Thursday, September 10, 2015

The Natural Attraction (FF)

© Jennifer Pendergast
Mulford had a dream.

He wanted to build a small vacation hotel in the little town of Philaberg nestled quietly along the banks of Lake Kitchiekoo. The townspeople agreed but worried there were no natural attractions in the area to bring tourists.

That Sunday Mulford rowed out to the center of the lake to scout locations. He was thinking maybe a nice rock garden could be an attraction when suddenly there was a mighty swell and swirling water slammed against the side of the boat. It was then that the head of an enormous sea creature surfaced. 

"Damn it, Nessie!"cried Mulford, “Can't you ever cool it? If outsiders find out about you, we'll never get anyone to come here!" 

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

Poor Mulford!   He's right, of course.  Who in their right mind would want to go visit a small town just  to see a dinosaur thought extinct for 60 million years cavort joyfully in a lake?  Can you imagine how that would interfere with water skiing?
    
Maybe the townsfolk can convince Nessie to tone it down a bit while they put in a cheese slicing museum. Or maybe we'll find some better ideas for the hapless Philaberg folks by checking out the other Friday Fictioneers by clicking here to see what they've done with the picture prompt above.

By the way, Nessie also juggles and does impressions. Yep, he's box office poison, all right.
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31 comments:

brudberg said...

Ha.. of course it's like that.. those messy dinosaurs would just want to eat the picnics of the poor tourist. Better keep silent about the pet-dino.

C. E. Ayr said...

Jings, Perry, dae ye no' ken Nessie is a lassie?

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields said...

Dear Perry,

Oh the publicity he's passing up. I'd like to see her do impressions. Does she do one of Barney or Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent or Ollie...or...or...there she goes showing her age. ;)

Shalom,

Rochelle

Anonymous said...

Mulford just past up millions of dollars. Oh well ... But Perry's writings are worth millions.

Anonymous said...

Perry, this is wonderful. Poor Nessie - always being paraded around to make make her handler money. Tsk, tsk. The "Greed" of it all! Well done Perry! Nan

Perry Block said...

Yeah, it could be a big problem, although I understand Nessie is also looking forward to carrying their luggage and refuses to accept tips.

Perry Block said...

Yes, but this is an American Nessie who just happens to have the same name. I think they're related.

Perry Block said...

I'll show you some age here. She does a great impression of Og, the first pterodactyl ever, including his well-noted lisp. It's the best Og I've ever heard, but frankly it misses the charm that the real Og brought to it.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Mike! When I put up my vacation hotel on Lake Kitchiekoo, you stay free!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Nan! In this case, however, maybe there wasn't quite enough greed.

Anonymous said...

I hope Nessie keeps it quiet....No one is ready for her in life except maybe this bunch of Friday Fictioneers. Good one and a fun read.

Russell said...

I suggest he harness Nessie and have her tow gondolas around the lake while you serenade lovers with your ukulele. Please try to learn something besides those darned Abba songs your famous for.

Perry Block said...

I have a feeling Nessie will settle down with a nice Jewish boy, have a couple of kids, and lead a quiet life.

Perry Block said...

Sounds lovely but I don't think it will work.My song stylings from the ABBA songbook will keep all tourists away even if they do find out about Nessie.

Dale said...

Thought Nessie would attract people, not deter them!
(by the way, you wrote Pour Mulford instead of Poor... )

Deepa said...

Nice take on the prompt

Gah Learner said...

Sure, Nessie will drive all the tourists away, who would possibly want to see her? Fun story!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, I fixed it! Yes, I think Mulford has it a little bit muddled too. Poor Mulford!

Perry Block said...

Thank ya!

Perry Block said...

Yeah, personally I think the cheese slicing museum would be a much bigger attraction.

Sandra Crook said...

Nessie would be honoured to know her fame had spread thus far. Nice one birthday boy.

Priceless Joy said...

Haha! Great story!

margirene said...

Your American Nessie sounds like a poor, beleaguered creature - gender issues, rejected and hidden away by the community, and unappreciated as a performer. Mulford had better watch out - a sea monster can only take so much.

Perry Block said...

Actually, this one was all Nessie, I just edited a bit. I convey your compliments.

Perry Block said...

It ain't exactly Moby Dick, but it has its moments. Thanks!

Whispering Thoughts said...

I like this creative twist and tale.. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Perry Block said...

Yeah, there's going to be a Godzilla moment. Watch this space.

Perry Block said...

Thanks. Let's twist again.

P.S. Joshi said...

Good story, Perry. Is that Nessie related to the one in Scotland? Probably the American one wouldn't draw as much attention as people want to travel to far distant places to see sights like that. It's not nearly so attractive when it's practically in your own backyard. I surprised the Chamber of Commerce in that area hasn't come up with something. They usually can. Hilarious and well done, Perry. :D --- Suzanne

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Suzanne. The locals just don't know what they have. Meanwhile Nessie is upset no one will watch it juggle. People are so blase nowadays.

Dawn said...

Nessie needs a youtube channel, that'll bring 'em in!