After wrapping up my picture-prompt tales for the month, Stormbound Ambush and Arcane Gears, I turned my focus to something lighter: my latest comedy featuring Sebastian and Jimmy. This time, I reached for my trusty Story Cubes to help spark the core idea. A quick toss gave me an unusual trio: a fish, a fountain, and a set of scales. Odd as it looked at first glance, that combination clicked immediately. The scales didn’t stay literal for long. Rather, they slipped into the heartbeat of the story, shaping the tone, the jokes, and the chaos that was destined to follow. Once that link formed, the words poured out with surprising ease.
There’s something inherently peaceful about a park on a quiet afternoon. Sunlight drifting between leaves, the smell of cut grass lingering in the air, and the steady sound of water cascading through a stone fountain. It creates a rhythm that settles the mind. It’s the kind of place where balance feels natural, where nothing seems capable of going wrong. But that calm never lasts long when certain people stroll into the scene.
Sometimes the smallest errand can trigger a string of unexpected moments. A sloshing bag, a casual walk, a conversation that seems harmless at first… and suddenly the day tilts in ways no one saw coming. In a place built for serenity, even a tiny disruption can ripple outward like a pebble tossed into still water.
So take a seat by the fountain. The afternoon may begin in perfect harmony, but as always with Sebastian and Jimmy, balance has a way of slipping.
Jimmy sauntered through the park with a sloshing plastic bag in hand, ignoring the playing children and joggers. When he neared a bench lining the fountain, he jostled Sebastian and presented the water-filled bag.
Inside the malleable container, a common goldfish darted about its confines. Sebastian drew his hands down his face as his head sank. “Didn’t you go to the pet store to buy food for the fish you already have? Why’d you buy another one of those things?”
“I have a good answer.” With a broad grin, Jimmy leaned close to his friend as he displayed his new pet. “I found my normal brand, but the salesman made an excellent point.”
Sebastian eyed his friend for a long moment before he returned his attention to his phone. “I doubt whatever you say will make much sense.”
“No, it does,” Jimmy said, brandishing the fish as he dropped beside Sebastian. After a brief second, he clutched it to his chest and thumped Sebastian’s shoulder. “The salesman said nobody can buy food without getting a fish. He mentioned something about how you buy a car and forget about filling the gas tank. Or was it the other way around?”
“That’s not a real policy.” With a loud groan, Sebastian tapped his phone against his head before he rose and looked at his friend. “He wasn’t trying to sell you a pet. He wanted to get more of your money. Did you at least get the food?”
Jimmy gave a curt nod as he removed a small tube from his jacket. “Pitch or not, he made a compelling argument. Meet Finnegan. He’s a rescue.”
“That’s a ten-dollar goldfish.” Sebastian slapped his palm with the back of his other hand. “How is that a rescue? Those things are bred in schools.”
“We’re in public!” Jimmy hopped to his feet and backed up toward the fountain. “Don’t talk about how they’re made. Who cares that he only cost ten dollars? A fish’s price doesn’t define its value, Sebastian. The love we have for it does. And we’ve already become friends.”
Sebastian shoved his phone into his pocket as he chewed his lower lip and massaged his brow. “You’ve known him for three minutes!”
“First, in five minutes, this fish has seen more chaos than you have all year. Besides, we’re balanced.”
Sebastian fell back onto the bench, pinching his nose. “You’re spouting nothing but nonsense.”
Jimmy extended both hands, fish dangling from one and the food canister resting in the other. After several precarious seconds, he leveled them off. “See? This fish has found balance with its sustenance. That brings great harmony.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Sebastian pointed at the tube. “You’ll be lucky to get a week out of that small amount of food.”
“Nah,” Jimmy said, brandishing the food, “this salesman assumes I’ll be able to feed Finnegan and his brother for a couple of months. After all, you’re forgetting about Newton’s Third Law of Aquariums.”
“That’s not a real thing.”
“It is.” Jimmy slipped the tube back into his pocket as he lifted Finnegan into the air. “If I remember right, it goes something like, every splash has an equal and opposite ripple, at least according to the salesman.”
“He invented that.”
Jimmy shook his head as he brought the bag to his chest. “I’m not sure you’re right. But even if you are, it feels accurate.”
“Trust me, he made that up to trick you into buying another fish.”
“Nope,” Jimmy said as he thrust his arms out wide, resuming his imitation of a scale, though this time he added his leg as a third plate. However, a sudden gust of wind caused the bagged fish to swing precariously in Jimmy’s grasp. “I’m pretty sure it’s a real saying.”
“Jimmy, stop flapping your arms about.” Sebastian rubbed his chin as he shook his head. “I’m reminded of a broken seesaw.”
“I’m trying to find my equilibrium.” Jimmy continued balancing as he peered at his friend. “The salesman said fish are able to sense our energy.”
Sebastian pointed at the fish dangling from Jimmy’s grasp. “Whatever you’re doing is giving Finnegan vertigo.”
“Nonsense,” Jimmy said as he wobbled on a single leg. “I’ve achieved perfect balance.”
“You’re wobbling on one foot!”
Jimmy beamed as he turned his gaze toward his friend. “That’s the secret! Without centering yourself, you’ll be unable to find the balance needed to care for your fish!”
“You look ridiculous.”
Jimmy shook his head as his laughter caused him to swing his arms about, attempting to stay balanced. When a jogger ran by, he collided with Jimmy’s flailing arm, knocking Jimmy over the fountain’s edge. He tumbled toward the water, but Finnegan’s bag slipped through his fingers, racing upward.
“Jimmy!”
While the water consumed him, Jimmy looked up and tracked Finnegan’s bag. He scuttled back through the liquid like a crab and reached out, catching the bag before it plunged into the fountain’s depths.
Sebastian walked forward and perched a foot on the edge, leaning on his knee. “Perfect balance, huh?”
Jimmy examined the bag and grinned. “Not a drop on Finnegan!”
“He’s swimming in the bag!”
Jimmy laughed as he rose to his feet, water dripping from his body. “But that’s a piece of his home. There’s a difference between the sources. Now if you’ll excuse me, Finnegan wants to make a wish.”
“You’re the only person I know who can get soaked and consider yourself successful.” Sebastian shook his head and walked back to the bench, retrieving his phone. “I wonder if he’ll be wishing for a new owner.”
“No, he loves me,” Jimmy said as the fountain blasted him. He turned and washed his face with the dying stream before his laughter filled the park. With a few quick steps, he climbed over the fountain’s edge and shook off the excess water. “You’re just jealous because I’m always rushing headlong into new things.”
“Trust me, everyone can tell you don’t think before you act.”