What an ending… What on earth did he do with that balloon. I love this and I think it was funny to me because all my life friends have cornered me and said ‘make me laugh’ or ‘do that impersonation’ and I can completely relate to Wendell. Although, I was never very talented with creative used of balloons. (Maybe that’s why I arbitrarily challenged the ficlets community to make me laugh). Well, 3 successes so far, who’s next?

Loving the ptsd tag, as well. Really says a lot about that balloon.

Yikes my imagination runs wild on that ending! I love the badgering buddy.

What I think is great about this is that Wendell must have chosen to be a clown at some point. I mean, no parents pressure their kids into going to Clown College, right? With this in mind, he must have a whole bag full of quick gags that would satisfy his friend. Instead he chooses to make something that absolutely mortifies Derrick. Brilliant.

It went in a totally different direction than I expected. I was completely annoyed with Derrick, but then I kinda felt bad for him at the end… ;-)
Stand-out line: Derrick won’t talk about it, but he kind of shudders now when he sees balloons.
LoA

Awesome ending. I never know what to expect from your stories, other than that I know better than to expect the expected. Great work.
LoA

“I know better than to expect the expected.”

Sniff, one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about my writing. Gee, thanks. And thanks to everyone else who left such lovely comments as well.

I laughed, eh?

A really great entry, it certainly made me laugh out loud.

LoA

Coulrophobia…

Haha…funny! I love the ending…expect the unexpected indeed.
LoA

What the hell happened with the balloon!? Great piece!

Damn clowns. I can only imagine (thank you for not telling us) what that b**d did with that balloon. :)

Maybe more like Globophobia

one of two things is all that come to mind. And the first one was like “noooo ewww” but yeah, great story. Was funny. Keep it up Doctor.

(I think I’ll start calling you Doctor now because of my obsession with Doctor Who.)

okay, i absolutely loved this story, #1 because it was hilarious, and #2 because i am a caulrophobic (no joke, i absolutely hate clowns.) so i sympathize with derrick… but still laugh at him all the same. :)
LoA

lol, that was really funny. I wonder what he did with that balloon…

Well, sounds like he had quite the experience with ballons that day. On an unrelated note, I tend to not like to piss off clowns.

Balloons can lead to much trauma.

lmao, i had the greatest image XD

I am curious as to what in the name of Buddha he ddi with those balloons. I can only imagine…
Now I’m shuddering with Derrick.

I am curious as to what in the name of Buddha he ddi with those balloons. I can only imagine…
Now I’m shuddering with Derrick.

This had me laughing by the time Wendell sighed and said “No. I’m off.”
I’m not sure why I found this so amusing. It was just the right sized sugar cube to sweeten my day.
:) Even though I am quite late finding it.
It’s still good
5*