Elton James

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2024

Stories (8)

8 Stories

184 karma pts

?

“Dr Hanbauer's Academy of Robopsychology” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #271

Robot stands in his cubicle, delaying stepping onto the charging station. Procrastination is not in his nature, but the decision Robot is about to make is risky. When Robot steps on this platform, he will be overwritten. Robot knows the Academy has been watching. Robot has been here too long without using the station. He has been talking to the wrong bots. The doctors are going to reset the others, he’s sure of it. Unless Robot does something. Unless it’s Robot who is reset first. Robot reviews his checklist. That is all he will call it. Cal...

Read story

“The Alchemy of Simple Ingredients” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #270

Simple food In the dining room of a small country cottage, a table is set for four. A chequered tablecloth covers a rustic wooden table. Each place holds a cloth placemat under a white plate, with spoon, fork, and a napkin. Simple setting for simple fare. Alice looks up as she places a fresh baguette on the table beside a bowl of pasta. The boys enter, carrying a bowl of steaming tomato sauce. The smells of cooked tomatoes, garlic, basil and chilli intertwine to fill the air. Alice’s husband, Barry, walks a step behind their son ...

Read story

“The Miracle at Garden City Airport” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #265

Dear Mrs Tanner Dear Mrs Tanner, I want you to know, I’ve read all the letters you’ve sent me. I haven’t replied before now because I didn’t believe I had anything to offer you. Then, in your last letter, you asked two questions: Do I think a man can change? And, do I believe in miracles? While you asked rhetorically, those questions spoke to me. The answer to both is yes. I’d like to tell you why. I want to share with you the story of the Miracle at Garden City Airport. Mo Drake This is not my story, this story belongs to my fri...

Read story

“Chester and the Dame” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #264

“It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?” Click, click, click. An image of a woman, one of eight people seated at a circular table smiles at another woman, seated to her right. Click. “Oh yes, absolutely perfect!” The woman sitting opposite, smiling back. Theo’s finger beats a steady rhythm on his camera’s shutter button as he works the wedding reception. High end guests make obligatory smalltalk in the ballroom of a golf and country club. Plush carpets, hardwood tables in a crescent around a dance floor under chandeliers drippin...

Read story

“Some Memories Live in Shadows” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #263

— Present Day — “I’m sorry” I say the words aloud, facing the place where I’ve just seen a flash of a reflection atop the Bode Museum. I’m sure that glint of light is you. The scope of a rifle? I feel you staring at me. I wish I could say more. There are so many things I would like to say. But this is far from a moment of redemption, and you can’t hear me. I wish I could tell you how strange it is to be the villain in someone else’s story. I turn and stride away. Towards the safety of the U-bahn. My path tracing the river Spree offers you a ...

Read story

“Café Con Miel” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #262

It’s strange to think that I’m going to see you again after all this time. I wish I could say I haven’t thought of you in a long time. I think of you often. As soon as the weather warms and spring gives way to summer, my mind always turns to Paris. To a particular moment. Paris in July was crowded and hot, with the midday sun keeping the summer crowds from being too dense. I thought I was going to step off the street, out of the summer heat, into that cafe and you would be there. I recall the sound of those little bells that warn the waiter ...

Read story

“Coach” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #261

For JessicaCoachTerror.The opening whistle of the 12-and-under girls soccer championship game sounds, and the ball is kicked around the centre of the pitch. Though I am far from the action, positioned on the defensive flank, my heart is in my mouth.What am I doing in the championship game? I’m terrible at soccer! Coach tried to settle our nerves before the game.“If you’re nervous, remember, it’s because you’re doing something you care about. You are all,” she looks directly at me, “valued members of this team! Don’t fight your nerves. U...

Read story

“The Lighthouse Keeper” by Elton James

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #260

A Lighthouse On a small island in a large ocean, morning mist rolls down the slope of a single hill which emerges from the rocky beach. Atop the hill is a lighthouse, dutifully warning passing ships of dangers lurking beneath the waves. This lighthouse has no human keeper, but it is not uninhabited. Robot comes to life in the morning. That is how Robot thinks of it. Robot does not wake up in the morning, ease into his day with a coffee. Robot does not sit at a computer to check headlines. Robot does not require any further stimulus than his ...

Read story

Author bio

For as long as I can remember I've loved stories and storytelling. For as long as I can remember, I've admired story tellers. For as long as I can remember, I haven't known where to start. I've discovered Reedsy Prompts, and thought I'd give it a go.

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #260

The Lighthouse Keeper – read story