Robert Consiglio

“The Beginning of Nothing” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #95

Ted Perrywinkle looks in his fish bowl and frowns. Phred, his little red and green lower Alerian sardine, is floating upside down. Ted uses the fish net to snag the sardine and carries it over to the bathroom and flushes it down the Royal throne. Then, while Ted sits on his couch and reads the latest copy of the New York Times, Phred the sardine struggles desperately against the swirling vortex that is sucking him down towards the abyss.        “The price of stock for Transylvanian chocolate flavo...

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“Happy Birthday, Alvin” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #93

     Rufus rises from the carpet and flings himself at the door.      There is the sound of the mailbox being opened and then closed, following by a shuffling of feet.      “Rufus!” blurts Alvin Jones.     The bulldog backs off slightly, but continues his assault on the door.    Alvin opens the door and slowly walks over to the mailbox. He pulls out four envelopes and takes them inside without looking at them...

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“Illusions” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #92

"The time may come when fantasy will become reality and reality shall become fantasy. Rare will be the person able to discern the difference.” -Author unknown       “Good morning Jacob, did you sleep well?” says a brassy voice.    Jacob Macpherson rubs his eyes and stares at the central control panel opposite him. He notes the time: 0600.      “No, Max,” says Jacob.    “I am sorry to hear that, Jacob. Would you like a be...

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“Is Something Lurking Down There?” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #91

   “So, you are telling me that you’ve known for over a week that there is some kind of creature inside the University library,” says Paul McDonald, rector of Queen Anna University.    “Yes,” says Guido Bertelli. “Although I’ve never seen it, I have found signs that there’s someone or something sneaking around down there.”    “Down…”    “In the library stacks, says Guido. “The library goes 8 stories underground, you know.”    The rector stares...

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“Arks in the Sky” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #90

“Once every few generations we must make a moral and ethical choice that will be so heart-wrenching and difficult, it has the potential to divide peoples and nations against one another. Upon this decision, worlds will shudder and the universe will hold its breath awaiting its outcome.” Author unknown    Bern, Switzerland, 2087    “There are rumors that you have a bold and revolutionary plan to save the world’s endangered species, Dr. Bernstein,” says Jack Murphy, a reporter from Global Times...

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“Solar Strikes” by Robert Consiglio

On that day, the Sun God Promus rained terror and wrath on the wicked masses of its precious child, planet Piasha, and ushered in a new era of unity and peace under the new Masters of the galaxy...excerpt from Myths and Legends of Piasha, by ZebbermanBoros province, Southern Jedozia, planet Piasha “Where’s your unit, Varlinov?” enquires a United Army soldier, crunching on a chunk of chocolate and then tossing a second piece to the other man.    “I was with Jedozian Intelligence, Borzov,” says Serge Varlinov, chewing ...

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“Cocoa: The Reign of Terror ” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #89

My mother was speaking to a friend of ours saying something like “thanks for taking Cocoa and good luck with him” when there was an uproar that could be heard for three blocks at least. Cocoa had broken loose and leaped over the very high fence surrounding our friend’s house in a single bound and was tearing straight toward the neighbor’s absolutely massive canine. We both assumed that Cocoa’s fate was A) to be torn to pieces by the neighbor’s dog, B) to become bosom pals with the neighbor’s dog C) to be shot by the neighbour’s sec...

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“Enlightenment” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #89

John McPherson had always feared this day, but now it has come at last! He would confront his irrational fear of heights and defeat it once and for all. Alone, unaided, he would leap into the unknown and confront the face of the divine.     John looks out at the white, fluffy clouds and the glorious blue sky and feels a rush of excitement filling his entire being.     The Cessna 182 is now cruising at 10 000 feet.    The pilot, Jack Wilson, adjusts his baseb...

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“Kangaroo Court” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #88

   People’s War Crimes Court, New Altron City, Jecos province, Artican Protectorate of Paradeshia, planet Piasha    The blaster clatters to the ground and the many spectators packed in the courtroom's gallery let out a collective gasp.   “This weapon,” says the prosecutor,” was found in the possession of this deviant.” He points his finger at the defendant, sitting, huddled in the defendant’s box, being restrained by a force field.  A hissing sound can be heard emanating from t...

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“It's The Middle Ages, Sire” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #87

   “Who is responsible for this mess?” roars Jack Tomlinson, editor-in-chief of The New York Times, chomping on his unlit cigarette so hard that it nearly splits in two. He slaps down the April 1st issue of the paper onto his desk.    “That would be our Section Editor Ted Periwinkle,” says Bureau Chief Norman Atchinson. “He’s our best!” Norman turns and leaves.     “Perrywinkle, hmm,” Jack grumbles. He depresses his intercom and growls “Ted, this is Jack. I want you in m...

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“Asleep Among the Stars” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #86

Asleep Among the Stars By Robert Consiglio     “We are in scanner range of the bogey, Captain,” says First Communications Officer Borlov. “It’s definitely a ship of some sort, but it has no heat signature. It appears to have lost power.”        What could it be doing here, so far from any planetary system? the Captain thinks, swiveling his command chair slightly to glance at Borlov, who is bent over his computer, scanning and analyzing the mystery ship. &nbs...

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“Adventures in Altron” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #85

            Adventures in Altron                     By Robert Consiglio       Alert level 1: Star Shield Testing will commence in 15 minutes.    Colonel Jecos Diaz checks his smart watch, then again reads the electronic billboard announcing Star Shield inside the MetroTram he is riding in. He grunts and turns to gaze out of a gri...

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