In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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.”
Keith’s post link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/02/05/kreative-kue-418/
The photo.
Showtime by John W. Howell © 2024
“I don’t understand.”
“Ma’am, you must buy a ticket to watch the movie.”
“What about this boy here. Does he have a ticket?”
“He has a student pass.”
“Ah ha. So, he has no ticket.”
“Well, not per se.”
“So, you have decided to discriminate against seniors. Is that what I hear?”
“Not at all. Everyone has to have a ticket. You can’t just walk in here and expect to see the show for free.”
“I think my age qualifies me to do that very thing.”
“What if everyone felt that way? We would go broke.”
“I’m not everyone. Besides, judging by the audience’s size, you will go broke anyway.”
“The show doesn’t start for twenty minutes, so don’t judge the size of the audience until it does.”
“Back to my original point. Don’t seniors deserve a break?”
“Do I need to call the police?”
“If you do, I think the publicity will kill you. I can see reading about you throwing an old woman out of the theater just because she is too destitute to afford a ticket.”
“You are not destitute.”
“How do you know?”
“Cause your name is on the theater building.”
“How do you know my name?”
“You are the second richest woman in the state. Your picture is everywhere.”
“So I own this place?”
“Yes, you do.”
“Here, take this twenty.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Only a fool would try to cheat themselves.”
“I’ll get your change.”
Fiction Favorites 
Not what I was expecting, John. Nice twist. Background: taken at the Cinéma Alpha in Evaux les Bains (Creuse) – you guessed it: twenty minutes before the film was due to start.
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The back story is always interesting. Thanks, Keith.
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Nice, John!
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Thank you, Grant. Glad you liked it.
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Seems very realistic these days.
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Ha ha ha. I suppose it does with all the Karen’s around.
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Yup, you got me again. I didn’t expect the old lady to own the place!
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She seemed surprised too. Thanks, GP.
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Yes, she did at that!!
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😁
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HA! Well done, John. I like that last line.
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Thank you, Dan. I originally had the old lady say “keep the change” but given her skin flint profile she wouldn’t have done that. 😁
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I had that some thought, John. Nope, no “keep the change” from this woman.
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True. Thanks, Dan.
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Fun story. I like the twist.
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Thank you, Charles.
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Good one, John, with a cool twist. Sounds like she is testing the staff.
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Or has totally forgotten she bought the place.
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Very clever, John. You outdid yourself today. 😄
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Well, thank yoou, Gwen. So nice to hear. 😁
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I don’t know what I expected, but not this. Excellent, John!
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Ha ha ha. Always glad to do the unexpected. Thanks, Lois.
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Clever twist and I love everyone remained clam!
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Obviously, the employee is well trained.
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Hahahahaha! That did NOT go where I thought it would. You rock at these, John. Too funny.
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Thank you, Dale. Always fun to write.
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You definitely love to find an original way to write these. Always entertaining 🙂
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Thank you, Dale. I always hope for a bit of humor.
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You succeed!
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😁
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Gotta love spunky old people!!
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Yes you do. Thanks Debbie.
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Oh my! I’m laughing out loud. Didn’t see that one coming.
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Thank you, Jan. Thanks for letting me know you liked it.
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Standing applause and lots of laughs, John! 👏👏👏
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You are very kind, Cindy. I’m glad you liked it.
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A great curve ball ending, John, LOL! Bravo!
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Thank you, Mae. A beautiful compliment. 😊
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Clever twist. Well done, John.
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Thank you, Monika. 😊
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That made me laugh! I did not see that coming.
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I’m so glad. 😁
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John, you’re one of a kind. Thanks for making me smile. Hugs.
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You are one of a kind. Thanks for telling me you got a smile. That makes my day.
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Ha ha! I love the twist at the end!
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I’m glad. 😁
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There you go. She did have some wisdom after all. I didn’t see that ending coming.
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Ha ha ha.Thanks, Deborah. 😊
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Well done on the prompt, John. You are always clever and creative.
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Thank you, So much, Jennie. Music to my ears.
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You are very welcome, John.
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😊
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Ha ha that was a funny and great little story
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Thank you, Thomas
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Haha! Well done, John! Imagine not knowing you own the place.
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The life of privilege
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Haha…. Loved the twist at the end.. 🙂
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I like it, John!
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Nicely done!
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Funny how her perspective changed when she realized she would be stealing from herself, LOL
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Isn’t it?
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That is one way to test adherence to policies and the owner should be setting the standard. Creative piece, John.
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This was in Spam, Michele. Thanks you for the comment. Sorry for the late response
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It happens. You are welcome, John. No need to apologize.
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Yeah it does but I do feel bad that I didn’t check it sooner.
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🙏🏻
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PERFECTION! How I like this woman. I was about to stand up for her, but now maybe I should ask her for a donation to …. my movie tickets for the year…. or at least my Netflix account. 🙂
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Knowing her she would ask you to buy her some popcorn. Not as a quid pro quo either.
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[…] Showtime by John W. Howell © 2024 […]
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Thank you for posting my story, Keith. Here is tomorrow’s https://johnwhowell.com/2024/02/13/tuesday-anything-possible-kreative-kue-419-by-keith-channing/
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