The message on the control pad was clear in its meaning. The lone word, “Chill,” meant coffee would be delayed. Drumming fingers on the kitchen counter does no good whatsoever. An eternity passes until the slow drool of lifesaving elixir begins from the twin spouts.
Finally, I take a first sip, which comes just as the caffeine warning light in my head starts to rotate. The calm after the storm is a relief. Unfortunately, the calm lasts a brief two seconds before the Westminster chimes of the doorbell send the hounds of Baskerville into a frothy barking frenzy at a decibel level that manages to destroy every lightbulb in the place.
The only thing to do is open the bedroom door and toss a jar of peanut butter inside. Once the baying hounds pass the doorjamb in pursuit, the door is slammed, and silence returns. The security system is the next item of attention.
The turret machine guns are set to stand by, the boiling oil cauldron tipping mechanism is turned off, and the automated arrow launching pods are unarmed. In addition, the Trebuchet, ballista, and falling rock device are switched to manual. The claymore mines are set to manual, the mote net rolled back, and the concertina wire retracted. The Iron gate is raised, and the bolts are thrown on the front door.
Standing there is a guy with a chill expression and two massive ears. He is munching a carrot and asks me, “Eh, what’s up Doc?” He hands me an envelope, turns and disappears. Inside the envelope is a message from Linda Hill. It reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “chill.’” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
If you want to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2024/11/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-2-2024/
Chill by John W. Howell © 2024
“Why no time trip?”
“The only news from 1924 was an accident in Chicago and a first time crossword puzzle in London. Pretty boring.”
“You know you don’t have to stick with 1924.”
“Yeah, you are right but that damn doorbell went off and I ran out of time.”
“Was that Bugs Bunny?”
“Hard to say. Since I don’t have a Warner Brothers waver of their copyright I’m saying it was somebody else.”
“You a lawyer?”
“No but I play one on TV.”
“Any thought about Voo Doo Ranger?”
“Do you have an Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“A 1968 Dodge Charger. Now we are living.”
“Yes and no riding outside either.”
“I’ll even sit in the back.”
“What a chill gent you are.”
Fiction Favorites 
Ah, somebody else hit that doorbell, eh?
Dan picked a great Huber today, you can chill out real easy in those Chargers!!
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The only thing to worry about is the neck snap at acceleration. Thaks, GP
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I hope you have plenty of time to chill this weekend, John. Hard to believe it’s November.
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Speaking of chill, this morning’s temp was 68 degrees. Ran and got my wool cap and heavy coat.
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Ha – Meanwhile, we’re waiting on our chill. It’s going to be in the 70s again this week.
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That’s chilly for me.
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🥶
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Ha ha. ha
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33 degrees this morning.
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I would die.
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A low of 68° eh? It is currently 39 here … warmer than last night, anyway!
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The beauty of the seasons. 😁
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Dear John
Great car. Enjoy the drive.
Wishing you a relaxing weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you. Wishing you a relaxing weekend as well F4oC
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Really cool Uber this time. Surprised nothing big happened 100 years ago.
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On the date no. There was a change in government in China but pretty boring.
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I don’t mind a little chill and we have gotten a few frosts. Much better than the blaze of summer.
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I agree. We have had a hot one for sure.
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It’s chilly this morning. That’s a cool ride, and the coffee makes it more interesting.
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I remember your area gets chilly around this time. Thanks, Tim
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Ha ha ha! I was exhausted reading the preamble. Damn you’re good!
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Thank you, Pam. It’s my practice first person POV without using the pronoun ‘I’.
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My favorite line “before the Westminster chimes of the doorbell send the hounds of Baskerville into a frothy barking frenzy at a decibel level that manages to destroy every lightbulb in the place.”
You paint some vivid pictures with words, my friend. Awesome post.
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Thank you so much, Jill. 😁
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‘No, but I play one on TV’ reminds me of that commercial (that I’ve not seen in a long time) where Alan Alda says, “Doctor pose” and all the wanna-be TV docs cross their arms and/or have a stethoscope around their neck. Fun quote.
