A ton of rain last night. The lightning was spectacular, with what could be called friendly thunder. It more or less rolled like some songwriters describe. It brought to mind that time when a heavy downpour and wind took out the tent in the backyard. A quick check confirmed that the tent was still there. The coffee machine rewarded that result with a piping hot, creamy, big cup of cappuccino. The first sip brought the head-cracking sound of the Westminster chimes resulting from some idiot pushing the doorbell with a sign over it not to do that.” Twiggy and Tempest put several scratches in the ceiling as they defy gravity to ward off the intruder that death is imminent. A knuckle bone tossed into the soundproof room saves the crystal from turning to dust. Slamming the door while making a mental note that a skull and crossbones must also be put out by the doorbell.
A glance at the camera playback shows a sign that says, “Special Delivery from Linda Hill.” Screaming through the intercom to just leave it, it is responded to by two words. “Must sign.” Cursing quietly, the security shut-down process begins. 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 control panel makes the shutdown of the security system process simpler. The boiling oil vats are put on standby, the Trebuchet on safety, the concertina wire rolled, the Claymore mines reset, the tower Gattling guns disengaged, the moat net dropped, the alligators fed, the IEDs and shoulder-held rockets put away. The locks on the door are thrown.
Standing before me with the sign is the stinkiest delivery person on the planet. This person appears to look and smell very much like Pepe Le Peu. Under his arm is a cat blinking help me in Morse code with her eyelids. Pepe hands me the envelope and a clipboard. Once signed, he and the cat disappear down the road. The envelope is opened and the message is clear Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “that time.” 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/2025/05/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-24-2025/
That Time by John W. Howell © 2025
“Remember that time when we had a ride in the back of an Uber truck.”
“There have been so many inconveniences to remember, I can’t recall.”
“There were cows in there and we had to share space with the,”
“I really don’t recall. Are you making that up?”
“No. I just want you to know things could be worse.”
“Worse than what?”
“Today’s Uber.”
“Oh no. You did another deal.”
“Yup. They are going to pay us for riding.”
“Oh, oh. When that happens, it means work.”
“Not this time. Look over there.”
“Nope, sorry. Not doing it this time.”
“There’s room in the front for three.”
“So why are they paying us?”
“They need new business, and they figure you and I are great influencers.”
“Where did they get that idea?”
“I told them about your two million subscribers.”
“You what?”
“Yeah. They were impressed. I also told them how you put VooDoo Ranger on the map.”
“You call them back and tell them you made a mistake.”
“How about I call them from the pub after our VooDoos?”
“That sounds fine, but we will pay the guy.”
“I’m broke.”
“What’s new. Fine, I’ll pay the guy.”
“You are a mensch, you know?”
“Another word for sucker. Let’s go.”
