For the first time in 2022, our dear and lovely lady, the queen of Friday Fictionalism, Mistress Rochelle has joined forces with Brenda Cox to masterfully tempt me into yet another maddening moment of muse-some, mendacious micro-storytelling.
Click on the next photo for a free taxi ride over to Rochelle’s place where you may want to get smart about writing fibs to a photographer’s photo. My sad story follows the prompt pic.

Genre: Gonzo Journalism
Title: Don’t Be Misunderstood
Word Count: 100
Cold and drunk as I might be, I stumbled into the artists den, desperately needing to pee.
Of a painting man I asked, “Where’s the restroom?” my slurred Texas accent sounded like I asked, boom-boom?
With a mean look he yelled at me, “Number ten. Boocoo dinky-dau drunk, american. Take money!”
Through a white curtain, I entered where several young ladies were sitting around laughing and pointing. One demanded money.
I got out my wallet. Then, I heard a loud crack.
Next thing I woke up, dead as you see me now, with wet pants and an empty wallet.
Look both ways in the house of the rising sun.
Mind the gaps, speak clearly, and reconsider the nearest bush.

A bonus, if you dare: —
I had to wait for that fantabulous rendition of House of the Rising Son to finish before responding (yeah, yeah, I know, I could have listened on YouTube…)
Your intro is as great as your gonzo journalism! There is definitely a lesson to be learned… not by your guy, obviously. It is too late for him, but should his story be told. Then again, should the person being told the story be inebriated, there are no guarantees. Maybe restroom should be changed to toilet… no boom-boom mistake! LOL.
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I enjoy that song but was unaware of the awesome covers rendered so perfectly in various musical genres. I’m heading out for a walk. Gunna listen to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 😇
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This is truly a wonderful cover.
Do enjoy. I haven’t seen it in forever.
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And thanks for the compliment
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Was gonna say… 😉
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I know. Anyways, back now. What a goofy book. My (#1) son has accused me of “channeling” Hunter S. Thompson. So, I sometimes do, minus drugs. 🙂
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Hahaha! Too funny.
Minus the drugs is a good thing…
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Depends on who you ask. 🙂
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Hahaha! Right!
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🙂
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This is so boom boom funny, I’m still chuckling.
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I’m chuffed that you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Dang, I wasn’t expecting that end for the Texan.
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🙂 Neither was I. Or he.
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🙂
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He should have peed on the doorstep
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And be arrested for indecent exposure? 🙂
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Better ending than I thought it was going to be. Thought you were going to make art with your pee.
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Oh, now there is a story in that concept. Right? 🙂 Thanks, Kathrine.
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Great voices for your characters, and a very well told story. And now I must listen to The House of the Rising Sun.
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Thank you, Penny. Enjoy the song.
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I think this one will stay with me. 🙂
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A story containing a warning to all drunkards in a strange place. Always know where you are going to pee, it is an essential fact that should be in every travel advice pack.
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Poor Texan.. but then again, no matter how bad you have to go, you also need to think a little. Great version of House of the Rising Sun.
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Thanks, Trent. I discovered videos for several good renditions of the song. 🙂
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Has interest in HotRS risen lately? I put up a video a few years ago and it has been getting a lot of play over the last few months (“a lot of play” for me is 10 YouTube hits a day, though I received more than 50 views over the last two days). For the last few months it is more than everything else combined….
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I don’t know. But that sounds good to me. 🙂
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Oh! That’s harsh! A harmless guy just needing a little relief.
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Fun with fiction, but who knows?
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A cautionary tale indeed – and a riveting version of House of the Rising Sun, wonderful guitar!
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Thanks, Jilly Glad you liked it.
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When you need to go you have to go, but preferably not in that way! Now I need to go!
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That’s rough going for the Texan! But, I did enjoy the story and the song, Bill. 🙂
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Glad you liked it, Brenda.
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This one was as blunt and gritty as your other one? Do you always have a hard drinker as main character?
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Of course not, Larry. But what is more vulnerable than a drunk?
Maybe I read too much Bukowski. 🙂
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beware he who enters. Should have peed elsewhere methinks. Love that song. Well done
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Thanks, Laurie.
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When you gotta go, you gotta go! Poor chap, though.
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Exactly.
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Dear Bill,
To quote BJ Honeycutt. They can always understand English if you speak slowly enough.
Your story reminds me of some of my husband’s Navy days stories…well one in particular. 😉 Wet and empty…poor guy. Gonzo Journalism? Well told, if not uncomfortable, story.
Like Dale, I had to wait until for the end of the video to comment. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle,
Oh, the war stories we could tell. Your comment made me laugh at myself. You insightfully got the timing right. Pick the place. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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poor chap, in their estimation, i guess he didn’t rise to the occasion. 🙂
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🙂
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There are far better ways to leave a house of ill repute with an empty wallet than that. He did not get his money’s worth.
I usually consider Lead Belly to be the definitive version of any traditional song, but the production on the version you posted is brilliantly haunting and fits the song well.
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Glad you liked it. 🙂
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a depressing end
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