We are still in the 80’s over here. In November. Killin’ me. 🥵
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We finally got down to the 80s. High today 81. Need to find my wool cap and scarf.
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What great wordsmithing, John. Does the release of all the security measures mean we will start getting mysterious boxes in the future?
That is one handsome ride!
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I generally go to the security system when the news in the future is dismal. Boxes are a good idea though.
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Ah yes. I get that. I know you have lots of ideas!
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Thank you.
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😊
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Ah, a fun V-8 muscle car! Hope the driver put his/her foot down on the way to the bar. 😊
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I do too.
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I had no idea that the Baskerville ladies liked peanut butter! As for the Uber, we owned a 1967 Dodge Charger hatchback, four on the floor, 0 to 6 in a few seconds, but only 13 miles to the gallon. We drove it across country but gas was cheap then.
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That was a quick one for sure. Lucky you.
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And a real classic!
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Saw one for sale for $68,000
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That sounds about right. That was the second car we owned which would have been a gold mine if we’d held on to it.
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Yes. I think we all have had cars like that.
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“a chill gent” – indeed! I love the car, owned a ’68 Charger in 1968. Sweet memories. Enjoy the weekend, John. 🌞
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So lucky, Gwen. At the time I was so into family I didn’t even consider it. I rented a few for fun but never had one.
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Happy Saturday! I am in “chill” mode finally because my stolen post got taken down! Yay 😁 thank you again for your help! Love that car 🚘
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So glad to hear that, Laura. Congratulations. The car is sweet for sure.
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A great read as always John. I truly enjoy reading your takes and can visualize it cause it nay be happening. Have a wonderful and very chill day. The best!
🐂🐂
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Thank you, Holly. So glad you enjoyed it. 🐂 🐖
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It’s great being back on the farm. 😂
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🤣
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That would be living, yes! 💙
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😁
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Love the Charger! I’m in for the VooDoo Ranger and the ride there!
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You’re on.
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Another great story in the books. Who could refuse this chill day, John! 💗
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Well hopefully you are chill as well.
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Thanks, chillin for sure, John💕
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WOW! What a scene these two paragraphs paint!
Finally, I take a first sip, which comes just as the caffeine warning light in my head starts to rotate. The calm after the storm is a relief. Unfortunately, the calm lasts a brief two seconds before the Westminster chimes of the doorbell send the hounds of Baskerville into a frothy barking frenzy at a decibel level that manages to destroy every lightbulb in the place.
The only thing to do is open the bedroom door and toss a jar of peanut butter inside. Once the baying hounds pass the doorjamb in pursuit, the door is slammed, and silence returns. The security system is the next item of attention.
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Thank you, Liz. So glad. you liked them.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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OX
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Love it. OX OX
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OX OX OX
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OX OX OX OX
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🏆🏆
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YAY
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Love, love, love the Dodge Charger!!! Gonna take me for a ride in it? Hope you got to finish your coffee, anyway!
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You can have a ride anytime. Yes had a lovely cup. 😊
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Awesome! Thanks, John!
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😁
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A rollicking introduction before your story, and I enjoyed the bouncing from one vivid image to the next. Glad you got to sip the “lifesaving elixir” and that your terrifying hounds were placated by the tossed jar of peanut butter (that sentence made me chuckle).
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Lucky for me they don’t have opposable thumbs so the jar stays closed. Thanks for the lovely compliment, Dave.
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Gotta love the Hemi muscle. 😉
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Oh, yes.
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Firstly, a superb opening as per usual. Good thing there was peanut butter handy or it might not have gone so chill.
As for the story? Chill vibes all around with Bugs Bunny and Voodoo and a ride that is even better than chill. It’s grooooooovy. Very nicely done Boss.
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Thank you so much, Pilgrim. 😊
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Always
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😊
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What a chill story and love the dodge, John! 😁
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Thank you, Lauren. So glad you liked the post.
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Bugs Bunny + cool Uber = win-win.
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😁
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