Chris Jones

“Empty Lot” by Chris Jones

At the edge of the city, there was a huge empty space. The towering homes and factories ended abruptly where the soil became too loose for easy building, and there was only pavement and cars.  Terry felt exposed. Inside the city, the familiar walls held the streets tight. They kept him safe. He was exposed after he stepped over the threshold. The shifting mass of cars was not comforting. The throngs of people shouting didn’t help. He knew some people called it claustrophobic. He couldn’t understand that.  He paid no regard for ...

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“Don't Say It” by Chris Jones

Finn sat in a row with two dozen other union men and women. They were quiet and sullen, but every few minutes one of them would laugh, or heckle. The policemen in the room shut them up when they talked. One by one, they were called into a room with an officer. Before long, it was Finn’s turn.  The officers who guarded them took him, one on each arm, and walked him into the room. A narrow barred window was the only light. The officers sat him down across from the officer. They locked the door on their way out.  “What’s your name...

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“The Big One” by Chris Jones

“I don’t think it was a good deal.” said Ilgman. His sister gave him an incredulous look. They were seated across her kitchen table. The table was empty, but Ilgman’s sister held a crisp sheaf of papers, staring at them incredulously.  “Thirty-eight percent?” she asked. “Across the board, even, and that’s not a good deal?” Ilgman shrugged. “They didn’t get the management committee.” he said, shortly.  “Look, sure, that’s fine.” said his sister. “But they got double what they asked for.” “That just means the company thinks t...

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“Understanding” by Chris Jones

“Shit.” said one boy.  “You’re not supposed to say that.” said the other.  “We won’t be able to use the tables in the library anymore.” said the first boy.  “Shit, said the second.  Jack and his best friend sat on top of a slide with a surface too rough to slide on, watching other children play.  “Are you going to visit?” asked Jack’s friend.  “I don’t know.” said Jack. “Dad seemed pretty mad, so he might not want to come back.”  “That sucks.” said his friend.  “I’ll be online.” said Ja...

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“Downtime” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #104

Half an hour before his shift ended, Jack was already standing by the door, lifting his coat off the rack. Tim glanced up from behind the counter, shrugged, and looked back at his phone, lifting his hand with thumb up in Jack’s direction. Jack said nothing, Jack rushed out the door and around the corner, and froze.  “Are you coming tonight?”  “Yeah...” he said, trailing off. He looked at his phone, then at the clock. He shook his head. “Yes. I am coming.”  Alice stifled a giggle. “Are you sure?” she asked, with mock conc...

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“Normal Expenses ” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #103

“Take a vacation Jack.” said Wynn.  Jack blinked. “Oh, I’d love to!” he said. “Are you sure you can handle things without me?” he asked. Wynn looked up at him. He stammered. “Not that you can’t, but, I thought this would be an all hands situation.”  Wynn shrugged. “The data guys don’t think there’s a pattern. Just random violence.” Wynn glanced at their desktop and rolled over to it. “Not connected to us, anyway.” they said. They didn’t make eye contact with Jack.  “But how can that be?” asked Jack, leaning in his chair,...

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“Alienation ” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #102

The man laughed, and the guards broke their silence.  “Shut up.” said one. “What’s so funny?” said another at the same time. The man didn’t respond.  The man was sitting, uncomfortably, in a steel chair. His hands were taped together behind the back. There was blood running from a small scratch from his forehead, and a little more staining the surface of a thick bandage wrapped tightly across a large hole in his shirt. Across from him, the woman held up her hand and moved her head very slightly. The guards fell silent again.&nb...

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“Cantine ” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #100

I sat down heavily in the cantine. There were plenty of empty tables, even in the evening, even that day. Only a few were under the shade though, and the handful of us all sat at those few tables. So, we were apart but together. Everyone who wanted a table of their own had it, but there were two young men sharing their food together.  “You’re going to love it here, and you’re going to love this.” said one to the other. His companion was very tall and had the wrong hair to be really local, eagerly took the offered food.  “Didn’t...

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“Step into the Light” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #99

The streets were quieter than they had ever been, but they weren’t silent. The sound of cars was replaced by voices, a few nearby and many many more echoing from farther away. There were no gunshots, as there had been. Most of the city was shuttered, but not all of it. The Steele worker sat in a cafe, staring out the window. His bag, unzipped with his hat exposed, sat under his table. He was relaxed in the way only someone who was very tired ever is. There was a novel open on the table, but he wasn’t reading it. Occasionally, he drank h...

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“Seitz-Bunau ” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #98

“Seitz-Bunau” I stared at the lad. “I’m sorry?” My father laughed at him.  “I’m the prince of Seitz-Bunau.” he reiterated crossly. “And sure enough you’ll take it no more seriously than anyone else on this god forsaken island, but I am a Leftenant in the King’s navy also, and that should be worth at least the delivery of a service paid for.”  “You don’t look like a prince.” said my father. I jabbed him with my elbow.  “You do look like a navy man.” I said. He did.  He didn’t respond to that. Maybe he liked bein...

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“An Impossible Question” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #95

Curinn set down his cane and stood up from his crepe to greet the boy. “Oh no.” said the boy. “Don’t stand on my account.” and the boy sat down across from him at the cafe table.  “Will you have anything? The coffee’s good but at my age it doesn’t sit well.” asked Curinn.  “I’m alright, but thank you.” said the boy, pulling out his phone.  “Are you sure?” asked Curinn, “I wouldn’t make a student pay.”  The boy waved a hand. “Oh it’s not that.” he grinned. “I’m too excited for coffee right now, I’d vibrate right of...

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“Effective and Necessary ” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #94

Mars. All the whispers in the courtroom fell silent. Only the subtle glow of contrast lenses broke the sea of bodies in the galery. Dubrait sighed. “I’m very sorry your honor, my mind was elsewhere.”  The Judge softened his tone but not his face. In confusion, rather than anger, he replied “Excuse me?”  “Can you repeat the original question?” asked Dubrait. “I apologize for my lack of focus.” he added as an afterthought.  The Judge promptly repeated himself. “Having entered a guilty plea, would you like to explain you...

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“Hard Times” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #90

The field was immaculate. flat, and bounded by right angles. The grass had been mowed down in that way that makes neat columns so that the whole field drew the eye up to the monument that stood in the place of the old mill. It was orderly, except for the tree. The tree was old and gnarled. There was a square, knee high, fence around it that tried to keep it apart from the ordered grass, but the tree’s roots had begun to grow out under the fence so that the boundary wasn’t even. An old plaque inside the fence, with moss grown all over one ...

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“Bright Eyes” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #65

A gunshot broke the night, but the town did not wake up. Gunshots were not uncommon, and anyone who wanted to be out at night already was.  A small man and a large woman crouched in a bush watching a graveyard caged behind an iron fence and a locked gate. A light was visible, faintly, through the trees on the far side, but it was still and had been for some time.  “I don’t think anyone is watching.” She said. He did not reply.  She stood up slowly, and darted her eyes back and forth. Seeing nothing, and hearing nothing, ...

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“Under the Rug” by Chris Jones

Submitted to Contest #64

“Shit, stow it.”  There was no flurry of movement, just an instant jerk like lightning and the floor was closed and covered in the reg in a single movement. The front door opened.  “Damn guys traffic is nuts out there. Is it always like this?” Derel opened the door with his back and turned into the room, his hands full of tupperware, grinning. Mike stood half way up, hovering, and then sank back down into the couch. A static grin was fixed on his face. Ann wordless walked towards Derel, mind blank, playing for time. At the ...

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