Photo copyright Douglas M. MacIlroy
“Let’s go, kid,” the editor’s two-pack-a-day growl floated through the mailroom. “I know you’re thirstin’ for a spot on the news beat. You can get your feet wet at the mayor’s press conference.”
Minutes later, my raised hand was acknowledged among the throng of reporters.
“Mr. Mayor, you’ve endorsed a citywide ban on sandboxes as a result of Tuesday’s tragic incident, but sandboxes didn’t hurt those children, sir, the bully who flung the sand caused the harm. What is your response to those who say a ban on sandboxes infringes on the rights of the children who use them responsibly?”
Hmm, I see a thirsty horse standing in a puddle of his own making; could my story have a more tenuous link to this week’s photo prompt from Friday Fictioneers? 🙂
Things I See and Know 
train-whistle
March 23, 2013 at 12:39 AM
“two pack a day growl”–a favorite line. Enjoyed the premise of your story too!
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Thank you! I was hoping just the description of the voice would be enough to paint an overall picture of the editor…
moondustwriter
March 23, 2013 at 2:14 AM
ban the sandboxes!!!
ugh we really have gone far afield (says the horse)
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Yes, some days I think the world has lost all common sense.
Sandra
March 23, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Tenuous maybe, but an original take. Well done.
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Thanks! I’ve been struggling with originality, so this was a good start to move out of my comfort zone.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
March 23, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Dear Michelle,
Doesn’t matter to me whether your connection to the prompt is tenuous or not. The picture was taken in Hawaii. There’s sand on the beach, right? There’s your connection. 😉
In any case, I love this piece. It says so much! Perfect. .Not a responsible word out of place!
Shalom,
Rochelle
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:05 PM
I’m usually a color-within-the-lines kind of gal, so these photo challenges are really helping me think more broadly and not so literally. I appreciate the variety each week, and the community support and feedback.
zookyworld
March 23, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Keep the sandboxes! And the large sodas! We’re gonna need something to drink after the horse drinks all the water. I enjoyed your story. 🙂
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:03 PM
I agree! Hand the politicians a Big Gulp and let’s see if the sugar/caffeine high can propel them into action on meaningful issues!
Sarah Ann
March 23, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Love the ‘two-pack-a-day growl’. I’d love to know how the mayor answers….
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:02 PM
I’m sure the mayor will answer like all of the other politicians out there have been doing…something non-committal that won’t cost him votes for the next election. Wouldn’t it be nice if he said something meaningful, then actually acted on it for the public good? Think that crosses the line from fiction into fantasy! 🙂
sustainabilitea
March 23, 2013 at 3:40 PM
Hear, hear!!
janet
Douglas MacIlroy
March 24, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Oh, I like this story a great deal. Highlights the ‘Kintergarten’like attitude of those in power. knee jerk reaction to the wrong thing. This country’s going south fast and we don’t even need a ticket.
Aloha,
Doug
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Ah, “going south without a ticket” is much more polite than the “going to hell on a sled” I’ve been using lately. In the story, I was trying to make a subtle commentary on a tricky political issue without causing an all-out riot in the comments section.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
March 24, 2013 at 4:02 PM
Ah this is just great… a sandbox debate here in Sweden means a debate about unimportant stuff… don’t know if that is the case where you live… but it made this one all the better for me.
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 3:57 PM
I’ve never heard the term before (in my native US, or current UK home), but I’m glad my serendipitous choice of sandbox as a “weapon” added something to the story!
billgncs
March 24, 2013 at 10:28 PM
that horse doesn’t have a hose in his teeth, he is tongue in cheek. I enjoyed this very much.
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Lol 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting!
lingeringvisions
March 25, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Sand doesn’t sting your eyes people do. Oh wait, that makes no sense.
dreaminofobx
March 25, 2013 at 3:54 PM
So much of the debate makes no sense…
Joe Owens
March 25, 2013 at 5:41 PM
I believe this is a commentary on the legislation of our lifestyles (ala Blloomberg’s Soda Ban). Sometimes the story has a direct relations and sometimes it just won’t flush.
buffalostarmedicine
March 26, 2013 at 3:55 PM
The link may be tenuous, but the statement is profound. Gotta handful of sand here, who wants a good old-fashioned sandfight????