Stephen McManus

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (4)

4 Stories

68 karma pts

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“Barry Tavern” by Stephen McManus

Submitted to Contest #285

The mustard yellow sign creaked as it swung gently in the chill December air. “Barry Tavern” it read, but with space between the two words. A fluorescent bulb near the bottom flickered like it was on hospice, awaiting its last exhale. Damon leaned forward into the breeze, striding carefully across the uneven sidewalk. He paused to stare up at the sign for the third time that week, knowing what the missing words were, and hoping he’d have the courage to say something tonight. The icy cold door handle burned his fingers as he yanked it open.&n...

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“The Capsule” by Stephen McManus

Submitted to Contest #283

Luther watched the eight women and four men shuffle quickly into the jury box. They pointedly did not look at him, finding something interesting to stare at on the floor. The windows forming most of the wall behind the jurors rattled as a summer storm blustered fussily outside.His orange polyester jumpsuit was stifling. Sweat beaded along his scalp line and dripped down his back. “Why can’t they make these out of cotton, or some fabric that breathes?” he whispered to his attorney.Without turning her large head, almost without moving her lips...

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“Hibernation for Life!” by Stephen McManus

Submitted to Contest #227

Charlotte noticed the drone squirrel from the corner of her eye. Its tawny coat flashed in the sunlight as it skittered across the awning. Slowing her pace, she watched as its right ocular lens telescoped out; she could almost hear the camera click as it photographed her.Placing her index finger on her left temple she turned on the digital relay in her contact lens, simultaneously giving Command access to her visual cortex and allowing nonverbal cognitive communication. Command, this is agent Sparrow, are you seeing the security drone? Over....

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“The Mirror” by Stephen McManus

Submitted to Contest #225

Luther regained consciousness, his mind shocked awake by the jarring sound of a metallic door retracting. It rolled up slowly, creaking and bumbling, into the metal hood above. The salty taste of blood filled his mouth as rain washed across his scalp wound. Vague memories of a meeting at a bar followed by a crack on the head bubbled up.The men held him under each arm, dragging his limp body, toes trailing on the ground behind. Entering the building Luther noticed an oily rainbow flash off a stain on the ground. A single naked light bulb bare...

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Author bio

Constructive criticism is welcome.