Gus Nigro

“Magic Lantern” by Gus Nigro

Submitted to Contest #258

MAGIC LANTERN Jan brought along his father’s old Polaroid camera when called to dinner. His father had used the camera just one summer and subsequently confined it to a cardboard box with other relics. The camera still contained unused film; and the box, Polaroid film in its original wrapper.  Rain, which had fallen during the time his wife was preparing dinner and he going through the memorabilia, had ended. When dinner and the conversation about the neighbors that attended it were almost over, they looked out the windo...

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“Twelfth Night” by Gus Nigro

TWELFTH NIGHT His name is John Austin respected art critic. He’s about to awaken, draw the curtains, and be in awe of a Venetian sunrise he’ll think a natural wonder. The wonder is it’s all been arranged. I’ll let him tell you about the sunrise. More than art, he loves to talk about himself.  “What a vision! The outline of masts, sails, ships were barely perceptible in the haze. The sun had poured its rays through a mist as it once did for Turner or was it possible I’d developed a quickened sensibility?”&n...

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“Dear Abby” by Gus Nigro

Submitted to Contest #251

                    Dear Abby The dark complexioned woman looking over the ten miniature pewter spoons in a rack which should have held twelve was Lena Grande, who had been a student in Professor Albert Grande’s graduate philosophy course two years ago but who had since become Mrs. Grande. Although he was always addressed by Lena as Albert, the advocate of Nietzsche preferred to be called “El Grande.” The red headed woman looking through...

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“Transfer Station” by Gus Nigro

              TRANSFER STATION Seconds after the ball hit bottom and Dana and Leslie Stayman had shared their new year’s kiss, they heard the shotgun blast of Willie Wilkes. A native of West Virginia and colleague of Dana at Towson College for three decades, Willie had purchased the home three houses down and inherited the shot gun the owner left behind. “Well there goes Willie; it’s official, time to turn in. You coming?” “I’ll be right up; I just want to...

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“Little Gidding” by Gus Nigro

A Communion of Scholars Ben Napoli and his wife, Marian, sat at the front of the coach behind the young Pattons’ driver, Brian. The trip was taking longer than Ben had reckoned, and, although he tried to maintain a stoic stillness, Marian, the fifteen seminarians, and several spouses sitting behind could feel the palpable tension. As the seminarians had boarded the bus in Oxford, he showed his map to young Brian and asked if the latter were going to drive east on a motorway that was one side of a triangle he had projected onto the ...

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“Magic Lantern” by Gus Nigro

MAGIC LANTERN Jan brought along his father’s old Polaroid camera when called to dinner. His father had used the camera just that one summer and had subsequently confined it to a cardboard box with other relics. The camera still contained within unused film; and the box, a roll of Polaroid film in its original wrapper.  The gentle rain which had fallen during the time his wife was in the kitchen preparing dinner and he in the study going through the memorabilia had ended. When their dinner of Swedish meatballs and the ...

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“A Better Camera” by Gus Nigro

A BETTER CAMERA Ellis Franklin stood in his basement awaiting the arrival of his sons and daughter descending the spiral staircase. On the bench behind him were a camera and tools for wood carving.  “I hope, boys, you’ll find success in finance. But it’s important you work with your hands. I’ve had this work bench built for woodworking and the developing of photographs. “And what about me, Poppa? Am I to have no chance to put my hands to the camera? “Of course, Rosalind, if taking photos interests you. “It interest...

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“The Locked Door” by Gus Nigro

                 The Locked Door Hans tried to recall the dream. One image stood out: a square encircled upon the facade of a stone building. An elderly architect had taken el-shaped fragments and placed them on a building in the form of a mandala. In the dream, Hans sought to rearrange the fragments. Before he could successfully complete his alteration, he had awakened.    As he sat an hour later at a table of th...

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“New Haven” by Gus Nigro

        New Haven Clad only in a towel, Jack was making his way to his room. He crossed the hotel lobby, entered the elevator, and watched the door shut swiftly. A couple stood opposite him.  He wore glasses; she, face chiseled in sorrowful anger, stared at him. Jack sensed in the corner a more obscured person. None seemed aware of his presence. He suddenly was outside the elevator looking upon it before he awoke.  The thought the three were trapped in his dream ...

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“Lucine” by Gus Nigro

Submitted to Contest #95

                Lucine  “Stop fidgeting or you’ll wind up with this needle in your back.” “Is our young lady a little nervous?” “You stop teasing, Poppa.” “There, now let’s have a look at you.”     Kristine stepped to the portal, leaned against the jamb, and posed. “Tell me again, where’d you meet this boy?” “The Saturday night dance about a month ago.” “Seen him since?” “Again at the dance and at a basketball game.” “...

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“Transfer Station” by Gus Nigro

Submitted to Contest #91

              TRANSFER STATION Seconds after the ball hit bottom and Dana and Leslie Stayman had shared their new year’s kiss, they heard the shotgun blast of Willie Wilkes. A native of West Virginia and colleague of Dana at Towson College for three decades, Willie had purchased the home three houses down and inherited the shot gun the owner left behind. “Well there goes Willie; it’s official, time to turn in. You coming?” “I’ll be right up; I just want to...

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“Just Don't Forget” by Gus Nigro

Submitted to Contest #62

                                               Just Don’t Forget Young Mario Della Faye sat at the edge of his bed with a pencil in one hand and in the other an old sneaker with a hole in the sole. A pair of scissors and an empty Corn Flakes cereal box were beside him. He tore away one side of the ...

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