Archie wandered round Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden. He caught up with Agnes by the lake.
‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ she said. Archie grunted.
‘Shouldn’t we be getting back to the hotel?’ he asked.
‘We’ve plenty of time.’ she replied.
‘It doesn’t seem very Canadian to me.’
‘It’s ancient Chinese culture.’
‘It was built in 1985.’ Archie huffed. ‘Shouldn’t we try and find something more traditionally Canadian?’
Agnes stamped her foot. ‘Archie, we will see a Mountie before we leave.’
‘Yes, dear.’ Archie sulked off. His once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Vancouver to celebrate his retirement was going as he’d expected it would. He wished he was still at work.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above, thanks to CE Ayr for the photo this week).
In the background of this week’s photo you can just make out the Wing Sang building in Vancouver, adorned with ‘Work No. 851’ an art sculpture by Martin Creed, which reads ‘EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT’ in neon lettering – you can read more about the origin of that HERE, if you’re interested.
Find out more about Dr Sun Yat Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
82 responses to “EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT”
That was great fun, Iain
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Thanks Neil.
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Well written
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Many thanks 🙂
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Dear Iain,
I feel for him. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when one would rather be at work than on vacation after retirement. Entertaining story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess it depends how much you liked your work – I know I wouldn’t miss mine! Thanks as always 🙂
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I retired a year ago yesterday. I haven’t missed it for a second. 😉
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Happy anniversary – I’m quite jealous, I have years to wait yet!
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Oh dear. You’ve met my brother and sister in law then!! Great piece.
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Haha, yes, we all know a few couples like this I’m sure. Thanks for reading 🙂
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I guess you’ve been there too, Iain
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I wish I had, but alas this was researched with the power of Google!
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A good one as always. I enjoyed reading the story and I cant wait to retire in like so many years…
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Thanks Joy, I’m the same – I won’t be complaining when I retire, it just seems such a long way off at the moment!
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Yes, let us young tucks work!
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I loved this – it made me laugh: ‘Bob, you will see a Mountie before we leave.’ And I can just see their relationship.
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Thanks Claire, glad it made you laugh, I wasn’t sure the humour was pitched quite right, so your comment is reassuring 🙂
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Definitely pitched exactly right
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I enjoyed this Iain. Work rather than retirement! He must be fed up.
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Thanks Mike – he certainly isn’t enjoying his vacation, maybe he had a really great job… 🙂
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I wonder if he finds his wife’s company more overpowering than his job? For his sake, I hope he soon finds some suitable employment away from his wife 😀 Enjoyed the read – thanks
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Nothing quite as boring as living history. Weirder still is that I was talking about Sun Yat Sen yesterday to my mom.
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That is quite weird 🙂 thanks for reading.
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Ha ha ha. Very nicely observed
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Thanks Shehanne 🙂
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That’s why you need best friends. 😀 Loved it, with so many background details.
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Many thanks 🙂
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I think that I would rather be sailing around the islands off Vancouver than be in a Chinese garden, as much as I love gardens. Then again it depends who’s in the garden with me.
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I think Bob is having similar thoughts! Thanks Mike.
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First off, love your name (my eldest’s name too – yes, same spelling!)
How often does it happen that when one retires, one finds out there is no joy in spending so much time with the other! So sad. And funny. I guess we Canadians just have to accept that a Mountie is the most Canadian thing we have…
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Thanks Dale. Congratulations on a great choice of name! I was a bit weary of the Mountie joke – but being a Scot I have to put up with the stereotypes of kilts, Braveheart, whiskey and thistles. Hope I don’t offend the lovely Canadians too much. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
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Ooohhh… I love Scots 😉 Am a descendant of one!
And, as a good Canadian, I just smile, shake my head and keep moving…😎
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Love the dialogue, Iain, that realistic interraction between people who know each other well – too well perhaps :). Very realistic, to see them noth wanting different things, pulling in difeerent directions. Cracking story 🙂
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Thanks Lynn – it does remind me of my parents on family holidays when I was younger!
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Haha! Yes, great bickering. My pleasure 🙂
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Bob sounds like a perfect holiday companion, a laugh a minute. Good one.
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Maybe he’s suited to a different kind of holiday 🙂 Thanks Sandra
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Wow – eagle eyes! I hadn’t noticed that. Very good use of prompt.
