It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s amusing photo was provided by Luther Siler. Thank you, Luther.
I had to really trim this piece. I’m going for funny. I hope it still has the frame intact at least. Let me know if these detectives seem remotely familiar.
If you’d like to participate, all are welcome. Here are instructions.

Genre: Humor
The Case of Missing Real Big Bird
The trail of yellow feathers lead the detectives to Lulu’s door.
“You’re late,” Lulu said, blowing on painted fingernails matching her ruby-red chaise lounge. A bird costume drooped in the corner like an uninvited guest.
“This is the bird?” Hughes retrieved a feather from his coat and compared it with the bird costume, fumbling with his magnifying glass. “It’s synthetic.”
“Aren’t all feathers?” Lulu asked.
“When the man ditched the costume was he naked?” Watkins asked.
Lulu nodded. “This suit is hot.”
“This suit is a fake,” Hughes said. “That means the real Big Bird is still out there.”
“If you say so.” Lulu shooed them out.
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For more stories from the Fictioneers, click here.
Ha ha oh dear, so who is the real big bird?
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There’s only one Big Bird You know, he’s tall and he lives on Sesame Street. He likes to sing some. 🙂
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Loving Lulu 🙂
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Thanks, Helen. 🙂
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Lulu seems to like her birds big.
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You got that right, Michelle. And I guess she doesn’t care if he leaves the coop.
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Hey, hot is hot!
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There’s no disputing that! Have you ever worn one of these costumes? I have, although not of a bird and I wore clothes underneath. 🙂
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I can honestly say I have never worn a stuffie costume. That may be one of my best life accomplishments. 😉
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A stuffie!! Haha. Well, I have Michelle. On the stage. I’ve been a mouse, a bunny, a wolf…hmm, I can’t remember what else. They’re very awkward and hot! Yes, I do remember that.
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You are a woman of many talents, My Friend. Respect.
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Thanks, Michelle. 🙂
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I didn’t know there was a Broadway version of it. That’s very cool. You will have to give me a review of it.
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Amy, I love this! The humor is great, but the mood is awesome! Love the noir feel to it, while still being clever and funny.
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Aww, thank you Dawn! I was definitely going for the noir feel, mixed with a flash of awkwardness. Thanks for the wonderful compliments. xo
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The question is will he ever get caught, Amy? Hiding in plain sight as he does!
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Ha! Love your comment, Tom. Well said. Exactly. This makes his search all the more ridiculous. Big Bird is usually pretty easy to spot!
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“Dropped in the corner like an uninvited guest”
Love that line and Lulu is a girl to keep our eyes on. 🙂
Tracey
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Thank you so! I played with that line a bit. It’s actually “Drooped” but maybe “Dropped” is better!! Everything is a WIP, Tracey. Lulu has a few tricks up her sleeve.
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That’s funny because autocorrect first corrected it to “dripped” into the corner. They all seem to convey the same meaning regardless.
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Love Big Bird! Lulu reminds me of Lula in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novel. Your piece has the same humour. Great job.
Lily
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I miss Big Bird! I’ve never read her. Perhaps I should check that one out. Thanks, Lily!
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Amy, I love your Big Bird story! Janet Evanovich wrote a whole bunch of detective novels with Stephanie Plum as her main character and Lula as her sidekick. They are very entertaining. I’m sure Lula has dressed up as Big Bird at one time or another, but I don’t think there’s a big call Big Bird. I could be wrong. Stephanie and Lula always make me feel better when I’m low. I got the same feeling reading your Big Bird.
Lily
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Oh, you’re so kind, Lily!! Thanks so much for all the info about the books. I’m sure I’ve heard of her now. I’m glad my story entertained and made you feel better!
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The painted nails really set the scene in this. Well done, Amy. I agree with Dawn, your story has a real noir feel.
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Thanks, Alicia. That’s what I was going for. I’m pleased! Did you get that Hughes and Watkins are the pseudo Holmes and Watson? As in Sherlock? I’m just curious.
Thanks for you nice comments!
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col. sanders should be considered a prime suspect. he had a lof of missing chickens to his credit. 🙂
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Oh, I’m sure he will run into him somewhere in his search. 🙂
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You managed to combine a film noir effect with Big Bird, no mean feat. I expected Bogart to join in. I was a little worried,though, that Lulu and her Big Bird might prove too hot for the Fictioneers.
