Bad Economy

Note: This story was a contest entry for the "Coloring the World" contest - March 20, 2011 edition. To view the contest rules, click on Contest Rules:

All prompts must be specifically included in your entry, NOT JUST THE TITLE, and NEWLY written unless otherwise instructed. Poetry or Lyrics of any length accepted; Flash Fiction stories cannot be over 500 words and the word count provided at the bottom of your entry. Unless otherwise specified, the entries can be dark or bright...whatever comes to mind when you read the prompt, for that's what makes up the colors of the world. All entries must have a rating no higher than 18+!!!!

Only one entry per person allowed.
Enries must be posted in bitem format.
All entries must be posted by the deadline. No exceptions. 
Contest begins every Sunday and ends the following Sunday at 5:00 PM WDC time. NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE!!!

NEW PROMPT WEEKLY, AND LISTED BELOW.
Choose one from the list ...
The birds began to sing...
The frogs began to croak...
The crickets began to chirp

(Contest ID 1308391)

******************************************************************************

Bad Economy

By Indelibleink

“Frankie…You look terrible! What’s the matter?”

“I’m not sure. I guess maybe I partied too much on St. Paddy’s Day. But thanks for asking, Kermit.”

“Well, you do look a little ‘green around the gills’ – if you know what I mean. Did you remember to wear something green for St. Paddy’s day?”

“Kermit…we’re frogs, for cryin’ out loud! How does a frog not wear something green  - on any day? By the way, the fact that we're all green also takes some of the bite out of your ‘green around the gills’ remark, too. How could a frog - especially one named Kermit - not see that?”

“Sorry Frankie…I’m not feeling all that great myself lately.”

“Oh yeah? What do you suppose it is?”

“Not sure, but it might be too much caffeine. I always feel so jumpy! I had dinner at that new restaurant the other night; perhaps that had something to do with it…”

“Oh yeah? Wetlands? I was thinking of hopping over there and checking it out myself, Kermit. How’s the fare?”

“Frankie, I heard that Terry ordered the soup, and had to send it back, because there was a fly in it!”

“Wow! Just one stinkin’ fly? I’d send it back, too. What a rip-off. What else do they serve there?”

“Shhhh! Did you hear that?”

“Yeah. Sounds like someone’s coming. We’d better shake a leg and scram.”

“Actually, the same thing happened a couple of days ago out here. The frogs began to croak...and whatever it was disappeared. Let’s try it again.”

“Okay, Kermit, whatever you say. Ribbit. Ribbit. Ribbit. Hey, how come you’re not croaking, Kermit? Wait…where did that net come from? Kermit! Help me! I’m caught! Help me!”

“Oh yeah, Frankie. I forgot to tell you I got a new job. I’m now the ‘Food Procurement Specialist’ at Wetlands. And you asked about what else they served there? Their specialty is frog legs. Sorry, pal, but it is a tough economy and all...”

******************************************************************************

Words: 330