The weekend is here and it’s time to step away from winter-prep and relax a bit. We’re at the bar, and Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt has been gnawing at me since I first saw it yesterday. I know where I’m going, but I don’t know how to get there.
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘element.’ Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!”
If we were having a beer, you’d have a long list of questions for me.
“Hi Cheryl. Have you seen Dan?”
“Not yet, but you’re a little early, David. Can I pour you a John Howell’s Special?”
“You know what, Cheryl. I’m going to have a beer today. Give me one of those beers Dan likes.”
“One Modelo, coming up. Oops, I guess I’ll make that two. Hi Dan.”
“Hi Cheryl. I am going to have two beers, but not at the same time.”
“The other one is for me. I have some questions for you. I think I might get thirsty.”
“Well, then, cheers and fire away?”
“First question, where were you guys today? I drove by your house on the way in and your cars were both gone.”
“They were both in the garage.”
“Oh, I see. Cleaning the garage. That must be what you’ve been doing instead of raking leaves.”
“Raking leaves? David, it rained from Sunday night until Thursday. When was I supposed to rake leaves?”
“Are these the questions you’ve been waiting to ask me? I mean, you might want to consider finding a hobby.”
“No, I found this survey, and I want to ask you the questions.”
“I don’t do surveys.”
“I know, people online run surveys to collect data on you, blah blah blah. But this isn’t online, and we already know the answers.”
“We?”
“Cheryl and I know the answers.”
“Then why do you need me?”
“OK, we don’t know all the answers, but I bet we know most.”
“Cheryl, are you in on this?”
“Nope, but you are pretty predictable, Dan. I’ll play.”
“OK, what’s the first question?”
“What’s your favorite half-hour old TV show?”
“How old?”
“Doesn’t say, but let’s go with something that hasn’t been on the air this century.”
“Twilight Zone.”
“I knew that.”
“So did I, Cheryl.”
“Next.”
“What’s your favorite hour-long old TV show?”
“I could say Twilight Zone. Season four had hour-long episodes. Some are really good.”
“You can’t use the same show twice.”
“Does the survey say that?”
“Surveyor discretion.”
“Star Trek.”
“Which series, Dan?”
“Next Generation, Cheryl.”
“I knew that. You guys want another round?”
“I think we’re ready, Cheryl. Dan, what’s your favorite episode of…”
“I won’t answer that.”
“What? Why not?”
“It sounds like one of those ‘secret answers’ that websites ask for. I don’t want to share it.”
“Are you afraid I’m going to try to impersonate you?”
“Here are your beers. David, move on.”
“Let’s see, who’s your favorite character?”
“Oh, David, everyone’s favorite character is Jean-Luc Picard. Ask a different question.”
“Who’s your favorite co-star?”
“Stop. Before he picks Lieutenant Commander Data, let’s refine that.”
“Refine it how, Cheryl?”
“Dan, who’s your favorite periodically recurring guest star? But before you answer, give me a minute to write down my guess. David, you write down yours.”
“Why?”
“If you’re right, the drinks are on me.”
“What if I’m wrong and you’re right?”
“Then you add the price of a round to my tip.”
“OK, you’re on.”
“You guys want me to hum the Final Jeopardy jingle?”
“We’re fine, Dan, and I’m about to have a free beer. Who’s your guy?”
“Elementary, dear David.”
“Huh?”
“Woo hoo! I win.”
“Wait, what?”
“I win, David. I you owe me a big tip. You guessed ‘Q’ didn’t you?”
“Yes. I don’t understand his answer.”
“The character is Moriarty.”
“The question said, ‘periodically recurring guest star.’ Moriarty was only in one episode.”
“He was in two, David. ‘Elementary Dear Data’ and ‘Ship in a Bottle.’ Am I right, Dan?”
“You are, Cheryl.”
“You win Cheryl, but I’m surprised. Who doesn’t like Q?” “Q is an ‘all powerful’ being. Moriarty figures things out. I like him better, too.”
All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.
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