The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette.
A few times this week I found myself scrolling through blog posts to get to the story. Please make sure it’s your STORY PAGE URL than you link. Thank you.
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
TOAST OF THE TOWN
Slouching on the bench, sixteen-year-old Ed clutched a train ticket, his dreams of being a Great War hero dashed. He hadn’t realized the draft board doctor would require a birth certificate.
“Where ya headed, kid?” asked the stubble-cheeked man next to him.
“Port Chester, New York.”
“Never heard of it. What’s there?”
“Home.” Ed traced a floor tile with his toe. “Dad’s gonna beat the hell out of me for running off. He says I’ll never amount to anything.”
***
Hours later, tears lined Peter Sullivan’s face as he joyfully welcomed his son, the future television show host, with open arms.
.
.
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Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
oooh. a nice scene captured in 100 words plus it is based on a real event. 🙂
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Thank you, Rosema. 😀
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Most welcome, Ms. Rochelle. ❤
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That is an interesting snippet from his life. Your story played nicely in my head, well done.
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Great story, but I have a question.
How do you know this stuff?
Always a delight to visit, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
My husband doesn’t like to play Trivial Pursuit with me. 😉 I don’t know why. The information highway is a great place if you stop to read a few road signs along the way. Thank you for your sweet comment, kind sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And where do you put all this stuff you know. I’m always amazed by the little details that make up your story each week. Impeccable research, I know. Did he finally make it into service? Well done, Rochelle. As ever.
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Dear Sandra,
This story actually was birthed in a conversation with a dear friend I speak to on an almost daily basis. We both love finding these bits of trivia. I’m not sure how we got on the subject of Ed Sullivan but she mentioned that she’d read he had an interesting past. That sent me digging which led me to a book someone wrote about his life. I haven’t read the whole book–yet–so far just from a sample online copy. When I chose the photo I knew the next step. 😉 I hope that diatribe made some sense. So I’ll just stop here and say thank you. Good to see you back this week. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story and so compete in so few words.
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Thank you, Connie. 😀
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This is another well-written story based on history, Rochelle. My dad used to tune into the Ed Sullivan Show so I probably saw most of them. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I cut my teeth in front of Ed Sullivan. From black and white to color TV, every Sunday night my parents would watch. I suspect they listened to him on radio, too, but that was before my time. 😉 It was through him, I ‘met’ Marcel Marceau, Topo Gigio, Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, Godfrey Cambridge, George Kirby and host of others, including The Beatles. I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, radio wasn’t before my day, but I don’t remember him being on radio. I remember other shows that went on to be on TV. 🙂
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Of all the little details in this, it’s the toe tracing a circle that hit me most – well worth the words
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Dear Neil,
It appears that you and I are detail people. I’m pleased that you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this very much Rochelle.
When one door closes another opens.
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Dear Chioma,
For Ed Sullivan, that door closing was most fortuitous. He was a interesting man. I’m glad you enjoyed my little snippet and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! You had my heart beating! True child true parent!
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Dear Sabina,
Many thanks for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gotta love a good background story and this one delivered.
Five out of five Topo Gigios.
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Dear Cuzzin Kent-not,
If anyone would appreciate this back story, I knew it would be you. Thank you for the Topos and…Kissameee good niiight.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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😀
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“Ah, we’re running outta time. Let’s hear it!”
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Great story and even better for its basis in fact about someone we all know.
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Dear Michael,
We here in the States have Mr. Sullivan to thank for what we call “The British Invasion.” 😉 I still love the Beatles and cultural exchange we have in Friday Fictioneers. Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you
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Oh I love the touch of real here… so wonderful to see how finally a father can learn to show his love.
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Dear Björn,
The fact of the matter is that even after that tearful reunion, father and son remained estranged until Peter’s death in 1949. Thank you for your comments. I missed you last week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this story. And, yes, there is a reason I don’t play Trivia with you. Would you play a game you could never win? Lol. Too many tidbits filed in that filing cabinet on your shoulders. I still remember the night he introduced the Beatles. Great story.
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That was a really big story in a little package. Really big. (Sorry, I can’t get that voice out of my head now). Thank you for that little piece of trivia. 🙂
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Dear Chris,
Sorry about the Voice in your head. 😉 It was fun to find this historical nugget. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Rochelle, Rochelle! Once again you’ve taught us a fun bit of history. So very happy Ed’s father was just happy to have him back… How often I’ve thought “Mom’s gonna kill me!” 🙂
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Dale, Dale, Dale, I’m so happy you enjoyed this bit of history. however the happiness of that reunion was short lived. According to Ed’s daughter Betty, Peter and Ed were estranged until Peter’s death in 1949. Sad that my happy ending wasn’t really.
