www.montereycountyweekly.com december 21-27, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 27 101-Word Short Story Contest 2023 First Place Shared Vision By John Fredrickson An impoverished rustic came into town for a rally by a socialist group. Excited by promises of shared wealth, he sought to join the Party. He met with the organizers and learned that correctly answering three questions was required for membership. He was eager to proceed. Organizer: “If you have two horses, what do you do?” Candidate: “Give the best one to the party; keep the other for myself.” Organizer: “Same question for two cows?” Candidate: “Same deal.” Organizer: “Good. Same question again, for two chickens?” Candidate: “Oh no, comrade, THAT is a totally different question! I actually have two chickens.” Second Place Holy Day Shopping By Lori Robinson She held him close as they picked their way around the Christmas displays nearly blocking each aisle, hoping no one would spot them and start in with their conspicuous paeans. Her husband seemed distracted as he filled their grocery basket with elements for their journey. As they joined the checkout line, those nearest them either backed away in shock or fell to their knees in respect. She fumed, “This happens every time, Joseph! I’ll stay home with him next time and you can do all the shopping. Bring the donkey around front.” Third Place Look-alike By Nicki Ehrlich One eye searches intently, the other lazily, but both squint a little as the feline tries to solve the most difficult mysteries of cat life. Its pelt is a bit more curly, more disgruntled than other cats. It stands small but mighty. The cat tilts its head and looks at you as if to ask, “Where have you been?” “What have you done?” “Where are you going?” It walks toward the door, stops, turns, licks a paw. A meow seems to say, “One more thing…” What’s that in its mouth? Is that cigar smoke I smell? They call the cat Columbo. Numbers Game Here’s how the 101-Word Short Story Contest adds up. This year, the total number of entries approached 175. Of those, more than 60 made the final cut according to the seven judges after the first round of reading. Those same seven judges met on one morning to reach a conclusion on the three stories that stood apart from the others, as well as the 30 or 40 that would fit in the space provided. Each judge assigned a score between 1-5 to every story, with one particularly persnickety judge doling out zeros to some. And this is summed up below. -Dave Faries Judges: Erik Cushman, Alexis Estrada, Dave Faries, Karen Loutzenheiser, Linda Maceira, Agata Pope˛da, Keely Richter No Context Here are some of our favorite lines from stories that did not make it to print. Amanda momentarily hoped to see the laws of physics be broken. “A Chupacabra!?” “Worse.” Into the office I’d go and moments later walk out with a caned, stinging backside. From: Mom, Dallas TX, Earth, To: Sarah, 108th Street, Heaven.
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