Photo by: Ronda Del Boccio
Stephen, the balloon pilot, stepped out and kissed the ground. The balloon’s burners*, providing hot air, had failed and they began crashing to the ground. Yet, they landed safely after all.
Susie, the chief ground handler, rushed up. “I thought you and Senator Wilson were dead! How did you get any lift?”
“I grasped at straws,” said Stephen.
“Okay.”
“It was stupid, but I was willing to try anything.”
“What did you do?”
“I had Senator Wilson give one of his political speeches.”
“What good was that?” said Susie. “The Senator’s speeches are all full of hot air and… Oh!”
________________________________________
Written for the Friday Fictioneers: https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/06/10/12-june-2020-2/
Author’s notes:
*I had no idea what you called those things that flame up in a balloon. They’re called Burners. Isn’t the internet wonderful? More info here:
https://www.planoballoonfest.org/p/about/anatomy
There’s a brilliant film about ballooning called “The Aeronauts.” Highly recommended:
EagleAye
Momus News 
Imagine all the hot air balloons that could be powered at the moment with empty political speeches? The skies would be full!
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I know, right? And lord knows, politicians are cheaper to buy off than burners. 😉
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I don’t know. I think career politicians (the biggest crooks) exact a huge price. : (
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There is that, to be sure.
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A burner of a tale
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Your story made me smile. It is sad we can relate though.
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Excellent! It’s funny how often the balloon goes up when politicians make a speech… 🙂
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Haha! Politicians will do anything to get a rise out of folks. 😉
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Anything to lift the polls! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
You came close but I put my coffee aside. 😉 You really didn’t need the last line. You had the politician give a speech. Nuff said. Brilliant. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, I wondered about that. Sometimes I’m not sure if I should spell it out or not. Glad you still enjoyed it. And I’ll get you with that coffee one day Muhuhahaha! 😉
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Agreed. Clever idea though 🙂
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Haha, badoom-tish!
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Could not resist could you.
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Good one!!! You do know that is why Chicago is called the ‘windy city’, don’t you? That was a cute movie.
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I’m with Rochelle, the last line coulda been dropped. Good one!
And thanks for the link to that movie. I am definitely looking it up!
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I’ve seen that movie advertised in my streaming service. I’ll take a look at it now. Clever take!
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I saw that one coming as soon as I read the word, “Senator.”
Great use of the prompt, Eric.
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I suspect there are a lot of hot air balloons ready to take off on the next election period.
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Too bad that all that hot air isn’t some cold air to stop all that hot air.
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Let me try that again. Too bad there isn’t some cold air to stop all that hot air 🙂
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I saw that punchline coming. Good one!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome.
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