Ethan Jarmush

“Once Upon a Time in Chimney Rock” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #204

The town of Chimney Rock did not attract the finest of individuals. It wasn’t the type of place a family of four looking to settle down would see on a map and exclaim, “Wow, what a lovely looking town!” Though the housing was affordable, which was perhaps its only allure. Rumors circulated about a sheriff somewhere in town, although none of the locals had caught sight of him in quite some time. One uneventful tale claimed to have witnessed him relieving himself on the side of a building one night. That was pretty much it. Folk must’ve g...

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“Fist-Fighting and Fine Dining” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #203

“Punch that rock.” Zenzu said  Carl looked at the old man blankly. “Uh, no.”  “Punch the rock, Carl. Only then will I know if you’re worthy of my teaching.”  “You ask my family to send me all the way up here. I spend 3 harrowing nights trudging along only to be told to punch a rock when I arrive?”  “Appears that way, yes.” Zenzu nodded. “How are you going to teach me the way of the…of the fiery…fist? What’s it called again?”  “Way of the flaming knuckles,” Zenzu corrected  “Yes that. How can you teach me if my h...

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“Pianos, Wenches, and Anvils ” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #174

The saloon was crowded that summer night. Hot too. I sweat all over the keys of that beat up piano while my fingers raced side to side, playing the jiggyest of jigs the town of Old Water had ever heard. Perhaps even the best the world had heard, if they listened to it.  Men and women danced till their heart's gave out, literally. Some folks died right there on the saloon floor. It was how God wanted them to go I would like to think.  Once I finished, and received my endless applause, I took my last swig of whiskey and began to le...

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“A Half Baked Plan” by Ethan Jarmush

“I’ve got a plan!” Gingor sprung from his seat after having said nothing for the past hour. “All we need to do is buy bombs. Yes bombs, and many of them. Then blow the beast all to hell!” After many of the group nodded in agreement, they looked to Dimbop for approval. “Thank you for that input, Gingor. Truly you are a fountain of wisdom. Now does anyone else have a better idea? Anyone at all?”  The rest of the mercenaries said nothing, merely pondering the idea of the monster which plagued the area being destroyed in glorious fashion....

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“The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #107

My name is Count Victor Lustig. If you’ve not heard of that name, you may have heard of one of my other forty seven different aliases. Robert V. Miller was what they called me when they locked me up in Alcatraz. Another fake name of course. It would appear that no one truly knew my real name, and for a hundred years more it would still remain a mystery.  I’ve lived a wondrous life, I must say. I concocted a counterfeit bank note operation so vast that the very confidence in the United States economy nearly crumbled. They called me Amer...

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“Good While it Lasted” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #79

Elisha found himself standing in front of the door to the tavern. But he could not bring himself to enter. From the inside, he could hear everyone having a good time. Finally being able to engage in revelry after a decade apart. But what would they think of him? How would they react to choices he made since their parting? “Pull yourself together man.” He whispered to himself. He wasn’t afraid to commit the most dastardly crimes all those years ago. He shouldn’t be afraid to see the closest thing he had to a family. Elisha took a deep breath ...

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“The Enemy Unknown ” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #77

“Sir! Wake up. The general is on his way. Trouble is brewing.” The soldier woke officer Cornwall from his slumber.  He rose sluggishly. Sleeping only an hour at a time in this dreaded heat did not bode well for one’s health. But this time he awoke feeling cold. Was he sick? He didn’t feel sick. This cold better not have to do with what he thinks it does. Though if the general was coming all the way down here, then it was highly likely. Cornwall gathered his pack and sword and exited his tent.  The sky was a gloomy grey. Quite the...

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“A Very Successful Bank Robbery ” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #56

“Wow. Crazy stuff right?” Johnny said, trying to loosen the rope tightly wrapped around his hands and feet. “You’re telling me. Ever been robbed at gunpoint before” Bill asked.  “At gunpoint? Hell, I ain’t ever been robbed, period!”  “Ah. Personally, I’ve lost count the amount of times some youngster with something to prove ambushed me on the road, pulled out his weapon of choice, and gently recommended I hand over my valuable belongings.” Bill said, taking a peek over the tables to get a view of the rest of the bank.  “Wh...

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“The Beauty in Death ” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #51

The blowing wind, swaying trees, radiant sunlight, and crashing waves surround me. To think I could find peace here. After ten years I had almost convinced myself. But it seems fate always has a way of bringing two enemies together.  “Lord Yasumori, that’ll be 20 mon, as you already know.” The fisherman says. “Same as always. I don’t think you’ve ever bought anything different in your ten years of staying here.”  “What else would I need when Mother Nature already provides.”  A man on horseback gallops down the muddy street ...

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“Fireballs Suck” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #48

Wow I can shoot fireballs out of my hands. Isn’t that so cool! Oh wait. It fucking isn’t. When would that ever be useful in daily life? My select friends and family who know about it think it's the cat’s pajamas though. So I got something going for me.  Let me clarify some things. It is a literal ball of flame that appears out of nowhere in my palm and shoots forward. When it makes contact with something, it straight up explodes. Like a missile. I practically get thrown back every time. And the worst part is, I can barely control the d...

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“Andreas the Mighty ” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #44

1It has been five days and there is still no sign of the Andreas. The only visibility in the blackness of night are the torches lit atop the castle walls. The lookouts in the tower strain their eyes hoping to see any movement in the shadows. “Commander,” The archer grunt said softly. “Is this all really necessary? How could any man survive for five days out there?”“If any man can do it,” The Commander says. “It’s Andreas.” The Commander’s near seven foot frame allows his voice to occupy all the space around him. Even spoken softly,...

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