John Jenkins

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2022

Stories (18)

18 Stories

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“The Bolverases” by John Jenkins

“No way, man,” said Shempert. “This isn’t working.” Shempert had been slaving for months, years almost, trying to finish his self-portrait. He’d tried and given up a dozen times, at least, never knowing how close he came to realizing his dream. “What’s blocking me?” said Shempert. “What’s missing? I’ve been doing this forever.” Shempert picked up a cup of what he assumed was water and began to drink...

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“Awful Busker” by John Jenkins

It was 1:31 pm when Jamison arrived there, at the Piazza Romanazza in the Pietro district of Italy. He was looking for someone, checking their faces. In each face, he saw only a trace of his quarry. Some fit in certain ways, it seemed. He almost settled on a few. But she’s with another man, that can’t be her, he’d say to himself. Suddenly, he looked across the Piazza Romanazza. Did he see her? The object of his f...

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“Mr. Slaters' Enterprise” by John Jenkins

[Note: Yes, this story contains references The Devil] “Hi, I’m Mr. Slaters,” said The Devil. “Want to make a deal?” “I don’t even know who you are,” said Timothy. “You just randomly walked up to me. You could’ve been a suicide bomber.” “I still could be. Deal’s on the table. Whenever you’re ready.” “Wait a minute. How did you…? Who told you I was…?” “Well, it wasn’t exactly a secret. Yo...

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“Earth Day 2080” by John Jenkins

“Is the camera on?” said James Botson, a news reporter with the New York Times. He was then looking into a giant television camera, which was overlooking a field in Jasper, a suburb of New York City, in the United States. The level of anticipation was high. People had come from miles around to see what was happening. Further afield, there was a unique object standing in the grass. It looked like a rocket,...

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“Success Changed Forever” by John Jenkins

It was 8:00 in the morning on a Friday, which meant only one thing: computer time. Marcus Weatherbly was ready. He had gone out to the local diner to have a quick meal and was now getting ready to sit down and get to work. The video game he’d been working on was now an intense beast, a thing of beauty. If only he could get it done. There were so many little things to add. So many methods of improvement. As the su...

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“The Death of Intrigue” by John Jenkins

With swift decorousness, the judges gavel slammed on the ledge, creating a vibration of fear that shook the courtroom into silence. No one could match the judge’s power, his influence. He was a man who could change the world by his decree alone. “Okay, okay, silence,” said the judge, looking down at those standing before him. There was an atmosphere of finality, almost of some relief, for both prosecution...

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“After Parté” by John Jenkins

It was over. The moon shone through, looking like the eye of a scared giant. There was nothing else that could be done about it. The Rabies had performed, making a case for the ultimate value of Rock and Roll. But there was something else afoot here, something that a few thousand plastic cups and loogies couldn’t change. Purple Pendergrass was alone. Of course, in a sense, we are all alone in our own ways. We com...

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“The Accuser” by John Jenkins

“Archamirades!” said Jonus, standing on the high cliff of Mount Mapley as he looked over at the Mountain of the Gods over 50 miles away. The gods were so fickle – waiting for the perfect opportunity to reply, never wanting to seem too eager. Jonus stood there, his tattered rags soaked all the way through, his feet penetrated by spines and rock jelly. What could this mere mortal have that the gods would want? Or wa...

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“Treasures of Life” by John Jenkins

(Note: There is some slight crossdressing in this story) “Bone-Jo,” said Franklin, looking over his shoulder. “Bone-Jo take a look at this.” It was a long weekend and Franklin and Bone-Jo had spent hours maintaining the grounds of the Oshkosh Pet Cemetery and Maximum Security Prison in Rockford, Illinois. They were both lifers, but one less than the other. Bone-Jo had three consecutive life senten...

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“The Irony is Lost!” by John Jenkins

"Follow that car!" said Benjy, pointing through the windshield which was soaking wet with torrential rain. The rain had been sudden, yet potent, in its ferocity and vivacity. The Taxi ride had been sudden, the call placed just moments before. There was a tension in the air. "What car?" said the Taxi driver, known to reality only as Splashtastic73. "The dark blue car with the tinted windows," said B...

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“The Bugattie Senator” by John Jenkins

(Note: This story contains references to the MeToo movement.) "Let's go for a walk," said Senator Feinbees, clutching his folio in his arm.  "Why? Where are we going?" said Senator Laten, appearing to anticipate a hard conversation. "Let's just walk." Suddenly Laten's perspective on life shifted. Often, living life seemed to be a little journey, some myopic quest in which the outer si...

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“The ShyKon Directive” by John Jenkins

"This isn't what I had in mind," said Jonas Ferringby as he stood at the point of a scimitar. "I really should think about learning a new language." This was it for the international spy. He'd come from across the globe, trotted through the marshes of France and visited the cathedrals of Italy. He'd tracked his quarry through months and weeks of grueling guesswork. Where were the nukes? Had the government of Qatar...

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“New Year Tango Daylight” by John Jenkins

(Note: Contains references to surgery.) Herr Arthur Shaupenfrauf, I have compiled a list of your New Years resolutions for the year 2024. Listen very carefully. It might not matter too much, as so much as happened. But I want you to be cognizant of the fact that not everything that we have been through these past few years has been that bad. Ultimately, we have survived. Though we may not have the ability...

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“Life only begins” by John Jenkins

“Hello, Ma’am,” said Spencer Fine, holding onto his bookbag. “How are you doing today?” The woman was a rather voluptuous lady in her thirties. She was wearing a silk, decorated chemise with a green skirt and comfortable shoes. “Leave me alone,” she said. “Okay,” said Spencer. “I hope you have a nice day.” “Whatever. Shut up.” Spencer was in a quandary he had created for himself. His w...

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“Johnstone Project” by John Jenkins

It was a cold Sunday in January and Paul Mundelex was having his favorite brand of coffee at the office. He’d worked for two hours already and was building up a head of steam. Next was the big weekly meeting in which all his reports would be giving updates as to their progress on the Johnstone agreement. The agreement was the child of over six months of tireless work, coming from an early draft through to a devel...

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Author bio

John Jenkins is a novelist and screenwriter who has been writing seriously since 2014. He has written over 27 books and five professional screenplays. He has entered into the Nicholl Fellowships every year for the past four years and has posted multiple stories on Reedsy.