Northern coast of Finland © Google Maps
“How am I supposed to know where your favorite jeans are, I’m in Finland.”
…
“No. No. No, the soap you want is on top of the washing machine. It’s in an orange container marked ‘Tide’.”
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“What? Oh well, so maybe it’s not on top. Just use the Tide. Dish soap foams too much.”
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“Yeah. That’s called fabric softener. It’s in the blue bottle. You fill up the cap and dump it in the corner thingy.”
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“That’s because you have to turn it on first. There’s a button, on the left. A circle-thing with the line going straight up from the top. Do you see it?”
…
“Huh?”
…
“Okay well, then press ‘On’. That isn’t how I remembered it, but fine, press ‘On’.”
…
“Yes, I hear it, but that’s the dryer. You turned on the wrong thing.”
…
“Wait a minute. You did what?”
—
149 words
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw. To read more stories inspired by the prompt, click here.
Finland looked like such a beautiful place—and one that I know very little about. I decided to start my research by looking at recent headlines, which is where I came upon Supershe, a getaway island for women only. I was utterly mesmerized by the promotional video and it wasn’t long before I was lost in the fantasy of hopping aboard a plane for a two-week trip to Finland. Then I remembered: laundry. Not to mention the thousand other things that my kids would not be able to do without. However, they are especially helpless when it comes to laundry. They still believe in the Laundry Fairy!
k. Rawson 
Brilliant story ! Love the structure- the conversation across continents- the title is witty- when I first read it, thought that a Tide Pod was perhaps a Norwegian sea creature… a domestic exchange so well observed.
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Thanks so much!
Tide Pod — eating something from a Norwegian tide pool would be a much better idea! They are quite the viral sensation. We’re full of bad ideas over here.
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This is hilarious. It reminds me a bit of Bob Newhart’s one-sided phone conversations. You leave just enough to the imagination. As to the tide pods, I recall there were similar viral sensations of bleach drinking and putting cans of spray paint in the microwave. God bless America.
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Nothing like a bad idea to motivate us!
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One time my sister, not knowing better, filled the dishwasher with Lemon Joy. We came back from the movie to find the entire kitchen floor to ceiling with lemony foam.
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Oh no! I’m instantly reminded of that Brady Bunch episode.
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I could see that happening. Maybe Mom should have arranged for an adult to pop in on the kids from time to time.
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But when would they have those wild teenage parties? 😉 Thanks for reading, James.
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I smiled gently right the way to the last three words, and then I spluttered! Totally hilarious! I’m glad I wasn’t drinking coffee at the time.
Greta story, Karen.
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Thanks Penny! So delighted you got a chuckle out of it.
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When I realized what was happening I laughed…and I cringed. Every line made me do that some more. The last made me laugh at loud. I could just see it all.
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Thanks so much! Glad you liked it.
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This is so much fun! The conversation is so real, I could hear both sides!!!
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Thanks for reading Lish. It’s great to see you!
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I really enjoyed this one Karen. Straightaway I was reminded of a TV advert for Persil (link here if you have the time and the inclination to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeFZ9MS340M ).
In our house we have a rule that I don’t touch the washing machine as long as my wife stays away from the dishwasher. Sounds daft but it works and it keeps the peace.
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Hhaha that commercial is funny! That would be just like my son. My spouse and I have a similar sort of arrangement. Thanks so much for reading!
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You’re welcome.
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oh that was so funny, Karen. The last line really had me chortling 😀 How do they survive without us?
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You have to wonder, right? Thanks for reading, Lyn!
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Ha! I think my son would be equally mystified if faced with a washing machine. He doesn’t always remember that clothes have to go in the laundry basic and not on his bedroom floor if he wants them washed … Great dialogue – pitch perfect – and a nice cliff hanger ending. What did he / she do?
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Oh yes, much of the time, my son’s floor is a tangle of clean and dirty clothes, I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for reading!
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My pleasure 🙂
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Ha, I hope there’s a house left to come back to 🙂
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For sure! Thanks for reading 🙂
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