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John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (288)
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940 Followers
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288 Stories

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Pyramid Schematics

Submitted to Contest #78

“So tell me more about this pyramid scheme, Ted.” Joe didn’t get it. “Again, it’s not a scheme nor a scam. It’s a convention of the latest pyramid technology.” Joe and Ted walked through the jammed parking lot. The convention center loomed in the distance. “So, why are we here again?” “I thought I might run into someone.” “You remember where we parked, right?“ “Of course. Just be patient. It’ll be amazing.” “Well don’t expect me to buy one. I hate heights…” They approached the entrance and joined the line of ticket holders dressed in pyrami...

30 likes 4 comments 4
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Suicide Hill

Submitted to Contest #77

The clouds parted to reveal a vast snow covered landscape. Eddie squinted as the sun shone on the brilliant snow clad plains. He had mixed feelings about snow. ‘Beautiful to look at, but it might kill you.’ The jet began its descent. ‘I’m almost there,’ he thought. It had been decades. He wondered if he would surprise his sister, Michelle. The plane landed without incident. Eddie retrieved his luggage and caught a cab to Michelle’s house. She opened the door before he knocked. “Eddie!” He caught her as she threw herself into his embrace. T...

25 likes 4 comments 4
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Leaf Blower Cantata

Submitted to Contest #76

Sammy sat in the back booth of his regular café in West L. A. He read the sports page while awaiting his friends, Ben and David. They’d met here for breakfast every week for years. He looked at his watch. Late again. Ben entered and spotted Sammy in ‘their’ booth in the back. Sammy had returned to the newspaper. Ben approached. “You won't believe it. I am so fed up to here.” Sammy peered over the sports page. “You're late.” “I know. Where's David?” “I don't know. He's late too. Have a seat.” “I'm going to file a lawsuit. They ...

27 likes 8 comments 8
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I Don’t Love You Too

Submitted to Contest #76

Amy looked into Charlie’s eyes and spoke, “Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest come to thy heart as that within my breast!” Charlie looked at his script and said, “Oh, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?” Giving him a mischievous look, “What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?” “The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.” “I give up. Your words ring false as marbles hitting a plate.” Charlie frowned. “What? Amy, that isn’t in the script.” “I don’t feel it, Charles.” “What’s that mean?” “It means, ‘I. ...

31 likes 7 comments 7
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Point of No Return

Submitted to Contest #74

They hadn’t really spoken in years beyond the neutral, ‘Pass the butter?’ or ‘Seen the remote?’ You know, just the facts, Ma’am. Remote indeed. Imagined slights had met stern challenges and the marriage slid downhill from there. The smoldering tangle of ancient wounds and recriminations defied restoration to simple civility. An un-squelched, unashamed sharing of thoughts and opinions could not happen. A guarded truce remained. Gone were the days of affectionate banter. Oh, for a wry story or an ironic observation. Over years, unre...

20 likes 2 comments 2
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Merry Mary, Marry Me?

Submitted to Contest #73

‘I never expected that…’ Mary thought to herself, ‘How odd…’ Balancing the tray of home-baked cookies on her lap, she pondered the day while riding in the back seat of the Uber. Her neighbor, Sally, asked her to watch her eight year-old son, George. They helped each other out. Today, Sally needed last minute items for her New Year’s party. George challenged her to play some board game he’d gotten from Santa. They sat on the floor by the tree. Games always gave Mary a chance to get to know people. The game made no difference. George excelled...

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No Good-bye

Submitted to Contest #72

“But that’s absurd,” Mary said. “Who would expect such a thing?” “He would,” said Gil. “Well he can’t. I forbid it.” “It isn’t up to you, dear. Or us.” Mary and Gil looked at Charlie, their son. He remained silent. He scanned the ceiling high shelves filled with books. ‘Like in the movies,’ he thought. ‘Does anyone actually read these? Or are they props every lawyer gets? Call ‘Office Décor Is Us’.’ He felt tempted to open one, to see if it were real. After reading the will, the lawyer, Mr. Gaines, left them to consult and commiserate. His ...

22 likes 2 comments 2
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A Devil's Dozen

Submitted to Contest #71

Meg called the class room to order and waited for everyone to take their seats. “Please thank your parents for the wonderful cookies they sent. After everyone has sampled them, we’ll vote for the best cookie.” The young students murmured approval of the sweet feast in which they were about to indulge. Meg continued, “You can vote for three favorites. Or you can cast three votes for one special cookie. I’ll tabulate the votes. And next week we’ll have a run-off of the top three against my favorite recipe.” Cindy assisted in handing out...

