The Tree

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

“How much farther?” Chuck carried the top of the tree.

“We just need to go to the alley and the delivery entrance. Almost there,” answered Sam.

“Do you think they’ll notice the rusty branches?” Bert was worried, as usual.

“Nah. Better an old tree than no tree.” Sam, always positive.

Chuck wasn’t so optimistic. “We’re going to get in trouble for this. The Boss won’t like it.”

“Turn right! There, we made it.” Sam led the way to the employee’s lounge, where some maids started singing “Oh Christmas Tree.”

Even The Boss helped decorate it.

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Reality Today, No Fiction

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

This photo took me back to the early 1950s, before shopping malls. We lived near downtown Minneapolis. The Christmas season was a highlight of our year. All the stores went all-out, and it was glorious.

Dayton’s and Donaldson’s were the biggest stores. Their window displays were magical to my five-year-old eyes, with lots of sparkle and shine, manger scenes, and Santa.

The decorations above the streets were also magnificent. It was indeed a winter wonderland.

We spent an evening each year, walking for blocks. Throngs of happy people filled the sidewalks.

There was peace in Minneapolis.

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I couldn’t find colored photos of Christmas in Minneapolis in the 1950s, but here’s a photo of one of the window displays at Dayton’s Department Store. You can enlarge it to enjoy the details.

Exploring

“This is a strange place,” whispered Zing. ” I wonder what’s in all those bottles?”

Zang’s curiosity overpowered his caution. “We should open a bottle. Come on!”

The two aliens flickered to invisible mode and crept into the wine cellar, innocent as babies.

Zang pulled out a bottle, and tried to twist off the cork. “I need a tool,” he said, just as Zing noticed something that looked appropriate. Inexperienced, Zang botched it. Wine spurted everywhere. They licked sticky fingers.

“Mmmmmm,” said Zing. “More, please.”

They went undiscovered, but the vintner always believed his arch-rival had been sampling the goods.

Promises, Promises!

– Copyright – Claire Fuller

“Come on, Judy, it will make us tons of money. And it’s only for a little while. I’ll build you a fine house, I promise.”

Judy was young, and she loved Eddie. Trusted him. She hated the mess and the smells–gas, oil, exhaust, and rotting rubber–but she agreed. Just for a while.

Time passed, and the pile of tires grew. Judy’s patience did not. Years of promises, all for nothing.

She still loved him, but she hated living with all that mess and filth.

“I’ve had enough, Eddie. Enough of your empty promises. Goodbye!”

Earth People are Weird

PHOTO PROMPT © LIsa Fox

Zing and Zang shivered in the snow. “Why did we have to come here?” whined Zing. “What is that thing, anyway?”

Zang, who had done his research, explained that it was a place built for humans to deposit their personal waste.

Zing was appalled. “That’s beyond primitive! It’s just disgusting! You mean, one person does that right on top of another person sitting underneath him? Yuck!”

“Well, I imagine the top place isn’t actually used. It’s what Earth people call a parody.”

“If they feel that way, they should flush their politicians!”