The cofee (whoops. A typo) machine stands like a beacon in the post-apocalyptic world of my head during caffeine withdrawal. The steady flow of soothing elixir brings appetizer-like aromas that promise relief. The first sip stops the zombie moans in my brain. The second is accompanied by the combination of the Westminster Chimes of the doorbell and the eardrum-puncturing baying of Igor’s hounds in Twiggy and Tempeste’s reaction to the chimes. A quick toss of two knuckle bones into the soundproof room, followed by the slamming of the door, brings a Deep Purple Hush back to the room.
A glance at the monitor shows Chip and Dale, the chipmunks, each holding either a clipboard or a letter. Since talking to them is futile, the security shutdown process begins.
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 front door fed. The vat of boiling oil set to warm. Monty Python’s Harmless Little Rabbit’s cage is closed. The front door is opened.
Chip hands me the letter and Dale the clipboard. When signed, the clipboard goes back to Dale with a fiver under the clip. Thinking that they might have a problem with the money, a bag of unshelled peanuts follows the clipboard.
Once inside, the letter is opened, and it is from Linda Hill. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “typo.” Use it any wya way you’d like. Have fun!
If you would like to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2026/09/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-19-2026/
Typo by John W. Howell © 2026
“Chip and Dale? Where did you come up with them?”
“I was looking around for a character, and they just came to me.”
“I can see them trying to spend the five bucks.”
“That’s why I gave them the peanuts.”
“Yeah. Where did they come from?”
“This is fiction, remember.”
“Ah. Poetic license.”
“You got it.”
“Speaking of license.”
“Did you call Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo courtesy of Tom Okragly
“What the heck is that thing?”
“It’s a 1939 Buick sedan retrofitted for rail inspections.”
“How is that going to get us to the pub?”
“The pub is on the mainline.”
“Since when?”
“This is fiction, remember.”
“Stumbled onto my own patard.”
“What?”
“Never mind. So we just hop in there and go to the pub?”
“Well.”
“I knew it. A hitch.”
“A small one.”
“Okay, give it to me.”
“We have to take a ride on the Reading Railroad.”
“Why’s that?”
“The card said so. We landed on chance.”
“For heaven’s sake. You are taking this fiction thing a bit far.”
“Fun, though, right?”
“Okay, let’s get going. We might get there by tonight.”
“The Reading is in Pennsylvania ”
“And we are in Texas.”
“I hope you have some VooDoo Rangers.”
“You bet.”
“Let’s go then.”
That’s a really weird car. Not sure I’d get into it out of fear of a train.
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You have to keep your eyes open for sure. 😄
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Loads of fun, John! Thanks for the smiles throughout this lovely piece of fiction. Happy Saturday.
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Happy Saturday to you, Monika, and Thanks.
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Chip and Dale were great characters. Compared to today’s junk. I feel bad for the kids. So many of the old characters were actually fun and entertaining. Maybe a few today but not many. Anyway, doing an oil change on that car took all day and forget changing a tire?
Well, have a fun ride to Reading. Don’t forget your $200 for passing go !!!
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Tom. 😀
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The cow catcher and bell are a nice touch.
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I thought so, too.
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How about the clever input from TO… he’s always “on point”. Sometimes l don’t like him at all😂. Very nice, Tom…
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He is very helpful. 😄
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John, the tires may be hard to change but that baby wins ALL the destruction dirbys❗🐳
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I can believe that. Thanks, 🐳
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Enjoy your trip, fellas!
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🚂 😄 Thanks, Liz
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You’re welcome, John.
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Tipping chipmunks 5 dollars and peanuts is generous, John. Riding an 83-year-old Buick on the rails could be interesting. I hope it got you where you wanted to go.
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We are still on the rails. Another 12 hours. 😀 Thanks, Tim.
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😊
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Well, this was fun! I saw the Chippendale’s with a girlfriend at our state fair a good many years ago. State Fair is listed as a ‘family event.’ Seriously. We left the family at home and had a blast. Could not wipe the smiles off our faces the next day at work.
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Great story, Lois. Thank you.
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Taking a 1939 Buick railcar down the Reading Railroad to hit the pub is definitely the most stylish way to travel! Such fun dialogue and clever storytelling as always. Hope you guys made it down the track in time for a cold Voodoo Ranger!
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😄
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You got the typo out of the way, early. Rest was kind of fun. Have you seen cars with flip down wheels so they can inspect the rails and when done revert to tires?
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I have seen those. 😊
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choo choo
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😊
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That is a very cool uber and I also have a Voodoo Ranger. It is a fun essay and not too many typos (pun intended)
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Thomas
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That’s a classy way to get down the tracks for inspections. Nicely played today, John!
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Thank you, Deborah. 😊
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I am glad I got to visit with you guys today… the security is even tighter than on my last visit!
That car is really weird.. I loved it 💜💜😔
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I’m glad you liked it, Willow. Thanks for the visit
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Always a pleasure 💜
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😊
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Take a ride on the Reading. I hope you have $200 and it’s available. The railroads always worked for me. Of course they worked against me when my daughter bought them first.
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They certainly were a pain when someone owned all four.
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Gosh, I loved Chip and Dale when I was a kid! Actually that Uber sounds like fun … as long as you don’t have to drive 😉
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I wonder if you can get in the backseat and the thing drives itself?
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The bag of peanuts was really swell of you. You’re a gem Boss, truly a gem. Can ya give me a light for this Chesterfield? I want to enjoy a smoke before we head to Reading.
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Here, take a light off my Pall Mall. 😀
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You’re a standup guy.
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Ha ha ha.
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This post was like VooDoo.
You got in the prompts, a cool old car.. made to ride the rails no less, the prompt, a Monopoly game entity, a heavy rock band, beer, Uber and topped it off with Chip and Dale.
The only thing I could not find was an actual typo.
Thnaks John!
OX 🐂 OX
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Right up front was the typo. I even labeled it 😊X
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YES!!! I did see that… then forgot. Oops! OX
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Ha ha ha. 😆X
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🧡X
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❤️X
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LOL
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Glad you got a laugh, Dawn.
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Love the cofee typo, and who doesn’t love Chip and Dale? You did good with the peanuts. What a great ride on the Reading Railroad in the coolest Uber ever. VooDoo Rangers will be necessary and welcome.
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So glad you liked the post, Jennie.😀
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