Stop: Hammer Time

Fred was a frustrated fool.

“I’ve been trying and trying for hours,” he sighed helplessly, “but  I just can’t push this nail through this two-by-four. Do you think I’m doing it wrong?”

He looked over to his companion, MC Hammer, who prepared himself for the fulfillment of his life’s purpose.


This story is based on a title suggested by @danzama.

One Wrong Answer

“Darling Cynthia, please give me just one more chance!”

“Why should I settle for an imperfect suitor?” sniffed Cynthia. “You answered a question wrong!”

“I’ll change my answer! I’ll change anything! Just tell me how!”

Cynthia considered. “Fine, one more chance. After all, I am the fairest of them all.”


This story is based on a title suggested by @Sir_Oddington.

Retro Niche

It was her last day on the job.

She had been hired to define and monetize new niche markets for fashion accessories. The kneecklace had earned a following among recently married forty-year-old South American twins, especially when combined with pop-star branding, but the wide-brimmed hats had been a real flop.


I apologize.

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Showers and Tellers

After long days of deposits, withdrawals, and balance inquiries they often felt dirty when they got home, so they liked to race each other to the bathroom to play the “Who Can Get the Cleanest?” game.

She always claimed she had won, but he liked to make her prove it.


Editor’s Note: Did you spot the double pun in the title?

Bettering Oneself

We bumped one another in the mall.

“Well excuse me,” she pouted.

But I didn’t. Her tone, her look, and her behaviour were a sad excuse for civility, so I excused myself from the situation.

Satisfied, I proceeded to the next entry in my Word-Practice Dictionary: excycloduction would be harder.

Perfect Unity

It had been a fantastic idea, in theory.

For months they had lived together in harmony, sharing a common home and a common purpose.

Then the new litterbox arrived. From that day forward, it was every cat for himself.

Except when they were puppeteering Obama. They still did that together.

Detailed Lunch Heist

Jimmy always brought tater tots to school. Worse, he flaunted them.

That made him a target.

Ryan drew the plans up, Kevin swiped the locker keys, Megan played the decoy, and Aiden prepped the route to the hideout.

But Brandon forgot to bring the ketchup, so they tattled on him.


This story is based on a title suggested by a participant in a 50-word stories live-writing session.