Welcome to the Weekly Challenge Number One Hundred And Seventy-Three, where I post a topic and then challenge you to come up with a 100 word story based on that topic.
The topic this week was… was…. um…
It’s Over/Under.
The excellent theme music is by Guy David
VOTING
Go ahead and listen to them and then vote for your favorites (multiple selections are allowed):
Caledonia
The delicate needle pokes its sharp nose through the simple fabric. Up and over the needle goes before diving once more to begin again. The needle pulls the bright floss over and under. Stitch after stitch, the pattern expanding even as the floss changes color. Over. Under.
The hand that plies the needle works on. The brain that drives the hand wanders among random thoughts: stitches of childhood – samplers of possibility, stitches of young adulthood – forms of achievement, stitches of middle age – when every pattern seems to change. Over. Under.
Only the stitches remain constant.
Danny
Four boys walk across an old decommissioned railway bridge in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Vern, keeps tossing rocks over the railway to listen to the splash they make as they hit the river below.
“Dude, your disturbing the fish, cut it out,” says Gordie.
“Just one more.” Vern picks up a rock as big as his palm and tosses it. No splash.
He looks over the side of the railing. He sees his rock floating on something bare and bloated.
“You guys wanna go see a dead body?” he says to the others.
Guy David
It was no place for a submarine. The crew scratched their heads in bewilderment as it hovered over the city much in the way bricks don’t, then it started falling. As they fell, it became clear they where headed for the river running throughout this city. The religious amongst them said a prayer, begging their gods not to miss the river. The ones who had no god just stared in disbelief. As they went under, all of them, regarding of religion heaved a sigh of relief. It was then that the giant squid swallowed them whole, submarine, craw and all.
Justin
The needle goes over and under, binding two hides together. The hunt for this had been difficult, but it’s always more satisfying when they run. A simple kill is boring, the trophy lackluster. The sun’s about to rise. I hurry to finish so I can protect myself from the light. My old covering had withered with time. I bite back a yelp when the needle goes too deep and pricks a nerve. I finish and examine myself in the mirror. The seams are invisible, as are my eyes. I put on the sunglasses. I stretch. The new skin fits perfectly.
Erin
You don’t even realize it’s happening but then you catch yourself saying things like “Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk”, “Go to your room and think about what you did!”, and “As long as you live under my roof, you’ll do as I say,” just to name a few sayings.
I often wondered as a child why my mom said these funny phrases and doubted I ever would. I learned something about motherhood, it has a way of repeating itself as soon as you pop that kid out. I find myself sounding more and more life my mother each and everyday.
Dedric
Somewhere in the middle of Gotcha City, there is a woman leaving a sub shop. After peering at her purchase, she cries out in distress.
Ahh! I ordered a bologna sandwich, but they didn’t put any condiments on it. What do I do?
Look! It’s a bird, it’s a plane! Bloody Hell Governor, what is that thing?
It’s Underwood!
Hello ma’am, I heard your call and came as fast as I could. I brought you to this Grey Poupon.
No, I can’t accept this from you.
Why not? It is a gift!
But your under wear is over your pants.
TJ
Shae
Shae’s eyes narrowed at the retreating back of Marcus, her boyfriend of six months, disappearing into the crowd up on the mezzanine. Typical. Make a cheap date for this stupid mall food court and then, what … ducking out? Just more avoidance, extra shifts at work, avoiding her calls … enough is enough. She stormed off.
Marcus
So late, that stupid flat tire! Looking down over the food court where they’d met he spied Shae. He waved, and headed for the escalator to make a grand entrance, patting his pocket. The ring inside nestled against his dead cell phone.
Lynda
Over and under we tumbled, around and around in the darkness for an hour. Just as I was warming up the buzzer went off, the door opened, and she stole my mate away, leaving me lying there as the hot metal cooled.
I didn’t think much of the wet clothes dumped on top of me until the man they belonged to brought me home. He knew what I was but he didn’t care. He even let his kids play with me, and now instead of spending my days on stinky feet, I have curly hair and the shiniest button eyes.
Norval Joe
Overall, Bill was under the impression that the orchestral overture was underperformed.
He purchased tickets to the Broadway production “Under The Elms” over Julies objection; it wasn’t her kind of play.
Their relationship was over and Julie didn’t want Bill to feel under any obligation to take her on the expensive date.
When the play was over they walked under his umbrella, through the rain, to the subway.
They overheard a couple argue. The undertone of hostility in their voices was clear.
Bill said to Julie, “I understand your diffidence, but I will overcome your indifference and win your love.”
Planet Z
Bob’s department is over budget.
Mine is under budget, and we sit in shabby rags around our mud huts praying to The Office Gods for Bob’s people to be struck down for their arrogance.
A footman in silks delivers a scented memo, sealed with gold leaf and Bob’s royal symbol.
Great. Another meeting about budget issues.
I smear dung on a rock, put it near the fire to dry, and scratch a confirmation message with a dried twig.
Or maybe it’s a trap? The last meeting was just a ruse, drawing us out for hunting.
We prepare war-paint and spears.
Lynda’s was quite a bit of fun — I enjoyed meeting Annabelle and believe we should hear more from her — but I especially enjoyed your outro for her. “You can learn more about Lynda … in the papers, when she finally snaps.” Freeqin’ scream, man. Epic. :)
Annabelle and I thank you TJ, the outro cracked me up as well. The good kind of cracking up, really. *pets the walls* The whole podcast was a hoot this week, everybody!
Sorry to hear about mama Crap Mariner’s dog, but…I have to wonder which previous owners were waiting for him on the other side.