The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The photo was taken from the passenger’s seat driving through New Mexico. There are mountains in the background as the road curves. A lot of sand and sage. Some green over to the right behind the guardrail.
CLICK FROG TO HOP ABOARD
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
(Word count does not count the title, in case you wondered.;) )
“HELLO THERE, WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.”
“I was just a sprout in 1950—three years old—when Ralph Edwards challenged any American town to change its name to Truth or Consequences after the game show.” Patsy’s eyes shone.
“Of course it was a publicity stunt. But our town council went for it, and it put us on the map. Mr. Edwards was the nicest man. Why, he came to town every year for our fiesta til he was in his 90’s.”
“He sure did know the power of the gimmick.” Patsy shook her head. “Kids today with their smart phones and social media will never understand.”
When I saw that sign I had to research the town. 😀
And if you can spare the time, here’s what Truth or Consequences, both the show and the town looked like in 1950…
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
It’s really such some nice publicity stunt, Rochelle. Naming a town after the game show really sounds interesting. 👍
Have a great week ahead! ☺️
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Dear Aptivi,
Ya gotta love it. It was a great publicity stunt and benefitted the town for a season. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀 Greatly appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome, Rochelle ☺️ I loved it, indeed; it had more fame. 👍
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Nice one Rochelle, One day, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes, they say
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Dear Neil,
I’d say this town had more than 15 minutes of fame. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you did your research Rochelle- great story🙌
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Dear Ange,
Research is half the fun. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a delightful story!
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Thank you, Joy! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a nice little bit of trivia!~ Thank you for this!
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My pleasure, Violet. Thank you!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am a big fan of silly things towns do to get on the map. I once detoured off the Interstate in Idaho while my now-husband was dozing. He woke up and asked what’s wrong.
Nothing, I said, I just wanted to see the Centre of the Universe!
(https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/roadside-attractions/center-of-the-universe-wallace/)
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Dear Jen,
Gotta love it. It’s always interesting to see how towns got their names. We have a town not too far from us in Missouri called Humansville. Thank you for sharing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We sure had some beautiful scenery on this trip. The story of Truth or Consequences was one I knew of but had never noticed the country around it. I figured you would turn some of those many pictures you took into stories. Good job.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan,
There was indeed some amazing scenery this trip…between rain and thunderstorms. 😉 It’s always fun to find the tidbits that make great stories. Thanks for the support, m’luv.
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I vaguely remember the show and now that you mention it, the town as well.
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Dear James,
I definitely remember the show…at least the Bob Barker version. It’s only been in recent times I’ve learned about the town. The research was most fun.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh that was great. Thanks for that, Rochelle!
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Thank you, Chris.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You people are crazy, m’lady.
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I’ll take that as a compliment, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was so fun and you are right – many folks with only smart phone learning will not grasp past times and the way marketing things like this would take society by surprise
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Dear Yvette,
These days, nothing much is a novelty or a surprise. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😉
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i suppose that’s only in the U.S.A., and I mean that in a nice way. 🙂
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Thank you, Plariedel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Your story is very nostalgic. It reminds me of old Hollywood movies with characters like Mr. Edwards.
Surabhi
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Thank you, Surabhi. It was the very early days of American television, after all. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, that’s my kind of human interest journalism. Great story and film clip. Truth (or Consequences) is always stranger than fiction.
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Dear Lisa,
Gotta love history for $100, Art. 😉 Thank you for your fun comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Nowt so queer as folk. Or so they say. A strange tale, well told. Thankyou.
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I love that quote. Thank you, Hykeham.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good ad campaigns are irresistable.
I’m having an issue or three with InLinkz. In Chrome, I get a “500 Server Error” message. My phone gives me the same message. Firefox and Bing load the page and let me log in, but after I fill out my information and click “Save,” it says I’m logged out. I’ve tried multiple times. Will you be so kind as to copy and paste my link over there? https://nobbinblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/25/friday-fictioneers-a-good-man/
Thank you in advance.
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Dear Nobbin,
Brilliant ad campaign, eh?
As for the 500 Server Error, I’m in the same boat. I guess we’ll have to wait this one out together.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no! Thanks anyway.
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The inlinkz is back up this morning. You should be good to go. If not let me know.
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Got it. Thank you, Rochelle.
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Dear Rochelle, I’m old enough to remember Ralph Edwards and the show, “Truth or Consequences”. Thanks for a ton of memories! So much fun reading your post.
BTW the server is down and I’m unable to connect to Mr Linky. I wonder is anyone else is having issues. I’ll try again in the AM but here’s my link just in case.
Shalom
🕊️
https://theelephantstrunk.org/2026/06/26/the-influencer/
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Dear Rochelle – the server is working and I was able to link my story. Happy ending!
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Not sure what the glitch was last week. Glad the server’s up and working.
My memories of Truth or Consequences are of the Bob Barker TV version. Which is not to say I’m not of a certain age. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve heard some odd town names, but never one like that! I actually quite like it!
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Dear Keith,
It is a unique name for a town for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely piece, Rochelle.Glad I’m back.
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Thank you, Kwadwo! Welcome back!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very nice. Great to know that impacts happened without fanfare!
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Thank you, Sabina.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahahaha funny story! It’s all fun and games until someone dares you
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