Woke to the sound of rain, so a coffee will be quite welcome. A message on the touchscreen leads me to believe the AI inside is seeking entertainment. The message reads, I’m thinking of something that opens. How great is it to have a machine that wants to play games when the low caffeine warning klaxon horn is ready to split the skull. Give up? is the next message. Nodding my head, the machine responds with An application.
I’m not sure if laughing or crying is the correct response, so a smile is all I can offer. The touchscreen comes to life, and the two coffee buttons are quickly pressed. The cup is delivered, and the doorbell delivers a Westminster melody. The hounds of Baskerville want me to know the world is coming to an end. Lucky for me and the glass windows, a knuckle bone is near and tossed into the soundproof room. As the quiet descends, a glance at the security monitor shows someone looking very much like Yogi Bear standing on the porch. Calling out through the intercom verifies that whatever is to be delivered 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 simplifies the shutdown process of the security system. 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.
“A pic a nic basket for Howell. Sign here.”
“A big surprise you didn’t keep it.”
“Don’t think I didn’t think about that. BooBoo kept me honest.”
Looking in the basket, there is a note in sight. It is from Linda Hill. It reads Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “something that opens.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
“Take this basket as a tip.” The bear smiles, and he and the basket disappear down the driveway.
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2025/07/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-5-2025/
Something That Opens by John W. Howell © 2025
“That machine is going to be the death of you.”
“Tell me.”
“You know, we could have fun with that prompt.”
“How so?”
“I know of something that opens.”
“Let me guess. VooDoo Ranger bottles.”
“Well, there is that. But I had something else in mind.”
“I find it hard to believe you have anything else in mind.”
“I guess it could be associated with VooDoo Rangers.”
“The pub door?”
“Now that is a good one, but no.”
“My wallet.”
“Ha ha ha. I like that one. No again.”
“Okay, I’m giving up now.”
“Think hard.”
“Still nothing.”
“The Uber car door.”
“Oh my gosh. How did I not think of that? You’re a pain, you know that?”
“He’s right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Wait a minute. The something that opens is not that car. Look at the rope holding the passenger door closed.”
“It’s tied with a bow. All you have to do is pull it and untie.”
“Will it get us there?”
“Of course. There is one thing, though.”
“Why is there always one thing?”
“It used to be a chicken coop.”
“What?”
“Yeah, we have to help clean out the back.”
“Why can’t we get a normal car?”
“And pay full price? Here, put on these overalls and gloves. The guy said we could keep the eggs.”
“Be still, my beating heart.”
Fiction Favorites 
Dear John
What a lovely car but what a pity that’s used as chicken coop.
We would have asked you why you can’t get a normal car. But of course it connects the stories, it’s a kind of fictional car.
Wishing you a happy weekend
Then Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Next week will have a somewhat normal car. The cars are a running joke that is hoped to bring a smile. Have a super weekend F4oC 😀
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It works, dear John 🙂
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😀
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Certainly imaginative, John, with a kind open to any story line. Excellent installment in the series.
Open minds, open doors, open wallets and purchase some more.
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There you go, Pat. A complete set. 😀
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There’s nothing more frustrating than something standing between me and that first cup of coffee. I love what you did with the car but you might want to keep those overalls on until you get to the bar.
I hope you’re having a great holiday weekend.
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The weekend is great. We have had over three inches of rain. The fireworks show was cancelled, and our lake is beginning to fill. All in all my kind of weekend.
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I’m sure the girls appreciated the fireworks being cancelled. I hope the lake continues to rise.
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Looks like it might.
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haha, it looks like the car that got riddled with bullets the day Bonnie & Clyde were caught.
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It does have that look, doesn’t it? Thanks, GP. 😀
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Yes the security system leaves a lot to be desired, but with new car prices? Worth it! And bonus round, it gets you to the pub. Probably . . . .
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Yeah, maybe. Still have a few more pounds of chicken dirt to get rid of. Thanks, Pilgrim. Here, take this trash bag.
