PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
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“Swanage Punch and Judy Show.” Donovan read the words as if they were in an unfamiliar language.
“Punch and Judy. That doesn’t narrow it down much.” The sign could be early 21st century or late 20th. He had a headache and wasn’t sure how long he had been standing on the beach.
“Wait. There’s a URL on the sign. Definitely 21st century then. Oh, God, I hope it’s not during that COVID mess.”
He checked his wallet. Donovan had a proper ID and credit cards. “Driver’s license expires in 2028. Maybe I’ll spend a few years living here after all.”
It’s Wednesday and once again time to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ 27 September 2024 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image at the top as the prompt for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
I got a good look at the sign and Googled Swanage Punch & Judy‘s official website. I thought maybe I’d do something with Punch and Judy themselves, but they have a vast history across time.
That being the case, I thought I’d fall back on one of my favorite tropes: time travel. Donovan finds himself alone on the beach trying to orient himself. However, unlike many time travel stories, he doesn’t have a particular task or mission. Finding no one around and seeing that he can at least superficially fit in, he decides to relax, maybe vacation in the mid-2020s for a few years.
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
My short story “The Haunted Detective’s Cat” is now available in the Raconteur Press mystery anthology Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi. What’s not to love about a 1940s murder mystery, a private detective named Margie Potter, and a cat called Mac that can see ghosts?
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I love how you make this into the genre you are so good at.
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Nice piece of fantasy here, James. Well done!
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Thank you.
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Thanks, Dawn. It’s how my brain is wired.
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sounds like a good idea. everybody needs a break from time to time. 🙂
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“Time to time.” I see what you did. LOL. Thanks.
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Good story. If I had the choice, I think I’d opt for another time for a holiday – as long as the credit cards worked!
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I don’t think he has much choice where or when he “lands.”
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Time to stop travelling for a while. Delightfully different, James.
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Thanks, Keith.
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Definitely looks like a nice place (and time) for a vacation. I wish I had a time machine.
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I can think of times and places I’d rather vacation than the 2020s.
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Enjoy the solitude of the beach while it lasts, a moment for a respite from historical travels. I enjoyed the story and idea of of choosing when to stop in time.
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Thanks, James.
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I like the time-travel twist, arriving and not knowing where and when. Thank goodness for the wallet and ID! I want a time machine, too! Great take on the prompt, well done 🙂
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Thanks.
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You are welcome 😊
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Dear James.
Time travel challenges. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
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Aha time travel must be disorientating even for a regular traveller. Yes I’d check the date too haha… body hopping or did he get kitted out before he left. Hope he enjoys his break. Well done James
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Thanks, Laurie.
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Fun story, James. I’m wondering how long Donovan is going to stick around here in the mid-2020’s before realizing there’re better places he can be?
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If the place is quiet and they have good food, maybe a few months. Thanks.
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