Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Straw

~ John W. Howell

A picture of a string with drops of water- the logo for SoCS

 

The Saturday choice of coffee is extensive. In order not to be too spoiled, the special coffee is reserved for the weekend. Usually, a cappuccino is the choice, but today, something else is on the mind. Let’s see. The options include flat white, latte, latte macchiato, espresso, double espresso, or plain coffee. Well, plain coffee is out since that is a week thing. Short of taking a straw vote, the Latte macchiato it is.

The button is punched, and the machine fires back a question. “Are you sure?” Hitting the confirm button puts a stop to all the foolishness. My tall latte macchiato had a layer of hot milk, a layer of espresso, and a finish with a layer of milk foam. A long sip of the delightful brew sends the mind to thinking of the clock.

It is set for May 17th, 1925. The duration is an hour, and the destination is New York City. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves outside the Garrick Theater on Broadway. We can see by the marquee that tonight is the opening of the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart revue The Garrick Gaieties. This is the first show written by this team. We know, of course, that it won’t be the last.

Reading the information on the billboard, the show is directed by Philip Loeb with musical staging by Herbert Fields, the cast includes Romney Brent, June Cochrane, Sterling Holloway (Later the voice of Winnie the Pooh Libby Holman, Philip Loeb, Edith Meiser, Sanford Meisner, Betty Starbuck, and Lee Strasberg. (Director of the  Actor’s Studio and the father of the Method acting system.) The most famous song to come out of the show is Manhattan.

Just when the doors open, the alarm goes off, and back to the couch we go. There is a text from Linda Hill. I reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “straw.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda Hill’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2025/05/16/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-17-2025/

Straw by John W. Howell © 2025

“Why didn’t we stay for the show?”

“I messed up on the time. We got there too early.”

“I’ll bet it was fun.”

“It was only scheduled for two performances, but then got extended and did 211.”

“So it was a hit.”

“Yes, and after six years of starvation, Rogers and Hart created many more.”

” Love stories like that.”

“I do too.”

“Next time, could we have a little more time?”

“Tell you what. I’ll let you pick a straw, and if you get a short one, you get to set the clock.”

“That would be great. You’re not kidding, right?”

“I had to find a way to work stray into the conversation, so, yes, I am kidding.”

“Figures. You can make it up to me.”

“Order the Uber.”

“He’s over there.”

photo by Dan Antion

“It looks beat up but serviceable.”

“And the ride is free.”

“Okay, what’s the catch?”

“We have to stop at the collision shop for an estimate.”

“That’s not too bad. Okay, let’s go.”

“One more thing.”

“Oh-oh.”

“We have to leave the doors if the estimate is good.”

“Okay, that can work. It’s only two doors.”

“Um, you haven’t seen the other side.”

“All the doors?”

“My, you catch on quick. Let’s go.”

66 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Straw”

  5. Your coffee delivery system is on point. You know what business you’re in and you do it so very well. Coffee during the week is muy importante but weekend coffee . . that there is a distinctly unique endeavor. It’s about being spoiled, yes.

    As for the ride, I’ve ridden in worse.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. It sounds like your coffee machine is great, John. It’s too bad you didn’t get to see that revue. It must have been fabulous to get extended that long. I guess those banged up doors on the Uber vehicle work.

    Like

  7. Dear John
    I have a friend who is a big fan of Lee Strasberg. He made me even take part in a workshop of method acting – although I prefer Brecht’s epic theatre, just the opposite of method acting.
    Happy driving your Uber car. I know one can’t trust them
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Staying more than an hour gives you more time to make a mistake that might jeopardize your return trip. Especially if you two hit a bar after the show. Nicely done, John.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. It would have been a delight to watch the show. That era has always intrigued me. The uber – well, it’s one for the brave souls. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I wondered how you would get ‘straw’ in there. Good job! And ah, yes, the good ole days. What a show it was. I haven’t used an Uber yet, and the way you write about them, I’m more than hesitant. :-0

    Liked by 1 person

  15. A man after my own heart, Latte macchiato and Broadway!!!! I so enjoy your posts. Sure to bring a chuckle 🤭 “All the doors?” but of course 🤣

    Like

  16. What a great clip! As for weekend coffee, it is a whole different animal from the weekday one, for sure.

    As for the Uber, if it gets you to your VooDoo, who cares about the doors?

    Liked by 1 person

  18. That was a fun and imaginative story. The car reminded me of an incident at a Swedish zoo, the safari portion. They were feeding an elephant through the window but the elephant put his trunk really far into the car, and the dad (driving) panicked and closed window, with the result that the elephant’s trunk got stuck. The elephant got angry and started kicking door. On the way home they got stopped for speeding and the police asked about the dents on the door. The dad tried to explain. That’s when he also had to do a sobriety test.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Ahh, I enjoyed listening to that song, especially the old recording. Thank you!

    A wonderful trip to the past.

    Hmm, do you realize that Straw is Warts backwards.

    I’m not sure what all that means, but just in case, don’t drink your VooDoos through straws! You might get warts.

    🐖 🐖 🐖 🐂

    Liked by 1 person

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