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The Canadian flag next to the Chinese style garden was the first clue. Thanks for reading.
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Nice work, as always! I can’t believe how many elements from the prompt you were able to work into your story. I’m struggling with the prompt this week for some reason!
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(was going as he’d expected it would – did you mean wasn’t? If not, totally ignore me.)
This fellow doesn’t seem to roll with the punches very well – you did an excellent job of showing that through conversation and his narrow-minded thoughts. Kudos
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Ha, no I meant would, as in he knew it would not be a good vacation. Thanks for reading.
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Sorry, must try to be a better reader!!!! This poor fellow has low expectations and even those aren’t being met.
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😉
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I was actually caught more on the ordeal of retirement… forever being on holiday maybe? sounds like he need a hobby
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I agree, he needs to find something he really enjoys. Thanks for reading.
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On no, poor Bob! At least his expectations weren’t too high. Great piece, well written. Made me smile 🙂
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Many thanks – a definite split between those with sympathy for Bob and others who think should stop moaning and enjoy it 🙂
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Aww, poor guy, wishing he was still at work even though he was on holiday. Maybe it’s all about perspective though? 😉
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Absolutely is 🙂 thanks for commenting
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I wondered what city this was. Nice dialog. I know guys like that … and women too.
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Thanks Ted, I know a few couples like this as well 🙂
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Excellent story! I hadn’t even noticed any of the things in the background you did and just assumed it was actually in China. I guess that just goes to show how often our assumptions can be wrong…
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You are very observant! I had not noticed all those details in the photo but it did make me think of China and my village. I have met couples like the one in my travels. Some want and prefer what they have at home instead of something new.
Lily
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Hilarious! The line “his holiday was going as he expected” is such a googly! 👅
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Thanks, love the word googly 🙂
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i love the subtle humor. 🙂
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Many thanks, much appreciated 🙂
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Very realistic dialogue and take on life. I think there are more than a few people who retire and then regret it, and it sounds like it’s going to be a long retirement for poor Bob. As a Canadian, I have a couple of things to say – Yea! Canada and I love mounties too.
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Ha, thanks for the Canadian support, glad I didn’t offend! Think you’re the first to comment that maybe Bob really loved his job and misses it. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Oh no. Poor Bob.
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🙂
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I’m with Bob. Who wants some fancy gardeny thing when one can marvel at real men dressed in red jackets and pointy hats riding horses.
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It must be hard for both to adjust when they are suddenly spending so much time together. Well portrayed.
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Thanks Clare 🙂
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A sigh from your character–trapped in a vacation he predicted he’d regret. Poor man–though I suppose he ought to have done something to change his own lot! Thanks for the link, too.
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I’m all for taking in the local culture on holiday, but it is always preferable when it is, erm, local! Nice story, and thanks for the informative links.
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Many thanks and you’re welcome.
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started mentally singing Bob Marley when I saw your title. Very well written. Poor Bob.
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Thanks Sascha 🙂
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Thanks for the info about the photo. I didn’t see any of that. I feel a bit sorry for your character. His retirement doesn’t sound like it is going to be much fun.
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It does seem like he would have enjoyed staying on at his job more! Thanks Dawn 🙂
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Oh dear, poor Bob. I wonder if he ever finds out what to do with himself outside of work. Maybe he should go fishing. Fun story.
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Thanks, I have some sympathy for Bob too. He just needs to find a new hobby 🙂
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Didn’t anyone tell Bob that Vancouver has the second largest Chinese population outside of China? I suppose he’d rather eat “poutine” than Chinese food.
Funny story, and great job incorporating different elements of the photo prompt.
Oh, I’m Canadian, by the way.
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Ha, I guessed from your comment you were. I didn’t know that about Canada either to be fair. I think Bob loves Canada it’s the company that’s spoiling it for him. Hope I didn’t offend and thanks for reading 🙂
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You definitely did not offend. ☺ Yes, Bob would rather be at work than be in Vancouver with his wife. How sad!
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Love this! I have family in Canada and there are many things I admire about their culture especially their respect for all cultures. I wouldn’t have realized where this was except for the story! Peace.
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Many thanks 🙂
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Poor man. I hope things improve for him. Thanks for the interesting links. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Marjorie is classic! Love her.
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Thanks John 🙂
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