My need for a direct infusion of caffeine was met with a cold, dark touchscreen on the coffee machine. Puzzled, the haze-filled investigation began. Hitting reset-no help. Checking the line trip – no help. Calling the electric company – no help. Sitting on hold at the manufacturer – no help. Finally, speaking with a customer service representative who asked the definitive question, “Did you check the plug?” The plug? Does this person think they are talking to a moron? The plug? How flipping insulting can one get? Reminds me of talking to a WordPress Happiness Engineer. The plug? For crying out loud, of course I checked . . .the . . .plug. “Thank you for your help, customer Service person. I’ve got it from here.”
WHO UNPLUGGED THE COFFEE MACHINE? was the question heard round the block. Of course, there was no answer. Once plugged in, my 8-oz crema-topped brew was available for the inhaling. The first sip was also accompanied by the reverberations of the Westminster chime from the front doorbell. These were instantly joined by the baying of Egor’s hounds, also known as Twiggy and Tempeste. The toss of a knuckle bone into the soundproof room and a door slam brought the sound of silence to this tortured space. Looking at the front door camera, I see something that looks like an Empire Stormtrooper. “State your business,” was the order through the intercom. “Package for Howell,” came the reply. “Just drop it there.” “Sorry, sir, but it needs a signature.”
With a sigh, the security system shutdown process has begun. The SWAT team needs to be put on standby. A quick text to the leader confirms that status. Also, the flight of A-10 Warthogs must be diverted. Another call to the commander puts that worry to rest. The SEAL team needs to be called off, and a call to the leader makes that possible. The control panel makes the shutdown of the security system process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the turret mortars disengaged, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gatling guns on safety, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
“What is a Stormtrooper doing delivering packages?”
“A side hustle. Sign here.”
With formalities finished, the stormtrooper jumps on what looks like a motorcycle with no wheels and is gone. The package has a note from Linda Hill and a package of Sweetarts. The note reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “plug.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda Hill’s post. Here’s the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/06/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-28-2025/
Plug by John W. Howell © 2025
“A stormtrooper?”
“Yeah, what about it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. People like cartoon characters.”
“Well, there wasn’t one there. Your plug for the readers is admirable.”
“I suppose it is funny in a way.”
“Can you imagine seeing one on your porch?”
“Didn’t stay long.”
“You know how those delivery people are. No time for social interaction.”
“I would tell Linda Hill to stop requesting a signature.”
“Maybe some day.”
“We going to the pub?”
“Duh. What do we do every Saturday? Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Hey, now we are talking.”
“We can put the top down, but there is just one thing.”
“As usual. What is it?”
“We have to go along on a cross-country road race.”
“Road race to where?”
“Not far.”
“How far?”
“Connecticut.”
“We need a different car.”
“Oh, come on. How many road races have you been on?”
“None.”
“Well, it’s time to plug into the sport. Here’s your helmet. Let’s go.”
“It’ll take us a week.”
“Yup, that’s why I have this cooler of VooDoo Rangers. About a week’s supply, I figure.”
“Unless I decide to drink enough to end my misery.”
“I don’t think there are enough VooDoo Rangerson the planet to do that.”
“Alright, I’m in.”
Fiction Favorites 
You paying the Uber driver for the whole trip? Ask him to honk as you drive by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep your ears open. It should be next Thursday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not surprised the Empire doesn’t pay well. That’s how they can afford two Death Stars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure they figure fear and loyalty take the place of good pay.
LikeLike
Probably cheaper when the Troopers were clones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLike
Herbie!
Your security system must cost a small fortune Boss! You might want to dial up the Empire for some tips on how to lower your overhead. They’re notoriously frugal.
As for the cross country Voodoo trip, I’m not surprised these bugs can hold that much inside. Having been in a couple, they are way more roomy inside than they look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With three of us in there, 1/2 of the backseat is all cooler. I would guess 100 bottles of VooDoo in the well. (Reminds me we could sing on the way too.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’d have one hell of a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. We would have to stop for more beer, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh without a doubt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I figure we get about 50 miles to the bottle. We will need maybe 700 more
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can live with that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi John
At least you got a kind of decent car this time.
Wishing you a great trip to Connecticut.
Happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a decent car is a blessing. Thanks F4oC. 😀 Happy weekend to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could that be Herbie???
