Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
Today’s extraordinary photo by John Nixon is a rerun of the prompt for the last story I wrote – under a different alias – in Scotland before leaving for France three years ago this week.
Doesn’t time fly when you live in paradise.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
Copyright John Nixon
Piano Player
Are you sure he knows what he is doing?
Well, he says he is a professional.
Do we know if he is any good?
He says that he is the best.
But at that angle, really?
He says he has been playing for years.
Do you think he has the right tool for the job?
He says he has made sweet music all over Europe and the USA with it.
He won’t damage anything inside the piano?
Says it will come out clean as a whistle.
And he really thinks he can get his ball onto the green from there?
I had to read that twice, not being of the tribe that plays golf.
Brilliant and nicely twisted.
Haha–something about the feel and sound of this reminds me of The Cat in the Hat. I enjoyed it!
Any reference to the great man has me purring with pleasure.
My alter ego – currently seeking a publisher for his latest children’s book which is adorned with fabulous near-Seussian images by an ultra-talented Canadian lady – aspires towards creating words with 1% of the Doctor’s magic.
Thank you.
Another good one, CE. Very funny.
Thank you, Margaret, always a pleasure to see you here.
Cute story.
You live in France now?
Are you trying to wind me up, Dawn?
Three years now, with that info splattered all over my blog every week!
Welcome to my world, dear lady…
That’s excellent. Made me laugh, golfers will go to any lengths.
Happy to amuse, Mick, thanks for your comment.
Well, the outcome will be the proof of the method. I know nothing about golf so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Well done, C.E. ;D — Suzanne
Nor do I, Suzanne, but I write fiction, so it lands in the back of the net – touchdown!
Had me totally fooled. But I bet he screws up the shot!
Seems a fair bet, given where he landed last time.
It took me a few times reading and a few comments to get it; on one reading I thought it was a creative way to play the piano! Great job throwing all those twists in there!
Your perseverance does you great credit.
My problem is that I know nothing about golf or pianos!
Very funny! You always have the best twist endings!
It’s in the hips, Jan, you just sort of turn in the follow through, always hilarious.
Hahaha, loved it!
Then my work is done here.
I guess you have to play it from wherever it lands….
Yeah, there is some rule about ‘out of bounds’ but let’s just ignore that for the sake of the story!
Ha ha! Originally I tried to get a story out of those golfer-style socks. Nice one!
Argyles, they are called, sir. Happy you enjoyed.
I’ve heard that if you want to get good at something you have to submerge yourself. Perhaps he’s shooting for par in B-flat minor.
Did Connie tell you that?
Are you insured?
Play safe, Russell, no more baths for you, m’boy.
The lead up and the grand finale! Awesome piece!
I heard you the first time!
Awesome. The lead up and the grand finale!
Glad you enjoyed.
Great twist!
It’s all in the wrist action!
Haha. Cute piece. Loved how in the end it was golfing, not piano fixing.
Thanks, Mandibelle, glad it amused you.
Surprised! Ha! Ha! I wasn’t thinking in that direction.
I was surprised you added the last 3 words there!
Well, at least he’s a pro with that instrument of his! Nice bit of word play, there. Hand me my niblick and let’s putt 🙂
Oooh, niblick, I am even more impressed now!
(Psst, you do not putt with a niblick, it is a pitching wedge, but don’t worry, no one reads this rubbish anyway.)
Haha! You caught me out. As you can see, I know nothing about golf, but niblick is such an entertaining word 🙂 A great, fun story.
It does sound silly, doesn’t it, and almost rude. I love words like that! Thank you again for your time and humour.
My pleasure, C. Always great to read your work.
Ah.. misdirection at its best… you had me fooled (probably for the second time)… I should have taken the hint about Scotland in your introduction… but no
Cheers, Bjorn.
Brilliant. You fooled me!
Thank you. I resist the temptation to say …
Cleverly done. Had me completely fooled. 🙂
Thank you, Sandra.
I love how you make me chuckle and Graham was similarly amused!
He is easily amused, isn’t he?
Yeah he’s a fun loving guy.
Thanks for the chuckle! Good one! I wonder if he’s using his “pitch”ing wedge…
Cough. On my blog, ma’am, I do the funnies, okay?
Hehehe!
Well put, sir!
Very creative, a lot of messages tucked neatly away.
🙂
Always happy when clues are spotted!
Absolutely brilliant!
My 100 words!
Thank you
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You REALLY got me on that one, C.E.
Now THAT was a game of golf — probably Ryder Cup. They get stuck in places you wouldn’t even want your doctor to find out about — especially when he’s two under par. 😀
Five out of five putters.
Seemed to hit your funny bone, sir, although I am surprised that you chaps still laugh at the Ryder Cup, we own it now!
Oh yes. In fact, Ryder Cup golf is the only golf I will watch on TV because it’s so much fun. I think Tom Watson led the American team last time. He’s from Kansas City. I see him around here from time to time.
Haha!! I had forgotten this one!
So preposterous and funny I can only throw my hands up in the air, roll my eyes, and laugh.
Yep. The twist is there, and as usual the Sound Bite is fine tuned.
Badaboom.
Hey, in Scotland we take golf seriously.
And we don’t wear breeks like those!
Dear CE,
I think I remember this one under your other alias. What a great misdirection. Who knew he’d be playing golf from inside the piano. Which club would you use for that I wonder? Birdies, bogies and boogies? Love it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Which club? Laughing, I think that you are overthinking this, my lady!