Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is supplied by Roger Bultot.
© Roger Bultot
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Over the Top
I admit it.
I act like a clown.
I don’t mean I drive a car with doors that fall off.
I don’t smack anyone in the mouth with a custard pie.
No, I just say stuff.
Funny stuff.
All the time.
I know it gets on folks’ nerves.
Sometimes it even gets on mine.
But I still do it, like it’s a compulsion.
Then I met this girl.
I liked her a lot.
I got on her nerves.
Are you ever serious, she asked.
I tried once, I said.
And?
I didn’t like it.
Why not?
It just wasn’t funny.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Very witty, and pleasing to read. Wonder what the girl did on hearing that joke ?
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Same as everyone else.
She walked!
Glad you enjoyed,
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Why does this not surprise me? Keep on being funny, C.E. You got it going.
Five out of five rooftops.
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Hey, you surprised me!
Five out of five strangers!
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I really like this piece, C. E. What’s great is that you allow us to make our own interpretations. For me, the emptiness of the pictured city mirrors the loneliness of someone who uses humour to hide their true feelings, and therefore finds themselves increasingly lonely and isolated. There is an exquisite sadness in that.
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Thank you, Thom, I believe that readers need to apply themselves to stories as short as these.
You read everything I tried to say and more.
Cheers
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Yeah, he should stick to his funny-guns, other people be damned 🙂
An element of sadness here too though, I feel.
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You got it, Ali, and I agree, the world is full of moaners
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Not sure how you got here from the photo, but I’ve met people like that – they really get on my nerves.
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Check the title, Liz.
And laugh a bit!
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The cutest thing!
I love that he is always funny.
The World is too sad anyway.
Let him be!
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Yeah, Sabina, it ‘s supposed to be fun, isn’t it!
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.. and the connection to the prompt is …?
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Whatever you want it to be, Doug
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I went out with a guy like this for about six months. I’ll never forget it, and I’d never repeat the experience either. There was an undertone of pathos to your tale.
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Wow, that is a serious comment.
And you are right, of course
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Laughter is good, but it does love an audience. 🙂
Nice one!
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Thank you, Na’ama
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🙂
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been there, done that. when i try to be funny and witty i oftentimes find my sense of timing out of whack and fail miserably. 😦
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Nobody’s perfect, Plaridel, stay funny
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Laugh or cry. I’ll take laughter any day.
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And why not, it’s hard to take life seriously, we already know the ending
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I have always thought that clowns are really sad behind their masks… maybe that’s why it’s hard for some not to joke.
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Not always, Bjorn, I had a friend who saw the positive in everything and kept laughing until he died
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Thanks for another great tale.
Ronda
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Thanks for another great comment!
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All that humor can be put to good us. Just don’t always overdo it. I have a post, too, of my reading something I’ve recently written
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Wise words, Larry, sadly too late
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Lovely punchline!
It’s such a delight to know that your weekly story can be relied upon for a chuckle. Nicely done, CE!
BTW I hope the sore throat is better now?
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Don’t count on it, Penny, there might be carnage in the near future!
Improving, thank you
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😉
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Sometimes clowning around can be serious business too.
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Ain’t that the truth, Neel
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Made me smile at the end, when I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Masterfully done, as always 🙂
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Thanks, Linda, you should expect the unexpected, always!
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Hope the girl accepts him the way he is.
Seriousness is needed, but how many people can see the funny side of everything?
Stay safe.
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Thank you, Anita, you are too kind
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Haha! I know people like this – I’m married to one! Can’t complain, though – thirty odd years and he still makes me laugh. Here’s hoping your clown can find someone who appreciates him.
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Laughing.
Your resilience does you credit, Lynn!
Stay safe, both of you.
PS He hasn’t yet…
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There’s definitely a balance to be struck. A constantly funny clown would be just as wearing as a constantly serious bore.
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Exactly my point, Iain
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This reminded me of Mr Bean, now I must go and dance in the street. Yes it’s official once a day each day we now dance in the street. Exercise you know🙂
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Mr Bean? How curious…
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This reminds of something Billy Connolly said many years ago. He needs to find someone with the same sense of humour as him.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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And the same level of endurance, perhaps
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Dear CE,
Poor sad funny clown. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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On the nose, m’lady
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At least he tries. I rather this sort of clown than a stick in the mud.
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I agree,Tannille, to each his own
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A desolate dilemma, like the empty cityscape
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Somewhat forlorn, I agree
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I’m sure I’ve met him. Great last line.
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Thanks, Anthony, I think we’ve all met him!
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