Stan Allen

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (19)

19 Stories

363 karma pts

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“No Talking Thinking Allowed” by Stan Allen

Sam’s raincoat was dripping water at the library entrance. He waited long enough for most of the water to drip off before entering that sacred place. Sam just wanted to get in out of the storm. Reading was not the young man’s most favorite activity. Sam decided since he was there, he would take advantage of the situation and do a little exploring. A lightning bolt caused him to start counting and clap of thunder told him he would be there for a while. One second between the two events is a mile. He counted to four and knew the storm was almo...

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“The Relic” by Stan Allen

Bill asked, “Where are we?” Jill responded, “I don’t know. This map you drew doesn’t make sense.” Bill maneuvers the SUV to the shoulder of the road and stopped. He stated, “Now I know why women are all ways asking for directions. They can’t read a map. Slide over here and drive. I’ll navigate.” He exited the vehicle, then opened the passenger door. A compass located in the glove box was retrieved. The needle on the compass couldn’t decide which direction was north. All the electronics and metal on and around the SUV caused the compass to sp...

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“No Talking Thinking allowed” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #91

Sam’s raincoat was dripping water at the library entrance. He waited long enough for most of the water to drip off before entering that sacred place. Sam just wanted to get in out of the storm. Reading was not the young man’s most favorite activity. Sam decided since he was there, he would take advantage of the situation and do a little exploring. A lightning bolt caused him to start counting and clap of thunder told him he would be there of a while. One second between the two events is a mile. He counted to four and knew the storm was almos...

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“An Odd Couple” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #81

The world blinked, but James Cowell didn’t notice it. He woke from a strange dream, but couldn’t seem to remember what it was about. Jim made a pot of coffee and didn’t think about it. Jim is a photographer and a good one. He took a cup of coffee into his home office to see if by chance someone out in this wonderful world needed his expertise with a camera. An email from National Geographic was waiting in Jim’s inbox. It wasn’t the first time they hired him so the letter wasn’t a surprise. This contract would keep Jim busy for six months tho...

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“Thirteen, An Unlucky Number” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #80

Christi asked, “Papa, what are you watching?” Seven year old Christi Doyle crawled into her grandfather’s lap and waited for the answer to her question. James Doyle had volunteered to babysit while the girls parents went shopping. James Replied, “I’m watching a space movie called Apollo Thirteen. It’s based on true events. Why don’t you sit here and watch it with me. you may learn something new?” Christi said, “You mean that is real.” James replied, “Those men are actors, but the movie is about a real event. Christi asked, “How do you know i...

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“A Remote Family” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #79

“I will help you if you promise me just two things.” Since this was part of an email, Chris didn’t expect an immediate answer. “If you promise you will be completely honest with me and trust me, I will help you.” Chris hated liars and if he was expected to help the young woman, trust was essential. Chris had no evil in his sole. He would not betray the woman or cheat her; even though a rather large fortune would be at hand. He clicked send and the letter went into cyber-space.Two days passed until a little number one appeared in the icon of ...

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“A Gathering Of Diggers” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #78

This year the annual dig would be just south of Cleveland, Ga. Land acquired some time back had been surveyed and found to be a perfect place for this years event.When Cathy found out about the outing, there was no holding her back. She was going with or without Joe, her husband. Joe had no intention of letting his wife have all that fun alone.“If you have everything ready by the time I get home, we can get there several hours before dark. That will give us time to check in and maybe meet a few people.”“Do I need to pack the equipment?”“No. ...

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“Prospecting For Company” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #78

It was the last convenience store before crossing the Lake Lanier bridge and open country. Joseph Crow liked stopping at this store because it had fresh homemade sandwiches. This early in the morning they also had biscuits with egg and sausage for sale.The young woman behind the counter was closing out her register. It was the end of her shift. Joe chose his food along with a extra larger coffee, then proceeded to the counter.“Hi. Going off or just starting? I got some gas too.”He pointed at the pumps, then at the food.“That will be fourteen...

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“Sweet Rewards” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #71

Gina looked at Chris McDonald with a fondness she knew would never develop into more than a teenage crush.“Hi Chris. Can I put this in your window?”She was a looker with her black hair and green eyes. Gina was use to getting her way with boys because of her sexy figure and perfectly contoured face.The flyer announced a cooking contest in the upcoming festival. Gina handed Chris one and tried in her inexperienced way to impress the shop owner.“Sure; go ahead, but stop blinking those long eyelashes at me. You know I’ll never go out with you. Y...