15 likes 0 comments 0
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Kind of Embarrassing

Submitted to Contest #70

“Maybe it’s a WITSEC family,” said Kevin, Jimmy’s friend from two doors down.Jimmy shook his head. “A wit what?”“You know. Witness protection? Run by the government? You haven’t seen the movies?”“Movies?”“The one with Steve Martin is fuh-nee! Maybe he’s in there.” Kevin pointed at the house in question. They watched from the curb across the street, leaning on the fire plug. Jimmy pulled his hood over his knit cap.“I don’t think Steve Martin... Why would he need…?”“He played a guy the mob was after, ‘cause he snitched.”“Oh, you mean…”“Yeah. O...

22 likes 4 comments 4
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Send in the Clowns

Submitted to Contest #69

“I expect everyone will be there.” Emmett drove south on the 41. “I’m with you. Stick to your guns, Emmett.” “Yeah, that means a lot, Grace. It wouldn’t be a holiday without some kind of verbal fisticuffs. I just can’t pretend anymore.” “You shouldn’t. It’s your life. ” Grace took in the sights as they drove through Sarasota, Emmett’s home town. He hadn’t been back since he left for college. His family’s roots went back a century. Circus roots. He pointed at the Ringling mansion, Ca’ d’Zan. “Let’s tour it this week. Amazing place. A lot of h...

21 likes 0 comments 0
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The Bridge to Now

Submitted to Contest #68

The sun announced its pending arrival early, with fanfare and pageantry. A symphony of clouds shone with growing intensity. The overture, a dusky red, shifted magically to fleecy white. Lit by the sky, the shimmering river found its way between dark, tree-lined shores. Grant and Jill watched it all. Their long night studying, debating and consuming gallons of coffee had run out of steam. Grant pulled her to her feet. “We’re fading. Get your coat. Come on.” Bundled against the cold, they walked to the bridge. Spanning the river, it ...

20 likes 13 comments 13
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Reality Show

Submitted to Contest #67

“So, you want us going on this reality show… and claim we’re married?” “We’re together.” “For now? Only for the show?” Sheila nodded. He finally got it. Tom shimmied. “Sexy!” “You’ve got the wrong channel, bub.” He continued, “So, nothing else? Isn’t pretending the same as lying? I thought fraud is a crime…” “Things change. We can’t know the future.” “What about intentions? You’re thinking we could be together?” “Theoretically.” Tom shook his head. “I don’t know. This sounds awful… theoretical…” Sheila made fists and set her jaw. “Hypothetic...

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Becoming

Submitted to Contest #66

Spindle, shuttle, weft. Warp, woof, shaft. It never stops, the relentless clacking clack of the shuttle sailing forth and back. Factory work. The never ending weaving of tapestries on loom after loom as far down the mill as eyes may see. Endlessly busy, we have job security with a bullet. We start early and work our way down the line. The beginners, the newbies, called worms, are at one end. Old timers, OTs, tend the other. And then they’re gone. ‘Nuff said. But it’s a fact we’re all worms. Even the old timers don’t know what they’re doin...

30 likes 12 comments 12
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Double, Double, Toil and Lip-gloss

Submitted to Contest #65

“I don’t trust her,” announced Glinda. The dull roar of the food court washed over them. Elizabeth frowned, “Why not?” “She’s a witch.” “Aren’t we all? I thought…” “Well, I’m just a wannabe.” “But we’re learning…” “And she’s weird.” “Comes with the territory, if you ask me.” “And too cute.” “Okay… Not that we’re butt ugly…” “Don’t let on... Here she comes.” Madeleine had a rare quality. Girls envied her look, never knowing how she did it. Not merely pretty, she projected genuine warmth and a good-natured spirit not easily copied. She exited...

16 likes 2 comments 2
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What the Dead Want

Submitted to Contest #64

A small moth fluttered about Bobby’s lamp. Surrounded by many unpacked boxes from the recent move, his essentials were in place. His homework covered the westward expansion. The moth persisted. Bobby doubted it came in his stuff. ‘This house is old,’ he thought. ‘Generations ago, pioneer moths traveled across the land, seeking gold dust. They’re now home in this Victorian dump we moved to.’ The ancient house, perfect for Halloween, had not been decorated. There hadn’t even been time to explore it. The moth persisted. Bobby slapped at it to ...

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