Carrots. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons
“I’d rather be swinging on a star than crouched over this bowl of stale pretzels,” Thomas moaned into his lowball.
The bartop was smudged, its worn wood scratched; on one corner of the counter, that nearest the bathrooms, a heart was carved, just large enough for two sets of initials, joined by a plus sign. He traced a grubby finger around the heart’s outline, and tossed back another whiskey, knocking the glass on the counter twice and waving his finger for another.
“No stars here,” noted the barkeep as he poured out another two fingers. “Time to head home?”
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2022)
Carrot Ranch Prompt (02/21/22): In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “I’d rather be…” You fill in what comes next. What would a character(s) rather be doing and why? How can you use the phrase as a literary device? Go where the prompt leads!
Valley of the Trolls 
Sounds like Thomas is not in a happy place. I hope he finds his happy place soon.
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Lonely hearts are shadow places. I think we all can relate to such a time. If not in a bar, the loney heart.
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I note that you “really don’t know”. And yet it’s a solid scene. I can even smell it. Perhaps this character will return and we’ll all know more.
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Maybe…
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I’m wondering if one set of initials in that small star belong to Thomas or if he’s just thinking wishfully?
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Good question!
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Talk about drowning your sorrows….
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…or maybe taking several shots of courage….? I really don’t know.
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