Imagine my pique when I approach the coffee machine and see these words on the touchscreen. Of course, the action taken was as any red-blooded person would take. The touchscreen was cleared, and the two coffee buttons engaged. The coffee machine growled to life and delivered the elixir that would put to rest the hammer-meets-anvil sound in my head, indicating a dangerously low level of caffeine. The first sip does just that. The second, as we have come to expect, is accompanied by what sounds like the crashing crescendo of a Yamaha grand piano hitting the Grand Canyon floor. It is the Westminster chime of the doorbell and the baying of Igor’s hounds by Twiggy and Tempeste at the peak of their Barking Back to St Louis duet.
The toss of a bone into the soundproof room and a slam of the door brought Oh Happy Day back to life. A peek at the security monitor confirms that someone on the porch is none other than Pepé Le Pew. Hoping to be able to talk him out of a personal interaction, for obvious reasons, I ask if the envelope he is holding can be left. He assures me that a signature is needed. With a sigh, the security shut down is begun.
The B-2 bomber squadron and the F-35 escort must be called off. One call does it. The tank corps and gunboats are told to stand by. The Apache helicopters are rerouted. The electric shock fence is turned off. The drawbridge over the quicksand is lowered. The robot attack dogs returned to their charging station. The laser-guided machine guns on the roof are set to caution. The nest filled with rattlesnakes put away. The bucket filled with 1000 marbles is locked down. The tear gas canisters shut off. The electrified welcome mat set to off. The fall-away sidewalk into the pit filled with spikes is locked. The hornet’s nest closed. The water cannons are set to safety. Bear traps are set to off. Peregrine Falcons perched on the roof above the front door were fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. The front door is opened.
With a clothespin on my nose, the clipboard is signed and returned. A ten-dollar bill is clipped to the board, and the life tip is passed to Pepé. “Don’t play rugby in a cowfield.” The door is shut, and the envelope is opened. Inside is a note from Lnda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “peak/peek/pique.” Use one, use all three (for bonus points), use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/06/26/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-27-2026/
Peak/Peek/Pique by John W. Howell © 2026
“Well, nailed the bonus points.”
“Yup. Seemed to work well.”
“What about that coffee machine.”
“I’m the boss.”
“Okay but don’t you need coffee.”
“I do and I’m sure the machine knows that.”
“So shouldn’t you give it some time off?”
“Are you kidding me? It makes three cups of coffee a week. plus some speciality coffees on the weakend.”
“Sounds like a lot.”
“Oh please? It’s not like it is a Starbucks or something. The thing sleeps all day and night and only works five minutes a day.”
“Okay, okay. Didn’t mean to hit the pigue button.”
“Also it is not even near it’s peak capacity. A couple of old folks having coffee is nothing.”
“Okay, I get it. Let’s take a peek at the Uber car over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“I give up. Whar the heck is that?’
“Look like a half finished Ford Bronco.”
“With a milk carton for a seat.”
“Yeah about that.”
“What?’
“The guy borrowed the carton so we have to use our own lawn chairs.”
“I can’t wait to get my hands on a cold VooDoo Ranger. Maybe things will get better.”
“I’ll go get the lwan chairs and the goggles.”
“Goggles?”
“There is a lot of dust and stuff in that Bronco. I’m sure it is going to blow around once we hit the highway.”
“So wearing winter white might be a mistake.”
“I hear Dalmation print is in.”
“Go get the chairs.”
Fiction Favorites 
I’d advise passing on that Uber, fellas.
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Ha ha ha, Good advice Liz. 😀
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Thanks, John!
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😊
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Pepe got the double tip! Not to be confused with the double tap. Good for him.
Hope your coffee machine hasn’t been in conversations with the union coffee machines . . .
And yes, I will take a lawn chair over a milk carton. Any day.
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I’d love to see the lawn chair movement with quick starts and stops. Could be quite funny. 😄
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I think so too. Maybe not for the occupants but the bystanders? Oh yeah.
