Look, I can’t even read those signs. How am I supposed to know whether this is a taxidermist or a tailor? Is that even a proper language? And there’s nobody in the alley, no cues. A murder’s possible, of course, but CE will have that sewn-up.
So, what the actual…. I’m trying my best, honest. Maybe a philosophical rumination on signifier and signified? Well, bugger that.
I just want a table, a nice table beside the river. Watch the world go by, have an absinthe, make eyes at the girl on the next table. That’s all I ask. You couldn’t even give me a river?
.
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 
Love this, Neil, laughed all through it.
Keep me a seat, please, if the girl at the next table has a friend!
And thanks for the name check.
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Sadly, the girl at the next table has no friends. That’s why she’s alone
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Life’s tougher some days than others. I’ll see what I can do for you in future prompts. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. Much appreciated. By the way, I do know it’s a real language. I think it’s Korean
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You were right about CE! We’ll all want to join you at that quite river, and ruin it with the overcrowding.
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To the river! To the river!
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A nice dreamy tale. Well done.
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Thanks so much
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Glad I wasn’t the only one who scratched my head looking for a story in the photo… yes, a nice river. A table. A young woman at the next table. I might had a story there.
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Thanks so much, trent
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If you find the river, please do let me know, for the air in this hospital is rather dry. O for an escape raft
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We’re writers. All we have to do is imagine a river and it’s there
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To sit at a table with friends, river or no river, will do for me. Soon, one hopes!
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Amen to that
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Too many attachments, too many expectations to possibly enjoy the moment for the main character. Good description of stream of consciousness.
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He’s just having a rant
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Good luck with that. Joni Mitchell’s been looking for a river for 50 years now. You should ask her. Maybe she’s found one.
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Nah. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
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A very neat take on the absence of your muse! You did very well without her! I’ll settle for your table by the river any day.
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Damn! You spotted the complete absence of any clue about what to write
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What a funny rant. Table by the river sounds so peaceful, I’d take that, too.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Your pleas wrung my heart . . . after I finished laughing!
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Thank you for laughing, Dora
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The poor guy is totally flustered, but it’s hilarious anyway. Could have titled it “Cry Me a River.”
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Thanks so much, Linda
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A table, YES! I struggled this week. The prompt nearly defeated me.
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You’re always safe with a table. Sooner or later, if you have a table, someone will bring you refreshment
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I doubt there’s even much fresh air in that alley, let alone a river.
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Doesn’t have to be an alley. Might be a canyon
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Ah! The need for a table and a drink all one can ask for!
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And don’t forget the girls at the next table
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Oh but of course!
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You mirrored my initial thoughts when I looked at the prompt. Well done!
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You, of course, went beyond your initial thoughts. I, sadly, succumbed
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Still laughing at this. What a great inspiration on lack of inspiration from a prompt.
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Couldn’t come up with a thing
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Neil! Did you just call out CE in your post? Not sure about the pretty girl, because that would be up to her, but there should be a river around here somewhere. As my dad used to say, if you’re ever lost just keep walking in the same direction and eventually you’ll reach a running water source. After that, you’ll find your way back to civilization eventually. I’m not sure if that works if you are already in a city, but I’ve found when I’m lost in a big city it’s the same thing except replace Big Road for river. LOL. Travel tips from a wandering soul.
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There is a river, because I imagined it so
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There it is. I imaginary see it too. ❤
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Complaining is one way to go. lol
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I laughed at the frustration at the language (both Chinese and Malay) mind you the girl on the opposite table may not be what she seems. Let’s hope the river is clean.
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Nothing is ever quite what it seems
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Maybe there’s a river in the next lane. Try not to get murdered on the way though.
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Excelent idea and good advice
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This is fun! Love how you switched things up.
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Thanks so much
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i think it’s still early in the day. who knows? he’ll get his wish before sunset. 🙂
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Maybe the sun doesn’t set
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A river sounds nice especially since I’m not getting out too much. Some weeks the story just doesn’t come. =) It is Korean by the way.
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Thanks, Brenda
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Surely someone will cry you a river, Neil. That Ayr is appearing all over the blogisphere these days.
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Fresh Ayr
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lol The strange man in a strange land…or is that a man in a strange land?
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Some men have strangeness thrust upon them
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Oh brilliant, love the link to CE’s post, what a clever piece
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Thanks so much
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😁
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What an entertaining rant Neil, I like the bossy tone. Give the man a river for goodness sake !
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And a table. Don’t forget the table
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Ha! Ha! Sometimes honesty is the best policy indeed.
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But maybe not if you want to go into politics or sales
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I would have enjoyed a philosophical rumination on the signifier and signified. 😊
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He’s too cross for philosophy
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