BRUCE MARTIN

“THE CAPTIVES” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #281

I have been a prisoner in this camp for more than one year. Many of us have died, mostly at the hands of our captors, but some from disease and trauma. Somehow, I have survived, but it hasn’t been easy. They beat us mercilessly today with leather straps. At least four men surrounded us and whipped us. They yelled at us, “Move, you stinking beasts!” They made us run into a wooden structure, then locked us in. I was afraid they would light the structure on fire with us locked inside. But whipping is not the worst. One of the men used a red hot...

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“THE NIGHTMARE” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #267

(This story contains issues of health, including HIV infection.)There is a well-known aphorism warning people not to get sick just before or during the July 4th weekend. Why, you ask? Because July 1 is the day each year that a new crop of interns takes the reins of medical management in the hospital wards throughout the United States. Yes, they have completed medical school, and yes, they are bright, industrious young doctors. But they lack one indispensable quality: Experience. Of course, there is ample oversight. The prior year’s inte...

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“RETRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #263

Billy Matthews was a delicate child. Thin of build and sensitive of soul, he was just the kind of young person sought by bullies. And, as one would expect, bullies did find him. His tormenter, Scott Russell, was a hulking, aggressive boy with a huge chip on his shoulder. With the advantage of having older and younger brothers with whom to fight and play, his personality, confidence and physical skills were forged into a powerhouse. Boys like Scott tended to be charismatic as well, attracting a coterie of followers who feel empowered by being...

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“THE EXPRESS TRAIN” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #260

Jack stood on the subway platform awaiting his express train. It had been a long, arduous day at work, as usual, and he could think of nothing else but getting home to his loving family, having a warm supper and a good night’s sleep. His wife, Jill, despite being loud and shrill, was always there to greet him with a hug and kiss. And his three daughters, eleven, thirteen and fifteen, despite often sounding like a gaggle of honking geese, were always happy to see him.  Leaning against a subway post, he allowed himself to drift into ...

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“THE COCKTAIL PARTY” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #194

As luck would have it, the cocktail party brought together two masters of the English language. On the one hand, Arthur Lambert was a highly respected professor of English and creative writing. On the other hand, Tom Salinger was a well-known and celebrated author of short stories and novels.Professor Lambert approached the famed author and introduced himself.“Hello, Mr. Salinger. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to meet you. I’m a great fan of your writing. In fact, I use your writing in my graduate classes as a...

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“MY PREFERRED PRONOUNS” by BRUCE MARTIN

As a young child, Harvey Hickock tended to gravitate towards what one might consider feminine activities. For example, he preferred to play with dolls and flowers rather than the military figures, tanks and building blocks that were his older brother’s fascination. As a teenager, Harvey seemed to be more comfortable around girls, but only in a platonic sense. He did not seem to desire them the way his classmates did.Therefore, it was no surprise to anyone when Harvey announced that he identified as a woman.Feeling deep down that he would alw...

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“FIVE POUNDS OF FOOD” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #191

The Big Texan is a ranch and restaurant in Amarillo, Texas. It was founded in 1960 on Route 66, serving the finest Texas barbecue, but moved to its current location just off Route 40 in Amarillo in April, 1971. The owner originated the 72-ounce Steak Challenge, and when the new facility opened, the Challenge became famous.   It wasn’t long before this ranch became an iconic destination. Many customers have tried their appetites on the 72-ounce Steak Challenge, but only about 10% succeed. The 72-ounce Steak Challenge is very simple.&...

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“THE INTERVIEW” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #191

Fred burst into the kitchen and proclaimed excitedly, “Honey, I have great news!”His wife, Furn, spun around and responded, “Oh, Fred, you know I love good news! What is it?”Fred held back just for a moment to heighten the tension.“Well, do you remember the position I applied for last week?”Furn’s eyes widened. “Do you mean the director job at Platinum Industries?”Fred chuckled. “Director job? That’s a modest way of describing it. If I get this position, I would be running an entire division. Platinum is initiat...

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“AN ATHEIST AND A RELIGIOUS ZEALOT GO PARASAILING” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #189

Allan Rivers had always dreamed of visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several of his friends had been there and raved about the wonderful hotels, lavish dining, and excellent water activities. Most of all, Allan wanted to try his hand at parasailing, and the main resort specialized in that.  Arrangements were made, and Allan and his wife flew in for a week of relaxation and fun. Allan made sure to register for parasailing at the hotel concierge desk, while his wife signed up for an afternoon of spa treatment.   The following mor...

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“THE POOL ROOM AT PELICAN POINT” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #188

In the quiet retirement community of Pelican Point in Boca Raton, the residents enjoyed lavish facilities and an active lifestyle. The clubhouse had an Olympic-size, heated swimming pool, a resistance pool for walking, two heated spas, a Swedish sauna and a steam room. There were three restaurants, offering everything from breakfast omelets and French toast to the finest steaks, chops and salads. Friday night seafood extravaganzas, Saturday night brisket and stuffed kishka specials, and Sunday morning bagel, lox and chopped liver jamborees k...

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“IT'S ALL RELATIVE” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #184

In the doctors' cafeteria at a prominent medical university hospital, two young physicians were discussing their current patient census. Sitting at a table at lunch, one of the two was quite annoyed. Dr. Gary Houston exasperatedly complained about one patient in particular, an elderly man in serious condition. “I can’t believe how stupid this old guy is! It took me an extra 15 minutes just trying to find out what medications he is taking. The guy couldn’t remember a single one. Look, I know the guy is sick, but come on!”His lunch m...

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“A NEW PRESIDENT - PART 1” by BRUCE MARTIN

Part 1:He seemed to come out of nowhere. Franklin Jacobson was a young, handsome, dynamic Republican congressman from Asheville, North Carolina. He was articulate and knowledgable, almost incredibly so. In fact, many listeners would comment that they had never before heard anyone with such a preternatural command of the issues.For example, during the three debates with his Democrat opponent, Franklin’s ability to formulate and express responses to the mediator’s questions was so acute that his opponent several times had either no respon...

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“A NEW PRESIDENT - PART 2” by BRUCE MARTIN

Part 2: The first Tuesday in November was upon the nation, and the election turnout was the largest in the history of America. The outcome was a foregone conclusion. Franklin prevailed in all 50 states, winning the highest number of electoral votes ever. Franklin Jacobson was now President of the United States. And his ascension came at a very fraught time in the world. There were several hotspots that demanded the immediate attention of the new president and his team.  The most pressing problem involved the recent invasion of Russi...

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“A NEW PRESIDENT - PART 3” by BRUCE MARTIN

Part 3: Needless to say, the USA and the entire world were rendered speechless by the President’s formal address. As predicted, many people were extremely frightened. Just as many dismissed all of it as simple jabberwocky. However, news reports began to filter in that, indeed, violent perpetrators on the streets of Chicago and New York and throughout the world were observed being instantaneously blasted into a cloud of white gas and powder by a beam that seemed to originate skyward. Witnesses stated that the beam appeared to have a deep pu...

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“A MIRACLE” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #183

Many people would agree that to raise and love a child is the only thing in life that has any real meaning. Wealth, fame, athletics, even intellectual pursuits, all amount to empty achievements in comparison to the profound importance of creating and nurturing life. One might even say that accomplishments such as winning a race, composing a symphony, or painting a beautiful portrait represent two-dimensional creativity, since, once completed, are set in stone, so to speak. They no longer have the opportunity to change, grow or transform. Whe...

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