the bumps
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I’m with you.
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😁
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The Humvee is definitely a step up from some of the previous Ubers. 🙂 Always entertaining, John!
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Thanks, Jan.
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