Joey, flush with his wad of winnings, tucked into the Philharmonic’s lunch-time special, a steaming bowl of meaty scouse*, congratulating himself on his escape.
He’d only just started on his second glass of stout, when he remembered he was due to sign on; he gulped the smooth liquid down, just as the original antique clock hanging above the bar was beginning to strike two: he was already late.
Gary, the counter supervisor, hadn’t been amused, so much so that Joey had found himself staring back at him across a sticky Formica table in Interview Room One; Joey looked down at his bitten fingernails, ‘sorry, I must’ve left me card at home’ he muttered.
To Joey’s surprise, Gary slid his UB40 across the table, ‘listen Joey, I brought you in here for a warning, but it’s not about being late,’ Gary’s grip on the table edge tightened, ‘it’s about the jade camel, trust me, mate, you’re better off without it.’
Joey held up his hands, ‘if that’s all, I’ll be going.’
Gary, rapidly losing control, flew round the table and grabbed Joey by the lapels, ‘I mean it, mate, it’s like it’s cursed; bad people are coming after you for it.’
*I’ve an idea one of my characters will be sharing their recipe for this iconic Liverpool delicacy sometime soon…
Written in response to two challenges:
Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: ORIGIN, BEGIN, START
Denise Farley of Girlie On The Edge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: CONTROL
Many more #SixSentenceStories here – why not bring your own?
Photo credit: illustration from a book somewhere on my bookshelves which has mysteriously disappeared🐪
Uh-oh. Hope Joey knows what he’s getting into! 😉
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Poor Joey has no idea… I’d imagine he thinks Gary’s a bit crazy, too.
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I was wondering what went through Joey’s mind when Gary grabbed him, Chris… doesn’t seem like Gary at all. It’s the camel. I blame the camel. 🐫
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Definitely blame the camel!
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Roll on next week…………. great track too!!
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Thanks, Di 🙂
Frankie is very much my era! (when we all were very young)
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Great album.
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Is this a sufficient warning?
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We’ll see. The camel has a powerful pull.🐪
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Very interesting turn of event.
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That’s the plan! 😉🙂
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🥰😃
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Whoa, Joey’s headed into some trouble with the jade camel. I’m now just so curious to know whether he’ll drop it after the warning. Wonderful continuation. ✅ 🙏❤❤🙏
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Thanks, Lamittan – we’ll see next week!😉
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Gladly, my friend. Can’t just wait enough for the exposition. Feel most welcome. 🌼
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🙏
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Joey had better listen this time . . .
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I’m not sure whether he’s prepared to surrender the camel yet…
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Stuborn fella, isn’t he? Tut tut.
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That’s the way of these young Scousers!
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Now I wasn’t expecting that 😳
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Neither was Joey!🐪
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When Gary grabbed Joey by the lapels I thought he was going to attack him. So now I’m wondering if Gary is really trying to do Joey a favor or if he’s trying to scare him into giving it back…🤔🐪
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A bit of both, I think.😉🐪
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Surely, Joey recognizes his “luck” has not been all that since finding the camel? Points to the possibility Joey was specifically chosen by the camel. At least that’s my theory this morning, Chris 😀
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Could be the camel at work, Denise. Someone had to find it at pull it from the muddy Mersey!
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You write a tense tale, Chris.
Never heard FGTH singing this before. I always liked them, but they sure ain’t Brucie!
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Frankie’s version works so well with the story, especially the intro with a touch of the local accent.😉
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How much longer will he hang on to it? It’s not looking good.
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I think you’re right, Keith. Joey’s luck seems to be running out… although if Gary’s to be believed, he better off without it.
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It makes me wonder whether Gary wants that camel for himself.
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He’s putting on a good act if he does, Frank!
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Already, I like the hapless, Joey. Now I’m worried.
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You’re right to be worried for Joey, Jacqui!
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Including, it would appear, the counterman among them!*
Good installment… the plot thickens, the players gather
*sorry, should’ve done a better setup, “… it’s like it’s cursed; bad people are coming after you for it.’“
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I’m going to need a bigger stage!
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It’s not easy to let go, but if you are in over your head, it’s often a good idea.
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Joey’s not gonna listen, is he?
Especially with that soundtrack going full blast.
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Nope. Not a chance, Liz!
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We’re rollin’ ! 🙊😊
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I’ve been away for so long that I’ll need to visit the story that came before. If this were on a book jacket, I’d find knowing the whole story irresistible!
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Pleased you’re back, Susan 🙂
I’m delighted that this ‘approaching-the-climax’ episode drew you in!
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[…] expression on his friend’s face, ‘is it the story?’ he’s referring to the latest episode in their author’s Six Sentence Story serial, ‘I said to be careful what you wish for, […]
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Such a picture you conjure up of the interview room – I can just feel the atmosphere.
And the tension mounting…
I guess nobody’s told Joey about Frodo and the ring!
Nicely done, Chris.
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Thanks, Jenne!
Frodo and the ring would’ve been a good lesson, but I don’t see our Joey as a reader and the film hasn’t come out yet. 😉
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[…] Previously […]
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Good one, Chris. A glass of stout. Or Guinness, or Murphy’s… mmm, a nice treat when in a pub. Frankie Goes to Hollywood were such an amazing band and helped define that 80s vibe. So glad I was there 😎
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Me too, Ford. My most overplayed LP in 1983!
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Oh, Chris, I love how this is all coming together! Superb stuff!
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Thanks, Susan! This one’s a lot of fun to write 🙂
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As a reader, I can feel the joy you have for these characters and this story. 🤩
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Yay!!
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