The brain screams for relief that only caffeine can provide. There is not a crumb of satisfaction left as the red caffeine warning light and klaxon horn indicate a dangerously low inventory level. A shaking finger moves to touch the two coffee button and the mind slowly returns to easiness knowing the toughest job of the day is complete. The machine does its job and delivers the double dose in lifesaving time. As the first sip hits the brain, the Westminster chime cacophony of the doorbell triggers the baying of Igor’s hounds. A quick toss of a knuckle bone into the soundproof room and a slam of the door bring peace back to the valley. With ears still ringing, a check of the security monitor shows a figure resembling Foghorn Leghorn. Of course, a signature is needed, so the security shutdown procedure must begin.
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 security system’s shutdown process. 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 Klingon 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.
“There is an envelope for you. I say, sir, one envelope that needs a signature.” Nodding understanding, Foghorn hands me the clipboard and the envelope. After signing, I hand it back along with a $10.00 bill. “I say thank you. I say thank you very much.” I don’t want to hear more foghorn. I close the door. The envelope is from Linda Hill, and inside is a message. It reads.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “crumb.” 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/2025/11/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-29-2025/
Crumb by John W. Howell ©2025
“Back to the security shutdown, I see.”
“Yes, a lot of folks missed it last week.”
“Very hard to believe.”
“It’s true. I even got e-mails.”
“So this week is a request?”
“No, not exactly. I just said I would do it.”
“A crumb from the table of author John.”
“Stop. You are becoming a pain.”
“I suppose you are right.”
“Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“That’s a 1958 Ford F-100.”
“Converted to a tow truck. How neat is that?”
“It’s better than some of the rides lately.”
“One small issue.”
“Uh huh.”
“We have to drop off a car at the service station.”
“Is it on the way?”
“Would it make it a better story if it were on the way?”
“No. Just more convenient.”
“Well, it’s not. It is on the other side of Town.”
“Oh, perfect.”
“But we can spend quality time together.”
“And pretend we ate in the pub having cold Voo Doo Rangers.”
“Hmm. I see your point.”
“Ah, forget it. Let’s just get the tow over with, then on to the pub.”
“You are a mensch.”
Fiction Favorites 
Dang. Post cuts out right before the picture for me. Always enjoy the rides you find.
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Dang is right.
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And you tipped the delivery rooster – wow. Is this a new leaf?
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It is, after all, the holiday season.
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Sadly the post ended prematurely for me as well. No Uber pic but a delightful return to more of the characters that arrive at your door. Happy Saturday.
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The wrong version was published. Sorry about that.
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No worries. I thought maybe it was something on my end. Hope it’s all cool now.
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Foghorn Leghorn…he and Yosemite Sam were always my favorites.
haha! You are so clever!
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😊
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Oh, there was more! I thought you purposely ended the post with “Right over there.”– just giving us crumbs. 🙄😆
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You got crumb in the second sentence, even before the prompt. You must be clairvoyant. And a $10 tip – you are getting soft!
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It’s the holidays
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LOL, I love your security systems, John. The Klingons are a great touch. The whimsy of the conversation is terrific. By the way, your Thanksgiving post is fabulous. I hope you and yours enjoyed the day. Big hugs.
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We had a great time, Teagan. Thanks.
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Foghorn can be thankful for the 10-dollar tip. I guess you had a good time at the pub. Have a great weekend, John.
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Thanks, Tim. Somehow the post got cut off. Fixed now.
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Oh, I see your ride now. I wonder what happened. It’ll be a tight ride, but you’ll get there and have a good time, I ASSume.
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So how did Foghorn Leghorn rate a monetary tip when the others just get trite life advice? And where’s the Uber??
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The Uber is at Craig’s, Liz 😂🤣
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A cut-off post. Now fixed.
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Ah, that explains it!! 😆
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😂
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The post was cut off, Liz. It is fixed now. The tip was because of the holiday season.
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I just went back to it. Makes more sense now!
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😊
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I see you tipped Foghorn – you are definately mellowing. 😂
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Holiday cheer I think
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There are worse ways to spend a day. 😂
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Probably a lot of good stories on the “other” side of town. Call it research and write it off.
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I was expecting a bird since you only gave us a crumb, but Foghorn Leghorn was a nice addition, and he even got Thanksgiving tip, besides a Cock au vin recipe. Happy Thanksgiving, John.
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Thank you, Pat.
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Feed the alligators! Love the “Rusty Truck” photo (as we call him in our house.)
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That is certainly a very cool looking uber, well tow truck. I think pretending that you are at the pub having Voodoo Rangers is an excellent idea.
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Thank you, Thomas. It is pretending up to the point of drinking a Voo Doo Ranger Imperial. That actually happens on Saturday.
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Voo Doo Ranger Imperial is an excellent IIPA. My father-in-law has some in his fridge.
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I’d go visit him. 🤣
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LOL I think you are welcome any time
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😊
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Loving this read and that truck. Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving 🍁
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I did. I hope you had a happy Thanksgivng as well, Holly.
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It was very nice.😊
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Excellent. 😊
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Oh, to ride in a “Cars” wannabe truck! And Foghorn Leghorn is (I say, I say) a favorite.
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I say Miss Jennie. I’m sure you are a favorite of his.
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Haha! I hope so. 😀
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😊
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HELP!!!
I’m trapped in the moat with Foghorn. We’re hanging onto a hunk of wood, and he will not shit up… I say.. I say … he will not shut up!
Of course, he will not close his beak, even after I just shouted “Shut Up!”
He’s going on about how he knows how to shut up, if that’s what I want, he will shut up.
🙊X 🐔X
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You have a terrible situation for sure. I have found if you give Foghorn an ear of corn he will be quiet for two minutes. I have just airdropped 30 ears of corn. That will give you an hour of silence to figure out how to escape the moat. One has to wondr how you found yourself in the mat in the first place. 🐓X
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Glad I am late to the party… I got the good version of the post! And wow, holiday season is right for a tip in cash to be given.
It is a cute ride, though…
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Yes, you were smart to wait.
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🙂
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😊
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That is one cool tow truck!!
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I thought so, too, GP. 😊
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Hi John ….I am lucky I missed the week that you didn’t shut down the security system…. If you had not have mentioned it I would never have known.
Why are your Ubers so exciting…have a great week 💜💜
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The Uber choice is as a result of your co-author Dan Antion who finds the most fascinating rides.
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Aha! That explains a lot 💜💜💜
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Yes, it does
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Ha! Always a catch to the Uber ride. Fun post!
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Yes, there is. It’s discounted, so there has to be a catch. 😀
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Wait . . what? A tip! As for the tow, it could be worse, at least the ride is a cool one. And they’ll be that much thirstier on the flip side.
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You make all kinds of sense, Pilgrim. 😊
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Sometimes 😉
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😊
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