A friend of mine posted a question on her Facebook page, asking what the word "ope" meant. There were several answers, any of which may have been right, but I had a question for her.

What was the context?

I'm certain we have all seen or read stories based on a misunderstanding of a phrase overheard by someone, which results in, generally, a series of misunderstandings, often legal trouble, until the misapprehension is cleared up. Usually hilarity ensues, despite what, in real life, would be catastrophic problems. I can't think of a title right now, but the scenes are familiar. (If you think of one let me know below).

Anyway, this is a casual, silly, have fun prompt, because must we be serious all the time?

Listen up (and I do mean listen) to conversations that go on around you. Take a few phrases, and "misunderstand" them in some way. 

What are the different meanings they could have? 

What happens? What trouble results (because conflict is a necessary part of any story)? How can the person get themselves out of the trouble? Make a plot outline for each, let your imagination go wild. Do they end up in outer space having been kidnapped by aliens? Or hounded by police? 

Now, choose one, and write few lines of one scene which describes the sentence and the misapprehension.

Of course, if you are inspired, write more!