He had to do something with the money. He needed it to work for him. But where to invest it? He had to decide, and quickly.
There were several options. Some safe but not very profitable, others risky but with a chance of reaping enormous rewards.
There was only one way to decide. A stab in the dark. He closed his eyes and prodded the paper.
*
The ground shook as the horses thundered past, each jockeying for first place – except his which trotted by like a disinterested donkey.
Right. Race two. Number six looks hopeful, but…..
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. This weeks picture is from J Hardy Carroll
Prod the donkey to see what others have written!
Dear Keith,
That was a different stab than I was expecting. 😉 Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Not deadly but expensive! Cheers Rochelle.
Which proves once again that a stab in the dark leaves a rend in the purse. You’ve drawn a great picture of the chronic gambler.
Perfectly put! I’ll remember that next time I’m at the races. Cheers Christine.
Won some, lose most. Hope he had better luck next time. Or quit before he loses the lot.
A creative take on the prompt.
Bookies wouldn’t exist if we won every time! Thanks for dropping by.
A game of chance! I like it.
It is, and fun if you set strict spending limits – that’s what I do at the races! Cheers Colline.
Oh, this was a great take on the photo prompt, Keith!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks so much Susan.
Oh, good one! Seems he may need to find a less expensive hobby, though 🙂
I think you’re right! Cheers Linda
That was an imaginative way to use the prompt, Keith. I loved the horse he chose that “trotted by like a disinterested donkey.” Hilarious. A good story and well written. 😀 — Suzanne
Thanks so much Suzanne
I relate to this. I moved to Iowa because I threw a dart at a map on the wall. It landed in the trash 😉
Haha! I’m sure it’s not that bad! Is it?
Gambling is essentially that. A stab in the dark.
…and less painful in small doses! Cheers Stu.
A fool’s game. Hope the money is enough to cover his losses!
…and the train ride home! Cheers Iain
Loved it. Read this in the bookies when collecting my huge winnings.
Great – I’ll get in touch with you when I need a tip!
Aha! That’s one way to chose. Love your take on the photo prompt.
DB McNicol
author, traveler, shutterbug
Author Blog
Personal Blog
It’s as reliable as any other! Thanks Donna.
Poor guy. He’s going to lose it as fast as he gained it.
It does look that way! Thanks Mimi
Well, he took a stab at it.
Next time, perhaps he can improve his aim … 😉
Nicely done!
Practice makes perfect” Thanks Na’ama
🙂 (or broke…) 😉
i guess it’s better luck next time. 🙂
…and the next and the next! Cheers plaridel
Well, they say that horses with the largest bets on them always lose 😀 Hilarious take!
I like the last line ‘Prod the donkey’.
Indeed they do! Thanks Reena
Ha ha ha! That was fun, Keith.
I’m pleased to have amused you! Thank you.
You are welcome 🙂
Investment options must be studied carefully. Wrong investment decision can wreck havoc.
So true and sometimes through no fault of your own.
I’m not sure gambling is what’s meant by “making your money work for you”!
Slightly disappointed no-one got stabbed in the dark 🙂
It can be arranged – watch this space!
Unless the race is fixed, gambling is always a shot in the dark.
Excellent take on the prompt, Keith.
Don’t I know it! It’s fun though if you have a go occasionally and bet sensibly. I’m off to the races with some friends in a few weeks. Wish me luck!
Good luck!
Nice reveal, I wasn’t expecting that!
Thanks so much
Hahaha a funny tale of desperation. I think he’s made several wrong choices
One day he might make the write one! I never have much at the races myself.
That’s a great way to get rid of all the money quickly, if that’s what he was after. 🙂
That’s one way of looking at it! Cheers David.
Which just goes to show that gambling’s a mug’s game.
As a bit of fun it’s okay – but not so good when it becomes addictive. Thanks Liz
Well, that was cute and a little unexpected. Loved it.
Thanks so much Shirley
Nice translation of a childhood gesture to game playing by more mature folk.
Life is a game of chance from beginning to end. Cheers!
I know that feeling. The favourite in the last Melbourne cup cam in last. I hope he is glue by now.
That’s what you call coming to a sticky end! Cheers subroto
What a way to choose. There is no real way to choose something like that anyhow. Good job!
That’s exactly the way I choose when I’m at the races! Doesn’t work for me either! Cheers Tessa
Same to you! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Luck’s an elusive thing. Fun story – I love the ending.
It certainly is! So pleased you enjoyed it Margaret.
Great, just great. Made me laugh and you took all the main keywords and actions and produced a very original take on the prompt. Brilliant
That’s so kind of you Michael, I’m pleased my deconstruction worked!
Good one, Keith. Nothing like A Day at the Races. I believe there was a Marx Brothers movie by that name.
There was indeed, and I love a day at the races! Cheers Russell.
Interesting perspective.
Thanks so much.
Gambling and betting are like chronic diseases. they destroy the person.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-dark-horse.html
They certainly can if it moves from a bit of fun to addiction. Thanks Kalpana.
This tale of betting woe made me smile, it was great
I’m leased! Thanks Michael.
This was a bitter sweet tale and was great fun, Keith.
Thanks so much Neel
Nope… I think he will never win… hope he can afford his losses.
I never win which is why I only place teeny weeny bets when I’m at the races! Cheers Björn
Enjoyably clever!
Thanks so much Dawn
Fun take and expensive. Having just watched the Kentucky Derby with the twists that can occur,
I’ll pass on gambling for the winner.
Isadora 😎
Very wise Isadora!