Coffee has a way of calming nerve endings, and the coffee machine makes the need for calming nerve endings an absolute necessity. The grinding beans, the sound of tamping, and the initial spurt of brown aroma-filled liquid from the spout are all designed to place the anticipation gauge on maximum. It makes one want to tell the machine to quit the clown act and deliver the goods.
Finally, the cup is full, and the first sip is recorded as incoming by the central nervous system. The brain lights up and remembers the alarm clock gift from the president of Warner Brothers. Picking it up brings back the challenge of figuring out how to set it so a visit can be made to a time zone, knowing how much time can be spent there.
The dial for the year is set to 1923 cause it is a hundred years ago. The month and date are set for November 18th cause that is today. Now, how do I set the alarm that will bring me back? Wait, here is a little switch that says ‘pull.’
OMG, it is San Diago, and there is Ed Fletcher unveiling the Pacific coast milestone of a southern transcontinental highway in San Diego’s downtown plaza and reading a message of congratulations from President Coolidge. This ends the transcontinental route from Washington, D.C., to Dan Diago. What is that ringing?
Back in my living room, but not before being handed a letter by a bystander to the event. The letter is from Linda Hill (how does she do that?) and reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “clown.” Use it as a noun or a verb; use it however you’d like. Have fun!
To see what other bloggers do with this prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2023/11/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-18-2023/
Clown by John W. Howell © 2023
“How come you don’t stay longer at the places you visit?”
“Cause I still haven’t figured out how to set the time for the alarm.”
“That is a bummer. This series might be a bust.”
“Don’t clown around about that.”
“I’m serious. You have to spend a little more time. You were lucky to even get the description out.”
“Yeah, No kidding.”
“You did get the prompt in, though.”
“You noticed.”
“Who could miss it.”
“Well, let’s celebrate.”
“I ordered an Über.”
“I’m afraid to look.”
“You might be surprised.”
“Wow, I am surprised. We are going in style.”
Let’s go.”
“Who’s the clown who is going to pay for this?”
“Check that mirror over there.”
“Thought so.”
Fiction Favorites 
Coffee time travel …safe return what more could you ask for 💜🍀 you definitely got your points 💜
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Thank you, Willow.😊
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A pleasure John 😊
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🤗
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Coffee would have the opposite effect on me – I’d get a migraine within half an hour!
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I think there is a Brit gene that does that.
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Well done, John, and traveling in style today.
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Thought an easy trip would be a nice change.
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Nice ride. Don’t spill anything in there.
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Yeah, good point. Would not want to have to own it. 😊
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Time traveling first thing in the morning sounds risky.
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Good thing the coffee was ready. 😁
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Nicely played! (I always enjoy “clown” as a pejorative.) And a very sweet ride!
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I remember a Jack in the Box commercial where a group of hoods took an accountant looking guy for a last ride. They stop at a drive through for the victims last meal and the lead hood says, “Hey Clown. Give us a Double.” The victims name was Stanley and the closing line was “Bon Appetite, Stanley.”
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I don’t think I’ve seen that commercial. It sounds pretty funny. (Albeit not to Stanley.)
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It was funny.
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I’ve always wanted to time travel, as long as I can get back to now. Can I have what you’re drinking? (not sure that is regular coffee!)
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Yes here is a pint of VooDoo Ranger. Thanks, Darlene.
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Nice wheels! You better put your coffee in a tumbler. Happy Saturday!
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Yeah, wouldn’t want to spill it in there. Happy Saturday to you, Jill * sung to the tune of Good Timing by Jimmy Jones.
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I’ll admit, I proceeded with caution when I saw the prompt was “clown.” LOL But I needn’t have worried. Your writing is excellent and I really enjoyed this story!
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Thank you, Kymber. So glad you liked it.
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Goodness. I do hope you didn’t change anything in 1923. Just think of the havoc that could cause.
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Yes I was only there for a minute. I didn’t touch anything.
