One knows when the machine is going to function correctly. There are no knocks or pings, and the aroma begins immediately. This knowledge comes from years of experience relying on machines for life-affirming elixir. Today is good in that the liquid pours from the twin spouts like it is happy to see me.

One sip and my mind turns to the clock. It is set for Saturday, October 18, 1924, and the location is the Polo Grounds in New York. The duration is an hour, and when the plunger is pulled, we find ourselves in the stands surrounded by screaming fans.

In one of the most anticipated games of the 1924 college football season, played before 60,000 at the Polo Grounds stadium in New York City, Notre Dame defeated Army, 13 to 7. Nationally syndicated sportswriter Grantland Rice wrote his famous “Four Horsemen” column published in the next day’s newspapers.

The article included the famous lines.”Outlined against a blue-gray October sky,” Rice wrote, “the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore, they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction, and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley, and Layden.”

Just as it was time to run on the field, the alarm goes off and we are back on the couch. A text from Linda Hill has this week’s prompt. It reads:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “starts with ‘kn.’” Find a word that starts with the letters “kn” and 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/2024/10/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-19-2024/

Kn by John W. Howell ©2024

“You went to Notre Dame, didn’t you?”

“I sure did. Got my MBA there.”

“I don’t think Notre Dame fans have changed.”

“No, just as enthusiastic as ever.”

“I’ll bet you all knocked back a few beers on game day.”

“That we did. Of course, being older, I was under control.”

“I’m sure you were. Your knack for keeping me in line should be applauded.”

“Speaking of that, did you contact Uber?”

“Right over there.”

“An old Dodge Ram?”

“An old Dodge Ram tanker, I might add.”

“The age-old question is, where are we going to sit?”

“There is plenty of room. I would wear your sunglasses, though.”

“why’s that?”

“There’s no windshield, so you need to protect your eyes.”

“Why do we get these junk heaps anyway?”

“Two extra VooDooRangers.”

“Huh?”

“We save enough for two extra VooDoo Rangers.”

“Okay, but who can drink two extra?”

“That is another problem. Here, let me help you get into the Dodge.”

 

 

 

 

A note on the coffee machine held in place by a clip made a heart-stopping announcement: THE MACHINE IS OUT OF ORDER. This is the message from hell. There is no signature and, therefore, no avenue of appeal. How can the machine be out of order? What manner of trickery is this? Who is responsible? All are good questions, followed by the sound of crickets.

There is only one thing left to do before my carbon unit goes into shutdown mode.

A trip to the coffee store is now a matter of life and death. There can be no delay since neurons in my brain are beginning to misfire. One fist won’t open so it is clear before any more symptoms develop, survival demands a shutdown of the security system and quick exit.

The turret machine guns are set to stand by, the boiling oil cauldron tipping mechanism is turned off, and the automated arrow launching pods are unarmed. In addition, the Trebuchet, ballista, and falling rock device are switched to manual. The claymore mines are set to manual, the mote net rolled back, and the concertina wire retracted. The Iron gate is raised, and the bolts are thrown on the front door.

There is a guy standing on the porch with a large carryout container of Dunkin Donuts coffee. “Is that world-famous author J.W. Howell?”

“Uh, I’m J. W. Howell”

“Good. Here’s your coffee.”

I take it in my only functioning hand and thank the man. He nods and then leaves. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, a big sip of the magical liquid brings me back to life. Just as my memory returns, I feel the buzz of an incoming text. It is from Linda Hill and reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “clip.” Use it as a noun or a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/10/11/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-12-2024/

Clip by John W. Howell © 2024

“Did you ever find out what was wrong with the machine?”

“No. I did a self-repair and was good as new by the afternoon.”

“Who put the clip with the note?”

“I have no idea.”

“Who called for the delivery?”

“I know this will sound strange, but I think the machine did.”

“Oh, come on. Machines can’t do that.”

“This one almost seems alive. I haven’t told anyone this, but I lock the kitchen door when I go to bed.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. I know it sounds nuts, but that thing gives me the willies.”

“Why not get a different one?”

“Cause it makes the best coffee.”

“Yeah, that reminds me of the old joke about the five-dollar-a-day workhand.”

“Haven’t heard it.”

“This farmer has a five dollar-a-day work and who burned all his crops and set fire to the barn and house. When asked if he fired the guy, he said. ‘No.'”

“No? why not?”

“His answer was, ‘Where am I going to get a five-dollar-a-day workhand to replace him.'”

“Good one, Henny Youngman. Order an Uber.”

“Right over there. You have a choice today.”

 

A new FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser or..”

“Your old 1978 FJ40 Land Cruiser

“Wow, that is a tough choice. In fact, my old FJ brings a tear to the eye.”

“Don’t get carried away. Just choose.”

“I’m choosing the old one.”

“Good. Let’s go. Remember that the old one has a top-end clip of 60 miles an hour, so it will take a little time.”

“I’m ready.”