Wanting something different instead of the usual two cups of coffee, the flat white button looks appealing. No wait. Maybe a cappuccino. How about a latte or really go big with a latte macchiato? The red blinking light behind the eyeballs tells me to make a quick decision. An espresso is the choice for its mainline attribute. One sip and all the warning buzzers and anvil pounding cease. They are replaced with the Westminster chimes of the doorbell and the ear drum-shredding cacophony of the two protectors of the manse.
A quick toss of a beef bone into the soundproof room and a slam of the door brings back the joy of silence. The security monitor shows a skunk resembling Pepe Le Pew on the porch. As usual, the call is made through the intercom regarding the nature of the skunk’s visit. It is determined that an envelope awaits a signature. My mind questions how to handle a skunk delivery person, and why would anyone use a skunk for that purpose?
With a sigh, the security system needs to be shut down.
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 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.
The skunk hands me the envelope and the clipboard. While holding my breath, the transaction is complete. No time to even consider a tip since my air supply has run out, and the blue alarm flashing in my brain signals little time before passing out. A slam of the door, a huge exhale, and a massive inhale restore the hemostats.
The envelope has a message from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “usual.” 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/2025/12/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-13-2025/
Usual by John W. Howell © 2025
“Well, that was pretty usual.”
“Sounds like a review.”
“Well, it seems you could juice that preamble up a bit.”
“Tell me how.”
“Dump the security shutdown and maybe add in a different way to present Linda Hill’s prompt.”
“*crickets*”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You just cut the heart out of the preamble. Besides, there are a few who get a kick out of the shutdown, like Tom and our late pal Dan.”
“Okay, okay, how about the visitor?”
“What about the visitor?”
“What about the visitor?”
“You have some cartoon character show up.”
“Folks like to remember those characters.”
“But you don’t talk to them.”
“I know just the memory is enough. Tell you what.”
“What?”
“We could let the VooDoo bit go.”
“Are you crazy. Let’s just leave everything as usual.”
“Uber?”
“Over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“That looks like an International Harvester pick-up from the 50s.”
“It is a beauty.”
“Room for the three of us.”
“Yup. One thing, though.”
“Talk about usual.”
“We have to pick up a car on the way to the pub.”
“Then what?”
“Well…we have to fix it.”
“Do you know anything about fixing cars?”
“No, do you?”
“This is another fine kettle of fish you have gotten us into.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“Here’s what we are going to do. The guy picks up the car. We drive to the pub in the car and fix it there.”
“Great idea. Then if we can’t fix it, at least we will be at the pub.”
“Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
You are the master of telling a story through dialogue. Great pick-up!
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Thank you, Esther. I like dialogue a lot. 😊
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Completely bonkers, but I still have the giggles. . .
Suggestion for next week, have you ever thought of taking up a new hobby, John? Tee hee. Cheers. Joy Lennick
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I guess I could try wordworking. 🤣
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I don’t think you need worry a jot about your words, John!! Yours always behave impeccably. Cheers. Joy x
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Thank you, Joy. 😊
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I’m not sure that car is going to get fixed. Maybe you can buy the owner a VooDoo when he shows up. By the way, what are you feeding the Klingons?
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Good question. Worms and domesticated Targ. It is a chore to keep them supplied, I can tell you.
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Pepe le Pew at last. Long may he visit 🦨
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He only stayed a moment, but I enjoyed seeing him too. Thanks, Robbie.
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😄
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😊
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An unusually fine looking truck but the usual destination and reason. Glad the girls didn’t get sprayed by the skunk.
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One night, when I lived in Connecticut, I was working very late and came home. I opened the door of my car and hit a skunk. He sprayed me and the inside of the car. When I finally got into bed, my wife asked, “Have you been drinking?” Almost died laughing.
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Sounds like a series of unfortunate events. When I first met my husband to be, he had a convertible. We parked outside the house and he talked about the deformed cat he saw walk by the convertible with the top down. The deformed cat was actually a skunk who fortunately didn’t spray us. I had forgotten that until I read your comment.
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Ha ha ha. lucky.
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Now, that’s a disastrous encounter!
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Had to dispose of the car, and it was only two years old.
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Talk about adding insult to injury!
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I know, right?
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That truck looks suspiciously clean. Was wondering about the cartoon visitors. Are they always looney tunes? Trying to remember if you ever pulled from the other animation pantheons of old.
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Mostly Looney tunes since they were my favorite. Have done others
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I love the preamble! Don’t change a thing. Keep painting those vivid images with your words.
Happy Saturday, John!
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Thank you, Jill. Happy Saturday to you too
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”Sorry, dear. We’re broke down at the pub. Not my fault.” I love it.
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Built in excuse. 😀
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Really, a dialogue with a skunk? 😉 What a wonderful story, John! Where can i get such a wonderful pickup? Best wishes, Michael
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That is a classic. Very rare.
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Loved the Uber! Can I drive?
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Dump the security shutdown??! What in the heck kind of crazy talk is that??! Obviously needs more coffee.
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🤣
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I hope you liked the espresso, John. It’s nice and strong. Good thing you shut down the security for Pepe Le Pew. You wouldn’t have got the prompt from Linda. That’s an interesting Uber ride.
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Thanks Tim. I did have to hurry since the air was at a premium.
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Hotdamn! Now *that’s* a fine ride. What a gorgeous old truck. It’s a suitable finale for this fun post, John. When I read “*crickets*” I laughed out loud. Poor skunk delivery people… erm, okay delivery creatures (?) They probably never get a tip. Hugs.
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Certainly not something that I wanted hang around and reward.
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Let’s flip to see who gets to be the designated driver and who gets to be the designated fixer ? Of course it will be the usual guarantee on the repairs… Voodoo Mechanics and Beer Removal Service Inc. No job too big or small.
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I’ll let you be the drinker. I love the name VooDoo Mechanics and Beer Removal. 😊
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Saw a Beer Removal services T-shirt once. It has a nice ring to it…
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I would say.
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Your posts are never “usual.” Peeeuuu, though, that is one stinky stunk. But great word play, which for you, IS the usual.
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Aw Thank you, Pamela . 😊
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Wonderful….in Australia. Geri
Geri A. Lennon
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Australia? What the heck are you doing in. Australia?
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The return of Pepe Le Pew!
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At least once a year.
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I think sending a skunk to make the delivery stink. Anyway, nice looking car. You may not know how to fix it but you can’t drive drunk anyway.
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So true. Thanks, Thomas. 😊
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fun
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Thank you, Yvette.
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🎄🌞🎄
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😀
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Good morning 🌞🌄
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It is a good morning. Now, on to building a beautiful day. Thank you for the visit.
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Thank you
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What did she mean you don’t talk to them? You usually leave them a worded tip! One can forgive you for no tip this time…it’s Pepe Le Pew after all and those who know…know! 🤢🫢🦨
That’s a neat vintage truck. I love the candy apple red.
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It is a great example of the vintage of Internatinal Harvester
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I’ve always loved Pepe. Good thing you held your breath! I’m one of your ‘no changes, please’ fans. Who is the late Dan?
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He is a friend of mine who passed away. He loved all the security stuff and added the trebuchet to the mix.
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Thank you for letting me know, John.
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😊 Thanks for asking. Dan would love to know someone was curious.
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🙂
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😊
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