Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Harborside Hero (FF)




"Perry, do something!" my date Janet shouted as the two of us saw a man slip and fall in the harbor where we were having drinks at a waterside cafe.

"Me?  Why me?"  I gasped. "What about everyone else?"

"Do you see anyone else going in?  Help him, for god sakes!”

"But I'm not that good swimmer! I wore a Mae West Jacket until I was 27.  I always get severe water in the ear.  I'm a sinker, not a floater!” 

“But he's floundering!"

“Umm... do you think the water in the harbor is heated?”

“Never mind!  I’ll do it.”

And Janet dove in. Last thing I saw of her, she and the drowning man were having dinner together.

Maybe I’ll just throw myself in the harbor next.

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

I thought it might be time for a tale of heroism and bravery featuring me, and ... ahem ... here it is!  Only thing is, the heroism and bravery belongs 100% to Janet, zero to me. 

Well, at least I'm here today to chronicle her valiant story as my entry in this week's Friday Fictioneers' happenings and events.  Further happenings and events as chronicled by the other Fictioneers are available by clicking here.

Hey, stop splashing me!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too bad he didn't jump in...Janet seems to be a good catch! The dialogue was fun.

Perry Block said...

Hey, I may still jump in! I'm just ... um ... still working up the courage. Maybe another drink first .

brudberg said...

Ha.. yes Perry.. forcing a lady into the harbor water, she bound to find a better catch..

Perry Block said...

She sure did. And for me, she turned out to be the one that got away.

Russell said...

I suspect Janet had breast augmentation which helped her and the drowning man stay afloat.

Your hesitation is understandable. Water is wet, and sometimes cold. This can cause parts of the male anatomy to shrink to the size of a peanut shell, which would lead to embarrassing situation later in the evening and disappointment for poor Janet.

I think you showed a tremendous amount of self-restraint and bravery by NOT jumping in. After all, who wants a girl who looks like she could win a wet t-shirt contest on Girls Gone Wild. Not Perry Block, that's who.

Unknown said...

That dialogue was very realistic. Good story!

Perry Block said...

That's exactly why I didn't dive in, Russell! For some reason, Janet didn't understand my great sacrifice on her behalf. But the real joke is on that poor slob she saved. I understand she's dragging him into the water every chance she gets while the two of them are in Hawaii.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Francesca. When it comes to my life, it's all too realistic ...

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you were with a girl!

Randy

Perry Block said...

It's fiction.

Alicia said...

Perhaps a good idea to stay on land. Especially after everything Russell pointed out. Too bad for the "saved" man.

Perry Block said...

Yeah, it's a shame for him. She drags him to all those wet t-shirt contests she wins too.

Sandra Crook said...

You can over-think a situation, you know. Maybe a bit more spontaneity might do it for him. Nice one.

Anonymous said...

Very realistic, Perry, I can totally hear the 'hero' of this one and Janet's exasperation too.

P.S. Joshi said...

I'm beginning to wonder if the other guy saw your girlfriend and jumped in on purpose. He's probably a good swimmer. So see. He'd have been disappointed if you'd saved him. That make you feel better? :D Hilarious, Perry. :) --- Suzanne

Perry Block said...

Yes, I spontaneously sat in my seat. I am always ready at a moment's notice to hesitate.

Perry Block said...

But can you hear the "hero's" whining as well?

Perry Block said...

Somehow that managed to make me feel even more rotten. But you tried, Suzanne!

Russell said...

I've got to hand it to Randy. He knows how to cut to the chase.

Perry Block said...

It's fiction.

Gah Learner said...

Too funny. The damsel in distress turned upside down, too. Not only funny, but clever. I would stand in awe if I wouldn't have to laugh so much.

Anonymous said...

You made all that up?
You just broke my heart (if i could find it).

Randy

Perry Block said...

Standing in awe and laughing will both work for me!

Perry Block said...

Well, the part about my not saving anyone is true.

Dawn said...

She was too manly for you anyway Perry.

Perry Block said...

Yes, probably, but I sure could use her if I'm ever drowning.

Anonymous said...

And to think it could have been you having drinks with the handsome but clumsy fellow she rescued! Cute story, Perry.

All my best,
MG

Perry Block said...

Yeah, I bet he would have bought me a nice dinner too! Thanks, MG.

Jan Brown said...

Dawn is right; I am more manly than you. And so is our other friend, Janet.

But it definitely is fiction:-))

plaridel said...

poor chap! now he's left behind drowning in his tears. :)

Perry Block said...

Oh yeah. I'll arm wrestle ya! Okay, make that two out of three.

Perry Block said...

I like that. And I'll have another beer too.

Anonymous said...

Everyone appreciates a good rescue or to be rescued. I like your long explanation in the middle of a crisis. Very funny!

Perry Block said...

Glad you can see I was only trying to set out the moral dilemnas and not cowering. So few see the distinction.

Anonymous said...

Yep, this is vintage Perry. Only you would think of a "heated" harbor, ha.

I just love reading your humor.

Mike

Anonymous said...

This exchange is better than the story !!

Perry Block said...

Thank you, Mike. I'll save you any time ... as long as the harbor is heated!

margirene said...

Perry wasn't there to jump in - he was there to write about it. And he did that like a champion.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Margirene. And he was also there to write up the relationship between Janet and the drowning man. And he did that like an idiot.

Anonymous said...

Janet seems like a shady character, best you got rid of her.

Perry Block said...

Quite true. And she looked so lousy in that wet T-shirt when she emerged from the harbor with that drowning man!

Anonymous said...

Janet might be the hero... but I still think the narrator is better off. Best to manage expectations :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Perry, So you can't swim. Well, color me surprised. I figured you were a life guard at the local YMCA during the summers. I think you can make your own floaties to help - you know. Think you would look good also with a Yellow Duck around your middle. Cute! Good story and I think the only way the water in the harbor is going to get heated is if everyone empties their bladder in it at the same time. Well . . . it could happen! Nan :)

Subroto said...

As a wise guy once said "If you love something, let it jump into a lake. If it swims back, it is yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.” So maybe it wasn't meant to be.