It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, a group of writers who accept the challenge of writing a 100-word story based on a photo. It’s a lot of fun and all are welcome to participate.
I’m really late this week! I apologize for my lateness. Happy 4th of July to all who are celebrating the holiday.
Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting the Friday Fictioneers and to Jean Hays for providing this week’s wild photo. If you would like to join in, here are instructions.
My story follows.
Genre: Humor (100 words)
Engineered for Precision
“Here’s the Mercedes.” The salesman ushered her towards the minty green car. “It’s luxurious, engineered for precision. You really can’t go wrong.”
It was a smooth ride, but she noticed a rip in the seat and that a few buttons jammed. She hesitated before signing.
Before long, the electronic windows stuck in a permanent status of open, rolled down to precisely the place they were when the buttons stopped working. Through rain, sleet, and sizzling heat, passengers arrived at their destination with hair resembling a tumbleweed and their voices cracking from yelling over the wind.
Still, it was a Mercedes.
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Click here for more stories from the Fictioneers.
AmyReeseWrites 
It’s all about the brand! Fun story 🙂
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Apparently so. Thanks, Ali! 🙂
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Dear Amy,
Mercedes = prestige. However I think this particular clunker = lemon. Entertaining story I really enjoyed this one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi, Rochelle. I guess she can fool most people until they take a ride with her. Then, it’s a big minty lemon. Thank you!
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Yep … no matter what … many desire a Mercedes.
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I guess at least she got to own one. Maybe it’s enough for her. Thanks, Frank.
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When appearance means more than comfort and safety (which, imo, is the mission statement of Abercrombie).
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Ha ha! I’ve never worn Abercrombie, but I’ll take your word for it. And you mention safety. That’s true. It’s not just about appearances. Safety first!
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Fun story this week, Amy! I can imagine the car and the ride; your details really put the reader in the passenger seat. 😉
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Hey, Dawn! Thanks so much. I had a bit of trouble with this prompt, but I came through with a story after all. Glad you enjoyed it.
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This made me smile because i can kind of remember thinking like this.
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Thanks, Dawn. I can relate, too. 🙂 It’s no fun talking with the wind in your eyes.
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In the end, the brand wins, I guess.
My #FF Post
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I guess so. Branding is so important. 🙂 Thanks, Vinay. I’ll be by. Thanks for your link.
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I’m a bit of a brand whore. I wish that weren’t the case. I try to fight against it. So…yeah…this reminded me of me. The unfortunate side.
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Oh, I doubt that any side is unfortunate, Mark. I think when it comes to brands, especially with cars, people just have their mind set and they know what they want! There’s nothing wrong with that.
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It’s all about the brand and the badge to some isn’t it? Great take
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It sure is. Thank you, TRG!
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Nice one, Amy. I love the way you wrap up the brand, the colour and the faltering machinery all into one 😀
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Thanks for those lovely comments, Dianne. You make me smile. 🙂
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I am quite amused. I love the attitude, despite it’s flaws the car is still in the “status symbol” class of automobiles–and it is mechanically dependable. Great story, Amy.
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Aww. Thanks, Russell. I aim to amuse. So long as no one rides with her, I think she can fool them all and still have “status.” I don’t think she could be an Uber driver in L.A., however. 🙂
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Ahhh yes… all about the brand! Funny… my s*&!box of a car had a window problem very similar… wasn’t a Mercedes though! Fun!
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Nice story, Amy… a rust bucket with a name still has the name! 😀
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Apparently, Tom. For some, I guess it’s enough. Personally, I could care less about the name. I’ll take comfort and reliability over a name any day. Thanks!
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I once drove a lemon that made it to the list of top 10 lemons of the last two decades. Yep I too drove a car in the top 10 list. Nothing but the best for some people.
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Not everyone can make such claims, Subroto! That’s got to count for something. At the very least, maybe a great blog post, but truly perseverance that will last a life time.
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I kept wondering when the car was going to end up in the ground, but it looks like it was already partly dead. Maybe some sand got caught in the power window gears… Oh, well; even a defective Mercedes is still a Mercedes… Enjoy the weather (in the car).
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Thanks, Adam!
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Fantastic story, Amy! I love the ending, cause still… it was a Mercedes, come on!
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Thanks so much, Lily! She must really want a Mercedes, right?
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Funny story, Amy. 😀 It seems people were willing to ride in it no matter what condition they were in when they climbed out. As you say, “…it was a Mercedes.” Well done. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. I guess they were tricked or something. 🙂
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This gave me a smile. Funny how prestigious brand names are so important to people, even when they are a load of garbage.
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Come on, who needs windows in a Mercedes? What a fun story. 😀
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I know, c’mon already. You got your Mercedes. Thanks, Gah. 🙂
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I think my sister had that Mercedes.. permanently open skylight… ha ha.. she was very happy when she got rid of it (after paying to get the skylight permanently shut)
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Permanently shut….oooh. I hope it didn’t get too hot where she lived! It’s funny how a little window can cause so much mental anguish.
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Fun story. I love that the windows stuck winter, summer, spring and fall and she never thought t replace the car.
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Hey, Alicia. No, I guess she didn’t. Then she would have to give up her Mercedes. She could never do that. Thanks!
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True that.. It is still a Merc !! 🙂 Lovely..
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Nothing but the truth! Thank you.
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