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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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. Thank you for taking part.”

Check out Keith’s post for the stories from last week. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2022/10/24/kreative-kue-383/

The photo.

The Call by John W. Howell © 2022

“Yah, hello.”

“Who’s this?”

“What do you mean who’s this? The phone was ringing in this booth and I answered it. Who’s this?”

“You first.”

“No way. I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait. Is this the Sanford residence?”

“No. This is a phone booth on Sussex.”

“Where on Sussex?”

“Why does that matter?”

“It might be close to the Sanford residence.”

“So what?”

“Maybe you can run over there and tell Mrs. Sanford, she has a call.”

“Not on your life. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait. it just may be my life.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was told to call Mrs. Sanford and tell her to deliver one million pounds to the park or her husband gets it.”

“Why not call the police?”

“They told me not to do that.”

“What do you care?”

“I’m Mr. Sanford.”

“And you don’t know your damn phone number?”

“I do but I think I misdialed. I’m a tad nervous.”

“Where are you now?”

“In a dark room.”

“Can’t you call for help?”

“They are only letting me make one call.”

“And you muffed it.”

“It appears so.”

“Okay, then what’s the address.”

“126 Sussex. Tell her the thugs will call with a location.”

“Okay then. You sure you can give the thugs the right number?”

“Good point. I’ll try but could you stay by the booth just in case?”

“I’m on holiday and other things to do.”

“More important than saving a life?”

“Pretty ignorant life at that.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I’ll go to your house then standby the booth.”

“You are a mensch.”

“How long?”

“How long what?”

“Till the thugs call?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“Could you?”

“What?”

“Ask them.”

“When I see them I will.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Thank you ever so much.”

“Sure. What’s in a holiday anyway.”