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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#109: Working Hard, Hardly Working

For better or worse, a lot of our identity (or at least, how people perceive us) is tied to what we do for a living. As well as making up the daily rhythm of our lives, a lot of our goals and aspirations are career-based. Whether you’re a workaholic or living for the weekend, this week we’re diving into the world of work, writing about dream jobs — and the not-so-dreamy jobs.

This week's prompts

Write about a character who has landed their dream job, only to discover it isn’t quite what they imagined it to be.

Dark – 34 stories

Start your story with a character quitting their job, or getting fired.

Angst – 35 stories

Write about a character who leads a secret double life outside of their day job.

Thriller and Suspense – 16 stories

Set your story during the night shift.

Dark – 53 stories

Your character sits down at their desk on a Monday morning and finds a completely unexpected email in their inbox. Write about what happens next.

Thriller and Suspense – 24 stories

Stories

“The Frosting On The Cupcake” by Debra Sue Brice

Submitted to Contest #109

It has been two years already since the grand opening of The Frosting On The Cupcake cupcake shop and I am still pinching myself. Pinching myself because I simply can’t believe I went down this road. The building is everything I dreamed it would be with its pink and white striped wallpaper and well lit dining area. The crystal clear display case shows off our well-stocked cupcake flavors for the day, and the sweet scent of cupcakes fills the air, constantly inviting me everyday with a new adventure.But the adventures are not always the good ...

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“A Woman's Authority Rebuked ” by Pako Dunwhile

Submitted to Contest #109

Assistant Pastor Francisca Cortez watched the nearly two dozen yelling protesters stomping within the church yard of her new job. Her heart began to accelerate with concern. A surge of adrenaline mobilized through her bloodstream. Her hands trembled on the steering wheel and her stomach tightened as she watched them against her rear view mirrors. No one had prepared her for what she witnessed. The group of provoked adults carried signs displaying JEZEBEL GO HOME, 1 TIMOTHY 2:12, WOMEN AREN’T LEADERS among other hand made ...

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“Native Range” by Preet Riddle

Submitted to Contest #109

Dale slammed the truck door, walked inside the agency office, and threw down the net gun. Ever since he was a little boy, he had only ever wanted to be a wildlife biologist. But now that he was one, he was not so sure. These were not the animals he wanted to work with. And Florida? Good God, he hated it here. As a kid, he had watched Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and read every book in the school library about animals. His parents humored him at first but made clear their disapproval when he started applying to college. This was not a pro...

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“Snapped” by KB Butler

Submitted to Contest #109

He’d called her a loose cannon. Her! Well, she wasn’t going to take it anymore. She was done with this place. Done with Houston, done with him, and done with this job. Cleo Canton pulled her desk drawer out and dumped it into a box. She was angry at herself for letting him get to her. She always kept such a tight leash on her emotions, but everyone had a breaking point. Today was her birthday of all days. Her 32nd year was beginning on a sour note if you asked her. She dropped the desk drawer on the floor. Jonathan Durant had been her boss ...

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“To Whom It May Concern” by Marilyn David

Submitted to Contest #109

“Stop right by that mm…hiccup…mail-box!” Carol signalled to the taxi driver. “I’ve got something ur ...hiccup...gent to post.”“What, right here miss?” the driver moaned as he slowed to a near halt.Too soon the door of the taxi flew open missing a startled pedestrian by inches. “Whoops,”Carol giggled. “Watch it lady, are you trying to get me fired?” the driver protested.Carol slid out of the taxi revealing a suspender clad thigh. The disgruntled driver, now feeling compensated for the unexpected stop scramble...

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“Chop, Chop goes Vidalia and the Chicken Robbing Gang” by Chesley Richards

Submitted to Contest #109

She needed the money. To pay the electric bill and, maybe, take her three kids out for the occasional pizza. They had no money, you see. Vidalia was broke. That's why she did it. She didn't think that she would go viral with 103 million views, nearly lose their health insurance, or meet the owner of the largest fried chicken franchise in the world. But that's what happened. All because she took a secret job as an onion."Vidalia. What are you doing home at 2 o'clock in the afternoon?""Well, my first job fired me. Cause I was late again.""Girl...

