This challenge has indeterminate end if ever there is one.

The idea is there will be just one story per theme.
The first to post their story under the theme, suggests the next one.
(If you write a story and someone else beats you to the draw, please refrain from posting in this thread however DO post it in the group in the usual way ie the gallery.

As always, word count is maximum 150. Interpretation of each theme is open … and everyone can give it a go.
If there is sufficient demand for it, I will start an “Extras” topic so those who miss out on posting their stories can pop them in the ‘sister’ thread. Let me know how you go.

Now, to get the ball rolling, first theme is
the smell of chaos.

Anne

Chaos would be 150,000 ;)
Oh poop – I meant 150 on both counts!!!! What’s a 1 and a decimal point between friends.

I’ll go first.
Well Done

Anthony Barr-Smith was a prick. Because he had a hyphen he thought his shi… well y’ know.
He was the owner. He thought he could run a restaurant. Nothing, and I mean nothing got past him. You couldn’t make a decision without him sticking his nose in and demanding it to be done differently.
Business was ok after the opening. But it quickly went downhill. He would shout at the apprentice chef, “MORE FIRE. FIRE. FIRE.” when he wanted a dish cooked differently.
He yelled it again last night. I looked into the kitchen and it really was on fire.
I walked back through the room. A customer stopped me “Excuse me. Um. Something’s burning. What do you think it is?”
“Don’t worry Sir. That’s just the smell of chaos.”
I walked past the cash register dropping my waiter’s apron over the top as I walked out the door.

Next Phrase – That’s some booty

Laughed loudly at that one Anne. I think that’s called LOL in modern speak.

Can you make ginger snaps?
Yep if you call the little bugger a Ranga.

Mags felt undeniably elated having got her point across without the interminable scenes she had anticipated. Granted she would be pilloried for her decision; ostracized; ignored in all the best places and conversations. Would stop abruptly when she entered a room. Well it was all going to be worth it
Besides why not take her own advice…. as head of department she was entitled to send that mister maker into another group, re jig the schedule and HEY PRESTO no more ginger snaps for her winging five year old.

next theme
if you can then i want to

If you can then I want to

So masterly, James had the technique honed to perfection. First the right side, up down, up down, then the left. Not a squeak, not a cough, just a gentlemanly retch at the outset but nothing obtrusive. As he stood, feet firm and slightly apart, Jessica was hypnotised by his presence and skill. She knew her life would never be the same again. She had to have a go, beat him at his own game just for being so damn arresting, so damn good at it. So much of it was about control, she thought, even though she felt all control leaving her as she watched the master at work. Then she took a deep breath and, passing a green bean elegantly up her nose, she coughed it down into her mouth, seized either end and began pulling.

New title: Getting Burnt

Getting Burnt

As he sat engulfed in flames Loc was visited by memories of past lives all of which ended with himself getting burnt. As a swan he’d flown into power lines. As an ant he’d been fried by a boy with a magnifying glass.
He became convinced then that he must at some time have been a serious arsonist.
“I’m paying for it now,” he thought, as the heat ate up the last vestiges of his saffron robe.
Setting himself alight in protest had been voluntary surely, but had it really been his choice after all?
And where would it all end?
Meanwhile across town, as Loc’s life as a Buddhist monk fizzled out, a schoolboy rummaged for a fresh stick of charcoal and began to sketch.
In the end he was unhappy with his rendering of The Great Fire of London and put a match to it.
Next: Taking A Chance On Love

Great responses and prompts so far, I must have a go. Awesome Ian.

Like it Andy. No! Love it. :)

Jenifer, we need another topic for the next person. :)
Nice write. Just one question, what’s VHS?

Oh, my bad…
And VHS is the name of metro Detroit’s local center. What it stands for is a mystery even to me.

Next prompt: It had to be that way.

His name was Cinderella; Cinderella Rockerfella the First. There would never be a, ‘the Second’, he was sure of that. What were his parents thinking! His childhood and youth had been horrendous. His nicknames had been horrid; Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks, Princess and so on. His time at school and college had been a misery. When he finally graduated with a degree in IT, he set up his own on-line dating service. Run from the basement of his home, it meant he had no work "buddies’ to pile on the taunts and he could be himself.
He stared at the screen. This latest application from another lonely heart needed vetting. The picture showed a pixie-faced girl, with green eyes and porcelain skin, his heart leapt, should he answer this ad himself? Surely she would have no trouble finding a match?
He started typing her details into the system:
Name: Charming Prince

Next prompt: Don’t hold back

IWML That bloody GOD has a lot to answer for hasn’t she?