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Ha ha ha.
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😉
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Pepe Le Pew to o open air Bronco, is there a theme theme somewhere?
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Now that you mention it. 😀
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: }
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Have the driver start out slow in that Uber so you don’t tip those chairs over. I like the Dalmation print comment.
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Thanks, Dan. 😀
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Definitely feeling that coffee machine’s vibe. Need so many days off.
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Hope you get some rest.
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Maybe one day.
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That sure is a fancy looking coffee maker. Is that a model #LL3424-7765X ?
Mine is just a drip style 1234-1. It doesn’t have any features except a button to push to start. I am envious of the space age machine you have there. Good luck with your ride. Looks a bit ify.
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Yes, it is fancy cause I like my coffee with a robust aroma and flavor, and not just colored water. The ride does look iffy for sure. Thanks, Tom
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John, that Pepé Le Pew is a pique wherever he goes…dunk his butt in super glue and be done with him🦨…🐳
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I think just staying upwind of him will work. Thanks, Jim
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The way you describe the coffee hitting… well, I need a coffee now. lol Great post!
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Thank you, Kymber. Glad you liked it. 😀
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Having a clothespin on your nose to face Pepé Le Pew is probably correct, John. I hope it’s a decent ride to the pub and back.
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A lot of dust, I’m sure. Thanks, Tim. 😀
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You’re welcome, John. 😊
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A fun and entertaining read! I really enjoyed the humor, witty dialogue, and creative imagination throughout the story. The ending made me smile. Thanks for sharing another enjoyable post!
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Hahahahahahaha! If the front seat of your Bronco is a lawn chair, you might — I say you just might be a redneck. I got a kick of the time-off request from the coffee maker too. Thanks for making me laugh, John. Hugs.
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I’m so glad you got a laugh, Teagan. Hugs.
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Yes you don’t want to mess with Pepé Le Pew. That is an interesting looking uber. I had Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA today as well as a Yellow Rose from Lone Pint.
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I had one as well. (VooDoo that is) Have never tried a Yellow Rose.
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Voodoo Ranger IPA is a little bit more bitter (which is good in an IPA) but Yellow Rose (ABV 6.8% and IBU 62) is well balanced, right in the middle, a bit fruity, citrus, mango, blueberries, and some maltiness and pine resin (like Voodoo). I have to admit I love Yellow Rose.
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I’ll have to try it. Thanks for the tasting notes
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A ride in that thing might be rough on the gluteus maximus but something tells me that we’d be laughing all the way. By the way, when do we ride in your Tesla truck, assuming you have one?
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Don’t have one. My wife has a Hummer EV. It is a monster.
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Cool ride. Lock the hubs in, crack a Lonestar, and go off roading.
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I used to love doing that in my 1978 Toyota FJ 40. Lock the hubs, remove the doors, and ditch the hardtop. Hi/lo Four Wheel Drive could get through anything.
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Lawn chairs and no seat belts in that truck? I’d have to nominate your for a Darwin Award!
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Ha ha ha. That’s for sure. Thanks, Noelle.
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OH, now that is so cool and retro.
Milk crate furniture was all the rage back when.
When?
When I didn’t have any money. Now, we still have a few for our old LPs.
Hmm… Bronco, eh? That brings back some killer memories.
𝕆𝖃 𝕆𝖃 𝕆𝖃
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I never had to do milk crate, but went to used furniture shops and garage sales and then refinished the furniture. 😊🛠️
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Nice!
Garage sales were above my pay scale, lol.
Trying to be the world’s next Dior wasn’t paying.
💃🏽𝓧
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😀X
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.. but I tried. 𝔒𝔛
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🐂
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Dalmation print cracked me up!
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😀
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You nailed the prompt and the half-finished Bronco is hilarious!! Lawn chairs. 😁😁😁
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Thank you, Jan. Glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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As always, a whole host of smiles in your Stream of Consciousness post, John. Well done.
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Thank you, Monika. Glad you enjoyed it.
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