Friday Fictioneers–A Noteworthy End

Posted: June 12, 2013 in Friday Fictioneers, Humor, Music
Tags: , , , , ,

 Fictioneer:  n.  1. A person who participates in a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt.
2. A person who  tells stories that may or may not be based in reality.
3.  A person addicted to writing once-a-week, 100-word stories.  No cure is known.

If you are not a Fictioneer, you’re welcome to read offerings other than mine by clicking on the blue link monster that follows my story.
If you read, feel free to “like” and comment.
Fictioneers love responses!

copyright john nixon

copyright john nixon


How many musical references can you find?  Don’t be afraid to be Frank.  Or…maybe not.

Word count:  100
Genre:  If you can’t tell, I’ve failed.

A Noteworthy End
(Overheard at the wake)

 “The key to it all (according to Frank) was to be natural and a sharp dresser.”
“Yeah, he always pulled out all the stops!”

“He liked to say ‘Oppor-knockity tunes but once.’”
“He also liked ‘Just duet.’  Drove me nuts.”

“Have you seen Dal Segno here?”
“Sorry, could you repeat that?”
“Never mind.  It’s fine.”

“Frank liked to fly by the seat of his pants. And he was really getting into the piano.
“True, although he didn’t always conduct himself very well.”

“But what a finale!
“He’d love it!  He always went for Baroque and besides, it’s all over YouTuba!”

Comments
  1. Dear Janet,

    A well orchestrated story. I’ll be trumpeting my like for it all morning with forte. You Tuba? That gets a double-groan. I’m leaving now before I get into treble and contract a staff infection.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    • Oh, very good, Fearless Conductor! There were so many choice here, it made me treble. Can’to do any more right now but glad you stopped by.

      janet

  2. Alastair says:

    Haha. I think I got 16 😀

  3. Sandra says:

    This was a great take on the prompt, and so cleverly conducted. (Well it’s not as bad as You Tuba) 😦 Nicely done Janet, as ever.

  4. vbholmes says:

    I get 22, Janet, with a couple of possibles in the wings. Fun quiz.

    • Good morning, vb. Struggling just to get to comments, let alone stories right now. At some point I’ll sit down and count them and see what I come up with. Thanks for stopping in.

      janet

  5. That’s some good punny fun. 🙂

  6. Funny composition – I got 13 :o)

    • I have to count them myself at some point but too busy working on house and yard right now. The house should go on the market today or tomorrow!!

      janet

  7. A funny one – obviously you have a number of musical people
    Im not Frank but I got 22 ( that was stretching) Am sure you could infer a few more
    but I’ll wait for the final bell…

  8. Joe Owens says:

    I lost track of the number, but enjoyed the piece from beginning to end.

  9. Bastet says:

    Reblogged this on Bastet and Sekhmet and commented:
    Nice prompt!

  10. Helena Hann-Basquiat says:

    So many groans here, darling. Gone Chopin, be Bach in a minuet.

  11. wmqcolby says:

    Hilariously rich with all the musical terms. You know, I almost did a story similar to this, but I NEVER would have done it as well. BRAVO!!! We know we can COUNT on you. 😉

  12. Hannah says:

    A very apt title for your story. Some people know how to make their exit, don’t they?

  13. Penny L Howe says:

    Just too funny Janet! Love every one of ’em! 🙂

  14. H. Ken Abell says:

    Lots of clever wordplay. Well done.

  15. “Just duet”..I like that, lol

  16. zookyworld says:

    I love that he liked to fly by the seat of his pants!

  17. Linda Vernon says:

    Haha! Frank’s fitting end! Wonderful Janet! 😀

  18. Tina Schell says:

    Excellent – really clever!! Love opper-knockety tunes 🙂

    • That’s the punchline for a joke but I’ve always loved it and couldn’t resist the opper-knockety to include it. Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by.

      janet

  19. Shainbird says:

    Pure brilliance!

  20. I’m impressed. I’m obviously not as tuned in as some of your commentators since I can only count 15 musical references. But I learned a new word – “opperknockity”. Thanks 🙂

  21. […] have used this intriguing photo as the prompt of the week!  I came across it thanks to “This, That and The Other Thing” whom I reblogged yesterday, read her story it’s great!  Then I saw Shainbird had […]

  22. denmother says:

    Good fun and very clever.

  23. Perry Block says:

    I wouldn’t want to horn it, and I couldn’t count all the references anyway. Very fun post!

    • Ah, Perry, always good to hear your fluting voice in the comment section. I’m happy you enjoyed it. It was fun writing it but not as easy trying to have it all make sense and paring down the idea.

      janet

  24. Trudy says:

    Lots of fun! And I love YouTuba!

  25. WilderSoul says:

    Hilarious – I love puns! Just when I thought I was running out of musical references – there is your mountain of ’em singing out!

    • Someone said that puns are the lowest form of humor so perhaps that says something about me (or us), but I’m OK with that, as long as they’re not malicious or very off-color. When I read your story, I was pretty sure you’d enjoy mine. Now let’s each pat the other on the back so we don’t either of us break our arms patting ourselves. 🙂

      janet

  26. misskzebra says:

    Puns like this are underrated, methinks.

  27. I see what you did there. Nice word play.

  28. EagleAye says:

    Another punster, yea! This was fantastic and funny. How you wove the plot in concert with the puns is beyond me. That’s definitely something to trumpet about.

  29. Carrie says:

    very clever. You always hear the best things at a wake, don’t you 😉

  30. Shreyank says:

    amazing, clever , creative story 🙂

    • Thanks very much, Shreyank. So pleased you liked it. I’m still working my way through stories and I know there will be more posted today. 🙂

      Enjoy your Friday.

      janet

  31. rgayer55 says:

    It left me smiling from ear to ear. I hope I go out with such style and grace. Enjoyed the Fictioneers definition too.

  32. troy P. says:

    “always went for Baroque???” Oh no, she did-nt! I loved this one Janet, very fun =)

  33. Yes, you hit all the right notes, Janet. A masterful piece, Janet! It’s so clever and fun.

  34. neenslewy says:

    Fantastically entertaining – love YouTuba! You better get that trademarked! Brilliant and fun! Refreshing flash fiction.

    • I’m happy you liked it so much, Neens, especially YouTuba. Someone’s probably thought of it before but if so, I haven’t heard of it. 🙂

      janet

  35. JackieP says:

    that one made me smile, groan, count and try to come up with another. I couldn’t. Well done. I love word play.

    • I do, too, Jackie, and I’m happy you liked it. Have you ever read any of Richard Lederer’s books? You’d love “Anguished English” and he also has “Get Thee to a Punnery” and other gems. I laughed until I cried, literally, reading “AE.” Highly recommended!

      janet

  36. unspywriter says:

    So many puns, so little time! 😉 Very well done!

    Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/simon-sez/

  37. Lyn says:

    You’ve been practicing, Janet. What a fine performance. I’m looking forward to an encore next week 🙂

  38. Sarah Ann says:

    It must take you so long to orchestrate these pieces. Well done. I think I’m glad you only had 100 words on this one. 🙂

    • What? You didn’t crave more puns? I’m crushed. 😦

      Glad you enjoyed the story, Sarah Ann, and I hope you’re having a great weekend. I’m still working my way towards your story and should arrive sometime today (I hope.)

      janet

  39. annisik51 says:

    Judging by your picture (of yourself not prompt) you must be feeling a little ‘horse’ from singing this story. Great fun, the story! I don’t have the time to fine tooth comb it for musical references, but I get 14 at first count, which includes ‘panting’ – something I am regularly reduced to as a singer (okay, so YOU try singing ‘Queen of the Night’ when you get to 62). Seriously, this sort of approach could be fantastic for children’s stories of the educational ‘quiz’ variety. Ann

  40. Wow. I’m impressed. I love the puns. You know your music.

  41. This one really sings! But going for Baroque? You Tuba? Oh, Janet, that’s punny!

    Seriously, it’s a very funny story. 😉

  42. Sunshine says:

    tee hee…a Janet classic. ♥ i love it!

  43. petrujviljoen says:

    Comments as funny as the story. Excellent fun!

  44. Very fun to read…genre: horror? right?

  45. elappleby says:

    Great fun, Janet, maybe we should start a new group: Monday Punday perhaps???

    • That could be fun, EL, although maybe having to come up with puns in a publishable format every week might be too much (or make one weak). Randy would probably love it, though. 🙂

      janet

  46. julespaige says:

    ‘Conducted’ yourself with cleverness here. As other too, I’ve enjoyed your ‘Key’ words.

    Thanks for stopping by the Sycamores and Oakwoods. 🙂 Hope Alastair ‘roots’ up his piece soon, as my new piece for the current week has already ’em’bark’ed.

    Cheers.