PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields
Carl was a stubborn man. He refused to doff his cap and inexorably, a situation would arise requiring such an act. Carl never lasted long in employment after one of these episodes.
Crazily, he didn’t need the work. His family was big in business and his inheritance was enough to support him dining on the finest, five lifetimes over.
But he rejected the money. He wouldn’t be doffed to either. If you decline to be doffed to and refuse to doff, you find yourself in a kind of a no man’s land.
Tough for the heir to a millinery empire.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Sounds like a no man’s land that might suit me
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And me, cheers, Neil
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Dear Michael,
To doff or not to doff, that is the question. Your last line made me laugh. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle
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The ultimate way to reject his family history!
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Indeed, cheers, Iain
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Where is it? I want to know! Loved the last line.
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Thanks, Anthony
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Ah, Mick, you set us up beautifully!
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Thank you very much, sir
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This was good fun, Michael! I can see the desire to not doff to the family business!
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Thanks, Dale
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Hilariously well set up.
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Thank you, sorry for the late response, I’ve just spotted your comment
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I bet he pissed doff a lot of people. Something about the lockdown squeezes the puns out of me.
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Thanks for your comment, I would doff expected you’re right
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Excellent irony. Fun wordplay on doffing.
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Thank you very much
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You’re welcome.
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Rochelle snatched my comment :). Great minds, and all that. Good writing, Michael.
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Thanks, Linda
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Ha ha – nice last line!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan
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i guess you don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it.
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Yeah, we need to appreciate what we have. Thanks Plaridel
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Knowing his family’s business, I expect he had a horrible doff-related childhood incident 🙂
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Yeah, he probably got his head stuck in a too small hat and had to get the fire brigade out. Thanks, Draliman
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A family standoff! Nice one Michael.
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Thnaks Keith
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That story is a delight, and the last line is an excellent surprise. You had me smiling broadly, Michael!
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Thank you, Penny, much appreciated
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Ha!!!! That last line is a hoot. I really enjoyed where you took this prompt! Thank you.
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Thank you Alicia.
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Hahahaha oh this is great. I love the concept of nowhere land by putting everyone offside!
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Thanks, Laurie, glad you liked it
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Everyone needs purpose. Being rich isn’t really a purpose per say. But it does put him between worlds. Interesting story.
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Thanks, Tannille
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Pride has made him a duffer, me thinks.
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Great comment James, nice one
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Gotta respect a man that’s willing to turn his back on the easy road and earn his own way.
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Yes, but he doesn’t make things easy for himself. Thanks Russell
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Carl was a rebel, good on him. Witty take, Michael.
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Shades of touching the forelock. It shocked me the first time I witnessed it, Then I realised it was done as an insult.
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Thanks for the comment, Mike
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I so relate!
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Thnaks Dawn, pleased it hit a nerve
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The guy has some issues with authority. And some Freudian issues, mayhaps … I recommend therapy … 😉
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Thanks, I think he should probably take your advice.
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ha!
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I am intrigued by the idea that the man becomes an outsider because of his doffing credo. Also made me think about a gesture like doffing represents deference and why removing one’s conveys that.
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Thanks for your very considered comment. Yes, I feel he rejects what his family stands for, which is probably standard youthful rebellion,, but then sees those on the other side of the fence are simply supporting that fence, so he has nowhere to go.
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