PHOTO PROMPT – © Dale Roberson
The legendary snakeroot finally broke the surface of the water. Its was rumored to be the cause of the six drownings in Lake Pleasant this summer. The stories about the plant go back to early settlers. It’s rarely seen. Mixed in with cattails, it might as well be invisible.
“Boss, let me get this straight. I’m going to a mud pit of a pond. I’m going to find a legendary plant that drowns people?!…..”David Daily looks at his phone in disbelief. Years of award winning investigative journalism flash in his head. “I mean it’s an urban legend. Not my wheel house. How about you send an intern? Let then cut their teeth on the big story. …I see, you are serious…. ok. I’ll put the triple murder investigation aside, sir.”
Headline next morning. . Seventh Victim of the Lake
Poor guy should have told the boss no . Such a good read 🙂
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Thank you very much. Some bosses dispense work knowing the results.
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The stories go back to early settlers about the plant. I would reconstruct this sentence to read “The stories about the plant go back to early settlers” Picky, I know, but it flows better.
Poor journalist. Maybe the boss was actually trying to get rid of him.
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I’ll go revisit that. Thanks it does flow better. 😀
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Loved your story. Very lucky intern. 🙂
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Thanks for the kind words. It was a fun prompt.
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A story within a story. Good take!
Lily
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Many thanks! I love the dark phases of a character. This started out three times the length. I’m glad it held up.
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I like this tale of the snake root. The boss will have to send in a replacement…
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Maybe that was the whole intention. Difficult people require unique solutions. 😉
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He could’ve got a Pulitzer for that story, if only he took it more seriously. Cccc…
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I love the dark humour in this. I’m a bad person, I chuckled. 🙂
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No one is indispensable. He just learned that the hard way. Good one.
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Wow! I could see that coming a mile off, and it was still shocking! A very well-told tale!
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Thank you. The obvious has to be used once in awhile. To keep reader and writer honest
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I like the obvious! Whenever I read John Steinbeck, I am struck by how clearly he reveals a character’s tragic flaws early on. And everything after that is a confirmation of what we know is going to happen, and yet, it’s so dramatic and so tragic.
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It’s a weird sense of comfort I guess. Knowing things with a certain way. I’m not really sure why it works.
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Hmmm… wonder if his boss was trying to get rid of him?
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There is no try. Just do or don’t. Reporters are never supposed to be bigger than story. 😉 thanks for read comment, my dear
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True dat!
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Arrogantly foolhardy non-believer
Plants need to eat as well.
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Ha ha!
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Dear Mark,
Maybe something will emerge to make his time worthwhile.
Shalom
Rochelle
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I had to chop words. The plant get him in the end. Thank you
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Interesting take on the prompt, I’ll be staying away from ponds in the future…
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Thank you. I guess I did my job then. 😉 thank for comment
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