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Hahahaha!
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😊
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That car looks like if tetanus got a driver’s license.
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Ha ha ha. Great line, Charles. 😀
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Eggs uber easy ?
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Ha ha, good one, John!
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I told him the same thing.
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🤣 Good one John
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You might want to consider an alternative mode of transportation.
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Oh, I don’t know. Showing up at the pub in overalls and reeking of chicken poop might be a new experience for them.
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It will be a new experience all right!
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🤣
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I love old cars – my father-in-law has a Model T. Very entertaining story.
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That Model T must be fun. Thanks, Esther
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It really is. Thanks, John.
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😊
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“And pay full price?” My kinda language. 💸💰
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Ha ha ha. 😊
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It’s good you got your coffee before dealing with Yogi. That is quite an Uber ride, overalls needed.
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Yes, for sure on the overalls. Thanks, Tim
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Just put a sign on the bar that reads ‘Eggs for Sale.’ You’re bound to get some takers.
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Good idea. At $9.00 a dozen the VooDoos will be paid for.
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I love my first cup of coffee. 🙂 I’m a zombie without it.
A fun story, John, though I probably wouldn’t want to drive anywhere in a car that was used by chickens… even with the free eggs. 😀
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I can see your point, Diana.
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Coffee first, all else is easier to handle after that.😂
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I agree. Thanks, Laura.
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Wonderful, John. Love the car. We rented a car that looked like that (but of course restored) for my son for his junior prom. It had belonged to AL Capone.
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That is so cool, Noelle Thanks for sharing.
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Sometimes it’s easy enough to overlook the obvious. Entertaining response to the prompt and that would be a fun one, even with a little cleaning involved. 👍🏻
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I think so too, Michele. 😊
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Ha! Ha! A chicken coop!:) Always entertaining, John!
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Thanks, Jan. 😀
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John, l have one question, 🎼Who let the dogs out🎼 before you could have your first cup of Java.That person needs to be tracked down and waterboarded! The fact that you could still smile is a testament to your ability to remain focused. You writer types are truly special…🐳
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Thank you, Jim. Writers are mostly crazy.
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Does it come with free eggs ? 😝
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As long as the chickens remain, yes.
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Sounds like a long shot~ 😆
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Wouldn’t put money on it.
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hahaha!😂
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Pure insanity, John. 😄 I’d love to ride in that car (once it’s cleaned up). Have a great day, my friend.
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Yes, this is the root of insanity. Thanks, Gwen.
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It was raining here too. That’s a cool looking car. Imagine if it is was still possible to drive, but I’ll bet the chickens were happy. I would like to have a proton gun, and a Voodoo Ranger.
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LOVE it. A classic ride and free eggs. Is this a great country or what?
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Don’t forget the free fertilizer, too. 😀
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🤣
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😀
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You are way too creative for a first coffee on a Sunday after the dog was sick half the night…
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Poor dog. Oh yeah, Poor you too. 😀
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Maybe walking to the bar is a better idea? Well done, John. I hope you can do something with that annoying coffee machine.
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It does make great coffee though.
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Haha! 😀
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😀
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Coffee first for me, John, and the car is cool, but I’d want a ‘normal’ car. Fun story!
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Normal is just not how we roll. Well…next week should be normal. You’ll like it. 😊
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Geez, that car looks just a few bullet holes shy of having belonged to Bonnie and Clyde.
They liked picnics.. or they went on one in the movie.
Hmm, what am I getting at here?
This post is a killer!
Or…. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!
Or … Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette.
AH! My brain is scrambled.
🧺𝔁 🥚Ẍ
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Why did the chicken cross the road and then live in a car? The car did look like a Bonnie and Clyde version for sure. That was their last picnic, too. 🐔X 🐓X
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…because the door wasn’t “beocked”?
🐔X 🐓X
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😀X
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L OX L
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🤣X
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Fantastic as always!
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Thank you, Traci.
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