BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:59 AM

...you've heard my voice already. One tires quickly of one's own voice in one's own. Can't find a link ... it's worth a reprint, trust me.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:40 AM

GUEST, if you find it, how about just a link to it? Then write us your own 100 word story!:-) That's what the thread is really all about...your words, our words, all Mudcatters and ready and willing listeners/readers. Let's hear YOUR voice, too.

Guest, MaryC, nicely done, thanks for sharing.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 03 - 11:46 PM

...saw a GREAT one in Utne Reader (but I think it's just called Utne now) a couple of issues back...if I can find it I'll reprint it here. It'll be well worth the wait, I promise.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,guest Mary C
Date: 23 May 03 - 12:13 PM

The suspended violin twisted slowly round on the slim thread. Tattered music scores littered the pink linoleum; snatches of half remembered melodies hummed in his head.He lifted his heavily bandaged right hand stroking the ancient Guarnerius. "If not me, then no-one." he whispered striking the match. He watched as the final, charred embers fell into the open, waiting case. Then he snapped it shut; locked the attic behind him and pushed the key back into the room. His sister found him later at the foot of the stairs; a snake of knotted scarves linked him to the bannister rail.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: khandu
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:57 PM

It was one hell of a predicament. The skinny kid had written some great songs but…damn! His voice…pitiful! Fingernails scratching on a blackboard sounded more pleasant. But the kid had spirit and drive. So the producer wanted to give him a chance.
"Okay, try this. Try to sing like Sinatra, not that you can but try. That may help."
The kid tried, lord he tried, but the results were worse.
"Okay, try to sing like someone who sings really badly. See if that helps."
He tried. It helped.
Amazed, the producer said, "Okay, Mr. Dylan, now we are getting somewhere.

k

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:56 PM

He stared at her through half-closed eyes. "Help," he wheezed. His hand groped for hers.
        "I'm really screwed up this time, aren't I, Mom?" he whispered.
        "Yes, honey, you are. I love you, son," she answered. Her voice broke and tears slowly made their way down her face. She reached to smooth back his beautiful hair, what was left of it after the last few weeks of treatment. He'd cried when it began to fall out. So had she.
        "You know I love you too. Tell Grandma goodbye for me." He fought hard for breath. Then the room went silent.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST, heric
Date: 04 May 03 - 06:42 PM

Nothing in his experience had suggested this moment. Ahead, forked lightning pierced the ground, soundlessly. Behind, the last sunset smoldered a deep orange hue, the color of dying embers. High above, cumulus clouds wearing a black armour, as if charred, invaded the vast expanse of a dark blue, glowing sky as it succumbed to the sure advance of darkness.

No tree, no plant, inhabited the visible world, from the distant eastern horizon to the dying sun in the west. This was the end of the world. This was the beginning of Time. The eternal moment of creation sparked, burned, chilled.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 May 03 - 05:49 PM

Never written a story before. Voilà:

One was nothing. Zero, from nowhere into something. But the appearance itself created one. One was something, now.
One grew. Small became bigger, coalesced, spiraled (or should that be helixed?) out into everything there was. Development created something, something else.
Something was wrong. Something was left. Nothing was right, then, for one so developed. But still one developed, through the leaving and the wringing.
One had friends, people, and a home, hearth, family.
One was lonely. One found a place, an unreal place, a virtual place – full of people who weren't there. Unpeople, unlonely. One had a home. Vivent Mudcat!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 04 May 03 - 05:18 PM

RR -- that is most elegant!! Love it.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 04 May 03 - 05:09 PM

Helen, this was one of the first threads I found at the Cafe, that made me love this place, thanks for reviving it. I will have to add another...

"I have to go home now. I really hate to leave the party, but I need to go."
"You can't go, I haven't showed you my latest painting yet," he told her. "Come with me."
She followed him through a long corridor and entered a large white room with one painting hung on the wall. Upon closer inspection, she saw it was a painting of herself, looking at a painting in a large white room. The painting in the picture, was her looking at a painting in a large white room.
She turned to leave, but couldn't find a door.

