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9.9.20

NOT OPEN - a story in 44 words.

 

NOT OPEN


“How much did you take today, Joe?”

“Nothing, Ma – ain’t seen a customer all day.”

“What – not one?”

“Nope – can’t understand it – I made a new card for the door, an’ all.”

“Oh Joe! Your dyslexia will be the death of me!”

 

.......................................................................

With apologies to anyone who suffers from dyslexia - a condition that can impact on all aspects of life.

This week's short story is REALLY short because I couldn't see any way to pad it out without losing the impact of my first draft. To read stories of twice the length written by other Friday Fictioneers and prompted by Rochelle's photo, go to her blog at  https://rochellewisoff.com/

MEANWHILE - may I remind you that the fourth and final book in my LIVING ROCK series, ROCK FESTIVAL, is now available on Amazon, along with the first three - A VOLCANIC RACE, WOLF PACK & LANDSLIDE.  To read an extract, scroll down to my blog dated 28th August. And then buy a copy, read it, enjoy it and LEAVE A REVIEW!! PLEASE!!


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47 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald09/09/2020, 10:07

    What a brilliant interpretation of the sign1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:47

      Thanks Neil - my crossword anagram brain took over!

      Delete
  2. C. E. Ayr09/09/2020, 10:45

    Funny and sad, Liz, and very clever.

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    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:48

      It is rather sad, I'm afraid - hope I didn't offend anyone.

      Delete
  3. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields09/09/2020, 11:20

    Dear Liz,

    This made me laugh out loud! When I saw that sign on the door, I had to snap it. ;) You did it justice.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:49

      Thanks Rochelle - I can just imagine the shopkeeper's state of mind when he;she wrote that!

      Delete
  4. Danny James09/09/2020, 11:29

    😂

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  5. Dale09/09/2020, 13:17

    Hahaha! Love it!

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  6. Unknown09/09/2020, 13:39

    What a lovely take on the prompt, Liz. And congratulations on publishing your book. Did you self-publish?
    -Justjoyfulness

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    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:50

      Yes, self-published - I do hope people buy it!

      Delete
  7. Trent McDonald09/09/2020, 15:10

    It took me a minute to realize that there is a block on the last letter of the sign (The last letter being another "N", so it can quickly be changed from nope(n) to (n)open. Given my dyslexia, I'm sure I would have made the same sign as Joe...

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    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:52

      My grandson has a formof dyslexia which makes such situations difficult for him too. Thanks for not tearing me off a strip, Trent X

      Delete
  8. Sandra Crook09/09/2020, 15:31

    Clever take on the prompt, Liz. And it was just the right length.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 15:52

      Thaks Sandra - sometimes you have to know when to stop.

      Delete
  9. Linda09/09/2020, 17:27

    Liz, this is brilliant. I never saw the possibility of dyslexia, just the sparse vocabulary of this proprietor.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Iain Kelly09/09/2020, 17:55

    Amusing and clever, and I'm sure the dyslexic community would see the funny side too.

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    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 22:33

      Thank you, Iain, I hope they see the funny side of it too.

      Delete
  11. Dora09/09/2020, 19:17

    Liz, I love your clever take! Joe will have to leave the sign-making to his Ma if they want that store to stay open :)

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    Replies
    1. liz young09/09/2020, 22:34

      She'd certainly because to check on him more often!

      Delete
  12. JadeLi09/09/2020, 20:22

    Short, sweet, and crisp, just like I like my apples. Good one, Liz.

    ReplyDelete
  13. plaridel10/09/2020, 03:21

    it's funny as it gets. well done. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Doodle T10/09/2020, 03:33

    Excellent. So short and perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bill10/09/2020, 09:21

    Your story makes its point in few words. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Keith's Ramblings10/09/2020, 14:06

    I wonder what it says when he spins it round at closing time! Excellent Liz.

    Here's mine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young10/09/2020, 22:23

      That's a puzzle for another day! Thanks Keith!

      Delete
  17. Paula10/09/2020, 16:55

    Cute!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Subroto10/09/2020, 21:58

    Ha! Ha! That was fun And congratulations on publishing your book.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anita Sabat11/09/2020, 11:02

    Short but conveys the story well.
    Dyslexia means loss of customers too...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. liz young11/09/2020, 13:55

      Unfortunately you are right. His mother will have to ban him from writing notices!

      Delete
  20. draliman11/09/2020, 13:28

    Aw, poor guy :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Brenda Cox12/09/2020, 00:12

    Guess they should divide the duties. Everyone has their own gifts. =)

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    Replies
    1. liz young12/09/2020, 08:52

      How true. Thanks for commenting, Brenda.

      Delete
  22. Unknown12/09/2020, 01:29

    Wonderful!

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  23. brudberg13/09/2020, 19:55

    Hope... it should say hope.

    ReplyDelete
  24. A.B15/09/2020, 19:16

    Very clever take on the prompt, Liz :)

    ReplyDelete

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