Here and There and Back Again
Here is my contribution for Mondays Finish the Story, hosted each week by Barbara Beacham. The goal is to write 100-150 words in response to both a photo and an opening sentence.
Of course, me being me, I wrote a story but forgot about the opening sentence. And there was no way to alter what I’d written to make it fit. So in disgust with myself I spent 15 minutes speed-writing another story. Never have I typed so fast. Maybe I’ll post the other one separately in a day or so.
Click on the blue froggy for the link-up. The opening sentence appears in bold in my story under the photo.
Little did they know when the photographer took their picture that they would find themselves trapped in a painting. It came as quite a surprise to the photographer as well. Still, this “camera” thingy hadn’t been around very long. Perhaps this was supposed to happen? He wished now that he’d read the manual but, as his father had always said, “Real men don’t read the instructions.”
For years he struggled to find a way to release the little band of players. Their desperate faces as the years went by haunted his dreams. He pushed this button, he pressed that lever. All for naught.
Then it struck him. Opening the camera, he reversed the mirrors and activated the shutter. With a flash of light, the band was free! In celebration they began to play a jaunty tune.
The photographer covered his ears. What a racket! Quickly he reconfigured the camera and pressed the shutter, once more imprisoning them in the painting, never again to pollute the world with their annoying “oom-pah” parping.
That would be SO convenient. I want that camera!!
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Everybody wants that camera!
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You never disappoint, D-man Oooh, imagine the fun you could have with that camera if certain politicians were in the vicinity 😀 Better still, imagine if you took photos of food, or schools, or homes, or hospitals and then reverse the mirrors…
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I could have fun moving all sorts of things around the place! I don’t think there would be any need to let the politicians out, though 🙂
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What a wonderful tale! Where do I get your camera? Well done again my dear! Thanks for participating and see you next week? Hope so! Be well… ^..^
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Every one wants a go with my camera. I’ll have to rent it out!
I’m glad you liked my tall tale 🙂
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Well done indeed!
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You would make a fortune selling this to parents. 😉
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“Eat all your vegetables or it’s back in the painting with you!”
“Aw, Mum…”
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Cool! Nice hearing the photographer’s side of the story 😀
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I thought it might make a nice change, though I haven’t had time to read any of the other stories yet (since I had to write this one twice, stupid me!).
Glad you liked it!
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Thats a good one.. a camera to capture people.. good idea.
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Everyone should have one!
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For a spur-of-the-moment story, that was great, Ali. I tend to agree with the photographer’s decision to put them back. 🙂 That camera would make a great secret weapon or device for 007. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It would be ideal for capturing the evil geniuses and letting them out again in a cell 🙂
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I can imagine the expression on the photographers face. Nicely done.
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Thanks.
His initial surprise, his desperation through the years, his elation at rescuing them, his horror at the racket – it’s all there!
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Wish I had the same power to employ against the boom box blaring car beside me.
DJ
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Now that would be very cool.
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A fortune awaits the inventor of such a useful piece of equipment~ I count about six sales above~ As brilliant as ever Ali ~ Well written ~ 🙂
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I’ll have to get my thinking cap on. Fame and fortune await!
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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I like the humor in this one–even though I feel bad for the band. : )
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Don’t feel too bad, they were pretty rubbish 🙂
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Great story! I laughed out loud at the ending – all that time trying to get them out just to photograph them again! Brilliant. 🙂
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I expect he was pretty miffed spending all those years trying to free them 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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This is your book, now you need a few characters and away you fly.
It would be interesting to read about one man with what type of character traits handles the camera or is the camera handled by more than one person?
Blood and gore?
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Yes, maybe the camera has been passed down in one form or another through the ages. Perhaps a demon is behind it all?
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So for years he felt all the guilt for nothing! LOL! I really enjoyed your story.
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All those wasted years…
Glad you liked it!
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Oh, the other side! And funny, too. Poor photographer, wasting so much time on freeing them. Nice take on the prompt, and more than respectable for 15 minutes!
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Yeah, I feel a bit sorry for him 🙂 Maybe he should have paid more attention to their music when he first took their photo.
I’m glad you liked it!
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Nice! I love the solution for reversing the effect. It’s too funny that he immediately put them back. Fun story!
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After hearing them play, he felt he had little choice 🙂
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Ha! Where can I buy one! Had to smile and the men and instructions quote 😉
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Have you ever known a man to read the instructions? 🙂
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If I’m perfectly honest, no! My husband certainly doesn’t – he tells me that’s part of the fun 🙂
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🙂
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Well done! Expertly creative…. and scientifically sound? Enjoyed!
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Thanks!
Definitely scientifically sound, I reckon.
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