Thank you…and shalom,
Rukhel Schvester
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Oh… well that sadly happens in families… this little snippet was a good one!
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Love this. Ed Sullivan was an unlikely man to be a kingmaker. There’s a great story about the comedy team who went on the same night as the Beatles.
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Dear J Hardy,
Your photo was perfect for this story. Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. What comedy team? Maybe I’ll just go dig and see if I might be right. 😉 I was a preteen at the time and only had eyes for the Fab Four. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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http://m.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/281/my-big-break
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Apparently they weren’t the only ones I found Brill and McCall, the comedy team who followed the Beatles.
That would’ve been a tough stage to share.
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That’s the team!
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Brilliantly written and palpable in evocation of the emotions and feelings in this snippet Rochelle.
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Thank you very much, WC.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, very well-done, Rochelle! That iconic show (which I did not grow up watching) but saw in clips when I watched videos of The Beatles – how well you segued into that towards the end!
Your storytelling and research skills are impeccable.
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Dear Vijaya,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I grew up watching Ed Sullivan. And of course, I was riveted to my television set the night the Beatles debuted. Thanks again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
You’re welcome!
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Wonderful story! And that too from a real life event! 🙂
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Thank you, Rashmi.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a good thing he missed the war. Without him the world would have missed out on the little Italian mouse, the Rat Pack, Stiller and Meara and a lot of good times on his really big shoe
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Dear Larry,
I could add so many to that list. Ed was a guest in my parent’s house every Sunday night. A really big shoe indeed. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Liked the historical angle. Then you really took me back with the picture of the Beatles.
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Dear Michael,
I remember that epic show with the Beatles. I pity whomever shared the stage with them. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great story, and how moving Ed Sullivan’s Dad felt that way. A charming tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Lynn,
It’s always fun to find out these little tidbits about famous people. I’m glad you liked it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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O you took me back with that picture of the Beatles
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Rochelle,
I’m going to come back with a bump and say I don’t think this is your best story. I feels a tiny bit over-explained, particularly “future tv host”, but also the dreams of being a war hero.
Usually you leave us to connect the dots a little more, and personally I prefer that.
However, I say this in the context of comparing to your usual very high standards. I liked how you surprised us with the father’s reaction, and drew me into Eds mind so quickly.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Admittedly, I’m tied up meeting a July deadline for my next novel, so this one might pale next to some of my other flashes.
I don’t quite agree with the dreams of being a war hero since not many, including myself, would’ve connected that to Ed Sullivan. In my defense, while I might have told too much about ‘future tv host’…I was thinking that perhaps there were many among us who wouldn’t know who he was. Although, you make a good point.
Thank you for the bump and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it!!!
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Thank you, George. 😀
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Another fantastic piece, Rochelle! I always loved Ed Sullivan. 💙
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Dear Melony,
There was always something for everyone on his show, wasn’t there? Although I couldn’t tell you who shared the stage with the Beatles. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The only thing I know about Ed Sullivan is the bit about The Beatles on his show. Apart from that, for me he was just a name. Now he is more, a person with a past, thanks to your story. Another interesting piece of history writing.
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Dear Gabriele,
It was fun finding out more about his past. He was a household name in most American homes back in the 50’s and 60’s. Of course, in 1964, he reached hero status. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh I love this! I remember sitting in front of our big console tv (in blonde wood) watching the Ed Sullivan show with my mom and dad — and seeing Elvis and the Beatles for the first time.
Wonderful to connect with this bit of history! 🙂
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…and I forgot to say, it was a really big sheeeeow! 🙂
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Dear Lillian,
Ah blonde wood. My bedroom set was blonde wood. 😉 Ed was a guest in our house every Sunday night. “Eddieee, Kissameee good night.” Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely piece. Things could have been so different if he’d been a year older at the time. Even over here I’ve vaguely heard of Ed Sullivan so he must have become quite famous.
I liked Ed’s perception of his homecoming being so different to the reality.
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Dear Ali,
Ed Sullivan was a household name in the States between the late 1940’s and early 70’s. He ushered in the “British Invasion” starting with the Beatles. I believe Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dave Clark Five and the Rolling Stones all graced his stage.
