The car jolted on a pothole, and the Ambassador feared he might lose his excellent lunch. The trouble with the poor, he thought, is they have such bad roads. He made a note to work the conversation over dinner.
Hernan, riding shotgun in the front, fretted. “Why aren’t you taking the expressway?”
“Calm yourself,” said Simon. “We’ll return that way, so the Ambassador gets to his cocktail party. The route out offers sensuous contact with poverty. If he doesn’t get shit on his shoe, he won’t feel the adventure. And without that, he won’t fund the project.”
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
And that my friends is called politics!
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I am afraid shit on his shoe wont be enough…Better to stuff his pockets with something else.
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You may be right, though a sensuous contact with poverty often works wonders
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O Simon you are so clever, the ambassador had better watch out. You will have his job next.
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I wonder if the roads will make any difference to the poor though…
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Having a good road to the capital always makes it cheaper to market goods.
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Dear Neil,
Apparently Simon knows the Ambassador well. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent stuff, Neal. I predict the Ambassador will be unmoved. Some people are impenetrable.
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Thanks. Actually the ambassador probably will be moved. A sensuous contact with poverty is a very effective thing
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The smell especially.
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Your’re right. Especially if it sticks to his sole
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Nicely done, Neil
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‘The trouble with the poor is they have such bad roads’. What a great line Neil! It told us all we needed to know about the Ambassador.
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Thanks Thom
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They know how to work the system. So sad but true.
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Sensuous contact with poverty – why do I know how much certain people appreciate that? Good one. Excellent in fact.
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Thanks Sandra
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Like minds, Neil, like minds!
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Sounds politically legit
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He’s a very smart one that Simon fellow.
Hope the ambassador keeps to the plan.
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I think he has the ambassador hooked and running on his line
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I can think of better ways to feel an adventure! Great story Neil.
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Thanks!
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Reminde me of the ‘Yes Minister’ serial.
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Now that IS a compliment!
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Simon is too trusting of politicians. I fear he’ll be the one shoveling shit…lol.
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Like it – a deft manipulation both in the story and of the reader. I felt sure he was heading for assassination, there! Great write Neil
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Thanks, Lynn
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Pleasure 🙂
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Simon is a very smart man!!!!! Sometimes the “little” people must manipulate the “big”.
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He’s scarily smart!
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They do. Just not for long
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I see you’re drawn to realism!
Nan
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When I’m not being drawn to absurdism
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Simon’s a clever one. The power behind the throne, subtly manipulating the ambassador!
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That Simon’s a canny lad!
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Always better to have people like that on your side
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A clever touch of cynicism here.
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Cynicism? Moi?
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A lot of information and drama in few words. very well written.
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Thanks so much
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politics is s always about money and power
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/07/thecremation-prompt-sandra-crook.html
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I wonder if Simon himself really cares about the poor or if he’s just using them to further his agenda.
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Only Simon knows for sure, but I think he does care
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Sounds as though the Ambassador is a crafty politician. Here the roads seem to improve just before an important politician pays a visit. Good writing, Neil. 🙂 — Suzanne
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The quality of roads everywhere seem to be dependent on the status of those who travel them
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I love ‘sensuous contact with poverty.’ Simon should be writing the ambassador’s speeches.
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I think perhaps he does
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And thus are opinions changed and the cogs of power turned. nicely done
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Thanks
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Boy, talk about a fact-finding mission …
Fun stuff, Neil. Great!
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Thanks, William
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Thank goodness for Simon. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that there are a few Simons behind the scenes in the governments of the world, but I suspect theyr’e rare. Excellent story.
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They do exist. Thanks, Margaret
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Very clever delivery of an aspect of our cynical world. Great vignette.
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Thanks, Mick
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