A slight pop sound while getting out of bed is a reminder of the aging process. Who knows where that sound comes from, but it showed up one day, and it has become part of the morning routine. “COFFEE,” screams the brain, and the rush is on to supply the caffeine to put out the blinking red warning light and the Klaxon horn. Finally, the first sip provides a covenant with the screaming senses, and the warnings cease.
The new sound is the Westminster chimes of the doorbell. Another idiot who cannot read. A quick toss of two squeak toys and a slam of the door on the soundproof room put an end to the eardrum-bleeding cacophony of two dogs sounding like Igor’s baying hounds. Next, a check of the security monitor shows the images of what looks like Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. The usual conversation about a delivery and signature is needed, so with a sigh, the security shutdown process is 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. A call to the tow truck driver stops the deployment of an M1A1 Abrams Tank. 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, and the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The Proton torpedoes switched off. The gamma ray beams covered. The high-powered maser guns switched to standby, and the nanorobots were chained in the basement. The Klingons are called back, and the Targ is caged. Robbie’s Bot is sent to the basement. The locks on the door are thrown. And the door opened.
Ralph hands me a clipboard and an envelope. I sign where indicated and return the clipboard. Sam steps between me and Ralph with his paw out in the universal way of asking for a tip. Thinking of what Serena Williams once said, “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does,” is my tip as I slam the door.
The envelope contains a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “pop.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/11/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-15-2025/
Pop by John W. Howell © 2025
“Well, that was a treat.”
“What?”
“Ralph and Sam.”
“I always thought they were pretty funny.”
“Totally dedicated to their job from 9:00 to 5:00.”
“I always like the time clock scene when they wished each other a good evening.”
“I wonder if they ever had a beer together.”
“Pop the top and enjoy a cool one while discussing the work day would be good. I don’t know either.”
“Then there is you and me.”
“Yup. Uber?”
“Over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Wow. A 1953 DeSoto Powermaster.”
“Yeah, you don’t see many of those around.”
“So what’s the catch?”
“What do you mean by ‘catch ‘?”
“Can we just get in and go to the pub?”
“Oh, I see. Well, there is one stop.”
“Uh huh. Where?”
“A Stop at Willoughby. Where a man can live life at full measure.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Well, yes. It is the 22nd episode of the Twilight Zone, and I threw it in for Dan.”
“Can others see it?”
“Sure, here’s the link.”
https://www.facebook.com/100067494914562/videos/a-stop-at-willoughby/602715635095453/
“Great. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks for the Stop at Willoughby, John, one of my favorites. Don’t stay long enough to get comfortable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was one of mine, too. I thought of that episode every time I took the New Haven line into the city.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine you did.
LikeLike
A true classic cartoon. The car is a real mullet, the business in the front and the party out the back
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Good analogy.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fertile imagination you do have, John!! All credit due. . . Certainly worth reading! Cheers. Joy
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you liked it, Joy. I had fun writing it. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Not sure if a ‘pop’ or a ‘creak’ is better when waking up. Both better than feeling a tear though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. A tear is not a good thing.
LikeLike
Ralph and Sam are one of my favorite pairs. ‘Scuse me while I get some coffee to warm up these popping bones…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand. I have mine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Little bit ‘o toasty coffee and we’re good to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fun post, John. I used to watch The Twilight Zone when I was a teen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. It came out when I was an adult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
just sat and watched the show on the Twilight Zone. Hadn’t seen that one. Loved it. thanks
LikeLike
Glad you did. 😀
LikeLike
A fun post John… I have not been free to visit lately…is it me or have you stepped up the security lately 🍂🍁💜💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can just hear the AM radio blasting out that Twilight Zone music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is there for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good tip for Ralph, John. That Uber ride is cool. It’s good that you don’t enter the Twilight Zone, just get to watch it, and it will make the pub stop more fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we must avoid the Twilight Zone at all costs. Thanks, Tim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, John. I love your uber…brought back memories. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember that car, too. Big ole chunk of metal.
LikeLike
That is a wow and great capture by Dan. That grill has some personality! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Well done, John. “two dogs sounding like Igor’s baying hounds.” is a brilliant line.
I’m sure Dan appreciated the Twilight Zone bit — I hope we don’t lose him there, because I expect he managed to hide in the backseat of that absolutely awesome car.
Big hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan. We can’t lose Dan for sure. Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the DeSoto! It looks as heavy as a tank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was as heavy as a tank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how it was to drive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has power steering so was pretty agile. Power steering was listed as an available option on the 1953 DeSoto, along with power brakes, electric windows, and air conditioning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ride in style and comfort!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahahaha! I remember that episode of Twilight Zone well. Rod Serling truly was ahead of his time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was. Very creative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Muy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Mr. Williams. Escaping a very stressful life. It is a sad episode.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He looked pretty happy in Willoughby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess he was happy being dead
LikeLiked by 1 person
The metaphor for being in a better place than hell on Earth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice to add the Twilight Zone episode.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 I’m glad you liked it, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always like the end when they punched out and wished each other a nice evening and a, “see you tomorrow”. too.
That episode of Twilight Zone is a good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the punch out too. I liked this episode. It always stuck with me.
LikeLike
OMG! THE Willoughby episode is one of my faves!
Push Push Push Push Push Push!
Popping back to “Pop” –
When I was a kid, even into my teens, there was always a Jack-in-the-Box in the house.
You know the song
“Half a pound of tuppenny rice
Half a pound of treacle
Mix them up and make them nice
POP goes the weasel”
So, I would set the JitB into the note before”POP”, and put it on the coffee table or side table, when company came over. The second they touched, even breathed on the jitB, the clown would pop out. Jarred them every time!
The adults fell for it over and over and over.
😹X 🤡X 🤣X 😂X
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very precocious child. Well done. 😀X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought I was being like Wile E Coyote! 🤭X
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, I always enjoyed Ralph and Sam from Looney Tunes. Good one, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did too. I remember watching them with the kids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That Desoto looks familiar, only ours was a two-toned green. 🙂 Good one, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan.
LikeLiked by 1 person