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.
***********************
For more stories from the Fictioneers, click here.
Ha ha oh dear, so who is the real big bird?
LikeLiked by 2 people
There’s only one Big Bird You know, he’s tall and he lives on Sesame Street. He likes to sing some. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Loving Lulu 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Helen. 🙂
LikeLike
Lulu seems to like her birds big.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You got that right, Michelle. And I guess she doesn’t care if he leaves the coop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, hot is hot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can honestly say I have never worn a stuffie costume. That may be one of my best life accomplishments. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a woman of many talents, My Friend. Respect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, thank you Dawn! I was definitely going for the noir feel, mixed with a flash of awkwardness. Thanks for the wonderful compliments. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
The question is will he ever get caught, Amy? Hiding in plain sight as he does!
LikeLike
Ha! Love your comment, Tom. Well said. Exactly. This makes his search all the more ridiculous. Big Bird is usually pretty easy to spot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Dropped in the corner like an uninvited guest”
Love that line and Lulu is a girl to keep our eyes on. 🙂
Tracey
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s funny because autocorrect first corrected it to “dripped” into the corner. They all seem to convey the same meaning regardless.
LikeLike
Love Big Bird! Lulu reminds me of Lula in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novel. Your piece has the same humour. Great job.
Lily
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss Big Bird! I’ve never read her. Perhaps I should check that one out. Thanks, Lily!
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
The painted nails really set the scene in this. Well done, Amy. I agree with Dawn, your story has a real noir feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
col. sanders should be considered a prime suspect. he had a lof of missing chickens to his credit. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I’m sure he will run into him somewhere in his search. 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
Great piece! I hope they track down Big Bird. This could be a whole comedy crime novel 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Hughes is definitely sticking to business, Rochelle. He’s devoted to tracking down his hero. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Amy,
I loved this. Big Bird impersonator plucked. Lulu is so nonchalant. We’re Columbo when you need him?
LikeLiked by 1 person
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…
LikeLike
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…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
I’m thrilled! Thanks so much, TRG. I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
Got the Sherlock Holmes reference, and loved Lulu’s attitude! Great story! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kelly. I’m glad you got it and enjoyed it! xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome! Great photo prompt as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! It inspired lots of different stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve seen a lot of variety with this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re reading them! Great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haven’t been online much, though, because we are having summer like weather here right now! Great for getting things done for the holiday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have to! Going to be in the 30’s in a few days 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brrrr!! 50’s are cold here. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s nothin’ Ame!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! It’s laughable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good. I love the characters and there are some great lines in this. Most entertaining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Margaret.I’m so happy you found it entertaining.
LikeLike
Lulu is a great character. You should think of expanding her. Do you do that? I have a notebook of characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dawn. I don’t have a notebook of characters. That’s a great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Ha! Nice one. I thought of big bird too but in a different direction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Subroto. I’ll be by to read your version!
LikeLike
This reminds me of the girl in Elvis Costello’s Watching the Detectives:
“She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake…”
LikeLike
Oh, right. Love that song. Thanks so much!
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve worn a “head” before in performances. Not only will people not recognize you, but you can’t breathe either! Thank you, Suzanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was a very humorous and somewhat tantalizing story! Very creative!
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLike