Photo by: Roger Bultot
Stress Time
“I don’t understand,” said Doctor Z. He cruised in his powered chair to stop beside Police Chief Dennehy. “She was supposed to be relaxing!”
“I know,” said Dennehy, watching the firemen put the last of the house fire out.
“We did everything to ensure FlameGirl’s mutant power wasn’t activated by stress.”
“You did your best,” sighed Dennehy.
“We put her in this sleepy town. She only had Disney Channel. She was surrounded by soft colors, plush toys, positive affirmations, and Chamomile tea.”
“It should’ve worked.”
“I know. What happened?”
Dennehy shrugged. “She still had to file her taxes.”
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Gawd, am I glad my taxes are finally done. Ugh! Each week, the Friday Fictioneers join to de-stress and imagine flash fiction stories from a photo prompt. This is my version answering the photo by Roger Bultot above. Look here to find more: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/17-april-2015/
EagleAye
Momus News 
Filing taxes also stresses me out and we wait for the last day to file which adds to the stress some more. 🙂
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Me too! Every year, I swear to file early, and every year I wait until the last minute. *sigh*
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As this is in the ‘humour’ section, it seems fitting to point out that the clouds in your picture depict a penis. This made me laugh.
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Oy! I didn’t realize that. Good eye! Glad you got a laugh from it. 🙂
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Ha.. here in Sweden filing taxes is done with an SMS.. government know us too well.
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Hmm. Taxes are pretty substantial there, aren’t they? Then again, you get a lot for your money, like medical bills that aren’t financially ruinous if you get a hangnail. And what is an SMS?
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SMS? Sadistic Money Surgery 😀
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Haha! 😀 Sounds apropos.
Systematic Money Sequestration?
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LOL. We used a tax preparer for a few years and it was still stressful….
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Hehe. I know. It’s a hated part of the year. I dread it.
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I had this feeling that your story would mention taxes. Perhaps that’s because I’m reading this from H&R Block’s world headquarters. Perhaps it’s just because today is April 15. Either way, I enjoyed the journey, especially the spin on the XMen.
All my best,
MG
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Yikers! Well, I imagine taxes might be at the forefront of your mind. Busy day today? Glad you enjoyed the trip into the nether reaches of my mind. Thanks so much. Cheers! 🙂
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Incendiary tax returns: you hit a raw nerve there!
Good work.
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Certainly did. The poor girl just couldn’t control herself. Thanks much! 🙂
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Very nice. lol.So timely, my taxes deducted by fault are giving me stress. Can they put me on fire, I have to be careful.
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It does that to a lot of people. Especially if you realize you have to send the government more money.
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Dear EA,
Perfect, perfect, perfect. Stand by to be audited.
Aloha,
Doug
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Standing by for Audit, aye! Glad you enjoyed it, Doug. Much appreciated. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
I’m so glad I wasn’t drinking my coffee when I read the last line. It would’ve been a through the nose spurter for sure. A great story for this time of year. Love it…love it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, good thing you dodged that. Coffee in the sinuses is no fun! After watching my wife with this year’s taxes, the inspiration for this one came easily.
Glad you enjoyed, and thanks most kindly! 🙂
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ROFL, you never disappoint. I’m not familiar with all these super heroes, but I loved it nonetheless (and could understand it).
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Hehe. I do aim to please. I just made up my superheroes, but they are vague references to (real?) comic book heroes. Glad you got enough to have fun with it. Thanks much! 🙂
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Ugh taxes. Lucky the town is still standing I think.
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Pretty much. If she ended up having to pay more, the town would’ve been destroyed. Everybody lucked out this time.
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Better watch out next year when the fees for no health insurance jump!
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Great last line oh WordMaster! I enjoyed your bit of flash fire! ^..^
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Haha! Flash Fire. I love it. Thanks Barb! 🙂
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🙂 Be well my friend!
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If that last line wasn’t paying paying taxes, it might have been funny.
Still…. good job.
(it was funny, though). Randy
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Hehe. I know, taxes aren’t funny. I’m glad you had fin, though. 🙂
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Some woman, that FlameGirl! Trying to keep her destressed is evidently a bit tricky. What idiot left her tax forms to fill in? I really enoyed youy story, Eric, and the funny images you created,
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Ah, yeah. She really doesn’t handle stress well. She’s banned from taking the ACT test in three states. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks much! 🙂
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Taxes disrupts everything and everybody! Funny story.
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It really does. Such a drag! Glad you laughed. Thanks much! 🙂
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Haha! That’s the truth! Taxes will stress anyone out.
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Death and taxes as they say – unavoidable. But I had a choice to read your words and chose wisely. Ha ha.
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Hehe. I’m glad you like your choice. Thanks much, Tracey! 🙂
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Very timely. I’m not sure the Disney Channel assures calm! haha–fun story.
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Hmm. Might have to review that programming next time. 😉 Glad you had fun. Thanks! 🙂
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Filing your taxes – that particular American festival I don’t really understand and I’ve always managed to avoid! A bit like trick or treating without the treats maybe?
Guess I’m the lucky one by the sounds of it!
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Yes, it’s much like “Trick or Treat.” The middle-class is “tricked” and the obscenely wealthy one percenters are “treated.” You are certainly lucky if you’ve avoided it. The headache of the paperwork is bad enough as it is!
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Congratulations on finishing your taxes! I don’t know about the Disney Channel, Eric. Somethings those stiuations can get pretty hectic. Hilarious and well done. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne! Well, maybe pull back that Disney Channel. Who was that guy who had the painting show? Bob something. He’s great for people under stress. 😉 Glad you enjoyed the story, Suzanne. Thanks kindly! 🙂
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April 15th brings out the evil mutant in all of us!
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