OLWG #50- A Pocket Full of Bottles

This week’s prompts are at the bottom. The story below, brings back Tommy and Consuela because I kinda liked them. I wrote it for practice, because that’s what makes perfect.

Here’s how to play along, if you are unsure.

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He stepped up onto the bus, showed his pass to the driver and walked to the back row. He took a window seat. Not too many people on the bus this morning so seats were available. As he slid across the seat he reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the plastic bottles and checked the label. ‘Stolichnaya’ Tommy grinned and leaned back in his seat; he was happy when he got a bottle of the good stuff. He screwed the top off, swallowed the contents in two gulps and tucked the empty bottle between the seat cushions. With the sun shining on his face he reached into his pocket two more times before he got to his stop. The first time he came out with a brown bottle of cognac. It had a picture of a deer head on the label; lots of antlers. It tasted like shit, the second time he got Cuervo Gold, so much better than that deer stuff.

Tommy signaled his stop at 17^th and Capitan. Harbor Liquors was singing to him. He looked at his watch. Almost 9:00, the liquor store opened at 9:00. The Oil Change Shop was about three blocks further down Capitan he could have stayed on the bus but then he would have missed the liquor store. He needed the liquor store.

“Mornin’ Tommy,” the register guy waved absently before turning his attention back to the racing form he had open on the counter.

“Hey Jordan,” Tommy answered as he headed back towards the coffee maker. He snagged a few small bottles from the shelf on the way, slipped ‘em into his jacket pocket. He poured a cup of coffee, added milk and sugar, but he kept his eyes on Jordan, who in turn kept his eyes on his racing form. He grabbed another couple hands full of bottles on his way back to the register without checking the brand. He laid a couple of bucks on the counter.

“Gracias, Jordan,” he said.

“Yeah, yeah, see ya tomorrow, Tommy.” Jordan kept his head down as he studied his racing form and grabbed the cash. He punched ‘NO SALE” on the NCR. The drawer popped open, he pushed it back shut and stuffed the cash in the pocket of his shirt.

Tommy pushed out of the shop and hurried down the street where he greeted Mr. Killdeer at exactly 9:15, “Morning, boss.”

Killdeer looked at his watch and smiled, “Good morning, Tommy; nice to see you here early as usual.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Killdeer. I want to be ready to work at opening time, not just arriving to work at opening time.”

Killdeer’s smile broadened, “Got a meetin’ tonight?” he asked.

“Yes sir, right after work.”

“Why don’t you take off a couple minutes early tonight, Tommy? Don’t want you late for your meeting. You’re doing so well. We’re all proud of you, you know.”

“I may take you up on that, sir,” Tommy said, “Thank you.” He turned and headed out to the bays to get ready for work. He rolled his eyes when Killdeer couldn’t see. That fuckin’ Killdeer was starting to sound just like Consuela, he thought to himself.

 

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This week’s prompts are:

1. She’s one of them
2. your journey is your own
3. Double jeopardy

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Go ahead and dive in, set your imagination free!
Write something
Ready, Set, Go – you have 25 minutes, but if that is not possible, take as long as you need.

Have fun