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| PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll |
PLAYTIME
Reggie woke before his
special clock sounded the hour. He chuckled. Silly really, but waking
unassisted felt good.
His jauntiness faltered
as the eczema in his groin flared. It took effort not to scratch.
He bought a newspaper
and sat facing the adventure playground. The background noise of
children playing delighted him.
Shouts interrupted
Reggie’s reading. '…disgusting… bastard… paedo…'
He looked up.
A young woman
was yelling at him. '...think I don’t know what you’re doing
under that paper? I’m calling the police, you filth.'
Stupid mistake! He knew
his time was up.
'No, it’s my eczema,'
Reggie whispered, mortified.
I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments.
If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE
If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE
If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.
On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first.
Dear Susan,
ReplyDeleteOh dear. That would be next to impossible to explain or be believed. Poor Reggie. What a place to have eczema. Can't help giggling either.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think he was so engrossed in his newspaper, he didn't realise he was scratching his itchy groin!
DeleteWhat a terrible mistake!
ReplyDeleteYes, poor, unthinking Reggie.
DeleteFunny, and yet terrifying how this could easily happen. After all, the only way for him to prove he has eczema on his groin is to show her...but that will probably be misunderstood too! :-)
ReplyDeleteI fear he'll have to wait until he's in the police station.
DeleteI'm less likely to think "poor, unthinking Reggie" as I am to tell that young woman to mind her own %$#!@ business unless she's 101% sure what she's talking about!
ReplyDeleteThat's one way of looking at it - but I guess she feels she's protecting her children. Thanks for commenting. :)
DeleteSo he is a pedophile. Scratched his groin eczema! Nicely done. Shown the grossness of the man both physical and mental.
ReplyDeleteNo! Reggie isn't a paedophile - he's an innocent old man with a skin condition. Sorry I didn't make that clear! :(
DeleteHow awful!
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Thanks, Alice.
DeleteI am not sure what to make of Reggie and his special clock. He seems like a child in a man's itchy body, Jilly, Sugar on the Bee
ReplyDeleteYes, he's just an elderly man with a clock that is special to him, trying to get by in the world.
DeleteIt's amazing how many eczema sufferers there are around today. :) How very embarrassing for the poor man. Good one, made me smile.
ReplyDeleteYes, Reggie suffers from his skin condition and being elderly, he forgot where he was when he tried to ease the itching.
DeleteNice take on the prompt as you led to this funny and realistic tale -
ReplyDeleteand never had eczema, but do know skin issues are horrid and this was funny
priorhouse blog
Glad you enjoyed the story! :)
DeleteExcellent, if disquieting story, Susan. You make it sound very believable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely feedback, Penny - much appreciated.
DeleteOuch... but at least it's the better option of having to admit to eczema, maybe there is a simple cure.
ReplyDeleteYes, the eczema is the culprit here!
DeleteShouldn't laugh, but ha ha ha ha ha. Poor guy.
ReplyDeleteYes, poor old Reggie. He's got some explaining to do. :)
DeleteOops! Poor chap. I hope the police are somewhat understanding once the police doctor sees his condition :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, he should be able to prove his innocence, Alistair, but I doubt if he'll go near that Adventure Playground any more!
DeleteOh my, poor guy. Very entertaining story, Susan. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, poor, unthinking Reggie. Thanks for commenting, Lore.
DeleteA humorous take on a serious subject! Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith. This was sparked by a conversation with friends about how careful men have to be around children these days. A sad fact of life.
DeletePoor Reggie!!! He will have to call his doctor when the Police arrives.
ReplyDeletehttps://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2018/09/uncertain.html
Yes, hopefully there will be a satisfactory outcome, Kalpana, but he'll probably be lucky to get off with a caution.
DeletePoor Reggie - he should have chosen a different bench!
ReplyDeleteSad, isn't it? Elderly men aren't allowed to enjoy being around children they don't know.
DeleteI feel awful for him. And it's ridiculous how she judged him. Unnerving to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for Reggie's plight.
Very nicely told, Susan.
People sometimes make unfair judgements and see what they want to see. Thanks for commenting, Natasha.
DeleteI am mortified for poor Reggie! Nicely done :D
ReplyDeleteYes, poor old chap. Thanks for commenting! :)
Deleteif he showed him proof that she was mistaken, how would she react? would she apologize? i wonder. :)
ReplyDeleteGood question, but difficult for him to show her proof, given where the itch originated. Thanks for commenting, plaridel. :)
DeleteGreat story, I can see how this could happen. But has sinister undertones because of the subject matter, I wonder if Reggie would get a fair trial?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think so. He can prove his skin condition, and if he has an unblemished record, it would be hard to prove without doubt that he was up to no good. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteMethinks when the eczema is acting up, a park bench near kids is so NOT where he should hang out! Poor bugger.
ReplyDeleteNo, he realised his mistake, so he'll never do that again!
DeleteHahaha Poor Reggie. I hope he gets a fair trial. Very funny take by the way, Susan.
ReplyDeletePiyali (Wordpress)
Thanks, Piyali. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteOh no. Does Reggie know they have a cream for that? Poor guy.
ReplyDeleteSometimes nothing stops the itch! Thanks for commenting, Jo.
DeleteHow terrible!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Thanks, Lisa. Appreciate your comment. :)
DeleteOh my, how mortifying for poor Reggie. Eczema is the worst and so itchy, how is he going to prove he was simply scratching? Made me chuckle. =)
ReplyDeleteHe's got some fast talking to do - if he's up to it! Thanks for commenting, Brenda.
DeleteAh, poor Reggie. Can't blame the woman either, you can't be too careful these days. I hope everything can be settled peacefully. Great take, I also enjoyed the explanation for the opening.
ReplyDeleteNo, can't blame either of them really. Thanks for commenting, Gah. :)
DeleteYes, I'm certainly glad I don't have first hand experience of eczema! Appreciate your comment, Stuart.
ReplyDeletePoor Reggie - not a predicament it was sensible to get himself into. Hopefully the local populace will calm down and accept his explanation. Of course, it's not possible to show his affliction for fear of more problems.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to show how easy it is to do something unthinkingly and then suffer the consequences. Thanks for commenting, Sarah.
DeleteWell if you were trying to write something different you certainly exceeded! lol
ReplyDeleteHe he - thanks, Dawn! :)
DeleteOh dear, poor man, you have to be so careful these days
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, Michael. Thanks for commenting. :)
DeleteOh! That is a different take. And the poor man. Although he should have probably been more mindful. :)
ReplyDeleteKudo's on using the prompt. I feel bad for the man, as long as his itch was just an itch, if you get my drift. I am still smiling out lout.
ReplyDeleteSusan