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Friday, May 3, 2013

The Palace Paillasse


"Are you sure this is the hotel you booked, Brandon?" I asked as we arrived at the fancifully stuccoed and bizarrely terraced lodging place to which we were headed for the evening.

 "Yep, that's it," said Brandon, "the Palace Paillasse, and I think it looks cool!"

 Well, the hotel did have a playful feel to it, but the  clerk with the pale off-white make-up seemed a bit odd. Checking our reservations, he reached behind the counter presumably to get the room key, but instead produced a bottle of seltzer and squirted me right in the face!

 "What the hell!" I shrieked, wheeling around to see a lobby filled with men in baggy pants and floppy shoes, and Brandon aiming a pie straight at me.

 "I've been meaning to tell you, Dad," said Brandon, "that I've finally made a career choice." 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 No clowning around, this is my weekly contribution to the Fabulous Friday Fictioneers and Clown School with picture prompt above and story below. I flounced in at 140 words this week, nothing to honk my horn about since the goal is a motley hundred.  

 If you're ready for the Big Top, click on the link to sample the varied and daring acts of the many other Fictioneers to be found beneath.  

 "Be a Clown?"  Well, Russell and I try.  And every now and then, maybe we succeed.
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34 comments:

  1. Sandra CrookMay 3, 2013 at 4:12 AM

    :) :) Full marks for originality.

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    Replies
    1. Perry BlockMay 3, 2013 at 8:52 AM

      Thanks, but a pie in the face and seltzer? I expect more from my clowns in 2013!

      Delete
  2. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsMay 3, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    Dear Perry,
    Now there's a young man who's following his dreams with vision and cream pie in hand. Funny. Although I'm not sure Dad is laughing.
    Shalom,
    Rochelle

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  3. nightlakeMay 3, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Humorous. Team Brandon all the way:)

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    Replies
    1. Perry BlockMay 3, 2013 at 8:53 AM

      I like that term. I hope I'm eligible to join "Team Brandon" too!

      Delete
  4. troy P.May 3, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Is this like coming out, but a clown car instead of a closet?

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  5. Perry BlockMay 3, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    That's true, although some people are bi-clownal.

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  6. AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    Can't say I expected anything like that!

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 12:13 AM

      Yeah, me either. At least you didn't get spritzed with seltzer and hit with a pie!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    And Dad said, "That's my Brandon always clowning around."

    Great story. Loved it.
    Randy

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 12:14 AM

      Thanks, Randy. I just hope my son has the academic record and SAT scores to get into a top notch clown school!

      Delete
  8. MaggieMay 3, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    What a great chuckle that induced, and a perfect way to introduce Dad to your chosen profession. Well done!

    Here's mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/post-modern-ossuary/

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 12:15 AM

      After this introduction to his career, I'm a little nervous about the girl he might bring home ...

      Delete
  9. brudbergMay 3, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    And I guess Dad is up to the task of being an understanding and supportive parent. Someone has to be target in pie throwing target practising,

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 12:16 AM

      The pie throwing isn't so bad, it's the dunk tank in winter I'm worried about!

      Delete
  10. RussellMay 3, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    Excellent, Perry. I loved this story so much I slammed a pie in my own face! Oh the fun we have making people smile. :)

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 12:17 AM

      Here, I'll wash it all off for you with this ....FIRE HOSE!!!

      Delete
  11. AnonymousMay 4, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    Very good, Perry. I think there's ONE career choice very similar to it ... we call it the news business. Well done! Fun.

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    1. Perry BlockMay 4, 2013 at 7:00 AM

      No question about it, especially the way the news is practiced on Fox, MSNBC, CNN, your local news, ...

      Delete
  12. janetMay 4, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    It appears all the witty comments have already been made, so I can't even give you your just desserts. Ah, well...it was fun.

    janet

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    1. Perry BlockMay 5, 2013 at 1:33 AM

      Don't need any more witty comments; just take a pratfall, and you can get out of here!

      Delete
  13. AnonymousMay 4, 2013 at 12:50 PM

    great way to break the taste about his profession to dad ! ;)

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    1. Perry BlockMay 5, 2013 at 1:34 AM

      Yeah, if the pie were lemon meringue instead of shaving cream!

      Delete
  14. UnknownMay 4, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Haha! Just some good, creative fun there.

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    1. Perry BlockMay 5, 2013 at 1:35 AM

      Thanks, Chris. Hope he'll be making some good, creative money too!

      Delete
  15. EL ApplebyMay 4, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    I enjoyed your clowing around this week, Perry! Great fun :)

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    1. Perry BlockMay 5, 2013 at 1:35 AM

      Thanks, but what about the make-up? Do you love the make-up or what?

      Delete
  16. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 1:02 AM

    awww I wish it was longer! Loved it!

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    1. Perry BlockMay 5, 2013 at 1:36 AM

      I do have a 556 page version. I'm sending it to you, Pam; can't wait to hear what you think!

      Delete
  17. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    Lol..I never know what you will come up with week after week but I am certain it is always to be a delight!

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  18. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    LOL very unexpected. the pie on the face was an awesome touch. haha :)

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    Replies
    1. Perry BlockMay 6, 2013 at 12:13 AM

      Thanks. It worked so well, I'm going to include one in every post from now on!

      Delete