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15.4.21

NEEDS MUST

 NEEDS MUST


Pub landlord Clive had erected an open-air shelter for his customers, many of whom were waiting when he opened his doors after lockdown, and there was instantly a party atmosphere. Those who had booked tables for the evening found the afternoon crowd reluctant to leave, and by nine pm the place was heaving.

When the downpour started, everyone scuttled beneath the shelter, social distancing forgotten.

With his licence at risk, Clive hoped that the inevitable needs after hours of drinking would send the diehards home, but he’d reckoned without their ingenuity – and the ornamental bucket in the pub garden.

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My husband went to the pub on Monday but, with the temperature freezing, I opted to stay at home. I shall go when the weather is warmer, though only for one drink - the thought of not being allowed inside the building is daunting when one has a weak bladder!

Thanks to Anne Higg for this week's photo prompt, and to Rochelle at   https://rochellewisoff.com/ for continuing to host Friday Fictioneers - sometimes the prompt is all that wakes up my writing muse!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST - allow me to remind you that my book of poems is now available on Amazon. My illustrations are just asking to be carefully enhanced with coloured pencils, so why not treat yourself ? Just click on the cover at the top of the page to order.

24 comments:

  1. I hate to think what the ornamental bucket is for

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  2. I imagine Clive is not the only one to face this problem this week. I will be like you Liz, and not be rushing back on opening night!

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    1. You do have one advantage - you can pee standing up!

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  3. Bye bye ornamental bucket, I'm thinking :-)

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    1. Clive would be well advised to remove it.

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  4. Oh dear. Well, needs must, I suppose, lol.��

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    1. I wonder whether the government has considered this problem?

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  5. Eww!! Not "ornamental" any more. Fun story!

    Anne from annehiga.com

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  6. it's a watering hole for pete's sake. what can we expect?

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  7. I wrote a story recently about a place called Piss Alley in Japan. It was an alley filled with bars and no restrooms, so the patrons went where they wanted. This might be the beginnings of a distant cousin.

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    1. Eeuw!! It might be. We have similar minds, it seems.

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  8. I'm with you. No bathrooms...no me. Hope it warms up soon and you can join your hubby when the doors finally open.

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    1. Another two or three weeks should see me up there!

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  9. I'm looking forward to inside pubs, live music, and pints of Magners. Outside in the rain and no bathrooms no thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Our local has had a marquee for a couple if years, with heaters too. It's the lack of a bathroom that deters me!

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  10. Dear Liz,

    That was certainly not what patrons expected, was it?

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  11. I fear that bucket shall become more than ornamental!

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  12. Gah. Only one bucket for all those people who've been filling their bladders.

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