Before I write today’s story, I just want to share this with you before I forget. I was at the Walmart, heading for the dairy case. My path took me through the section for adult beverages. Since I don’t drink, I never paid much attention to anything there, but this item caught my eye. If you’ve been with me for any length of time, you will know why:
The anticipation, like pre-Christmas excitement, filled the auditorium. Sound inspected, lights checked, special effects ready. The support staff armed themselves with snacks and drinks. Behind the scenes, they didn’t have to worry about being caught on film.
The band members huddled in one of the dressing rooms, arms over each others’ shoulders, pep-talking each other and trying to calm their nerves.
A tap came on the door. “Ready, fellas? Time!”
“Yeah. Ready. Let’s go, guys!”
The audience erupted with screams and cheers as the band bounded onto the stage.
An explosive roar turned the cheers to screams. No concert after all.
Just Writing! 
The second terror attack at a concert in the collection this week! When concerts do come back, I hope this isn’t what the future holds. As for Zing and Zang expanding into adult beverage industry – good on them, they have finally learned a sure fire way to make money from humans!! 🙂
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Ha! I was so surprised, it just stood there gaping for a moment 🙂
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Loved the Margarita mix. Enterprising little aliens! The story was altogether more sombre
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Thanks, Neil–and the ending was a complete surprise to me. Happens, sometimes!
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It was all looking good, then that.
I think you are due some kind of royalty payment from that drink manufacturer!
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That would be a nice little income, as long as I used Zing and Zang before they did 🙂
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Dear Linda,
Wonderful set up for a horrendous ending. Too true for comfort. As for the drink, you should buy one can to set beside your computer. ROFL. That’s hilarious!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m sure other customers wondered why this old woman was standing there staring at the display 🙂
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Zing Zang and then all out in a bang. Whew! Had they had enough of just being the “support” staff?!
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Could be. We’ll never know!
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Your story is too real! Note to self: Always sit near an EXIT sign.
And good for Zing & Zang. About time they reaped some Earthly rewards. 🙂
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Not as if it never happened. Thing is, the ending was a complete surprise to ME!
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Horrific to be so pumped for good and have it turn to tragedy 😦 Zing & Zang chose a good product to promote. Cheers!
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You’e the first to comment on the product. Not being a drinker, I have no idea what a Margarita tastes like. For the sake of my two little guys, it would be nice if they could make a little pocket money out of it 🙂
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🙂 Linda, I haven’t tasted it, but with that packaging and flavor it’s bound to be good. Yes for the little guys, let them earn a bit 🙂
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I hope no concert ever has to end that way in real life. That’s a nice tribute to your famous alien friends
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Thanks, Larry. I thought so 🙂
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That concert went off with a bang. 😀 Sad that it’s happened before.
Wow Z&Z have their own beverage – love it.
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Yes, it is sad. The more we dissolve into lawlessness, the worse it will become, I’m afraid.
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Not so much of a concert after all. You should have patented Zing and Zang – you might have made a fortune.
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Only if my Zing and Zang are older than theirs 🙂
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What a horrific ending Linda. Hope you are having a great new year so far 🙂
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Thank you, I am, and I wish the same for you.
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Linda, I’m not surprised we wrote similar responses to this week’s prompt. The photo looked a bit chilling to me, with all the instruments all set up but no band. With the lighting effects, I was also tempted to go for a “beam me up Scotty” approach, but once the idea of the cigette came to me and that being his last cigarette, I had to run with it. .
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt during this pandemic, it’s how weird and bizarre things can become.
Hope you’re keeping well and staying safe.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Weird, for sure. The ending to my story came out of the blue–not what I had been planning. Kind of fun when that happens 🙂
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That happens to me quite a lot too. The creative flow often has a mind of its own and we become its hapless scribes.
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Oh, what a tragic way to go. Got a chuckle out of the adult beverage aisle find, though. I was recently strolling through hobby lobby and saw a piece of “art”,,, a silohuette of a bear… with the caption “People in tents are like soft tacos”… another chuckle. These days we have to find it where we can.
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what a twist in the end. i didn’t expect it.
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Neither did I! It came out of the blue at the last minute 🙂
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Love the ZingZang! Too funny.
And what is it with this poor stage that no one can survive it?
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A tragic ending after such a suspenseful buildup.
As for Zing and Zang, good on them! They’re making themselves at home 🙂
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I enjoyed the way you built up the story to it’s tragic climax, Linda.
A chilling sign of our times that will be forever changed.
Have a wonderful weekend … Be Safe 😷
Isadora 😎 🙏🏻
ps – ‘It is Well with my Soul’ is one of my favorite songs as is ‘Eye of the Sparrow’.
This group came to do a concert at our church. I bought their album and have worn it out. They were delightful young men. Blessings🙏🏻
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A couple of my favorite songs, too. I think we’re giving away our age, though 🙂
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I think your right. 😉
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That’s probably the worst possible way to bomb during a performance. The build-up was so serene, you caught me completely off guard with the ending. I’m sure it was the same for everyone at the concert.
I hope you’re getting residuals from that Margarita mix, or at least Zing and Zang are.
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I was just as surprised at the ending as you were! Not what I had planned at all 🙂
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A horribly sad story but told so well. Love that you found Zing and Zang have branched out to adult beverages! Love that you found that. Take care, Linda!
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Thanks, Brenda 🙂
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Such a tragic hark-back to the Manchester bombing. You set up the reveal nicely.
Good to hear Zing and Zang are integrating well into earth’s culture.
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Tragic end to what promised to be a fun evening. How funny that you should come across a ZingZang product 🙂
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Yes–took me completely by surprise!
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