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.”
A link to Keith’s post: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/kreative-kue-426/
Fulfillment by John W. Howell © 2024
“Thank you for your trust in Marks and Spencer. How may I help you?”
“Yes. I believe I have received the wrong shipment.”
“I can certainly help with that. May I have your name?”
“Channing. Keith Channing.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Channing. Are you calling about your last order?”
“I most certainly am.”
“Very well, sir. Can you tell me the problem?”
“I am able to, yes.”
“Quite. Is there something wrong with the order?”
“Well, if you consider that I didn’t order a Jack Russel Terrier, I would think so.”
“You say there was a Jack Russel Terrier in your order?”
“That is all that’s in my order.”
“I see you ordered a number of other things. Are you saying none of them are in the parcel?”
“That is what I’m saying.”
“Oh, I do apologize. It looks like you received someone else’s order.”
“Since when does Marks and Spencer send live animals in their shipments?”
“Excuse me? Did you say live animals?”
“Yes, he is sitting looking at me.”
“I thought you were talking about a stuffed toy.”
“No, it is a dog. A live dog.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but Marks and Spencer does not traffic in live animals.”
“How did it get into one of your shipments then?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I just can’t say.”
“What do you mean ‘you can’t say?'”
“I mean, I have no idea how a live dog got into a Marks and Spencer shipment.”
“So what can we do?”
“As far as Marks and Spencer is concerned, we don’t think it is our problem.”
“Do you have a supervisor?”
“Yes, I do. His name is Mr.Trevor.”
“May I speak to him?”
“I’m sorry, but he is out of the country at this time.”
“Of course he is.”
“Shall I have him call you when he returns?”
“When does he return?”
“By Christmas time, I expect.”
“Nine months from now?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What do I do with Mr. Trevor’s dog in the meantime?”
“I would give it something to eat and let it go outside.”
“I can see where this is going.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with, sir?”
“No.”
“Before you hang up, there is a brief survey at the end of the call. Please be advised that a mark less than five will be looked upon by management as unsatisfied. Can I count on you to rate this call as a five?”
“I will ask Mr. Trevor’s dog about that. Good day.”
Fiction Favorites 
Good customer service is a must, isn’t it? Having said that, Trevor is looking a bit shifty. Perhaps he jumped into the box to escape a situation he wasn’t happy with. He was a devious little blighter, you know…
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I was focused on telling a story on how Trevor got his name,
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‘Can’ I tell you what a funny story this is?
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Love to hear that. Thanks, Steve. 😁
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This is too funny, John. What a wonderful way to start the day! Growing up on a farm, stray dogs would appear but usually not in a box. LOL. I think their owners decided a home with 7 kids was a safe spot to dump their unwanted pets. 😊
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I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Gwen. It was fun to write. 😁
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I love it. Something about animals and boxes. Mine love them, too.
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Best toys possible.
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Thanks for the laughs, John!
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Thanks for letting me know you got a laugh, GP. 😁
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And here I thought the dog said, “Seriously, you bought ANOTHER cat?!”
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Ha ha ha.
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That was funny.
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Thanks, Charles.
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If that doggie in the picture doesn’t look just like Dot. And it would be like her to jump in a M & S box and get herself shipped to a good home!! A great take on the photo.
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Thank you, Darlene. Glad you liked it.
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I love it! Especially the satisfaction survey at the end. An interesting way to find a pet sitter. Hopefully, Mr. Trevor’s dog got shipped to a good home!
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I think he stayed right there. Thanks. Mae. 😁
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Well, if that wouldn’t be a surprise! Typical customer service response, John. Great job with the prompt!
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I have a special place in my heart for customer service representatives. Thank you, Jan.
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Whatever it was you ordered, I think you got a much better shipment, John. I mean, look at that face. Who’s a good boy?
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Who’s a good boy indeed.
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Great story, John, so imaginative! 😍
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Thank you so much,Tim. So glad you liked it. 😊
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Haha! Sorry Sir, I can’t help you, but please do rate our customer service well!
Nicely done, John.
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The line I always love is after they have been no help whatsoever is, “Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
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Right. As if you helped in any way whatsoever! Funny people…
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😊
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You gotta feel empathy for many customer service agents-it can’t be an easy job, especially when their boss is Mr. Treavor.
Isn’t the trafficking of Jack Russell’s usually a crime? Not Golden Retriever’s or some other breeds, mind you…but those terrorists, er I mean terriers. 🤣
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Is it a crime? It should be for all breeds. Just like backyard breeders ought to be outlawed.
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You’ll get no argument from me on that sentiment.
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😁
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😊
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Just like a customer service department to assume the order was received correctly…and a Terrier just happened to be included. 😂
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I know right? Thanks, Bruce.
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Aawww, look at that face. Good story, John!
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Thank you, Deborah. I think these guys will keep him.
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I think so too. 😀
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😊
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My bet is that Twiggy and Tempest show up in a box this week.
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Ha ha ha. You may win that bet
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Those damn surveys!! 😆 Mr Trevor is gonna have one heckuva backup when he returns to the country. This was a riot, but I’d properly keep the pup. If I can read the tag properly, I think it says, “Please return me to John Howell.”🐶
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That is pretty funny Lois. What I really need is a Russel terrier with these two.
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That was so funny, I could hardly read it till the end because I had to laugh so much.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Rabirius. Thanks for letting me know.
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This exchange is so funny! You know, I wish someone would accidentally send me a dog. 😀
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That would be something for sure. Thanks, Kymber.
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Ha ha ha! Definitely a nail biter…
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😁
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I love the photo … impish little doggie. Your story was perfect 👍 😁
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Thank you, Marie.
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An absurd exchange worthy of the great Monty Python!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Mr. Trevor is unavailable, but perhaps you can speak to my cousin who’s been imprisoned in Nigeria. If you bail him out, he’ll be able to tell you how to acquire the half-million dollars an unknown donor has left for you.
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Pete.
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Lol, I get a kick out of these posts. Gotta give him credit for trying 🙂
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Thank you, Jacquie
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I knew this little guy was trouble the minute I saw the image. But I’ve a feeling the customer service ship has sailed and possession has become nine tenths of this guy’s life now.
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I think he will stay right where he is. 😊
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Me too.
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Poor pup! I’ve never been to a Marks & Spencer, but shouldn’t they at least have put air holes in that box?? And that pup looks like he’s up to something, perhaps trying to avoid bath-time?!
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That is the best story I’ve read all day. I hope you kept that darling dog (of course you did!).
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I can see that you’ve experienced many a customer service phone call!
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I certainly have. O have a belief that Customer Service is an oxymoron.
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I’ve tried and l just can’t do “ my business” in this box…l know, its a big box but l still can’t GO!
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I see you are back (somehow) Great comment.
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Yep, you can’t get the Tuna🐳 out of your life that easy…way too many Miles together thus far.🐳
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This is a gem. Mr. Trevor is still wondering where his dog is. Probably wants a refund too. Ironically we just recently had a woman in court here who tried to send her son a pup via UPS. She had thoughtfully added a bottle of water, cut some holes in the box. She’s in jail now. Loved this John. 🐂
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People are really amazing. They should put her in a box with a bottle of water and holes and ship her all over the US.
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That’s exactly what the judge said.
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I love it.
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Haha. Good one, John. Poor Trevor
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I know right?
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Oh, John, this is a favorite! How hilarious, and of course, Mr. Trevor is out of the country. 🙂 And then the survey at the end was brilliant! The times we are living in! Great story!
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Thank you, Lauren. I’m so glad you liked it. 😊
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😂
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What a great post on the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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[…] Fulfillment by John W. Howell © 2024 […]
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