It was Henry’s name on the hotel. But, really, Alice ran things. She ploughed every cent back into the business, adding a second floor and then a penthouse. The building looked like a crazy pile of discarded banana boxes.
Alice found Henry lying in the shade of an upturned boat, roughing out a calypso. “Up, man,” she said. “There’s work to do.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“To earn more money.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“So we can employ more people and take it easy.”
“What do you think I’m doing now?”
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
I guess he has a point…
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He certainly does
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She should have seen that coming.
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She should, but she’s a woman on a mission
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She could start by belting him one with that pan…
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I can’t be bothered to leave a comment…
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Indolence is catching
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Dear Neil,
Perhaps Henry has things bass ackwards. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I tremelo at the thought
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Hah! This made me laugh! I fear I’m too much like Alice and not enough like Henry.
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That’s why we all love Henry, so long as he stays in other people’s stories where he belongs
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Haha! Henry seems to have figured things out. Alice needs to be brought upto speed.
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Or down to speed, really
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Henry is a smart man. Enjoyed this one Neil.
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Thanks, Iain
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Good logic.
DJ
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Thanks, Danny
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Too often, we allow the “Alice” inside of us to take over. We need to “Henry” ourselves a bit too… a happy medium, no?
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We all need a bit of Henry
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Couldn’t agree more… I, personally, need a bit more Alice at times!
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The truly lazy man is always misunderstood. Or so said John D. MacDonald. On the other hand, James Thurber said the hardest part of writing was convincing his wife we was working when he stood staring out the window. Nicely done.
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I know Thurber’s pain. Thanks,Joshua
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No matter how hard I try, I can’t refute Henry’s logic!
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But he had to be wrong
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Roughing out a calypso, very clever. Says it all. I am guessing Alice would keep her expectations low to avoid perpetual disappointment as I don’t think he’s on quite the same page business-wise.
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only as far as business goes. he’s great socially
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Why employ more people when he can work her to death?
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Well if I was Alice I’d give the good-for-nothing Henry the boot! Nicely done, Neil. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I think many Alices need their Henries and every Henry needs an Alice
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These two are yin and yang 🙂 She can’t stop, he can’t start!
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Grind the,m up and mix them together and you’d have a normal well-adjusted person. But, of course, I’d also have no story
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Great to take it easy as he has an efficient wife like Alice 🙂
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Hyper-efficient
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Love that banana box description – spot on, Neil. And Henry is a smart cookie, though I think the easy days are over fo him
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Glad you liked it. I wasn’t sure about it
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Be sure. It was very good
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Thanks so much
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A pleasure
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Henry was one step ahead! Nice one Lynn.
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…whoopsie, I just called you Lynn Niel – sorry!
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I knew what you meant
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Indeed… you have to find a purpose and as long as there is sun and sea…
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Thanks, Bjorn
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Men (shakes head) always taking the easy way out… Love the story, Man!
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Thanks, woman!
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I agree about the ‘crazy pile’ – if they don’t have a room spare – Henry just knocks one together, sorry Alice builds one. I had a good laugh at this.
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Thanks, James
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Particularly love the banana boxes image – and the joke
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Thanks so much
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LOL@his answer …. what an ending. Perhaps for him, if she chooses to take some sort of action against ….. such is the dream of retiring or making a life in the tropics …. all work and no play – but hardly a way to build on a dream.
I like how you’ve translated the lazy, laid back aspects and attitude. Fun reading 🙂
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Thanks so much. She’d never take action. She complains about him constantly, but she couldn’t be without him.
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“crazy pile of discarded banana boxes” ~ this line made me laugh. The last line made me think, “What a lazy guy!!!”
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Yeah, but you can’t fault his logic
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What a wonderful and wonderfully written story!
I like Henry more.🙂
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Thanks Moon. Henry’s pretty useless though without Alice
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My pleasure, Neil.
There is a familiar sweetness about his uselessness though I know that living with him would be quite a challenge.
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Banana-box house is an excellent description. And poor Alice; Henry really takes her for granted.
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Thanks for reading
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He sounds like a wise man.
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Opinion seems to be divided on that
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Maybe a wiseguy then?
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I love this story so much, I can read it over and over again and most importantly remember its message! Thank you!
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Thanks so much, Cecilia
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Ooooo i kinda hope she kicks his shin for that comment. I hope she gets to the point where she can take it easy too.
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Thanks, Laurie. He does seem to be a polarising character
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Ha! Poor Alice is the hired help! Time to move on, Alice!
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Without Henry she’d work herself into a frenzy and disappear in a puff of smoke
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She needs to get rid of him, for a start.
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If he triggered a response in you, then he’s earned his place
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😉
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Haha! I guess, they both need each other. But Henry’s easy time is Alice’s hard work time.
Great story, Neil.
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Thanks, Norma
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Oh yeah, taking it easy in the tropics. Sounds like a good life.
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Thanks, Curt
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I’m like Alice but I try to be like Henry sometimes.. I feel he has a point. Sometimes need to live in the present moment. The banana boxes made me laugh because it is just how the building appears in the image.
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Thanks, Fatima, We all need a bit of Henry in us
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My life’s mantra!
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Good for you, Dahlia
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That’s funny! 🙂
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Thanks so much
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Love it. That’s the way to live (sorry Alice)
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Opinion is divided
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I get the feeling Alice should have dumped Henry years ago. Very well told.
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Thanks, Sarah. Another pro-Alice vote
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Entertaining piece. He has the right idea, but I do like her work ethic. I hope he appreciates her. =) I’ve been to many places that look like “crazy pile of discarded banana boxes.” Love your wording as always!!
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Thanks so much Brenda. And yes, he dotes on her
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So good to hear. =)
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They balance each other out perfectly!
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Yes, I believe that’s their secret
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Excellent! The Philosophy of Henry–I think I could use a little more of that. 🙂
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We probably all could
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That’s an excellent opening lne and the story lives up to the early promise 🙂 I agree with Henry – how much is it worth still earning if you have enough already?
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Thank you so much
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Henry has got his priorities right. I am with him on this one.
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He does seem to be a very polarising character
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Nicely done Neil. You created quite a pair of characters.
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Thanks, Susan. Yes, they do have to come as a pair
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Well, it looks like Henry has adopted the island attitude of ‘Manana’.
Next, he’ll be slurping on a margarita and singing about the siesta he needs. HAH HA
Loved this ….
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora. I should say Henry is exclusively a rum man
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HA HA
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Nicely observed- the she – he power balance. Most recognisable !
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Thanks so much
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