I'm utterly gobsmacked. From the entries I'd read, including Welshdreamer and Ping's which were both amazing, I never gave it a second thought that I might end up anywhere near the honours list. If anyone has seen Wayne's World and recalls the scene with them bowing down head to the floor screaming "We're not worthy!" I'm right with them there at the moment.

But thank you for holding this perfect memorial for a friend of the site. I never knew Alan, but I'd like to tip my hat to him and thank Stories Space for allowing me to participate. These flash fiction challenges are always a killer for me but a wonderful reminder about the effectiveness of brevity.

Cheers everyone,
Paperboy

Paperboy

Morgan Freeman... that voice, and he was Easy Reader on Electric Company.

Telekinesis or the power to stop time?

Uber... it always feels like a lottery as to what type of car is going to pick me up. Got picked up by a Porsche SUV once for a $15 ride. The driver usually picked up high end fares but was just finishing up his night and thought what the heck. It was sweet.

Ponchos or pancakes?

She's a rainbow :)

Broccoli or cauliflower?

Mini marshmallows, please.
Piglet or Eeyore?

It's raining today, so I'll say hot.

Vacuuming or dusting?

Hi everyone,

I really want to thank you all for the honour of 2nd place in the comp! I'd like to say that just having anyone take the time to read a story of mine and leave a compliment is all I can ask for. I CAN say that... but now that I've had the taste of sweet, sweet victory, I REALLY want to say, " Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" [smilie=6.

Honestly, though, this was a really nice way to end the weekend, hearing about this. Congrats to the other comp winners. Thanks to the moderators/judges and to the readers.

Your time is precious. Thank you so much for spending some of it to read a few words of mine.

Paperboy

Weinland Research Institute; Level 4, Lab Center 6 “‘Specimen Delta-Alpha 8102.60.9’, ” Magnusson read aloud from the container label. He drew a sample from it and applied it to a glass disc. “Specimen Delta-Alpha...” Samuels repeated, pausing to yawn, “...  8102.60.9.” He took the glass and placed it under the microscope. A sigh wheezed from his lungs before he blinked through...

Added 23 Apr 2019 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 4 | Avg Score 5 | Views 522 | 3 Comments

“God- damn -it!” Mike barked as he pumped his car brakes and spanked the horn with his palm. The cause of his consternation --a speeding black sedan that cut him off on the highway-- was already long gone. “Stupid son of a…” “Mike,” Cynthia sighed aloud, interrupting him, “why do you bother?” “ “He cut me off! What am I supposed to do?” “You can’t do anything about drivers like that....

Added 02 Jan 2019 | Category Supernatural | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 523 | 7 Comments

As his band stepped onto the stage, Tyrone stole a moment to sip his dirty martini. He ran his tongue along his upper lip as he admired the glass, savoring the lingering taste of the alcohol. With a contented sigh, he got up and walked onto the stage. During his break, the din of the bar had swelled to a jumbled murmur. The restless audience had taken to chattering over clinking glasses...

Added 30 Sep 2018 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 20 | Avg Score 5 | Views 822 | 23 Comments

December 22, 2015 Ricky breathes deeply as he walks through the park. The air, sweetened by the scent of pine and cooled by the fallen snow, refreshes his lungs and spirit. It’s barely evening, yet it’s already dark out, the sun having slipped below the horizon. The snow on the ground is new and untrodden. It casts a luminous blanket all around, as if flying above the clouds at night. He...

Added 30 Jan 2016 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 1,289 | 9 Comments

With the blackout having hit the cottage a few minutes earlier, Ariel propped the flashlight on the kitchen counter, opened the oven and peeked in anxiously. She hoped the cookies she had made survived the power outage. They certainly smelled great. Nothing like freshly baked cookies to warm up a cold, rainy night. She took out the baking tray and set it aside on the counter before turning...

Added 02 Mar 2015 | Category Supernatural | Votes 3 | Avg Score 4.67 | Views 1,058 | 2 Comments

“It’s not what it looks like,” he said, frantically fumbling with the computer mouse. She smirked. “That isn’t the Victoria’s Secret website?” Failing to minimize the screen, he switched tactics. “I’m looking for your Christmas gift." “Oh? And only 364 shopping days left!” He stroked his beard and chuckled nervously, “Well, after all, I’m a busy man.” “You work one night a...

Added 20 Dec 2014 | Category Micro Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.88 | Views 2,044 | 11 Comments

"She seems quite taken with you," Nadja said. Nadja was one of the senior supervisors of the library. We often had lunch together and we talked about pretty much anything. Today, she caught me off guard."Who?" I asked. "The young one. Short with brunette hair," she said, "Looks a bit like a fairy." "Amelia?" I said quizzically, "Naw." Amelia was sweet to everyone. She was energetic...

Added 18 Nov 2013 | Category Romance | Votes 4 | Avg Score 5 | Views 794 | 2 Comments

I checked my watch. I had been waiting for her for almost 20 minutes. I grinned and chuckled to myself. No, I'd been waiting longer. I leaned against the railing overlooking the square. The air was crisp and cool. It felt good to inhale it deep into my lungs. It had been a mild winter so far. They were only able to open the square's outdoor skating rink just a week before Christmas, weeks...

Added 15 Nov 2013 | Category Romance | Votes 4 | Avg Score 5 | Views 789 | 2 Comments