Peace. Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 May 03 - 11:58 AM

My son is in jail again. This time in Texas. He says he is facing five years for driving without a license. I don't believe him. He needs $3500 for a lawyer who will get him out-of-state parole. If I will let him rent a room from me, he can come to Maine and do landscaping, housecleaning, anything. Anything...in the past that included dealing drugs and giving the keys to my home to anyone owed him money. The phone rings. "This is a collect call from an inmate..." In tears I hang up the receiver. No more.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: pict
Date: 04 May 03 - 04:26 AM

The Mad tyrant sat in his bunker."They won't get me."he whispered.A knock came on his door,"Enter!","It's time sir."said the somewhat obsequious man who entered .The tyrant gathered some belongings into a bag and turned to the servile man"Is everything ready?""Yes sir."The tyrant swept by the servile man who held the door open for him,the tyrant stopped as he heard a click,moments later an Arabic accented command rang out"Bush come out with your hands up!"The mad tyrant banged his fists against the locked bunker door"Rumsfeld you bastard".

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 May 03 - 12:13 AM

Toni's socks were bright yellow with pink and purple daisies on them. She had obtained them by taking a time machine to 1967 and visiting Mary Quant's boutique in London - a rather unorthodox way to get a new pair of socks, but one that was perfectly typical of Toni's way of doing things.   I was so impressed by Toni's new socks that I immediately began to write a song about them. Unfortunately, I was fast approaching the agreed upon limit of one hundred words and all that I was able to write before running out of words was, "Toni's socks....."

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 03 - 11:59 PM

O'Uncle Dave O - witches in Shakespeare..."Holly Wood," o'pedant, was a pun meant to denote some medieval equivalent of the one worded variety fof Tinsel Town, holly being a sacred wood and all.**bg**

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 03 May 03 - 09:28 PM

You guys are gluttons for punishment. It would only have taken two words to tell me to "nick off"!

I love these writings!

But, just a reminder for everyone, in case you need one, which you probably don't: it does have to be a story with a beginning, a middle and an end, and there has to be a plot.

I'll have to get creative again and write another one, won't I? Not really fair for me to inflict this obsession on others without experiencing it myself.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: khandu
Date: 03 May 03 - 09:03 PM

Yeah! What Amos said!

k

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 03 May 03 - 08:12 PM

Word counts are based on text, Dave. "100" is one word, but "one hundred" is two. Sorry.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 03 May 03 - 07:49 PM

I counted INNUMERABLE times before posting, and again just now.

Now I get one hundred and two also. Durn!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 03 - 07:22 PM

Uncle DaveO, I count 102 words! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 03 May 03 - 06:42 PM

Uncle DaveO eagerly entered Paltalk, called up the list of categories, chose Music. Among numerous rooms he finally found a Live Room, entered. To the long list of raised hands, he added his, then greeted his friends. Wonderful music, but it was waiting nevertheless. After interminable waiting he picked up his guitar and sang, then raised his hand again. Another long impatient wait, (though loving what he heard), he and his guitar, joyous, performed again. Again a fretful wait; another song. Bedtime now, too soon; reluctantly he exited. Neglected in the corner, his poor, disconsolate, jealous banjo wept bitterly. Another Paltalk evening.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: khandu
Date: 03 May 03 - 06:01 PM

Hey Uncle Dave! Is "anal-retentive" one word or two? ;-)

k

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 03 May 03 - 05:49 PM

This post is not an entry, so don't count the words.

Kat said, in part: "Holly Wood here I come".    Cheat! cheat! Hollywood would have to be one word. "Holly Wood", if there is indeed such a place, would not be significant to the rest of the story.

The figures "100" are read as "one hundred", not "hundred". So it seems to me it has to be read as two words.

Lest anyone think I'm trying to avoid my responsibilities in this thread, I'm plotting what my actual entry will be.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Susanl
Date: 03 May 03 - 02:28 AM

The domestic draft in this club had a strange potency and tasted slightly mossy. She ordered a third. There were two sets to go. The stranger who showed up late asked her if she knew "Seasons in the Sun."
"No." she replied, lighting another cigarette.
"Gordon Lightfoot?"
"No. I'm sorry," she said.
"How about Cat Stevens?" His gaze was unwavering. Hers was shaky.
"No. Sorry. I don't know much," she said taking her beer and cigarette with her as she headed back to play.
"Can I buy you a drink?" asked the stranger.
"Maybe," she thought, picking up her guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Doug_Remley
Date: 03 May 03 - 12:12 AM

One hundred word haikus, how peasant in spring.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: khandu
Date: 02 May 03 - 11:44 PM

"The strings stretched taut from head to bridge. The hands caressed. The fingers plucked. The music played.