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might be his cousin. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how Linda got the stormtrooper delivering for her. It seems that going to Connecticut for your Saturday will take too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Linda has friends in high places. Yes, the trip will take almost a week. That’s why we have packed so many VooDoo Rangers. Thanks, Tim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You coming through Florida before heading north to CT? I’ll be on the side of I10 with more Voodoo…just in case.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just in case nothing. We will detour. No road too long for VooDoo Rangers. See you then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha, Not enough VooDoo Rangers, eh John?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can always use more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Dawn.
LikeLike
That was a good one, John. I cracked up at the Happiness Engineer comment and Egor’s hounds. And of course the car must be Herbie, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or a cousin, Jennie. I’m glad you liked the post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Best to you, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Herbie! What a cool ride!
And hey, you can put quite a bit of beer in there if it’s just the two o’ youse…
Have a great ride!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, we fit 100 bottles of beer in there. 🎶 100 bottles of beer in the trunk. 100 bottles of beer. If one of those bottles happen to be drunk. 99 bottles of beer in the trunk. 99 bottles of beer.🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Now I’m gonna have that song in my head, you wretch!! See ya later 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🎶And if one of those bottles is drunk, 98 bottles of beer in the trunk.🎶 See you later
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! You wild and crazy guy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww! Herbie or his cousin. LOL. Great post John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least you have a “real” car this time although it does look a bit snug, John 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Plenty of room. Only three of us and 100 VooDoo Rangers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, for a long time I didn’t know that VooDoo Rangers were a brand of beer 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some people who still don’t know. (sadly) Thanks, Marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Egor’s hounds sound a lot scarier than Tempeste and Twiggy. Now I am going to have a cup of coffee. My coffeemaker is plugged in. Maybe I’ll have a Voodoo Ranger later today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you go. Mine is ready for my 6:00 PM pick me up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Ha!! Loved this one. 🙂 A road race? That will take a week? That’s a new twist for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. A week on the road and 200 bottles of VooDoo Ranger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to hitch a ride in that if there’s room! 💓
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll make room. You’ll have to drink six VooDoo Rangers to make space. (Or you could put them in your lap)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s a challenge!! I’m up for it! 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! A fun one. I drive a VW but it’s not as cute as that one! ☮️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is pretty cute for sure. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
An unplugged coffee machine might be cause for rioting in this house. Just saying.🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
WHO THE HELL UNPLUGGED THE COFFEE MACHINE?
LikeLike
Intriguing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Herbie rides again! Or is it Herbie Unplugged for this round?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think unplugged sounds good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least it was just a stormtrooper!
https://youtu.be/k7ilk6J4G6k?si=-kg8rKLAThYxPnI_
why a race to Connecticut ….and can I come?
LikeLike
Thanks for the video. Of course, you can come. 😀
LikeLike
Thank you so much 👍👍👍
LikeLike
Cool ride. I was waiting for a plug horse, a plug of tobacco, or to plug the bad guys. You completely surprised me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always good.
LikeLike
When I was a systems librarian, one of the reference librarians reported that a computer wasn’t working. She proudly informed me that she had check all the plugs. She did check the plug that went into the first extension cord but not the second extension cord which was Not plugged into the wall. Just saying…. Sometimes you need to follow the trail before you put in a plug for your detection abilities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story, Pat. Yes, gotta be through. 😊
LikeLike
Yup. 😎🥳
LikeLike
pLug.. not Pug!
I was excited to see how Twiggy and Tempeste would react to a Pug.
As I read I kept fooling myself that it was still Pug.
When I got to “WHO UNPLUGGED THE COFFEE MACHINE?” reality set in all the way.
Oh well. Hey, what kind of cooler keeps beer cool for a week? Does it plug in?
🔌Ẍ O🔌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it plugs into the car. Had to laugh over the pug/plug mix-up. 😀X
LikeLiked by 1 person
What?
I was being facetious. I’ve never heard of a pug-in cooler!
🥶X 🥶X
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣X
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣X🤣X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear John! 💋
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been dying for a little VWBeatle since my first one sooo many years ago. This made me smile big time 😀Have a good trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Holly. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐂🐂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐂🐂🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌺🐂🐂🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊X
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm…a trip to Connecticut may be a bit pricey with Uber; let’s just hope there’s a somewhat endless supply of the VooDoo Rangers. Great job with the challenge. You managed to deftly plug all the holes. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Monika. Yes, we need to stop for VooDoo Rangers. We figure we get about 50 miles to the bottle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bwahahaha! That’s some great mileage!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I thought so. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person