Jim LaFleur

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2024

Stories (14)

14 Stories

473 karma pts

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“Gnome Sweet Gnome” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #249

In the grand scheme of universal accidents, the collision between Alex and the seemingly inert garden gnome bore all the hallmarks of a legendary mishap. This was not because Alex possessed any particular clumsiness—or an affinity for garden ornaments, for that matter—but rather because destiny had a peculiar way of announcing, “You’re it!” in the most unexpected moments. Alex, an individual whose forgetfulness could give goldfish a run for their memory, had only ventured into the realm of Mr. Pottersfield’s garden to retrieve a wayward fris...

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“Persuasion” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #248

In the gritty underbelly of a city where moral compasses spun like dervishes, Karl “the Klepto” Kleptowski carved out a nefarious existence. A career criminal with a rap sheet lengthier than a Shakespearean soliloquy, his battered heart thumped a staccato rhythm of desperation. This vital organ had endured more abuse than a crash test dummy, thanks to Karl’s penchant for high-stakes heists and an unholy love affair with deep-fried, bacon-wrapped butter sticks. Yet, amid the squalor of his misdeeds, an unlikely beacon of hope flickered in the...

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“The Beauty of the Beast” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #247

Gus, a man of peculiar inclinations and a fervent believer in the adage that beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder, found himself at the precipice of a life-altering epiphany during one swelteringly ordinary afternoon. The world, in its infinite jest, had conspired to position him at this juncture, a place where his latent passion for the unattractive aspects of canine companions would soon unfold into a tale most unconventional. Residing in a dwelling that bore the hallmarks of someone who embraced the chaos of existence with open a...

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“Voyage to the Heart of the Unknown” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #247

In the hushed corridors of science, where whispers of the unknown are more valued than the currency of the known, there existed a distinguished band of explorers. They weren’t your garden-variety adventurers with sun hats and machetes; oh, no. These were the pioneers of the abyss, the bravest souls who dared to tread where the light of knowledge hadn’t yet penetrated—the profound depths of Earth’s oceans. Dr. Penelope Quint, an oceanographer whose wit was as sharp as her research was groundbreaking, helmed this expedition. Her team comprised...

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“The Unintended Masterpiece” by Jim LaFleur

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #246

Once, in the recesses of Josh’s cluttered study—a space so densely populated with crumpled papers and half-finished manuscripts it could have been mistaken for the lair of a particularly literary breed of dragon—a plot of exquisite pettiness took root. Josh, an author whose disposition was as sunny as a thundercloud, and whose success in the literary world was comparable to a lead balloon in an origami competition, harbored a grudge. This was no ordinary grudge; it was an epic, monumental, could-be-the-subject-of-a-Greek-tragedy kind of grud...

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“Beneath the Noonday Night” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #245

Under the grand expanse of a sky more temperamental than a chat show host on a caffeine withdrawal, the small town of Doodledum found itself on the cusp of a cosmic event—the sort that sends sales of cardboard glasses skyrocketing and has local news crews wishing they’d paid more attention in astronomy class. In Doodledum, eclipses, whether served naturally or with a hint of man-made artificial sweetener, were the social seasoning that transformed the town from a plate of plain boiled potatoes to a culinary extravaganza sprinkled with intrig...

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“The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Man” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #244

In the sprawling metropolis of Featherstone—a city that prided itself on being as average as a Tuesday afternoon—a peculiar phenomenon unfolded, one that would shake the very foundations of the Internet and test the boundaries of human credulity. The catalyst of this digital tempest? A photo. But not just any photo. You see, Featherstone was home to Gerald, a middle-aged, balding accountant with a penchant for perfectly ordinary suits and a life so mundane that even his goldfish seemed to yawn in his presence. Gerald, by all accounts, led a ...

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“Sailing Among the Stars: The Tale of the S.S. Euphoria” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #243

In the grand tapestry of the universe, where stars are mere stitches glimmering with ancient light, our tale finds its thread in a place far from the cozy confines of Earth. The S.S. Euphoria, a spaceship with the sleekness of a polished shoe and the size of a small metropolitan city, sails silently through the cosmos. Aboard this gargantuan vessel, nestled among a crew of the finest astronauts from varying corners of the galaxy, was Stanley Glass. Stanley, a man whose usual habitat was a cluttered one-bedroom apartment adorned with takeout ...

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“Whispers and Wishes: A Bedford Museum Tale” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #242

In the sleepy town of Bedford, where the most scandalous event in recent memory was Mrs. Penelope’s cat learning to open her mail, there existed a museum so ancient, even the dust motes had stories to tell. This museum, the Keeper of Times Past, was not as renowned as those big city establishments where one could briskly elbow through crowds to glimpse a starry night or a lass with an enigmatic smile. Oh, no. The Bedford museum was far more intimate, offering a unique collection that included the Legendary Spoon of Elderton and the infamous ...

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“The Ballad of Sir Flufferton the Intrepid” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #240

A gentle breeze caressed Nigel’s cheek as he stood in the park feeding the pigeons. The small feathered ruffians pecked greedily at the crumbs scattered around his feet, oblivious to the coming storm that was about to engulf Nigel’s life. You see, Nigel was a completely ordinary bloke on this otherwise extraordinary day. He was a cubicle jockey — a 9 to 5 warrior wrestling with spreadsheets and TPS reports in the concrete jungle of London. But little did he know that his mindless routine was about to be obliterated by a twist of fate SO prep...

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“The Mystical Easel of Arlo Finch” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #239

In the tiny village of Whistleridge, sandwiched between two rather overbearing mountains, resided Arlo Finch, an artist whose reputation swirled around town like a saucy rumor at a high school dance. You see, Arlo wasn’t your garden-variety painter who slathered canvases with brooding skies or somnolent bowls of fruit. No, sir. His paintings made things happen. Magical things. The kind that makes you doubt your eyesight ...

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“The Last First Kiss” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #237

On the outstretched canvas of Chesterfield, a quaint English village, time itself took humble breaths, pacing gently with the cycle of the seasons. It was a town cradled by the loving arms of tradition, where each spring gave rise to more than just a tapestry of wildflowers. It sowed the seeds of stories that would, in time, weave themselves into the hearts of its people. This story, among the tapestries,...

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“Hungry for Victory” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #235

I used to be a runner. Not a professional one, mind you, but a decent one. I ran for fun, for health, and for the thrill of it. I loved the feeling of the wind in my hair, the sweat on my brow, and the adrenaline in my veins. I ran every day, rain or shine, hot or cold, morning or night. I ran in races, in parks, on trails, and in the streets. I ran with friends, with strangers, with dogs, and with music. I ran because I...

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“Welcome to The Oasis” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #233

I had hit rock bottom that night. Everything that mattered to me was gone. I had been fired from my job, kicked out by my wife, and even my dog had run away. The only thing that kept me going was the bottle of whiskey that I carried in my coat pocket. It was my only friend, my only comfort, and my only escape.I decided to go out and find a place to drown my sorrows; maybe I could meet a friendly lady who could make me forget my troubles for a while. I didn't care where I went, as long as they had booze and music. I just ...

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Author bio

Jim LaFleur is a writer of humorous short stories with surprising twists that will make you laugh, gasp, and think. He has a knack for creating memorable characters, witty dialogue, and unexpected endings that leave you wanting more. Jim also writes fiction and inspirational stories that explore the themes of courage, hope, and resilience. He is not the character from Lost, but he does enjoy watching the show and finding plot holes. Subscribe to my Substack at: https://jimlafleur.substack.com/

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #246

The Unintended Masterpiece – read story