There was something magical, mystical in the music. A magic that swept away the misery of the day. A magic that carried him to another land..., a land of peace, of cool breezes 'neath a shady oak where the searing sun could not reach. A land where he belonged to no man, a land of freedom.

The magic was his music, the music was his heart.

The strings stretched taut from head to bridge. His hands caressed. His fingers plucked. His music played."

khandu

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 May 03 - 11:15 PM

"See if you can make a song out of this." Almost furtively, he thrust scraps of paper into my hand.

At home I blinked at the disparate phrases: "Evening shadows fall." " Fair maiden divine." "Empty broken heart." "In his arms she belongs."   I went to work. A week later I delivered a song to him I called "Twilight Waltz". His face was inscrutable but I didn't press him; his words had sufficiently revealed his treachery to his wife.

A year later surfing on the net, I found "A Maiden's Prayer", almost word for word the song I had written.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 02 May 03 - 09:40 PM

"Go!".

The surly bonds broke and he was elated with the surge of freedom. He tightened his grip and leaned into a long, slow swoop, and looking down, he made out the ground far below, yellows and greens and touches of orange.

He was one with the flow around him, supportive but fluid. He could sense the currents, the lifts and drops, before they reached him and adjust – it was like floating in open spaces, like gliding, the sun filtering down, the shadows dappling below.

A large nurse shark swam by. Elation evaporated. He fled for the boat, and safety.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 02 May 03 - 08:51 PM

With deference to the


shortest joke thread

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=26714&messages=84

I am reviving/resuscitating (however you spell that) this thread. I offer the challenge once more, so please read the instructions at the beginning of this thread.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 02:32 AM

Busting loose from the rigid formality of my existence,and for once proclaiming my freedom. I strung the lights of one-thousand bulbs, in the colours of the prism, to encircle a finite piece of the earth. A small plot for myself, for my sanity to remain. I lusted to feel life again, with all it's mystery and divine nature. Oh! To feel alive,robust uninhibited. Not to loathe my existence, but to revel in it. Can this be so? Can I really break the continuity of my bleakness, my barriers? I dance naked in my circle, with reckless abandon.

(note* all irony intended!) Rustic

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 01:08 AM

Bonding and the Bard

I miss Dad.

I remember a car trip to Ocean City. For the entire trip, my father told me the story of Richard III, I especially remember his recitation of the death of George Duke of Clarence:

O, I have passed a miserable night,
So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,
That, as I am a Christian faithful man,
I would not spend another such a night,
Though 't were to buy a world of happy day,
So full of dismal terror was the time...

That trip awakened a lifetime love of the bard's work.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 06:53 PM

He unstrung the old Martin carefully, laying it on a cloth, a fond duty he had postponed too long. His face was set, like an ironwood mask; dutiful motion. Each old string was wrapped as a spare, set aside, pegs inspected; then rare polish. Natural oil gleamed on fine wood, rubbed carefully everywhere.

Thinking of the sheer beauty, his heart skipped -- he polished everything once more, the old scratches and the beloved frets, Again the salt tears spoiled it, and the job began anew, Sisyphean. She would not write; he understood. But why did she keep thinking so much?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 07:50 AM

Not at the moment; just revisions....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 08:53 PM

Got any more stories in ya

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:21 AM

I forget where: old pickup stopped, three on the tree. "I am the Second Coming," Jesus said. "I've seen the fabric of the Universe." He ground second. Admittedly, Sectioned 8. A pharmacopian doctor visit, then to Helena.

Jesus unknowingly sideswiped a parked car, said, "Born Italy, 1963. AntiChrist's name is Stephen..." something. Downtown, a hit dog. Eyes died curbside right there before me. Longnecks later, we pretended cowboys saying "pert near" and "right smartly." Truck bed slept us while Jesus got a room, woman.

Morning: "Hope you save us," we good-byed. Confused, unrecognizing, he smiled.

