Title: Er, Well
Fandom: Original Work
Rating: G
Length: 402
Author notes: When I saw the prompt come up on Friday, I said, "Christ, this is a Frankles prompt. If someone doesn't end up in a wishing well or more likely BE a wishing well, I shall be disappointed." Thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
okapi1895 for the plot bunny ^_^
Summary: A well is attempting to get a bank loan for its new business.
Ms. Atkinson smiled across her desk at the well sitting opposite.
“So you’re hoping to take out a loan from our bank?”
“That’s right,” said the well, nervously. “To develop my business, you know.”
Ms. Atkinson consulted her computer screen.
“I do see from your application though that you already have a couple of failed businesses behind you…”
“I can explain that.” The well sloshed a little awkwardly. “My first business involved supplying water to a village. And that business lasted hundreds of years! But then everyone got connected up to the mains, and well, I just couldn’t compete.”
Ms. Atkinson nodded sympathetically. “Yes, I see.”
“I realised then that in this day and age you have to be prepared to diversify,” said the well. “So next I went into performance art.”
“Good heavens.” Ms. Atkinson’s eyebrows rose. “What an unusual route to take.”
“But it was a successful one. I worked with Little Johnny Flynn and Little Tommy Stout, and Tiddles the Wonder Cat. Johnny would throw Tiddles in and then Tommy would dive in and rescue her.”
The well grinned.
“All faked of course. Tiddles was a better swimmer even than Tommy. We did a show every weekday and two on Saturday—huge audiences and universally enthusiastic reviews!”
“So what went wrong?” asked Ms. Atkinson.
The well sighed.
“There was a backlash in the papers. Hordes of cat lovers insisting I was dangerous and should be fenced off. Audience numbers quickly dropped off after that.”
The well composed itself.
“But now I think I’ve found my niche as a wishing well. Nice, straightforward profession. My customer base is growing steadily but I need a loan to give myself a makeover and pay for a bit of PR. I need to develop an aura of mystery and possibility.”
Ms. Atkinson beamed.
“The wishing well business is always a popular market. I think we would probably be happy to give you your loan.”
Her fingers were poised over the computer keyboard.
“I really just need to see some proof of your regular income.”
“Naturally!”
The well produced a rather soggy sack and poured a heap of wet coins onto the desk.
“And that’s just from yesterday!”
Ms. Atkinson nodded. “You certainly seem to have impressive liquid assets.”
Smiling reassuringly at the well, she discreetly leant over and spoke into the intercom.
“Mr. Matthews? I wonder if you wouldn’t mind fetching a mop.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Fandom: Original Work
Rating: G
Length: 402
Author notes: When I saw the prompt come up on Friday, I said, "Christ, this is a Frankles prompt. If someone doesn't end up in a wishing well or more likely BE a wishing well, I shall be disappointed." Thank you to
okapi1895 for the plot bunny ^_^Summary: A well is attempting to get a bank loan for its new business.
Ms. Atkinson smiled across her desk at the well sitting opposite.
“So you’re hoping to take out a loan from our bank?”
“That’s right,” said the well, nervously. “To develop my business, you know.”
Ms. Atkinson consulted her computer screen.
“I do see from your application though that you already have a couple of failed businesses behind you…”
“I can explain that.” The well sloshed a little awkwardly. “My first business involved supplying water to a village. And that business lasted hundreds of years! But then everyone got connected up to the mains, and well, I just couldn’t compete.”
Ms. Atkinson nodded sympathetically. “Yes, I see.”
“I realised then that in this day and age you have to be prepared to diversify,” said the well. “So next I went into performance art.”
“Good heavens.” Ms. Atkinson’s eyebrows rose. “What an unusual route to take.”
“But it was a successful one. I worked with Little Johnny Flynn and Little Tommy Stout, and Tiddles the Wonder Cat. Johnny would throw Tiddles in and then Tommy would dive in and rescue her.”
The well grinned.
“All faked of course. Tiddles was a better swimmer even than Tommy. We did a show every weekday and two on Saturday—huge audiences and universally enthusiastic reviews!”
“So what went wrong?” asked Ms. Atkinson.
The well sighed.
“There was a backlash in the papers. Hordes of cat lovers insisting I was dangerous and should be fenced off. Audience numbers quickly dropped off after that.”
The well composed itself.
“But now I think I’ve found my niche as a wishing well. Nice, straightforward profession. My customer base is growing steadily but I need a loan to give myself a makeover and pay for a bit of PR. I need to develop an aura of mystery and possibility.”
Ms. Atkinson beamed.
“The wishing well business is always a popular market. I think we would probably be happy to give you your loan.”
Her fingers were poised over the computer keyboard.
“I really just need to see some proof of your regular income.”
“Naturally!”
The well produced a rather soggy sack and poured a heap of wet coins onto the desk.
“And that’s just from yesterday!”
Ms. Atkinson nodded. “You certainly seem to have impressive liquid assets.”
Smiling reassuringly at the well, she discreetly leant over and spoke into the intercom.
“Mr. Matthews? I wonder if you wouldn’t mind fetching a mop.”
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chasethestars
chasethestars
Comments
And honestly - thank you so much for giving me the idea. I didn't have the foggiest what to write about.
I must quote The well sloshed a little awkwardly.
And I must admit I am fond of the line you've quoted ^^