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Thank you, Perry. I’m so delighted to read your comments! Perry, I worked hard on this, with heavy editing. My word count was up to 185. Yikes! I made sure I kept in some of the heat though. 🙂 Bogart would be a welcome guest anytime.
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Great piece! I hope they track down Big Bird. This could be a whole comedy crime novel 🙂
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Thank you, Ali! Comedy crime…I love the genre and everyone loves Big Bird. He has devoted fan base. It could be pretty wacko. Glad you liked my story.
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And so we are left with a mystery. Will Hughes and Watkins solve the crime? Can they stop Big Bird before it’s too late? Hold the front page.
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We do have a mystery on our hands, Patrick. I have a feeling they will solve the mystery, seeing how Hughes is so dedicated to the Big Bird. Thanks!
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Dear Amy,
I could here Officer Joe Gannon questioning Lulu without cracking a smile. Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts. Naked birdman at large. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha. Hughes is definitely sticking to business, Rochelle. He’s devoted to tracking down his hero. Thanks so much.
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Amy,
I loved this. Big Bird impersonator plucked. Lulu is so nonchalant. We’re Columbo when you need him?
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Why thank you, Russell! Glad you enjoyed it. I love your analysis. Columbo and Lulu might make quite a pair. He might actually solve the crime, too. Whatever crime it might be…
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Have to comment on the picture – “Big Bird down!”
(this of course comes from my boyfriend who is a fireman, gets a call during Halloween…seems someone in their costume took a dive at some point and the call into 911, which was then relayed to the fire department was ‘Spiderman Down!… never gets old…)
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That’s hilarious! I wonder how Big Bird became Spiderman? What a transformation!! I can see why that never gets old. You’ll never look at bird costume the same way again.
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Briliant! Lulu is a great character, completely defined from the start. “Ruby-red chaise longue” is my favourite description and my favourite phrase this week.
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I’m thrilled! Thanks so much, TRG. I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
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I think Lulu is hiding the real Big Bird… That suit is just a clever decoy.. Ha… synthetic feathers, Lulu sure know how to fool those detectives…(they probably just peeked at her cleavage … 🙂
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Maybe so, maybe so. Lulu has Big Bird in her attic. She’s much too smart for them. I’m not sure those detectives know how to peek at cleavage. Ha ha.
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Got the Sherlock Holmes reference, and loved Lulu’s attitude! Great story! xo
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Thanks, Kelly. I’m glad you got it and enjoyed it! xox
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Welcome! Great photo prompt as well!
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I agree! It inspired lots of different stories.
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Yes, I’ve seen a lot of variety with this one!
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I’m glad you’re reading them! Great.
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Haven’t been online much, though, because we are having summer like weather here right now! Great for getting things done for the holiday!
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Enjoy the summer weather while it lasts, Kelly! We actually had a few storms blow through, which doesn’t happen enough. The ground is wet!
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Have to! Going to be in the 30’s in a few days 🙂
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Brrrr!! 50’s are cold here. 😉
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That’s nothin’ Ame!!!
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I know! It’s laughable.
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Very good. I love the characters and there are some great lines in this. Most entertaining.
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Thanks so much, Margaret.I’m so happy you found it entertaining.
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Lulu is a great character. You should think of expanding her. Do you do that? I have a notebook of characters.
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Thank you, Dawn. I don’t have a notebook of characters. That’s a great idea!
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Ha! Ha! Nice one. I thought of big bird too but in a different direction.
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Thanks so much, Subroto. I’ll be by to read your version!
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This reminds me of the girl in Elvis Costello’s Watching the Detectives:
“She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake…”
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Oh, right. Love that song. Thanks so much!
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That’s some attitude Lulu has. She’s quite a gal. My daughter said some professional performers don’t like to wear what they call “heads” because no one can tell it’s them under there, and they want to be recognized. I think my daughter has occasionally. Good story, Amy, and well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’ve worn a “head” before in performances. Not only will people not recognize you, but you can’t breathe either! Thank you, Suzanne.
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That was a very humorous and somewhat tantalizing story! Very creative!
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Thanks so much!
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You’re welcome!
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