BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Peg
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 12:01 PM

you have already answered your question, haven't you? depends on how you write the number, doesn't it? In numeral form or in words. Or you could remove the population distinction altogether. unless of course it is crucial to your little story.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 09:35 AM

As I gazed at my lusterous, shining, newly aquired, thrice inscribed bowling trophy I couldn't help pondering my last visit to Smoot Tennesee, Population 617. I wondered whether 617 was one word or, as six hundred and seventeen, four words. Usually a trivial distinction, it would matter in this challenge.

What could I do? Consult my magic 8 ball?
"The outlook is bright."
Not much help. I'll post a story and get fellow mudcatters' reactions. I could just count the words in the previous posts which include numbers. I feel I will get the definative answer from some proud pedant.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Milkdud22
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 02:25 AM

Dead. Gone. Emptiness. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Every muscle, every fiber, numb. I stand by the grave, looking into the bottomless pit. Black, on me and everyone. When can I go home, so I can cry? She wouldn't have wanted this. She was so full of laughter, happiness, light. She would want me to be happy, to smile and say "She's with God now". But I can't. There's a huge hole inside. I can't smile or laugh. "Good Bye" I whisper, as my hand reachs out and drops a yellow rose, her favorite, in her grave. I miss her so much.

-I loved the one about the rusted old wagon! All of the ones on this thread have been so great, I thought I just had to try one! I've counted twice, so hopefully there's a hundred.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 10:45 PM

As I gazed at my lusterous, shining, newly aquired, thrice inscribed bowling trophy I couldn't help pondering my last visit to Smoot Tennesee, Population 617. I wondered whether 617 was one word or, as six hundred and seventeen, four words. Usually a trivial distinction, it would matter in this game.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: irishajo
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 10:56 AM

Peg! I loved it!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 10:44 AM

Perfect!!! Peg, that is beaut!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Peg
Date: 26 Aug 01 - 10:15 AM

I would comfort you with apples, if the fragrant fruit of trees could cool your feverish imaginings, could soothe the desperate words hanging from your lips. I would swath you in cloaks the silver of winter foxes, if animal warmth could melt your psyche's icy tirade or fire up the molten joy I know resides at your core. I would share with you the sibilant secrets of the wind, the eternal answers of the sky, the shining proverbs of laughing stars. I do not have the universe's elements to hand; only compassion and fear. I suggest a Guinness, to start.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 11:43 PM

Well...add a lucky number to it, or a first initial or something? *smile*

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,Reynardine
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 08:56 PM

kat,

I tried to join, but someone's already taken my name. Curses! An ague upon them.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 04:49 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 04:39 PM

(wink)... by all means Ms. C - be my 'guest.' Presume away.

Nice addition too, I might add -

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 04:07 PM

LOL Guest. Pardon my presumption...

Smoot, TN, pop. 617, was located just off the route of the future interstate highway connecting two large cities. These cities hosted the annual 'Smoky Mountain Bowlerama and Fiddle Competition'. Each city hosted it in an alternate year. When the interstate was finished, it was decided to hold the competition in Smoot, since it was centrally located, and a hell of a lot prettier than either of the cities.

Deon's family salvaged what was left of the trophy business and made a small fortune. Deon's still not allowed to play with pencils and stuff, but he plays a mean fiddle.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 03:31 PM

In a dream, God told Deon to forsake family and friends and start a bowling trophy shop in Smoot, TN, pop. 617. There were no bowlers in Smoot. Despondent, Deon retired to a cold water flat. He turned the gas oven on and closed all the sooty windows. Waiting for death, he lit a cigarette....

The Lord works in mysterious ways. Deon lived, but a passerby died from flying debris. A court ruling landed Deon where they don't let him play with pencils, belts, or shoelaces. God doesn't say much these days, but the devil whispers suggestions in Deon's ear.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:07 PM

Thanks Amos.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,Reynardine
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 04:53 PM

kat,

That's it exactly (the second one). Delete away. Thanks.

Thanks, Reynardine, I've deleted it and a couple of the ones where we just talked about the formatting. BTW, did you know that it is free to join Mudcat and that you can send personal messages back and forth with other members if you do join? It was okay for us to work this out here, but if you'd been a member we could have sorted it out that way, too. Just so you know what is available. You can also track your favourite threads as a member. Another way to sort out html is to go ot the Help forum and post a request, in case one of us doesn't see it in the thread. :-)Thanks, again, kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 01:18 PM

GUEST, author of the vacuum story...that was brilliant.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 10:07 AM

That is a puredee loverly image indeed, CC!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 05:40 AM

Moon shining silvery across the bay. Reflections sparking on little wavelets jumping and dancing under the milky-black midnight sky.

