It is a long walk from the bedroom to the kitchen. Well, let’s say it seems like a long walk when the caffeine-deprived brain is screaming behind the eyeballs for immediate relief. To quiet the banshee inside my head, I choose two cups of that second export from Colombia. A finger touch is all it takes, and the steaming frothy cup is delivered post haste.

The first sip quelled the roaring neurons, and the room color went from pink to white. The realization that my burning eyes were giving the room the pink hue dawned on me just as the doorbell tripped the Westminster chimes. The quiet air was shattered with what sounded like a 747 in dire trouble, only to realize that a knuckle bone would be needed to restore the peace. Said bone was tossed into the soundproof room, followed by the Baskerville hounds and a door slam. Once the chimes finished their routine, the quiet almost made the ears hurt.

Checking the camera,  a lone Rooster image holding a sign that reads Message from Linda Hill greets the eye. “Just leave it,” is the instruction through the intercom. “Can’t,” came the reply. “It’s verbal.” “Then say it,” is the response. “Can’t. Need to verify your identity.” A big sigh while moving to disengage the security system. 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.

The tall thing before me looks very much like  Fog Horn Leghorn. He goes on about needing an ID before stating the message. Showing him my driver’s license finally gets him talking. “I say. I say there, John, your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “walk.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun, I say.” A quick thank you and a ten-dollar tip send the rooster on his way.

If you would like to see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2025/05/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-31-2025/

Walk by John W. Howell © 2025

“Well, that was a pleasant visitor.”

“I wish they would knock. I guess none of them read.”

“But then we would miss the fun of Twiggy and Tempeste barking.”

“I suppose.”

“Why no clock again this week?”

“The only thing going on was the May 30th incident in 1925 China.”

“The what?”

“Yeah, in China, there was a riot of workers, and the British killed thirteen of them in Shanghai.”

“Not something we want to see or walk through.”

“No, but it did give rise to the Communist Party in China. After the incident, membership went from 200 to 2000; the rest is history.”

“Now we know. Any history on Voo Doo Rangers.”

“You are about as subtle as a falling Mosler safe on that segway. There will be history after we get to the pub.”

“Now you’re talking. Uber is over there.

“Wow, that’s an oldy but goodie.”

“What do you figure a 1949 Chevy Truck?”

“Hard to say. The 49 through 53 looked pretty much the same. Anyway, it will be fun to take a ride.”

“It’s free, too.”

“What’s the catch?”

“We have to go through the paint shop on the way.”

“You gotta be kidding me. That will take a week.”

“Oh no, not for painting, just to pick out the color.”

“Well, that’s better. Let’s go.