It’s Wednesday so it’s Friday Fictioneers! Time to tell a 100-word story based on a picture, this week supplied by Ted Strutz. Our fearless leader, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields always manages to keep us coming back for more week after week. I don’t know how she made us take the Kool-Aid but she did and now we are all addicted. She hasn’t poisoned us. Yet. Do come and play with us by clicking on Rochelle‘s name for the howsits or on the frog below to add the link to your story. G’wan… you know you want to!
©Ted Strutz
Click me!
Not Yet
The toe of a boot nudged him awake. “C’mon, Frank, time to go.”
He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his grubby hands and blinked. “Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph! It’s finally happened! I died and de Lord’s come to take me to heaven.”
“You eejit. They ain’t angels. School choir off to some show. And you ain’t dead yet! Hurry up and get yer shite before we both get into trouble.”
Frank took the proffered flask of scotch. “Thanks, Bob. Gotta spot for me tonight?”
“Yeah. Can’t have your sorry ass freezing in the street.”
“You’re the best.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
A Dalectable Life 
Oh well. If he can’t have the eternal afterlife, at least he has a drop of the uisge beatha
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Haha! Indeed (I had to look it up 😉 )
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Aww that’s really good.x
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Thank you, Cathryn.
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Nobody knows what goes on in a mall, after hours! Nice exchange Dale.
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Thank you, Andrea. Indeed, We have no idea…
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This was a very good story, Dale.
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A friend took this photo and I liked it knowing some good stories would come. You can see her work here… https://instaology.com/
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Thanks for the link… I saw you left it with all your comments so I waited for my turn 😉
And yes, her photography is lovely.
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Thank you, Ted.
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It really was good, honest dialog, and a nice ending. Yes, beginning, middle and end.
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You are a sweetheart!
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Dear Dale,
Sounds more like a hangover than heaven. A bit of the hair of the dog that bit him. 😉
Love the dialogue.
Shalom and lotsa sober hugs,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Maybe it’s a daily thing for Frank…
Glad you do!
Shalom and lotsa warm love,
Dale
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Enjoyed it, Dale.
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Thanks, John
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always nice to have an angel or friend watch your back. good story.
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Thank you, Plaridel. Yes , it is
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This was so lovely and so well done it made me even happier to be snug as a bug in a rug in my tiny abode and not someplace relying on a spotter with a swig … 😉
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Thank you, Na’ama… I like to think there are kind people out there looking out for those who need it. 🙂
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Yes, I’d like to think that, too! 🙂
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Then we shall!
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Q,
This was a baarilliant way to go with the FF picture this week. Gritty, poignant, humorous and all inside the 100 words. I knew which way you WEREN’T planning on going with this thing but truth be told I had no blessed idea what you were going to do with this. And when I thought about how I would go about it, I was stumped.
The funny thing is, I kept going back to Scientology. I’m a one trick pony when I try to put myself in your FF shoes. You the expert. 😉
You rock.
B
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B,
Why thank you! Glad you saw the gritty and poignant to go along with the humourous… It’s funny… even though it’s a mall, I still pretended it was possible to find a safe place for my guy.
Don’t feel bad. There are others who went down that road.
I try!
Q
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It was such a great idea, and you crafted it perfectly. There would be. If we’re talking a night security watchman, he knows all the tunnels and rooms and I’m sure he could have the guy all tucked away for the night no problemo.
I only had that though.
You do so well. 😉
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Glad you thought so. You know, sometimes an idea pops up immediately, then you go to write it and either it works or doesn’t. Usually, I actually write UP to 100 words. This time I had to keep cutting and worried I’d screw up the gist. I think a night security guy would know all the best places to hide.
Nothing wrong with that.
I thank you! 🙂
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I can see that. So we don’t get to see all the prepping that happens before you plate your entry. You MAKE it look easy but it ain’t, huh?
The gist had keeps, you made sure of it with this one. And yeah, I’m sure the night security guy would know where to hide him, not to mention how to deal with those cranky cameras so there wouldn’t be any evidence left behind.
None at all.
Oh no . . thank U!
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There are times when it is rather but most times I gots ta use ma noggin’ 😉
That’s always comforting to get that confirmation. Those times where it is clear to me but not to others is always disconcerting. Thankfully it has only happened a time or two. And yeah, Bob’s the guy.
You da sweetest!
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You have such a clever, cheeky noggin full of wild ideas.
Consider this approved AND sealed with a kiss for good measure. Just because I roll that way, yanno?
And you the schweetest!
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I keep tryin’! Clever and cheeky goes a long way.
They I shall accept. Coz I like to be gracious, yanno?
We are.
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Lusciously so.
And you are ever so gracious.
Tell me.
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Oooh!
It is something I am learning to be.
We are. We know.
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You like that? 😉
Well, you’re doing quite well.
How we roll . . . .
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How can I not?
I thank you, kind sir.
Indeed we do.
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You got a point.
😘
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I do.
😘
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😘😘
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😘😘
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Humorous yet poignant, all in one blow. Good one, Dale
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Thank you, Crispina. Glad you liked.
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As I usually do… your second biggest fan 😘 🙂
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You are the sweetest! 😊😘
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Yea, I know. 🙂
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Haha! And a comedienne, to boot! 😉
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🙂
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No change of life for him. He needs to learn to save himself. Friends might not be there next time. Well written D!
