Stardust Rubino

“Che vs. Hitler” by Stardust Rubino

It was a sweltering day at a doctor’s office in Rosario, Argentina, but the amount of inpatients was less than usual. The head doctor had some time to sit in his office with a window that overlooked the city and smoke a Bolivar Royal Corona cigar.  “Doctor, I just found out something huge that I need to tell you,” his assistant, Jose Martinez, said as he burst through the door. The man behind the desk turned around to face him as he puffed a cloud of smoke. His name was Dr. Ernesto “Che” Guevara.  “What is it?” Che said.  “I j...

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“The End of the Dirt Road” by Stardust Rubino

Submitted to Contest #265

CW: References to sexual activity“I’m the biggest redneck mothafucka ya ever seen,” Chaz said as he swung his hatchet down on another piece of wood in that trailer. How I ended up there, I’m honestly a bit confused myself, as it was a mix of hormones and some thrill-seeking.Whichever it was, I thank my lucky stars daily that I’m still alive to tell the tale.I grew up in the suburbs in a little New York town called Lincolnville, where the one thing notable about it was it had one of the oldest wineries in the country, yet we rarely had any to...

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“University Massacre” by Stardust Rubino

Submitted to Contest #249

Cheryl Corbett had just one drink at Snugg’s Bar & Grille before she hit the dancefloor. A vodka and Red Bull, to be exact. It was all the rage in 2017 before enough people caught on to the fact the latter would mask the effects of the former, causing drinkers to imbibe more than anticipated and suffer the effects of binging more easily. However, Cheryl had much more in store that night than a dangerous alcohol concoction.She swung her hips to “Your Love” by Glass Animals in her denim shorts. She discovered the song in a music video on Y...

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“Sewardism” by Stardust Rubino

Submitted to Contest #243

Although I never met the man himself, I and the rest of my comrades were determined to get James Seward into power. My name is Alex Belken, and I am a Sewardist.   Seward was the revolutionary General Secretary of the United States Communist Party, who would be the antidote to the iron fist of David Westler, the then sitting president of the United States, who created the Turning Point Party after running independent. They tried to beat us, to torture us, to enslave us, to kill us, until only they walked the lands we lived on.&nbsp...

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“The Witch's Son” by Stardust Rubino

Submitted to Contest #239

It was about time Erica Stevens got home after pulling a double. The client was restless that day from the behaviorists’ pressures on him, but Erica did what she could to comfort the man after they left.  “If he doesn’t want to shower right that moment, why do they force him to?” she thought to herself as she walked through the door. Her cat Sprinkles, a chubby girl with black fur, nudged her cheek against Erica’s leg, where she then picked her little friend up to give her a hug and kiss.  “Aw, did you miss me, my friend?” she ...

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“Killer Run” by Stardust Rubino

Submitted to Contest #235

It was the same morning jog Lindsey Schwartz took daily. Two miles from her house to Marshall Park. It was a piece of cake for her, although she didn’t eat them herself. Even with the greenest slice of key lime or banana cream staring her in the face at Shari’s bakery, they were invisible to her, as her goal to double her mileage made the scrumptious snacks moot.  November 2, 2022 was going to be that day. The sky dropped as much water as any other day in southwest Washington, yet not an umbrella in sight. The ability to withstand the ...

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