IAIN KELLY

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT

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.


ceayr
© CE Ayr

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”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    That was great fun, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil.

      Like

  2. TalkaholicMe Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. rochellewisoff Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I guess it depends how much you liked your work – I know I wouldn’t miss mine! Thanks as always 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rochellewisoff Avatar

        I retired a year ago yesterday. I haven’t missed it for a second. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Happy anniversary – I’m quite jealous, I have years to wait yet!

        Like

  4. TanGental Avatar

    Oh dear. You’ve met my brother and sister in law then!! Great piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, yes, we all know a few couples like this I’m sure. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. ceayr Avatar

    I guess you’ve been there too, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I wish I had, but alas this was researched with the power of Google!

      Like

  6. Joyfrida Avatar

    A good one as always. I enjoyed reading the story and I cant wait to retire in like so many years…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Joyfrida Avatar

        Yes, let us young tucks work!

        Like

  7. Claire Fuller Avatar

    I loved this – it made me laugh: ‘Bob, you will see a Mountie before we leave.’ And I can just see their relationship.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Claire, glad it made you laugh, I wasn’t sure the humour was pitched quite right, so your comment is reassuring 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Claire Fuller Avatar

        Definitely pitched exactly right

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Mike Avatar

    I enjoyed this Iain. Work rather than retirement! He must be fed up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mike – he certainly isn’t enjoying his vacation, maybe he had a really great job… 🙂

      Like

  9. Dahlia Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

  10. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Nothing quite as boring as living history. Weirder still is that I was talking about Sun Yat Sen yesterday to my mom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That is quite weird 🙂 thanks for reading.

      Like

  11. shehannemoore Avatar

    Ha ha ha. Very nicely observed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Shehanne 🙂

      Like

  12. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar

    That’s why you need best friends. 😀 Loved it, with so many background details.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Mike Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think Bob is having similar thoughts! Thanks Mike.

      Like

  14. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    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…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Ooohhh… I love Scots 😉 Am a descendant of one!
        And, as a good Canadian, I just smile, shake my head and keep moving…😎

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Lynn – it does remind me of my parents on family holidays when I was younger!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Haha! Yes, great bickering. My pleasure 🙂

        Like

  16. Sandra Avatar

    Bob sounds like a perfect holiday companion, a laugh a minute. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe he’s suited to a different kind of holiday 🙂 Thanks Sandra

      Like

  17. FabricatingFiction Avatar

    Wow – eagle eyes! I hadn’t noticed that. Very good use of prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The Canadian flag next to the Chinese style garden was the first clue. Thanks for reading.

      Like

  18. S.M.Peterson Avatar

    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!

    Like

  19. aliciajamtaas Avatar

    (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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, no I meant would, as in he knew it would not be a good vacation. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. aliciajamtaas Avatar

        Sorry, must try to be a better reader!!!! This poor fellow has low expectations and even those aren’t being met.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        😉

        Like

  20. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I was actually caught more on the ordeal of retirement… forever being on holiday maybe? sounds like he need a hobby

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I agree, he needs to find something he really enjoys. Thanks for reading.

      Like

  21. draliman Avatar

    On no, poor Bob! At least his expectations weren’t too high. Great piece, well written. Made me smile 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks – a definite split between those with sympathy for Bob and others who think should stop moaning and enjoy it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. jademwong Avatar

    Aww, poor guy, wishing he was still at work even though he was on holiday. Maybe it’s all about perspective though? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely is 🙂 thanks for commenting

      Liked by 1 person

  23. tedstrutz Avatar

    I wondered what city this was. Nice dialog. I know guys like that … and women too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Ted, I know a few couples like this as well 🙂

      Like

  24. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    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…

    Liked by 1 person

  25. hafong Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

  26. spicedmullings Avatar

    Hilarious! The line “his holiday was going as he expected” is such a googly! 👅

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, love the word googly 🙂

      Like

  27. plaridel Avatar

    i love the subtle humor. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, much appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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 🙂

      Like

  29. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Oh no. Poor Bob.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  30. patrickprinsloo Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Clare Hempstead Avatar

    It must be hard for both to adjust when they are suddenly spending so much time together. Well portrayed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Clare 🙂

      Like

  32. Emily Livingstone Avatar

    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.

    Like

  33. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks and you’re welcome.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    started mentally singing Bob Marley when I saw your title. Very well written. Poor Bob.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  35. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It does seem like he would have enjoyed staying on at his job more! Thanks Dawn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, I have some sympathy for Bob too. He just needs to find a new hobby 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  37. magarisa Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. magarisa Avatar

        You definitely did not offend. ☺ Yes, Bob would rather be at work than be in Vancouver with his wife. How sad!

        Liked by 1 person

  38. ahtdoucette Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Like

  39. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    Poor man. I hope things improve for him. Thanks for the interesting links. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Like

  40. John Davis Frain Avatar

    Marjorie is classic! Love her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks John 🙂

      Like

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