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He might be too old for change…
Thanks, T!
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Sounds like he has an angel pretty close to him actually. Nobody would choose to live that way and there but for the grace etc etc – at least one person is watching out for him. Touching and thought-provoking piece, Dale.
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That he does. No, I don’t think anyone would – except in a wonderful book I read recently(ish). Thank you, Jilly so glad you enjoyed.
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🙂 🙂 And there I was, hoping for a schmaltzy story!!!
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That so? Like what? I’m curious what would have been schmaltzy!
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Come on….. like Angels on the Escalator?! Great schmatzy potential 😉
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Hey… this week there have been a whole lotta angels on the escalator and cults, lots of cults. So no way in hell I was going there… 😉
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I wouldn’t know – we’re not living door to door…..
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Funny woman. I mean other writers participating in Friday Fictioneers. There has been some lack of imagination…
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Aaaaah – I see! 😉
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😉
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Even though the photo was in a mall, I pictured these guys straight out of a Frank Capra film–hard times and one man helping another. Not an angel, but a person with humanity.
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And I pictured it more in a subway 😉 and exactly what I was trying to get across.
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😉
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Super story, Dale. The interaction between Bob and Frank is beautifully done, and is a reminder that the homeless don’t just need food and shelter – they need friendship too. A lovely message!
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Thank you so much, Penny. They do, indeed. Glad you enjoyed.
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Not yet time to go 🙂
Nice one!
Have a great week!
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Thank you, Anita.
You, as well!
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Great voices, and likeable characters, their plight is such a shame.
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Thank you, Iain. Well… one of them, anyway 😉
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Apparently the people in the photo were a choir – that’s not what I saw, but then I have a weird mind. I like your two reprobates.
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Thank you, Liz. I figured there were, too 😉
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I have to echo those who said, “Humorous and poignant.” It flowed well all the way to the sobering (Hopefully) end.
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Thank you. So glad it did. I like to think Frank will be good as long as Bob has his back.
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That’s a lot to put on Bob. I hope he has a strong back.
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Well… I think he’s the one who took it upon himself to be his friend and look out for him.
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This is great, I could see it playing out!
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That is a great thing to say! Thank you!
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Haha some good humor in this one… along with the serious topic. I’m glad he has somewhere to stay for the night.
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Glad you saw both. So am I! Friends are what keep us going.
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Lighthearted but with quite a sad theme. I’m glad he has somewhere warm tonight 🙂
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Yes, it is and I am, too.🙂
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I could almost hear them talking, and not a cult nor an angel in site! Alleluja!
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Yay! And count on me to avoid the obvious! 😉
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When I see the photo I always dismiss the first idea that comes into mind on the basis that everyone else will have had the same idea! So, no cults stairway to heaven for me either this week!
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I usually look at it and think…what will be the story du jour. And then think of something out of the box. So same for me!
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One foot in the grave comes to mind, at least they live in hope.
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Well… let us hope not in the too near future!
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Enjoyed it, Dale.
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Thank you.
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A story about gruff love between the two guys, I found it touching, nicely done Dale.
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Thank you, Francine. Exactly that!
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Heartwarming story. Good to have someone who’ll look out for you on the colder nights. Nice one.
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Thank you, Sandra. Yes, it is good. Glad you liked.
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This is really a fab take, Thunder! Not predictable at all!
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Thank you, dear Sorceress. I avoid predictability at all costs!
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xo
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Fantastic dialogue and story, Dale! Frank needed a little help and it was good of Bob to do so. Lovely!
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Thank you, Brenda! Glad you enjoyed
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Love the dialogue! Frank’s lucky to have someone to watch his back.
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Merci mon amie! Frank is super lucky (Dan’s sa malchance).
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Pas de quoi!
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A ha ha… it does look like a crowded staircase to heaven, doesn’t it? So well written, Dale and Frank… that flask might just earn you that spot! 😉🤣😘😘😘
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Thank you, Marina. It does, at that.
Haha! Since Frank stopped blogging, I’m paying him back by naming a homeless guy after him! 🤣😂😘😘
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😯🤔I was wondering whether there was a connection and now you mention it… pay back for leaving sounds fair enough! 😉
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Haha! All in jest, of course
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Oh, I know!!!!!!!! 🙂
No Beach Walk today… 😔
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I know you know 😉
Nope.
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Loved the local color in the conversation. I finally put all the pieces together after a second read-through. Realistic and gritty.
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Thank you, Linda. Glad you took the time to read twice (Some stories make us do that, don’t they?)
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Yes, and it’s always worth the extra couple of minutes 🙂
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LOL…it’s sad but it made me giggle…bless his heart. Love the “voice” in this, btw.
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I’m glad it did! Thank you so much!
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Loved the dialogue. I liked the character of the one offering the drink and shelter. A kind of tough-love friend.
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Thank you, Fatima. A friend knowing what the other needs. What more can you ask?
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A gift indeed. It is the little things…!
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Yes!
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Good one, Dale.
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Thank you, Lisa
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A bit of liquid consolation, at least. Nicely done!
Ronda
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Indeed! Thank you,Ronda!
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Hallelujah I loved that !
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Thanks! So glad you did!
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