In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo ( below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The photo
The Wait by John W. Howell © 2021
“So Trevor, old boy. How have you been lately?”
“You are talking like we don’t share living space. You know how things have been lately.”
“I’m just trying to make conversation while we wait.”
“Yeah, well, don’t bother. Those humans will be in there forever. Or at least, it will seem forever.”
“What goes on in there.”
“See that horseshoe?”
“Yes, I do now.”
“That is a sign of luck.”
“And what does a sign of luck mean?”
“We’ll be lucky to get out of here in less than two hours.”
“Why do you say that?”
“See that beaded curtain?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Once a human goes through a beaded curtain, it is like the brain is wiped clean.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“Inside beaded curtains are all kinds of weird things. There’s tea to drink.”
“That doesn’t take long.”
“Cakes to eat.”
“Yum. I could do that in a second.”
“Leaves to read.”
“Huh?”
“These people finish their tea and then look at the dregs at the bottom for guidance.”
“Like sniffing a fireplug?”
“I suppose. They put their nose in it and get all up in the leaves.”
“I know I need to get my nose all up in things to get a read on them too.”
“Also, there are things.”
“Things?”
“Yes, shelves of things. Useless crap like soap and those smelly sticks.”
“I remember we ate a couple of those. Mom kept yelling about her defusers. I thought that maybe there would be an explosion.”
“I remember that too. Pretty funny. The most feared of all items is a scarf or hat the gets put on for a picture.”
“A picture of the humans?”
“No, you dolt. A picture of us.”
“Us?”
“See my pose.”
“Yes.”
“Imagine some hideous scarf or bunny ears.”
“The horror, the horror.”
“Yes. You describe it well. Was that your Marlon Brando voice?”
“Thanks. Been working on that. Why don’t we just take off?”
“Whhhaaaattt? We were given the command ‘wait.'”
“So it is just a word.”
“Don’t be a fool. Behind that word is all the things we hold dear. Kibble, treats, ear scratch, belly rub, fetch, delivery person barking—”
“Okay, I get it. We will stay till our hinnies hurt. I just hope the hat and scarf thing is not in the cards.”
“You want to play a game of cards?”
“Sure, which one?”
“I’m thinking of a card. You tell me which one.”
“The three of clubs.”
“Nope. That’s not it.”
“Hey wait a minute.”
“You are too quick for me. It was the Ace of Spades. I’m thinking of another.”
“Queen of hearts.”
“Nope.”