Boat rocking gently on the waves. Boy and girl leaning over the side, looking down into the inky blackness below.

Glowing faintly down below them, undulating luminescence; growing, and coming nearer.

Falling into the water, struggling for just a moment, the girl is lifted up. Up out of the waves. Flying amidst thousands of tiny drops of shimmering watery light.

The dolphin's body arcs over the boat, twisting just so, as the girl slips safely down into the boat's gentle embrace.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:13 PM

"Did I tell you about my vacuum?" she said. The other one keeps sweeping. I'm looking for a baking dish, the last supper. She points in two directions. "Thought it was the bag."

I look into a mirror in housewares, trying to make myself small. The sweeper stops to respond.

"So what're you gonna do?"

"Guess I'll buy a new one." Three bucks plus tax.

Epitaph: 43; divorced; alcoholic; bereft of feeling, verve, imagination; dead-ended.

It seemed like the thing to do. Gas. The lasagna didn't turn out so well, either. If not for tedium, we'd all live forever.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:37 AM

Thanks Kat, You are kind.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:05 AM

This story is 100% true.

It was the fourth of July. She had left me, ...some reason I couldn't know. I parked at the climber's bivouac without a permit, and put on my backpack. It was hot, sunny, fourish, and people were leaving. Two miles later, the treeline ended. Broken pumice sand, boulders of basalt, a three thousand foot climb. Hours passed. I changed my soaking shirt, the cold wind blew a steady fourty knots. At last, the summit. A plane, full throttled, banked inside the crater, swooping down over Spirt lake, and Harry Truman. I heard fireworks, faintly, as the sun began to set.

ttr

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 08:23 PM

Reynardine, thanks. I fixed your second one, using your pre and adding line breaks where you had them. I think it looks right, now, but if not let me know, please. With your permission I will delete the one which is incorrect. Thanks.

Jack the Sailor - brill!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 07:24 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 05:47 PM

Today I Am Born Again 5 by 20

Today I am born again.
Long tapes have been played.
My past has been returned.
My body is now young.
I am an American citizen.
What am I to do?
I miss my loving wife. My parents are long dead.
My child is dead too.
I am venerated again now.
My fame has not wavered.
Universities clamour for my time.
Young women want my sperm.
To doubters, my theories stand.
I no longer hate Germany.
I have forgiven my homeland.
I no longer feel guilt.
I don't regret the letter.
That is fifty years past.
I am Albert Einstein's clone.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 03:47 AM

He bit his lip to assuage the trembling fits he was having... So much had led up to this moment; The poker game, the wager, that woman... With half of a fifty dollar bill in his pocket, a long list of promices still fresh in his mind, and the whiskey still warm in his throat, he struggled with the harness. The wind slammed against his body through the open cockpit door, and as he pulled his way to it with great effort, he checked the cord ties one last time. Finally, he jumped, praying the bunjy chords would not snap...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 02:24 AM

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 01:33 AM

The stranger's dark eyes were riveted to the tiny stage. He'd never seen anything like this kid!

Beads of sweat gleamed like diamonds on the guitarist's brow; the heavy green bottleneck just a glistening blur as he fanned a final, ringing lick.

"That's one that come to me just last night; sumpin' I call 'Crossroads'."

The stranger shook his head with a rueful smile.

"Damn! Don't I wish I could play like that!"

Then, with a curl of his lip and another of his tail, the man in red was gone, trailing the faintest whiff of brimstone in his wake.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 08:43 PM

Reynardine,

I use '<' 'br' & a '>' (if I write it as I use it will do the break rather than show you the code) at the end of each line. Put them together as the HTML command to insert the paragraph break.

Lovely stories. I'm saving this thread so that I can read them over and over.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,Reynardine
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 08:35 PM

Damn. That wasn't formatted properly. It's *supposed* to have five words per line, with a line break where the alliteration is broken. Here it is again, with a 'pre' HTML tag added. Hope it works. Sorry for posting such self-indulgent nonsense twice.

  Silver sliver sailing skyward slowly.
  Silence's sound; skylarks seeking slumber.
  Wind whispered warm while we
  winnowed, working wordlessly; when we
  did diurnal dues.
                    Now night
  tarries. Then, to the table
  sharing soft steps, sibilant silence.
  Standing, seeing summer slip south
  leaving laughing, lifting leaf-lilt
  we waited, wondering why, who.
    