Thank your for reading and leaving nice comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Dalette,
You may remember me from playing Topo Gigio on Ed’s show. I was just an aspiring mouse at the time, hoping to make it big like that guy in Hollywood named Mickey. I had dreams of having a theme park named after me, but somehow things just didn’t pan out.
Ed was a short little sucker (not that you would know anything about being vertically challenged) so he would have been pretty good at sneaking behind enemy lines. I guess the army’s loss was the entertainment world’s gain.
Thanks for the memories,
Fran
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Dear Fran,
In my world just about everyone over the age of 10 is tall. I adored the mouse. Ed might’ve been short but he cast a tall shadow across the world. Little known remembrance…he brought one of my favorites over to the States–a 13 year old Israeli violinist named Itzhak Perlman.Perhaps you’ve heard of him.
Hey Franeeee. Kissammeee Goo-Night.
Shalom,
Dalette
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A clever post. I didn’t know that about Ed. How interesting. Thanks for sharing Rochelle.
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Dear Laurie,
I only recently found those things out about Ed Sullivan myself. Who knows why I get these wild hairs to look things up? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The story is a well nuanced look at a young man’s dashed hopes; the trivia about Ed Sullivan is icing on the cake. As always, well done, Rochelle!
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Dear Dawn,
I always love seeing your face and kind comments show up on my page. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If you write it, I will come. 😉
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An interesting insight. Children often expect their parents to act in a certain way!
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Dear Clare,
Also interesting that, according to the bio I read, that was the only time that Ed and his father weren’t at odds. They were at estranged at the time of Peter’s death in 1949.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That initial disappointment led to a life he could never have imagined, and probably wouldn’t have come about had he been a few months older. Brilliantly told Rochelle.
Visit Keith’s Ramblings
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Dear Keith,
We never know what the future holds, do we? I’m sure that 16 year old boy didn’t see it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful bit of unknown (to me) information about Ed Sullivan told in such a captivating manner.
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Thank you, Irene. Always happy to inform and even happier when it’s well received.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lot of images packed in this little story. The characters come to life. Nice Rochelle!
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Many thanks, Ansumani. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not sure we can say he was destined for greater things, but certainly they had those rules for good reason.
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True enough. Thank you for coming by, Alice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again, I learn something new from your story. Great weaving of the story and prompt, as always!
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Dear Erin,
It’s always a pleasure when you stop by and leave a comment. Many thanks for such a nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love how this turned into Ed Sullivan’s personal story. I didn’t see that coming! And he got to introduce and meet the Beatles!! You need to add this story to your Beatles collection. Great one, Rochelle!
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Dear Amy
He will always be remembered by our generation for introducing the Beatles to an audience of screaming American teens, won’t he? I’ll take your suggestions into consideration. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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another great story. i confess i didn’t know much about the man.
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Dear Plaridel,
Considering the fact that The Ed Sullivan show went off the air in 1971, I’m not surprised that some of you young pups wouldn’t remember him. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story…I use to watch the Ed Sullivan show all the time, but never knew anything about his life.
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Dear Jessie,
Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t know anything about him either. It’s always fun to find these lesser known bits of history and pass them along. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I must say you have whet my appetite to know more about this man.
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Dear Dawn,
Mine, too. I found a snippet of a biography called Impresario. Now I want to read the whole book. There was so much more to him than a ‘really big shew.” 😉 Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, Rochelle. I really like this one. You’re better than a history book. 🙂 I like that last line especially. Sounds like the story of the prodigal son.
-David
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Dear David,
I always enjoy your visits, particularly when they’re coupled with such nice comments. I wonder what some of my history teachers would say today. I was a terrible history student. Perhaps if they’d told me then to write historical fiction I’d do better.
Life has a way of filling, doesn’t it? So much for leisure time when I retire. 😉 My next story is prefaced with a message. I’ve been served a deadline for my next novel of July. Exciting and nerve-ridden. I won’t say stressful because I passionately love what I’m doing
I am throwing it out to FF’rs, if they so desire in the next couple of months to choose a story of their own, 2 years or older they’d like to repeat. Then, I’ll follow suit with the prompt and my own rerun. This is the best way I can think of for me to take a ‘break’ as I’m just not ready to hand it over to someone else. (I hope that made sense.) If you have a story/prompt you’d like to rerun contact me at runtshell@gmail.com.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story. Your writing makes it more wonderful.
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