The dust is already visible on the western horizon. 
Those aren’t sleigh bells, that’s the
jingling of spurs; it’s Cowboy Christmas, that’s right, the Carrot Ranch Rodeo is coming back in October. The slack rounds have already begun with Charli’s TUFF challenge, which continues through September. Check out Carrot Ranch for fun and free writing competitions.
The August 30, 2018, prompt is to, “in 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a bottleneck. You can be literal or use the term to describe congestion. Go where the prompt leads.” I was led to a bull riding event at an arena where the riders are less supportive than those at the Ranch.
Lil’ Ugly
When he drew a bull called Lil’ Ugly the other cowboys laughed.
Bow legged, barrel-chested, with a bottle neck and a jug head, he’d always endured a great deal of ribbing. They angered him but could never get him to throw a punch. He disappointed his tormentors by just walking away. So in addition to picking on his looks they rudely questioned his manhood.
As he approached the chute the others wondered which lil’ ugly was going to be on top.
For a full eight seconds they stopped wondering, marveling at what he did with his bottled up rage.
Bullies everywhere. (Pun?) Glad the cowboy showed them!
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He was spurred on by their bullying.
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Just as well they got him all riled up. They may not question his manhood, or his looks, after this. Well told.
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I hear tell there’s gonna be a bull riding event at a ranch near you, come October. Yee haw!
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Now I wonder who might be leading that one. 🙂
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What a delightful story, Diane. From bottleneck, to bottled up, to bottle uncorked – a full transition. Wonderful. 🙂
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Thank you so much for coming by. I’m glad you liked this little rodeo tale. I thought it was going to go funny, but like a bucking bull it spun and landed in an unexpected way.
(Psst… I am not Diane)
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Oops. Sorry D.
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I also really liked your take on ‘bottleneck,’ and your great descriptions -not to mention your ability to write the protagonist’s feelings to the point that we readers also marveled and exulted in his success.
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Thank you, Chelsea. I’m glad you liked it.
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Deft writing as good as I imagine those 8 seconds were on Li’l Ugly.
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Not so deft; It’s not what I put at the Ranch, I got to revise here. Give the MC a better ride. But yeah, that bull met his match; they both scored high. Of course it ain’t no goat ropin’. That takes true grit and determination.
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