Autumn's auburn absence all around.
  Day drops distantly; down dusk
  falls, frost-fast. Faraway fire
  horizon-hovers; holt, heath hold
  breath, burning
                  sky seems soft
  to touch. Turn then towards
  lamp-light, laughter. Lie, love,
  be brave, bear barrenness boldly.
  We'll weather winter's waste, watching
  silver sliver sailing skyward slow.
  

Did it work?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 03:13 AM

She was so excited about seeing the ocean for the first time, she plunged in fully clothed and was carried out by a strong current. He raced after her and pulled her ashore. Both of them now wet and cold, they shared a small blanket, drawing it closely around one another in turn as each noticed the other's shivers. Ah yes, body heat— synergies of closeness, rediscovered, evoking the timeless response. Apparently, mere friendship was to be out of the question-- despite their differences, her anticipated departure, and the man back home she'd asked to wait for her, days before.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 02:43 AM

Mimi

You were thirteen. Bad heart, the vet said. He was wrong. A wonderful heart guided the truest, wisest, most loving dog I have ever known. I promised you during each panicked attack that I would not fail you.

The day came when I could no longer rationalize delay. With you as usual stretched alongside my leg, we drove to the clinic.

Inside, they told me I could hold you as you went to sleep. As they inserted the needle, your warm, damp tongue gave my hand a swift lick. Whether in thanks or with forgiveness I will never know.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 12:29 AM

(Good one, Ebbie. Are you a twin? My sisters would like that one.)

"Yes, I have mixed potions to help women in childbirth and ease others from a life of pain."

"Then, you shall die, wicked woman of the devil, whose hand we see upon thee, his marks all over your body!"

She heard the words even as they stacked straw around her feet and came with the burning brands. She knew she should be afraid; she was too young and could help so many.

There was no fear. Gazing at her tormentors, she fixed them all with her eyes, froze them in place and rode a swift broom safely out of town!

(Sorry, best I can do late at night:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 09:17 PM

Help! I think I killed my own thread! This urge to create challenges and impose rules is verwhelming. Must be because I'm earning my living as a communications teacher this year. Next year, who knows what I will be doing for a living??

Anyway, if you want to write stories with only one rule, i.e. it has to have 100 words exactly, I'll stop imposing my limitations on you.

Go for it!

And 'Spaw, get in here and write, dammit!

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 01:42 AM

I was listening dreamily to my favorite music when I jerked awake.
"It 's squeezing me! A huge hand has hold of me!"
"Fight, brother, fight! Fight- it'll stop if you fight back!"
It got worse.
I stretched and kicked and reached to find him but there was no doubt of it. My brother was gone. My brother, dear as my own heart's blood, was gone.
The giant fist returned. For me. My ears rang as I headed into the dark tunnel. There was no fighting this.
I squalled loudly, angrily, into the smiling teeth of the beings that awaited me.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 11:18 PM

Hi Goody,

OI don't think that any of the stories totally missed the mark, but I was just reminding everyone that it should be a complete story and not just a description of something. For instance, Aimee's story about food: I thought it would just be a description when I first started reading it but then I realised that it works neatly as anticipation, description of events and final satisfying end.

Anyway, the main point is to challenge yourself and have fun. Having a few limiters just adds to the challenge, and the fun, in my estimation.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 08:20 PM

Helen,

I'm curious. You posted a "reminder" as to what the challenge is. Did most of us miss the mark, so to speak? I'd like to know which ones you felt got it right, or at least came close.

Thnx...Goody

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: irishajo
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:49 PM

The day I left and the day I arrived were nearly identical. Once an outsider, now I became an outcast. Each time their words of supplication entreated me to stay. Each time dire warnings fell from their mouths, their lips astonishingly animated beneath their glazed eyes. And each time their hands were carefully cloistered beneath cloaks of coarse fabric. Contact with an outsider would require intensive purification rituals. Rituals I knew all too well. As one who had lived within their midst and managed to break free, however, I would require a different type of purification to gain complete release.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:06 PM

Jack-t-S,

Great idea, and lovely story.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 12:28 AM

Decided to try something different. Ten sentences of ten words describing true events. I believe all of the elements of a story are there. And it could be sung! Thanks to W. Guthrie and Billy Bragg for part of the inspiration.

One hundred words, I write to the world about you.
To tell them what I'm Feeling in this special time.
At first, with no real interest, I bought you a drink.
I watched you, having fun, just dancing with my friends.
Later as we talked, I started to respect your opinions.
I got nervous when you spoke about your checkered past.
I'm no prude and I respect the way you're living.
Then, then you spoke of God, plainly it was sincerely
When I asked you out, you said you'd love to.
The story that we will write is only now beginning.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 10:48 PM

"It's always the same thing with you, isn't it? You never want to take your turn! Well, this time you're not getting out of it. Come stir and recite your lines or we will expell you!"

