WOTD

Weekend Writing Prompt — Elevate the Dialogue

Fandango5 Comments

“We need to have a conversation, sir,” an aide said. “Things are getting dire and you barely have a modicum of respect. You need to elevate the dialogue.”

“Levitate?”

“No, sir, not levitate, elevate, as in to raise the level by trying to weave some rationality and truth into your speeches.”

“Stop trying to blame me. You’re fired.”

(58 words)

Written for Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt, where the word is “dire.”Also for these daily prompts: MMA Storytime (conversation), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (modicum), Your Daily Word Prompt (levitate), The Daily Spur (raise), Ragtag Daily Prompt (weaves) and Word of the Day Challenge (blame).

Setting Up for His Next Super-Spreader

Fandango12 Comments

“Did you get the measurements of the arena yet?” Steve asked his intern? “I need to ascertain the optimal speaker size for the sound system. I’ll need to achieve the best sound for the size of the room. There’s a delicate balance when it comes to speaker size and fidelity and I want to make sure we are able to amplify his words to the greatest extent possible yet still make sure the people attending the rally will hear what he says clearly.”

“I don’t know why you’re whipping yourself into such a frenzy,” the intern said. “Most of what he says is bullshit, anyway, and now that he’s a lame duck, all he does is rehash the same leftovers he’s been spewing for the past five years.”

“Just do your job, Jack, if you want to keep it,” Steve demanded.

“Fine,” Jack said, handing Steve a piece of papers with the arena’s measurements on them. “I don’t know why you’re worried about fidelity. The only fidelity this guy has ever shown is toward himself. Just ask his ex-wives and all the people he’s fired by tweet. The best thing you can do is to just shut off the microphones.”

Written for these daily prompts: Ragtag Daily Prompt (ascertain), The Daily Spur (room), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (fidelity), Your Daily Word Prompt (amplify), Word of the Day (frenzy), and MMA Storytime (leftovers).

In a Pinch

Fandango8 Comments

“You idiot! You totally burned the gravy,” Sarah yelled at her brother. “Why can’t you ever pay attention to what your supposed to be doing instead of having your eyes always glued to your phone?”

“Hey, I’m only human, you know,” Aaron said. “Besides, I was trying to retrieve an interesting article that just flashed across my newsfeed.”

“Bullshit!” Sarah said, grabbing Aaron’s phone from out of his hand and looking at his screen. “Just as I thought, you liar. You were looking at Twitter.”

“What’s the big deal?” Aaron asked. “Your problem is that you’re too uptight, Sarah. You need to learn to be more footloose and fancy free, like me.”

“Someone in this family has to show some responsibility, and it’s definitely not you,” Sarah said. “People are going to be arriving soon and now we have no gravy for the turkey and mashed potatoes.”

“No problem,” Aaron said. He opened up a kitchen cabinet and pulled out a large jar of gravy. “It’s not homemade, but it will do in a pinch, right?”

Written for these daily prompts: The Daily Spur (idiot), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (gravy), Ragtag Daily Prompt (human), Your Daily Word Prompt (retrieve), Word of the Day Challenge (footloose), and MMA Storytime (family).

Also written for Paula Light’s Thursday Inspiration, where her theme is “learn.”

I Shed a Few Tears

Fandango11 Comments

I’m normally not one who easily or readily shows his emotions. But I have to admit that yesterday, when Joe Biden introduced the some of the nominees for leadership positions in his new cabinet, my eyes welled up with tears. Tears of relief and tears of a restored pride in my country.

After the impertinence of Donald Trump to name relatives (e.g., his daughter and son-in-law), conservative media personalities from Fox News and other right wing “news” outlets, and Trump donors, loyalists, and ass-kissers who had no relevant experience or applicable knowledge for their roles in top cabinet-level positions, it was cathartic to see the dark clouds of the past four years being lifted and the light beginning to shine again.

Biden’s selection of a highly diverse group of men and women, all of whom have a preponderance of relevant experience and are extremely well qualified for the roles they are being asked to play in the Biden/Harris administration, gave me a sense of tranquility. I felt as if I was witnessing a rebirth of normalcy that we haven’t seen in four long years.

There is no doubt that Joe Biden and his team will have a long road to travel as they work to restore faith in the American democracy and the country’s stature both at home and around the globe. But it’s a road that more than 80 million American voters are excited to be on.

Written for these daily prompts: Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (impertinent), The Daily Spur (dark), Ragtag Daily Prompt (preponderance), Your Daily Word Prompt (tranquil), Word of the Day Challenge (birth), and MMA Storytime (travel).

MLMM Photo Challenge — Head in the Clouds

Fandango7 Comments

“I’ve chosen a cloud motif for this photo session,” Edgar said. “You’re always walking around like you’re head’s in the clouds, anyway.”

“What are you talking about, Edgar,” Vicki asked. “I don’t have a particular affinity toward clouds. They’re just water vapor. I have to tell you, I’m not thrilled with your chosen theme.”

“That’s surprising,” Edgar said, “I thought you’d gobble up that idea like turkey on Thanksgiving. My plan is to put a blindfold around your eyes over fluffy, white cotton so it looks like you’ve got clouds on and all around your head.”

“Why are you so doughty about this cloud and blindfold shtick?” Vicki said. “I don’t like it at all.”

“Well, here’s some food for thought if you don’t like the cloud motif,” Edgar said. “How about you pose in the nude for me.”

Vicki laughed. “Now whose head is in the clouds wearing a blindfold?”

Written for the Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge. Photo credit : Hunter Tober on Pexels.com.

Also for these daily prompts: Ragtag Daily Prompt (motif), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (vapor), The Daily Spur (thrilled), Word of the Day Challenge (gobble), Your Daily Word Prompt (doughty), and MMA Storytime (food).