If I could find the time, I planned to go to the Home Depot and pick up some stain for the fence.  The sad thing was I became so involved in a story that the day got away from me. I was writing a story about a guy wanting to buy a new motorcycle. He was very excited to be going to the motorcycle shop to pick out the new bike. He knew he wanted one in black but was unsure if he wished to use chrome or black trim. His friends all voted for the chrome, but he thought it might be too much.

Finally, the time came for him to start out for his appointment with the sales clerk. For the occasion, he put on his black jeans and Harley t-shirt. He had never owned a Harley but felt the t-shirt might give him some credibility when talking to the clerk. Of course, he knew everything there was to know about Harleys. He had been saving for ten years and studied the bikes since he decided to buy one once he had the money.

Leaving his house and opening the door of his Ford Focus, he noticed a strange vehicle heading his way. It was nothing he had ever seen before on a main street. As the speeding machine got closer, he could make out that it was a giant steam roller that looked like it was out of control. When it jumped the curb and rolled over his Focus, he was left holding what was left of the door. The operator jumped down and thanked him for helping stop the out-of-control menace. The guy was still in shock but nodded to acknowledge the compliment. The operator then handed him an envelope and a card and told him to call the company and his car would be taken care of for sure. The operator walked away. The guy looked at the envelope and had a thought that his car was just as flat. He opened the envelope and here’s what was written on a piece of paper. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “if.” Start your post with the word “If.” Enjoy!

If you would like to enjoy go to Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2021/10/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-16-2021/

If by John W. Howell © 2021

“If you had not taken all the words, we might have had some fun with the prompt.”

“I guess you didn’t like it.”

“Well, for one. Did the guy get his Harley?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean, ‘I don’t know?'”

“I didn’t finish the story.”

“You said it took you all day.”

“Well, some things can’t be rushed.”

“How did the operator know to give the guy the envelope?”

“He was clairvoyant.”

“Come on.”

“Okay, slight plot hole.”

“Slight? You could drive a car through that hole. How wasn’t the guy killed standing there staring at a runaway steam roller like a dope.”

“As I said, he was left with the door. Obviously, the roller missed him.”

“But holding the door, he would’ve been dragged into the wreckage.”

“Apparently not.”

“Dumb story.”

“Thank you. You get to buy the beer because of your sharp review skills.”

“Did you ever get the stain?”

“No.”

“Okay, we’ll stop on the way to the pub.”

“I’m not sure of the color yet.”

“So you never were going to get stain?”

“No.”

“You ought to be in jail for fraud.”

“Poetic license.”

“It should be revoked. Let’s go.”

Being a lovely Saturday morning, I decided to motor to the local Starbucks for an overpriced coffee and blueberry scone. Arriving at the drive-through, I quickly calculated and figured I would be in line for thirty minutes. Heaving a big sigh, I pulled around to the parking area, grabbed my mask, and headed inside.

There was another line, but it was moving quickly. When my turn came, I ordered a Grande with room for cream and a blueberry scone. “All out of blueberry scones.” I thought a cheeky reply from the mixed purple and green-haired barista. I said to make it a plain scone then and was informed that it was also sold out. “What do you have?” She/her told me that they have everything else. By now, I had lost the desire for a scone and decided I would just get the coffee.

“John,” someone called. My coffee was sitting on the counter, and beside it was a blueberry scone. Not wanting to challenge fate, I took both and went to the service counter. I pulled the lid from the coffee and added some half and half. I sensed the shadow of a big guy pulling up behind me, so I made quick work of the stirring and turned to leave.

“You have my scone,” he said. His voice was so low and quiet I didn’t fully understand what he said. “My scone.” He surprised me with a louder voice. I suddenly understood that to continue to not understand might earn me a knuckle sandwich. I told him I was sorry and handed him the scone. He smiled and asked if I was John, who did a blog. I told him I was and he gave me an envelope. It seems he followed me to Starbucks for the purpose of delivery. He told me his name was Dog, the Prompt Deliverer.

I opened the envelope and read Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “lid.” Use it in the literal sense, use it in the metaphorical sense, use it any way you’d like. Have fun! While I was reading, Dog walked out the front door.\

If you would like to have, fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link  https://lindaghill.com/2021/10/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-october-9-2021/

Lid by John W. Howell © 2021

‘Put a lid on it.”

“Huh?”

“I want to use today’s prompt metaphorically.”

“Who you telling to put a lid on it and why.”

“I was rehearsing for my meeting with the POA.”

“Uh oh. What did you do?”

“Nothing. Well, I put up a sign protesting the dues increase.”

“And they told you to take it down?”

“They took it down.”

“Can they do that?”

“Yes.”

“So, what’s the point.”

Not sure. I just want to air my grievance.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll pay the dues.”

“But you will have been able to tell them they need to put a lid on more increases.”

“Not exactly. By ‘put a lid on it,’ I mean for them to shut the hell up.”

“Oh. I think it’s going to be a short meeting.”

“Maybe a visit to the pub might be more productive.”

“You think?”

“Let’s go.”