"But, I've told you! I have a real gig. No more boiling hot steam, no more raggedy black clothes. My name is gonna be in lights! I'll have it made. Holly Wood here I come!"

She gave a shrug and flounced off, valise in hand. In the background she could hear her sisters chanting, "Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble."

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 08:04 PM

'Spaw, I've just come back from a trip 2 years into the future, just stepping out of the T.A.R.D.I.S. now, and I have to break it to you, as gently as possible, that your lack of *practice* at writing 100-word stories has severely damaged your final submitted story. In the parallel universe, where I also travelled to read your regularly and frequently written stories over the two years, I can tell you that the final story, after two years of practice, is truly sublime, a literary masterpiece which totally annihilated the competition.

Sad, really! Such a deplorable waste of potential.

[100 words, tee hee!]

[Just a reminder: the challenge is that it is a full and complete story, has a plot, a beginning, middle, and ...you guessed it...an end. So no vignettes unless they have a plot, please. But having said that, I'm really enjoying everything everyone has written......except 'Spaw of course, whose entry won't be received until 2003, approx 2 years after the competition has closed. Nyah, nyah-nie nyah nyah!]

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 02:23 PM

I've read all the postings, flames, and other assorted messages in this Mudcat forum. I must admit I enjoy them all – even the nasty ones. My favorite, though, has been this little challenge from Helen.

100 words? A complete story? No way, I thought. And then…well, then…I found myself coming up with more and more 100-word snippets. Pieces of my life. Other people's memories. Scores of them wanting to jump from my fingers to my keyboard.

So. Helen? Got another good challenge for us? Another mind tweaker?

By the way – this entire post is 100 words. No more. No less.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,Calach
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 07:29 AM

The cold, silent, dampness glistened in the spiders webs on the low bushes, grass and heather. The air was deathly still; the wet yellow and red flags clinging limply to their bleached poles. Ghostly mist sank in the low ground, gathering like a fine grey liquid; awaiting their next victim. Thousands had died here.
Water, like seeping blood, pushed out of the ground around my shoes as I slowly walked the curving paths. The grey stones were dark and sombre; their single clan names remembering that April day. Then the bleak mass grave where no heather had ever grown; Culloden.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: KT
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 04:35 AM

His humble beginnings were not the stuff fame is made of. His modest log home was situated on the edge of a bog, where he spent every spare minute of his early years perfecting his swimming skills. He never made it as an Olympic swimmer. His career took him instead, to Hollywood.

Who'd have guessed the little fellow would achieve such fame?

What is it about him? Is it that he can sing? And dance? And play the banjo? Or is it that he makes us laugh? At him, and ourselves. Or cry. Almost makes one green with envy, y'know?

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 11:40 PM

Whooo ha! I was going to make some smart ass remark but not now!! This is amazing stuff! Wow! O Henry, eat your heart out.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 10:19 PM

The day had finally arrived!!

Gently removing the new uniform from its box, he checked one more time for all the pieces, and one by one, put them on. Proudly admiring his reflection in the full-length mirror, he saw a picture of power, confidence and strength.

At the field, he took his place on the bench... watching....waiting.....

First inning..... second..... third......

Seventh inning.... still waiting..... expectation dwindling into faint hope, he enthusiastically cheered his teammates on.

Then it was over. Pausing momentarily, he blinked hard, then rose from the bench, and strode out to congratulate his team. Maybe next time.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 09:23 PM

Helen, I am always amazed at the consistently interesting topical games that you post. Your previous thread of several years ago which you linked above, "A Flea, An Orange, and a Bicycle Seat" brought about some fine responses and now this one promises to do even better!

It is within that context that I wish to take this chance and execise my option just as Amos did on the other thread to consider my answer and post nothing for over two years and then crank out a winner. I will see you in two years, although this is one hundred.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Justa Picker
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 08:56 PM

August 10, 2022.
I've seen him everyday for nearly 19 years at his little kiosk outside the subway entrance, selling everything from newspapers, magazines, candy, to chewing gum. Thin and lanky, he wears his life on his well-lined face and that grey suede cap pulled down practically over those peering, inquisitive eyes. Always scratching something down on a pad and making cellphone calls in between customers. Course years ago he'd just duck into the payphone next door. Finally a black Mercedes limo arrives just as he's closing and the driver says "All done then for the day, Mr. Milken?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 08:30 PM

Jack the Sailor,

Reminds me of the Darwin awards - now that is a rich seam or ore to mine for these stories!

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 01:06 AM

The chute!!! My god, I forgot the chute!!!