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“The Reptilian Conflict” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #70

“Mr. Daley, put the focal point on that main building.”“General, I just can’t obey that order. I’m sorry. Do you realize how many people that will kill?”“Mr. Daley, you’re relieved and confined to quarters until further notice.”“Yes sir.” He slowly left the control room and made his way to his quarters. The general sat down at the vacant console.“Sir, do you want me to take it?”“No, Mr. Cooper. This is something I must do. I was wrong to give him that order. I shouldn’t have put him in that position. Mr. James, full power, please”“Full ...

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“Rogues” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #68

This was suppose to be the happiest day of their lives. Jay Rhone and Amy, his new wife left the brokers office holding hands, happy and excited. They walked across the yard until the Inter-coastal waterway stopped them. Sitting quietly and waiting on her new owners the forty five foot ketch was what the couple had just purchased. A ketch is recognized by it’s twin masts, plus a head sail or genoa..“Here she is, your wedding present.”“Oh Jay, it’s beautiful. The photos you showed me didn’t do it justice.”“Come on, I’ll show you what it looks...

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“Tall Tails and Big Fish” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #66

“Ron, hand me a drink.” I was strapped to a fighting chair on the bow of the boat and couldn’t get up. We were anchored close to a sixty foot deep hole, which is a short distant south of the Sebastian inlet and about a half mile off shore. That is the point where the current slows allowing everything from the inter-coastal waterway to settle to the bottom. One other feature about this area is why the locals call it the monster hole for reasons soon to become obvious.“I didn’t know I’d be a servant.”“Stop complaining. You wanted to come. Pick...

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“Pat Answers” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #55

Robyn walked back into the Admiral’s office after the Sergeant had finished his little speech. The Admiral had a crooked smile. “Robyn are you a spy?” “Excuse me sir!” “It’s a simple question. Are you a spy for those rogue scientists?” “No sir! I’m not spying for anyone, other than you. I mean, if you were to ask me, that is. No, I would never be disloyal to you.” He caught himself rambling and shut up. “Well, it would seem we have a spy in our group, who is feeding info to the scientists.” “Sir, you don’t think I’ve been disloyal to you or ...

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“A Summer Romance” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #53

Owen Clark was on his way north. His sister, Jackie invited Owen on this vacation along with her boyfriend, Jack. Their first stop will be Montreal, Canada. Jackie knew a girl whom she worked with for many years and Yvette invited them up for a visit. They left their north Georgia home Friday morning.Owen woke up and saw many city lights.“Where are we.”“We are in New York.” Jack was asleep. He had started driving and needed a break.“Can we stop. I gotta go.”“Can you hold it for a few more minutes. Let me get out of the main part of town, the...

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“To Love a Child” by Stan Allen

Submitted to Contest #52

Charles Gaylor finished the outline of a story he wanted to write. After saving it to a flash drive, he headed to the kitchen to celebrate with a drink. He noticed a fine snow had started falling. When he opened his frig and the snow storm told him one thing. He needed some supplies. The Cross Road Market was ten miles away, so he picked up the pace and headed out.“Hi Mary. Looks like we are in for a big one.”“You made it just in time. I was about to close up and head home.”“Can you give me a few minutes?”“Sure, but don’t dally.” Chuck grabb...

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Author bio

I'm taking some time off...; getting married and moving to another country. Since retirement 10 years ago, I have been studying many topics to make my writing as accurate as possible. I write science fiction which presented many challenges, such as learning quantum mechanics, communication systems, and last but not least, gravity. Try this experiment: Take two equal pieces of copper 12" X 6". Hang them from a ceiling with long strings. The longer the better. Measure the distance between the strings at the top, try for about 4", then measure the distance between the metal pieces. Gravity pushes from all sides, not just down! https://reedsy.com/author/stan-allen Please understand, Many short stories I write are from personal experiences. To put it bluntly, I've been there and done that. I got caught in the middle of the Birmingham riots. I watched Neil walk on the moon. I went so deep into the Copper Mine a Coleman lantern went out from lack of O2. I even saw catfish with no eyes down there! Visited the Georgia Guidestones north of Elberton, Ga. Got wounded in Nam. We were on the wrong side of a river, so no purple heart. I have an unpublished novel, 'Marriage of Times'. It's science fiction set about 300 hundred years in the future: about building a line marriage and....If any are interested in reading it just drop me a line at sallen@htmf.com I'll send you a copy.