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 post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/kreative-kue-438/
The photo.
TSA by John W. Howell © 2024
“Sir, could you please step over her for a minute?”
“Of course, is something wrong?”
“No sir, Is this your bag?”
“Why yes. Yes it is.”
“Would you open it for me?”
“W-why?”
“We just need to check the contents, sir.”
“Am I under suspicion?”
“Sir, this is routine. You have been randomly selected. To ensure the safety of our travelers, we conduct random bag checks.”
“Is this allowed?”
“Yes, sir. Congress has authorized TSA to conduct searches of any bag that is on airport property. By the way. Are you a lawyer by chance?”
“No, I’m not. Just a concerned citizen.”
“As a concerned citizen, do you have anything in this bag that might cause harm to other passengers?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Then you shouldn’t mind if we look inside your bag.”
“Okay. Please do.”
“Thank you, sir. First, I’m going to wipe your bag with a narcotic and gunpowder detection strip.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Now I’m going to open your bag. Oh my.”
“What?”
“You have a stuffed pumpkin in here.”
“And?”
“My daughter has wanted one of those forever. Where did you get it?”
“I have never seen that thing in my life.”
“And what’s this?”
“What?”
“Looks like you are trying to smuggle a rare species.”
“Wait a minute. That’s our family pet.”
“Sure it is, sir. You have any papers to that effect.”
“Huh?”
“Can you prove this is your dog?”
“Um, I’m not sure. Oh, wait. I have some photos on my phone. Here, look.”
“Humm. It looks like your dog. So what is it doing in your suitcase?”
“I would like to know the same thing.”
“You obviously can’t proceed with a dog in your case.”
“I think I’ll have to go back home.”
“Well, sorry, sir, but that’s the right thing to do.”
“Too bad, too.”
“Why’s that?”
“My boss is going to be furious.”
“Yeah, they do react that way. Just tell the story. You can catch a flight later.”
“But I have the cocaine.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“Oops.”
Fiction Favorites 
“you just can’t go without me…”?
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That is the summary, Jaye. 😁
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Lucky guess?
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Naw. Astute mind.
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You’ve described a TSA employee perfectly, spots the pumpkin before the pet, LOL. As for the drug deal gone nowhere, maybe if he offers up his pumpkin, the agent looks the other way.
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The one packed with cocaine you mean?
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Hahaha!
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😁
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Guess we know what’s in the pumpkin now.
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Ha ha ha. So true.
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haha, you always have a twist I wasn’t expecting!
My thought was: You sure can’t have claustrophobia when you’re being a stowaway!
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That is a good one, GP
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Craziness is the norm for some. Oops!
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So true, Tim. Thanks.
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Poor pup, he must have been pretty smashed in that suitcase. Good one, John. 😊
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Yeah, Not a lot of room in there for sure. Good dog.
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Adds a whole new level to the boss’s fury.
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Especially underworld boss.
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The guy has that disease: foot in mouth.
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Yup. For sure. 😊
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That stuffed pumpkin looks a bit shifty to me…maybe we do need to determine what it is stuffed with at this point. Meanwhile…the dog has a “who, me?” kinda look…further investigation is indeed necessary.
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That pumpkin is very suspicious. Thanks Bruce.
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Oops! Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jo.
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Big Opps… lol
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Yes big oops. Thanks, Denise
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That was funny. Oops!
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Oops.
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Ha ha ha, I did not see that cocaine coming!!
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I’m glad too.
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😂 Saved by the family pet …
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Maybe. Ha ha ha.
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Uh oh… now how did that happen, I wonder? That poor little beastie looks traumatized! Already too hyped up…. waitaminute… did it already get into the pumpkin?
You have way too much fun with these, John!
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I do go over the top sometimes. Thanks, Dale.
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I love that you do 🙂
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Aw, thank you.
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😊
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Nice twist, John. I hope they call an Uber for the dog.
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Good idea. He’ll need a ride home. His master isn’t going anywhere.
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Thank goodness for Congress! Getting things done and growing more popular all the time. 🤣
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Isn’t it the truth. 😳
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I was flying either Mother and was selected for expedited screening. Mother was not. I told screener I couldn’t go without her. She started acting demented to prove s point. He waved us straight through. It helped.
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Too bad the cartel didn’t know about your ability. 😊
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Headline: Cocaine Chihuahua scores full suitcase without TSA agent recommends award but rescinds upon being bitten.
Clever story, John.
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More than clever headline, Monika. Thanks for the laughs. 😁
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This was so funny! But I think everything you write is clever. 🙂
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This may be a second response. Thank you so much Kymber. Those are such kind words 😁
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My pleasure, 🌺
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Hilarious, John.
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Thank you, Robbie.
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Omg, so funny John. First thing that came to mind was an airport luggage story! You did a fab and hilarious job with this entertaining story. 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Debby.
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🙂
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