"I will," he said.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 12:20 AM

I meant change the pronouns from "he" to "she". Brain-typo - many a slip from brain to keyboard.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 07:56 PM

31337, I found myself remembering the movie "American Beauty". Nice shorty!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,31337
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 12:34 PM

Last night it occurred to me that it would have been much better had there been one difference: he should have been the CEO of a dotcom!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 11:00 PM

GUEST,31337

I thought you were talking about the first time I confronted a very tall teenage boy who was misbehaving in class. If you had changed the pronouns from "he" to "him" and the last words to "Sit back down in your seat" it would be my experience exactly. Especially the part about being surprised that he accepted my authority without question.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST,31337
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 03:47 PM

He would not have to wait long for them to come; he had waited more than his share already. Now he was fully prepared to put his training into practice, to bring all his skill and poise to bear on the situation. Suddenly they were on top of him, insistent and demanding. He experienced a moment of panic but quickly regained his composure and turned a smiling face to them. Words were exchanged; he prepared for the worst. But they seemed to accept his authority without question. Brimming with confidence, he said to them, "Would you like fries with that?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: JenEllen
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 11:41 AM

"The Ukraine?" I asked "Oh, please tell me you are joking.."
"No," he said "It's the only way. Medical schools get thousands of applications from middle class white guys, you have to have a hook."
"So you are joining a Ukranian circus? That's a helluva hook..."
"It's not forever, Jen. I just have to do 'something'. I'll miss you, but I'll be back in a year or two.."
The decision was made that quickly. I decided to do something too. That was the day I decided to learn how to juggle, in case I ever needed to join the circus.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 07:35 AM

Not only do Bill Gates and his band of merry elves foist cumbersome software applications on unsuspecting users, they rewrite the English language and invent new words in the process. Is there no realm that exceeds their grasp?Time to consult OED to see what this new word "-" actually means ...

Thanks for clearing up the mystery.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 07:21 PM

Well, mystery solved. I divided my paragraph up into 10 word bits and did the word count. It's the "-". It's counted by MsWord as a word.

Nothing worse than machines trying to be intelligent and then totally mucking it up.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:57 AM

As she sat down at her computer again, this time with a cup of hot rose hip and peppermint carob tea, she reread the post. "Could it be him?" she said ever so competently. It does remind me of someone... He had left on that cold winter day with so much left to say... and she had so much to tell him then, ...all unsaid. As she brought up his old posts again, his smile dawned on her with that fateful day last April when they finally had her house to themselves. That splendid sunrise! Suddenly, she sipped her tea.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Helen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:43 AM

Guest & Jack-t-s, I used MsWord's Word Count function and it does count as 100 on that. I just - foolish, foolish me - trusted - how could I have even thunk it, to trust Micro$oft????? - I can't even finish the sentence I feel so naive. Oh dear!

Well I posted my paragraph in good faith, that's all I can say.

[grin]

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:22 AM

100 posts exactly?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:09 AM

Lovely stuff y'all....Refresh

I woke up to morning. Jumpin' Jack Flash was pounding out of the stereo speakers, her pink toenailed feet stomped out the rhythm on the floor as she stood at the ironing board, all faded denim jeans and white bra as she ironed her shirt, swiveling her hips and singing along with Mick. The early light filtered bright in the room, and I watched her through fuzzily squinted eyes. She looked radiant when framed in eyelash fringe. I have never been a morning person, but I sat speechless, watching her morning unfold before me. It's a gas, gas, gas.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 12:53 PM

It is odd, GUEST because I counter 99 words as well. Microsoft counts 100 words. I have no clue how. Maybe Helen has some insight?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 12:44 PM

We don't really need to know, I guess. The question had popped into my mind as I read the first Smoot Tennesee post. Writing exactly one hundred words is an arbitrary goal which can be easily accomplished by writing aproximately a hundred words then shorting the story through the use of contractions or lengthing it with adjectives as required. I just counted sixty words so now I have to add about forty more. That was fourteen, leaving twenty six. Now twenty. Eighteen more words, and the story will be done. Nine more. Another seven words and the job is done.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 12:24 PM

The originator of this thread, in her first post, used the 'word' 100 twice, although for the life of me I only count 99 words. My math may be a little suspect, although it was a favorite subject. Even if my count is correct, counting '100' as two words instead of one would make the count 101, or 102 if there were, in reality, 100 words. Either way, I get the impression that '100' was counted as one word, and depending upon your interpretation, this post will either have a one hundred or a one hundred and eleven word count.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat challenge: 100 word story exactly
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 12:07 PM

Jack, subtle- and successful!

Ebbie