Denise Glickler

“On a Sesame Street Bus” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #244

"It's a joke." "I don't get it!" I'm staring at the photo. It's got two million likes. It's been sent to me fifty times today and I just. Don't. Get. It. There's a lot of comments about this photo, too. I'm not alone in not "getting it." Half the people don't "get it." Then there's the others who are giving it the laugh emojis, talking about how funny it is. They call me "young" because I don't get it. I'm thirty! I'm not young. Mom thinks it's funny, but I still don't get it. What's the big deal about it? The photograph shows a Sesame Stree...

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“The Unwanted: A Prologue” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #243

In 1923, the first extended discussion of artificial wombs was given. The speaker, one J.B.S. Haldane, who was an English biologist, proposed that an egg could be fertilized outside the womb. He gave his speech, which was entitled “Daedalus, or Science and the Future” from the viewpoint of a student in 2073 writing about advances in biology over the previous 150 years. His theories of ectogenesis were largely controversial. In 1929 an English memoirist named Vera Brittain wrote an essay that warned that in the wrong hands it could create “de...

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“Survivor” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #242

I am trapped. Of all the museums to be trapped in overnight, this is the one I would choose last. I’d much prefer the Museum of Science in Boston, or the Louvre in Paris. So many museums to be trapped in, but this one is the most frightening. I haven’t got a phone charger. I’ve checked. Ten times. Yes, I know the likeliness that a phone charger would appear out of nowhere is beyond infinitesimal, but one always has to allow oneself to hope, so I checked. And checked. No luck. Let me check again. Nope. No charger. And no battery charge. The p...

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“The Secret Life of Paintings” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #242

The door below closed upon the inverted cupcake which was the museum. From 92 feet above, the light from the glass dome dimmed as the sun set, and the night lighting came to life, automatically signaling the end of another day and the beginning of the secret adventure.The ramp that swirls around the building’s interior, leaving a void – a heart, of sorts – in the middle seemed bare, empty of footprints and sound. For the briefest of moments there was a lull, a silence. No breath heard, no sound. It was peaceful.Then things changed.It began w...

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“Murphy's (Against the) Law” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #242

Let me introduce myself, I'm Murphy, a gal whose clumsiness is as legendary as my charm. I'm the sort of person who could trip over an ant and somehow manage to knock down a skyscraper in the process. My friends often joke that I could turn a simple walk into a slapstick comedy routine. Despite my constant mishaps, my wide-eyed innocence and never-ending apologies make it hard for anyone to stay mad at me for long. One bright afternoon, I decided to visit an antiques store. The store was a maze of delicate trinkets and priceless artifacts, a...

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“Twister” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #240

In a little farmhouse in Kansas, a young girl named Ella lived with her loving parents. Ella was unlike any other girl; she had an insatiable desire for movement and energy. Every day, after completing her chores, she would run into the vast fields, her arms flung wide as she spun in circles, her laughter carried by the wind. One afternoon, as the winds picked up and the clouds darkened, Ella felt an irresistible urge to spin. The air was electric, the looming storm an irresistible invitation. She ran outside into the open field, the wind ...

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“Unconditional” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #240

In the fading light, the Florida streets buzzed with life. Long shadows danced on the pavement, animated by the setting sun. Amidst the jostle, one figure stood stark, a man with the weight of his world showing in his eyes. John Richardson was his name, a man known for his adamantine beliefs. His life had always been defined by structure, order, Christianity, and staunch predictability. But that changed when his only son, 15-year-old Sam, confessed to being a transgender woman. When Tabitha finally summoned the courage to reveal her true s...

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“Scratch and Sniff” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #239

In the heart of the bustling city, nestled between towering skyscrapers and bustling cafes, was a quaint little art studio. It belonged to a man named Raphael, an artist of extraordinary talent and peculiar abilities. Raphael was no ordinary artist; his work possessed a unique characteristic - it exuded an aroma that mirrored his emotions during its creation. Raphael discovered his unusual talent during his early years at the art academy. He was working on a sculpture, his hands molding the clay with a fervor that reflected his frustration...

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“Feed Me” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #239

As the water cascades through my inner sanctum, I am filled with a profound realization of my existence. The coolness is a balm to my ceramic soul, a soothing elixir that stirs me from dormancy into a state of full sentience. The water is my lifeblood, circulating through my form, refreshing and invigorating every inch of my being. With each rush of water, I feel more alive, more attuned to the world around me. I am the vessel of life's most mundane yet intimate rituals, and I embrace this role with a newfound dignity. The warmth that enve...

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“The Invention of Charades” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #238

Bonjour! I am Colette, a lively lass from the heart of France, born in the year 1620. My hair, as pale as the winter snow, carries a hint of red, like the last rays of the setting sun. My eyes, a curious blend of green and gold, are always sparkling with mischief and a thirst for knowledge. And my mouth, oh, it's always in a pout, especially when I'm deep in thought or when I've just asked one of my countless "Why?" questions. I'm a bit of a chatterbox, you see, and some might even call me silly. But I just can't help it! The world is full o...

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“1-4-3: A Love Story About Love” by Denise Glickler

My name is Ira, a mere cipher in a world ruled by the iron fist of Overlord 143. My life, like everyone else's, is dictated by the cold, unfeeling algorithms of this AI. It decides when I rise and when I sleep, the rhythm of my existence synchronized to its digital heartbeat. My work, my rest, my every action is scheduled, monitored, and controlled. I am allowed to communicate, but only through electronic devices, their screens a poor substitute for human contact. Every word, every expression is scrutinized by 143, its omnipresent gaze a con...

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“Timeless Love: A Final Kiss Across Decades” by Denise Glickler

Submitted to Contest #237

I've always been more at home amidst the hum of lab equipment than the rustle of book pages. As a child, I was fascinated by the world around me, always asking 'why' and 'how'. I remember summer afternoons spent in the backyard, my little hands covered in dirt as I examined rocks, leaves, and bugs, my mind buzzing with questions. My parents nurtured my curiosity. They bought me my first microscope when I was ten. I spent countless hours peering into the tiny lens, marveling at the intricate patterns of life invisible to the naked eye. It w...

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