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But would you know if you had? Everything, although changed, would appear perfectly normal on your return.
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I suppose the CO2 that I exhaled while there could be responsible for the greenhouse effect. 😁
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😂😂
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😁
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“Check that mirror over there.”–I love lines like this. **oh, wait. me?** 🙄
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I’m glad you like them, Lois. Thanks for telling me.
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Wow! Nice Uber ride. Love the few seconds of time travel. At least you got to see something historic. Great use of the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jan.
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Ha ha ha! I don’t know that I would have the courage to go back in time. It does take courage. What if you get stuck?
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Yeah that would be a problem for sure. My meds would be in 2023 and me in 1923. Might be a problem.
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Haha, Clown John, a spiffy vehicle to be sure. I like fun historical facts so its not a bust for me.
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Thank you, Robbie. I like historical adventures too.
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Nice ride! I wonder if turning the mirror to face your buddy would have any effect on who’s buying?
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I guess that could be done. Ha ha ha
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My Uber rides definitely don’t look like that one. Wow! Great use of the prompt, John. Fun as always! 😄
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I’m glad you liked it Gwen.
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John, while back in time you could make some real money since you know the outcome of say a Presidential election or a World Series baseball game. Imagine the bucks you could make.
Have fun on these trips and remember to pack a lunch.
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I’m not sure the rules of time travel allow making a profit from the excursion. I’ll check. The lunch suggestion is terrific.
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Well now, that’s the opposite of a cement truck. It’s a move in the right direction.
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I would say so. Thanks, Marc.
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There is a rumor going around that if one brings and exta Kate she can help you get the clown out of the mirror. Fee several Voodoo Rangers. Declowning does not come cheap.
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Good year to travel to John 🙂
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Lovin’ the alarm clock, too bad you can’t set it right. No instructions with your time travel, eh?
(Of course yu’re paying for the ride – did you think otherwise?)
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Yeah I gotta figure it out. There has to be another knob for length of time before the alarm goes off.
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Is that a Jaguar? Gorgeous car!
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It is a Maybach. Made by Mercedes
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Wow! Even more expensive.
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Oh yeah. Cheaper than a Bentley though.
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That’s quite a cool clock, I mean with the time travel and all.
Hey, look at me I’m gninwolc around!
Too bad you can’t figure out how it works, better.
Perhaps an egg timer is more up your alley?
🥚⧗ ⏲𝑋
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Yeah I’ve got to figure it out. Maybe an hourglass ⏳X ⏳X ⏳X ⏳X
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Maybe, but then you might only get 1 hour everywhere you go.
🐂 ⏳X ⏳X 🐂
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Good thought. Thanks. 🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂
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I mean what if you wanted to stay and start a career? Your only option would be a 1 Hour Cleaners. 😂Ẍ 🐂🐂
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Ha ha ha.
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Great job on the prompt, and I hope there are more time visits ahead. Yes, spend more time.
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I will work on it this week.
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Hooray! 🙂
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Excellent! A little clowning around is fun. 🤗
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Thank you, Holly.😁
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😊
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Ooh, nice car! At least you’d be riding in style this time (even if you are paying for it). Great response the prompt, John, as always 🙂
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Thank you, Marie. Was a sweet ride for sure.
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Wonderful writing, John! Nice ride and mirrors always reveal. 🙂
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Yes they do. Thank you, Lauren
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I’d definitely go for a ride back in time, John, as long as I could get back if things went sour. 🙂 Coffee is my fuel, and I’m not clowning around about that one!
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I’m with you on the coffee. I would not like to get stuck either.
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I expected a “who’s the clown driving”. 🤡
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Ha ha ha. Missed that one, Audrey.
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It’s all about the journeying, John. Tee hee… Joy Lennick
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Thank you, Joy. 😁
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Now THAT’s an Uber!
I would be afraid to not be able to come back (depending on where I chose to go, of course… )
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