Joe Swanson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2020

Stories (280)

280 Stories

3972 karma pts

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“Room 222” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #83

“Yes, my name is Bipkin. I believe I have a reservation for five nights… well, actually seven nights, but the travel agency is paying for the last two nights, so... I’d asked for a ground floor room because of my leg. Fell on the way to the travel agency, you know ice, that kind of thing. Stupid really, but then there isn’t much choice unless you plan on spending six months a year inside. Which we do anyway, but we don’t talk about it, and we don’t like it, but you know…” “Why yes, you’ll be in 222. It is not on...

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“Farfetched?” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #83

“Lay down here on this couch. No need to be skeptical. For some reason this is called a psychiatrist couch; if I were you, I’d…but then, it is not my place think on your behalf. Remember, it is in reality, just a stuffed bench with a built-in head rest, nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, lie down and tell me why you look like the spice of life has left your menu. I’m a good listener, or so I’ve been told.” She is like that, helpful. Sometimes too helpful. She is the kind of person who finishes sentences fo...

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“Gumming It” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #82

“Put that sign on the door next to that canister ashtray. They shouldn’t be smoking in here anyway. Tape it good. If they don’t see it, just give them another reason to jump all over us.” “OK. Good as done. Anything else?” “Get your gear, go in there, and make sure there is not one speck of dust anywhere. These geniuses look for any excuse to put this on anyone but themselves. Not going to give them that option. If they can’t make this thing, whatever it is supposed to be, work, that’s on them. Ma...

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“ The Circus” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #82

“Do you remember what we talked about?” “I am what I am. I do not have to remember because, I am what I am.” “If you say so. I would like your advice on something I’ve been thinking of developing to stop all this nonsense about lies and truth. Is it in your opinion, or factual recognition, possible to devise a device that could tell if a phrase, sentence or word, was the truth?” “It is possible but would be limited to individual interpretation of what the truth or a lie consists of. There are many variations on a theme.&n...

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“The Room” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #82

“Please go down to the end of the hall. The door will open automatically. Go to your left. Enter the second door on your right. It will be open. Please be seated and await instructions.” The voice ominous, cold, coming from a speaker that was not visible. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t the monotone voice of an undertaker. I dutifully followed the instructions. The door as promised slid open as I approached, its green eye blinking unceremoniously as if I had disturbed it. I followed the cor...

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“What Were We Thinking” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #81

“Do you think we made a mistake? You know the whole getting married thing.” “I suppose it’s possible. People do make mistakes, and we have certainly made our share. Little late to think about that, don’t you think?” “You left without a word, just gone. I know you had your reasons, but you left everyone wondering what they had done to cause your disappearance.” “It had nothing to do with anyone. More like when it's snowing, building up a little at a time until you can’t get the door open to get out, let life in.” I gu...

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“Twice the Fun” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #81

So often those whose intentions are admirable, don’t consider the consequences of their intended good deeds. Placing a certain amount of presumption on the grantee, when considering the concept of good, can make them a bit uncomfortable.  Most often when considering doing something one considers good, charitable like, they are most often thinking of how they would react should someone impose a similar wish or action upon them. Now, given the fact that no two people, let alone a universe of people, are alike, the likelihood of meeti...

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“Once Upon a...” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #81

“Did you see this? Love in the time of COVID. A bit plagiaristic, but I can see the possibilities. If it worked for typhoid, I suppose it would work for COVID.” “I think it was typhoid Mary it worked for. Cholera might have been what you were thinking of, or are you attempting to instill the will to create in me? Or could it be you’re just making conversation to keep from having to take out the garbage?” I wonder at times why it bothers me so much, but it does. Talent is something one is born with. To not use it seem...

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“Glad to Meet...........” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #81

I was supposed to meet her at this restaurant. I’d never been there before and I don’t do this kind of thing usually, so I left early; make sure I was on time. Nothing worse than having to wait on someone you don’t know. Guess it would be worse if you knew them, but oh well, it’s all new to me. Jimmy’s, a kind of bar restaurant place, seen it, passed by, but never really thought of going in. Kind of place that don’t interest me really. I’m more of a Grandma’s Kitchen kind of guy. But anyway when they suggested I...

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“Shoe Tyin” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #80

“You know, I been here. I remember that bone thing there. And that thing that looks like the ugliest bird you’d ever want to meet. You ever been here before? They got about five, six, oh I don’t know lots of floors of exhibitions. I think I’m going to sit here by the window on this bench. I’ve seen most of what I care to see in life, and I’ll just slow you down. Take the kids and go.” “You sure Dad? You going to be alright. Need anything?” “No, stop fussing. Just go. If I get bored, I’ll take a na...

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“Yesterday” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #80

“Do you believe it is possible to do something, say something, that could actually change the world? The way people think, the way we treat one another. Are words enough to erase all the hate and chaos we live in? Look at all the people who have come before us that have tried. Did it really make a difference? Christ, Buda, Mohamed, Kennedy, King, even Hitler. All offered the promise of something better. But have things gotten better or does the fact we are humans and are constantly changing the meaning of success, happin...

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“I Just Watched” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #80

He said it was something that I wouldn’t like, but I had to go. “It was just the way life is and pretending it ain’t, isn’t going to change it any.” My father believed that there were those born good, some born bad, most just waiting to see which way the wind would blow them. It was those he said you had to watch out for, cause they weren’t grounded in anything but what they got told to believe. I remember that day. It had rained earlier; the clouds finally give out and let the sun in. It was so hot that my skin...

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“Rememberin Time” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #80

“That you…there in the picture.” Strange sometimes what brings back time from a place you’d forgotten. Couldn’t remember where I’d even put it, till my grand baby brings me this picture. Doesn’t seem like sixty years ago, but I guess it must me. I’m still here and I kind of think most of those folks from back then ain’t around anymore. I find with each passing day there’s one less to remember, one less to forget, but mostly just thinkin how much things has changed since then. Then again, things in some ways still t...

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“Loophole” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #80

    “What’s that?” Breeze asked, as she placed the circular sticker, an earth emblem with an arrow penetrating its center, above the breast pocket of his new uniform.     “That is a Loophole.  It is my duty to inform you, that you are officially designated, a Loop,” her angelic voice announced.     What could be said in response to something as profound as that? B.L. Breeze said nothing. He continued to look at his hands, having little else to do. He felt as if h...

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“Two Sides of the Same...” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #79

“What are you doing here?” “I could ask you the same thing, but I won’t. I know how upset you become when asked to explain yourself. I always wondered why that is. Do you have something to hide I should know about. I could help if you need it, and you would let me.” “Why do you always assume I have done something or am about to do something disagreeable? I don’t think I’m that kind of person, do you?” Our relationship has always been like that; rocky would best describe it. Different sides of the same… I hadn’t ...

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