It’s time for Friday Fictioneers hosted by our Fairy Blog Mother, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s photo was provided by Emmy L. Gant. Thanks, Emmy.
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly writing group challenged to write a 100-word story based on a photo. All are welcome. Join in. Here are helpful instructions.
(100 words)
The Bottom Half
A pitcher of ice water with floating lemon slices graced the table, unoffered.
Property manager Zelda dropped the contract in front of Leo. “Welcome to Zephyr Gardens. Just initial and sign.”
Leo flipped through the stack of paper. “Like I’m buying a house. Want an arm? How about both my legs?”
“You can itemize.” Zelda looked away.
“Like a shopping list? Pool, keys, security, landscaping, housekeeping, dog clean-up…air.” Leo shrieked. “Since when are we paying for air?”
“It’s filtered. Clean,” she said.
He checked a box. “Suppose I gotta have clean air. I can scoop up the poop.”
Zelda shrugged.
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For more stories from the Fictioneers, click here.
AmyReeseWrites 
Ha ha very funny one this week! It’s amazing, a simple house with all those “extras”! It’s incredible what they try to make you pay for
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Thanks! I tried to add a little humor to what could be dire. I think the more options you have, the more expensive it will be. It’s like cable TV. Thanks, Laurie.
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Dear Amy,
“You can itemize.” LOL. Zelda doesn’t miss a beat, does she? Glad the air’s clean and the story’s fun.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Zelda is on top of things, Rochelle. LOL. Nothing gets past her. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Actually, the story is clean and the air is funny,
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It’s getting funnier all the time…
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Leo flipped through the stack of paper. “Like I’m buying a house. Want an arm? How about both my legs?” funny, funny line. I’m glad you took this to the lighter side, and brilliantly, too.
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Aww, thanks so much, Alicia. Happy you liked that. You’re too kind!
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Sounds like when I bought my townhouse. Fun read, Amy, as usual!
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Oh no! It can be so overwhelming to get into a new place. Thanks so much, Kent. Glad you enjoyed it.
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it looks farfetched, but with housing shortages the zeldas of the world are coming sooner than we think. 🙂
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Could be, Plaridel, but I hope not! I just want to live in a yurt or something, or maybe one of those tiny homes. 🙂
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I was so naive I took the dog poop clean-up and I don’t even have a dog. Darn it, and I gave up the pool for that too!
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I don’t blame you, Perry. Poop is year round, unlike the seasonal pool! Perhaps it was a very good choice. 🙂
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Looking at some cities around the world, it won’t be long before paying for filtered air will be a necessity. I hope Leo knows what he’s signing!
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I hope that won’t be the case, but some cities are already in trouble, like you said. I have a feeling Leo is not reading the fine print on the bottom, Ali. I hope he knows what he’s signing, too.
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I love Zelda’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Great story, Amy. I suppose toilet paper come by the square in the bottom half. I love it when you write humor.
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Haha. That would be a good one for the list. I tried to choose common things with a few weird ones. I try, Russell, but you’re the master. Thanks!
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Hints of a future time. Nice.
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Thank you!
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Great dialogue, so funny! And I agree with your protagonist; I can do without a lot, but definitely want clean air! (I read that Mexico City has oxygen bars where folks can get relief from the pollution.)
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Thank, Jan. Clean air would seem to the minimal requirement. Wow, I can’t believe this about oxygen bars! I had no idea. It’s already here, isn’t it? Mexico City’s air is horrible. I just gasp when I see photos. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. 🙂
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Kinda feels like the opener to a Netflix drama… I mean that as a sincere compliment.
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Thanks, Trent. I take that as a compliment. I’m a big fan of escapist Netflix. Have you ever seen the “Black Mirror”? It’s techno-paranoia at its best.
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I haven’t, actually. Slowly slowly making my way through newest season of House of Cards at the moment, will turn my attention to Black Mirror next. At my speed, it’ll take me a year to get through it.
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Watching House of Cards now. I love that one. I watch only a few at a time. It’s my little escape. The nice thing about Black Mirror is that they are not connected with any one storyline. They’re standalones. I bet you would like that one.
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Thanks for bringing a smile to Cincinnati.
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Glad I could bring a smile to your face. We all could use that! Thanks, Frank.
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I can totally see this as an option in future homes if it is not already.
Realistically funny.
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It makes me think of cable. Just look how expensive it is. And most of it is stuff you don’t even watch. Otherwise, it’s the big inclusive, flat fee. Thanks, Dawn!
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This must be an enclosed house if they can filter the air!
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It must be! Maybe an enclosed community or something. I didn’t get into details, but it crossed my mind. Thank you, Liz.
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Hah! Having once bought a house in Spain, I can identify with this. Extra… extra… extra… Nicely done Amy.
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Oh, yeah? I hope you didn’t have to pay for air, Sandra. Thanks!
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Oh that’s so funny… I understand why they call it all inclusive…
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Thanks! Inclusive. Yes, it’s a very important word.
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That made me smile. What a thought!
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Thank you, Louise.
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Hilarious, Amy. Zelda sounds really thrilled with her job–Not. Poor man. They even have a choice of whether they want to buy clean air. We all knew that was coming didn’t we Well done. 😀 — Suzanne
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Zelda is above it all, I think. She couldn’t be bothered with a problem of any sort. I hear they have oxygen bars in Mexico City. I guess it’s here already. Thank you, Suzanne.
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Very well done, Amy! Your air reference lends itself so well to the photo. Could definitely be true someday! 🙂
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Thank you, Kelly. I hope it doesn’t come true. We gotta stop it!
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I know – it’s a strange thought. Something you take for granted and don’t think of as being unsafe!
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That Zelda is a tough one. Great humour, I love it. And the punch with the air, makes the laughter get stuck.
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Thanks so much, Gah! I’m sorry I’m so late, too. Glad it made you laugh.
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