$25. He then cashed a check in like amount at an Italian grocery, deposited it, wrote another check for $50 cash, deposited it, and continued this routine until Friday morning. “Kitey” then withdrew the $500 his account balance showed. That afternoon, the bank crash of 1929 happened. Others lost fortunes, but he’d made a small one. Today he’s an urban legend known as America’s first Czech kiter. Paint With Words By Warren Anderson As first light breaks, casting willowy shadows on the wall opposite my window, I hear footsteps on the hardwood floor as you float into the room on feathered feet, your breathing incrementally louder with each step until I sense you hovering lovingly above me. I am lifted gently as your warm hands cradle me with your delicate touch, and I’m prepared to join in whatever creative, playful activity you have planned. You dip me into velvety liquid, shape my silken hair to a point, then we stroke with clear intention against the snow-white surface. I, the brush. You, the artist. No Con By Clark Coleman I was eating a burger in a sea of Santas in a San Francisco pub when a Santa Con reveler sat down beside me and ordered eggnog. “Can I buy you a proper drink?” I asked. “No Sam, thank you though.” “How do you know my name?” “Your name tag. Lunch break?” I nodded. He continued. “Santa Con is right; everyone is conning everyone. Regular people dressing up like me. Preposterous. It’s an egregious affront to my image beloved by all.” This guy is nuts. I got back to my car and there was my name tag sitting on the dashboard. Mirror Lake By Susan Reed “Did you see that article about the polar bear that killed the carp in his enclosure? Polar bears are mean. He didn’t even eat the fish.” “He was so cute as a cub, too. Maybe they shouldn’t be keeping those killers in captivity. What kind of animal would just kill those helpless carp for no good reason?” “This looks like a good spot. Darn live bait. It never wants to get on the hook.” “Just poke it though the eye. It works every time. Are you going to eat your catch?” “Nah. I can’t stand the taste of fish.” “Me, neither.” Hemingway Rewritten By Donnolo Beren For sale: Baby shoes. Slightly bloodstained. Paper Prison By Ezri Koue The knight approached the dragon, sword sharp. “Stop right there, Dragon!” The dragon didn’t answer. “Hello?” “Do you ever wonder what’s beyond this?” said the dragon. “What?” “Don’t you know? We are nothing but a jumble of words in a newspaper, written by a writer who counts every word we say, careful to not go over 101.” “Are we…not real?” “Only as real as the reader’s imagination allows us to be.” “…” “I wish I could talk longer, but word limit and all that,” the dragon said as it slipped away with a sly smile.” The knight didn’t follow. 101-Word Short Story Contest 2023 The grayness of the sky lit the tiny room like the ambient background of some macabre tragic opera. The Ocean is always the master and I'm just a bit player. If you’ve never been to traffic court you are really missing out! Tie a string on your thing or you’ll have no spring fling. True story! www.montereycountyweekly.com december 21-27, 2023 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 33 Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open Sat 3:30pm-5:30pm • Sun 10am-1pm TMC No Milo poultry feed 75lb bag 16% Protein! 101 W. Laurel Dr, Salinas • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more CAnnot be Combined with other offers. Limit 1 Coupon per Customer. not vALid on hAy shAvings, frontLine/AdvAntAge, or seresto CoLLArs. must present Coupon At time of purChAse. New Product Alert! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices TRASH cooled cooking oil/ grease* GREEN CART food scraps without a bag CLOGBUSTERS.ORG Monterey One Water • ReGen Monterey • Southern Monterey Bay Dischargers Group *Take larger quantities, like leftover turkey fryer oil, to your local household hazardous waste collection facility ’TIS THE SEASON to be CLOG FREE! Showroom DiSplayS for Sale 70% OFF! Visit our showroom Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 26386 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite 104, Carmel www.carmelkitchens.com P.S. We are NOT going out of business! Inquiries: please email info@carmelkitchens.com or call (831) 624-4667 • Cabinets • Appliances • Hardware • Accessories • Decorative Plumbing
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