Three Things Challenge

The County Fair

Fandango11 Comments

775497A5-B986-4213-86F4-CC8BDB194EC4“Did you hear that the booth at the county fair that sells that absolutely scrumptious strudel is going to be giving it away for free starting at seven o’clock tomorrow morning?” Nicole asked.

“Don’t make me laugh,” Andy said. “Where did you hear that? It’s got to be some sort of sham, no doubt.”

“No, I just got back from the fairgrounds and they were handing out these leaflets,” Nicole said, handing one to Andy.

Andy immediately tore up the leaflet into tiny pieces and tossed the pieces into the wind. “That was a creepy thing to do,” Nicole said. “Why did you tear that up?”

“Don’t be naïve, Nicole,” Andy said. “They probably made more strudel than they can sell and this is their solution to getting rid of their excess strudel inventory while driving traffic to their booth so they can raise prices on their other baked goods.”

“You are such a cynic,” Nicole said. “Why are you always so weird?”

“You just wait, Nicole,” Andy said, a smug smile on this face. “You will see that I’m right and when you do, I will expect you to memorialize this moment.”

“Fine,” Nicole said, her voice oozing sarcasm, “I will memorialize that moment because if you’re right about this, it will be the first time in your life you’ve been right about anything.”

Written for Paula Light’s Thursday Inspiration prompt (photo credit: Pixabay), and for her Three Things Challenge, where the three things are “seven,” “solution,” and “laugh.” Also for these daily prompts: Nova’s Daily Random Word (strudel), The Daily Spur (morning), Ragtag Daily Prompt (sham), Fandango’s (creepy), Word of the Day Challenge (tear), Daily Addictions (weird), and Your Daily Word Prompt (memorialize).

Big Pharma

Fandango12 Comments

B0C95A59-5E88-4A7F-A000-E8653A385FC3Dr. Harold Schaefer stood up. He was handed a microphone and began to testify to the panel of legislators sitting at the head of the chamber. “No one is talking about the elephant in the room,” he said. “Big Pharma has a history of always making the big promise, but the reality is that they are motivated only by their intent to achieve the big payoff.”

Several members of the panel squirmed uncomfortably. Dr. Schaefer continued, “All you need to do is pull back the curtain to see that these drug companies are curtailing the production of certain drugs that are critically needed by a very small segment of the population but which do not generate sufficient profits. And we all know that making obscene profits is the true north of Big Pharma.”

Dr. Schaefer wasn’t used to speaking in public, much less before a congressional committee. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “These so-called orphan drugs don’t generate profits, but they do save lives, and as a physician with patients’ lives on the line, I need to, at the risk of seeming to taunt you, demand that you do your jobs to protect the public.”

The committee chairman banged the gavel. “Thank you, Dr. Schaefer,” he said. “We appreciate your time and will take your testimony under advisement. Meeting adjourned.”

Dr. Schaefer gathered his papers, stood up, and walked out of the chamber, knowing that his words would be evanescent, soon forgotten by those in front of whom he testified.

Written for Paula Light’s Three Things Challenge, where the things are “north,” “payoff,” and “promise.” Also for these daily prompts: Word of the Day Challenge (elephant), The Daily Spur (history), Ragtag Daily Prompt (intent), Daily Addictions (curtain), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (orphan), Nova’s Daily Random Word (taunt), and Your Daily Word Prompt (evanescent).

Sensually Refreshing

Fandango12 Comments

F208F500-422A-484B-B83D-CBEEB2D697BFThe day turned out to be very hot. A lot hotter than either Nate or Cindy thought it would be when they decided to hike through the canyon. Both were covered in sweat and dirt by the time they reached the river.

Nate searched around for a secluded spot and said to Cindy, “I know just how to cool us off. Let’s go skinny dipping in the river.

Cindy and Nate had only been dating for about a month, and, while they had done some heavy making out, they hadn’t yet gone all the way. Still, it was so hot and muggy and Cindy was quite uncomfortable in the heat and humidity, so, much to Nate’s delight, she agreed.

Nate wasted no time in stripping off his damp clothes and diving into the cold, refreshing water of the river. “Come on in, the water’s fine,” he called out to her.

Cindy peeled off her sticky hiking outfit, doing it slowly and sensuously, knowing how scintillating her sweaty body would appear with the sun glinting off of her sweaty, bare skin.

And, indeed, Nate was quite impressed with the sight of Cindy’s lissome body. He became more than a little self-conscious about his growing erection, which was quite visible in the clear river water.

As Cindy finished stripping, she looked over at Nate, who was watching her with his mouth agape and his hands attempting to cover his crotch. Facing Nate, with both hands on her hips and a licentious look on her face, Cindy’s voice took on a smooth, mellifluous tone as she almost sang out, “I’m coming.”

Written for today’s Three Things Challenge from Teresa, where the three things are canyon, river, and hot.

Also Written for today’s Word of the Day, “lissome.” And for today’s Your Daily Word Prompt, “mellifluous.”

And, of course, for today’s One-Word Challenge from Fandango (me), “scintillating.”

Musical Tastes

Fandango9 Comments

EA2A85D9-2839-4995-A91D-AF5964D31CCD“I’m not a fan of country music,” I informed my wife when she told me about the Garth Brooks concert coming to town.

“But I love Garth Brooks” she said.

“Give me rock ‘n roll any day,” I answered. “But I also like blues. A lot of rock ‘n roll has its roots in blues.”

“So does a lot of country music,” she countered. “Both country and blues are very personal, whereas rock, to me, lacks that personal touch.”

“Rock is very personal,” I insisted. “Every rock song tells a story.”

“But every country song is a story,” she said.

Listen, there’s a Stones concert over at the old hangar at the abandoned airfield next month. We should go.”

“I’d be a little worried,” she said. “I heard security at Stones concert is rather lax. They even hired a bunch of Hell’s Angels to provide security at one of their concerts and you know how that went.”

“Don’t worry, I can take care of us,” I reassured her. “In the meantime, I’m getting hungry. Let’s head out to dinner. Can you grab my jacket off the hanger?”

“Sure,” she said, “As long as you’ll agree to going to see Garth Brooks with me.”

“Fine,” I said, “as long as you’ll agree to go to the Stones concert with me!”

Written for today’s Three Things Challenge from Teresa. The things today are blues, rock n’ roll, and country.Also written for the Saturday Mix Double Take from Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie. The homophones are lacks and lax, and hangar and hanger.

100WW — The Celebration

Fandango10 Comments

img_1730The three women sat by a tree in front of their office complex. The Space Needle was visible, so they could spend the evening snacking, chatting, and waiting for the fireworks display to start.

“It’s so nice finally living in a country where we can celebrate the nation’s Declaration of Independence as well as the freedom living in this country allows us,” one of the women said.

“Yes,” said another. “We have a great job, a great life, a great country.”

Then a car pulled up, a man walked up to them, and asked, “Ladies, can I see your papers?”

(100 words)

Written for Bikurgurl’s 100 Word Wednesday prompt and for Teresa’s Three Things Challenge, where the things are Declaration, freedom, and fireworks.