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“LIFE BEHIND THE CORNER” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #109

LIFE BEHIND THE CORNER Jeremy was the only baker in that small mountain village, little more than a hamlet, which was called The three chimneys. Most f the villagers used to go to his shop, early in the morning, to get their daily bread. Jeremy, with the only help of Paul, a young man who had grown up in an orphanage, cared to make bread, as well as candied biscuits, apple pie, and flatbread….., and then he sold his products in the shop next to the bakery, which remained open until 1pm. Jeremy, like all bakers, work...

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“Amaline” by Victoria The Pirate

Submitted to Contest #109

I walked in to begin my night shift, peaceful.Outside, Garry, the place’s cat, was waiting for me. He started meowing happily when he saw me. Small moments like these reminded me of Bella. How she would always smile at the nice twinklings of life. I guess I was the only one who cared about Garry here. The others wanted him to get away, but he had already adopted the place. He knew he should stay outside, though.My reflection on the glass door was looking at me. I looked calm, but I knew that it can dramatically and quickly change. ...

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“Night Shift Reflections” by Lynn Matchett

Submitted to Contest #109

Stillness. I have always felt this was my sixth sense. The world is a loud open space. Spaces filled with people talking and eating, driving and honking. Spaces filled with dogs barking, fans cheering and radios blasting. The everyday life of a normal person is cluttered with constant noise starting with the wake-up alarm and then onto the daily news. News on the television, news on the phone and news on the car radio on the way to work. While the majority of the world may crave a fast, noisy chaotic life, I embrace and seek o...

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“The Night Shift” by Nessa Mari

Submitted to Contest #109

They ran as fast as their feet would carry them. Their breathing was loud, hard, and heavy. There had been seven in the group, but there were only five of them now. Alex was the youngest and one of the newest. His sweaty palms gripped a ripped pack he had fastened across his chest. He clutched at it tightly; there was telling how long they would be down here and if he lost his pack, he would have no supplies to keep him going until he reached the surface. If he reached the surface, he thought to himself. A loud wail echoed thro...

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“ARE YOU READY?” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #109

It was 8:00 P.M. when the repairmen finished installing the boiler.“Hey, Leo, let’s get the hell out of here, man. I don’t like being in the morgue’s basement when it’s dark!”“What’s wrong, Charlie? You afraid of ghosts?”“Later for you. I just want to get outta here! So hurry up, will ya?’ “Okay, keep your shirt on. Let me pack up my tools.”As Leo stuffed his tools in his toolbox, he dropped a wrench and nicked a rubber tube.“Damn! What the hell is this tube for?”“C’mon, Leo. I wanna get out of here!”Leo shook his head as he...

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“That Darn E-mail” by Tina G

Submitted to Contest #109

I always look forward to Mondays. I enjoy it, unlike many of my co-workers, who dreaded Mondays and they had no problems voicing it. Today was no ordinary Monday though, it felt a little off. Before I continued to do anything else, I checked my email. To my surprise, the very first email entry was from my long-lost cousin, Drake. I was very surprised that he didn’t send it to my personal email instead.Apparently, he was down on his luck and had been for a while. He speaks about the clever idea he came up with to rob the bank directly across ...

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“THE TROOPER” by Rodrigo Juatco

Submitted to Contest #109

It is early Monday morning. A stunning woman, Marah Stone, sits before her Edelman executive desk. Seen through panoramic windows that encompass Marah’s spacious office, a budding sun erupts from a dark horizon permeating a blackened sky with its radiating brilliance. A new day is born; an event that resonates with the words of creation: “Let there be light.” But the glorious vista is lost upon Marah as she stares at a computer screen reading an email she received with an unknown IP address. Her expression is set in concentration as she stra...

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“Flight 257” by Douglas Maxson

Submitted to Contest #109

Flight 257 It wasn’t unusual for a dense fog to linger at this airstrip. The location provided the right seasonal atmosphere for such a haze. What was strange it positioned above Lindsay’s flight without moving. Lindsay Monarch, an aspiring author, landed a major book deal with Vanning Publishing in New York City promising a five- figure advance. Her eight years of hard work was a flight away from stardom. The thick fog might cause a delay. As she walked to the plane for boarding, a hoodie covered her sandy-colored hair hidi...

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“THE UNEXPECTED, BUT THE SMALL THINGS MATTER” by Erik Foge

Submitted to Contest #109

It was two weeks after their high school graduation. Best friends Erik and Jacques were spending their time doing landscaping at Jacques’ house. They had met nearly a year ago at a basketball game. Neither of them knew much about sports, but their friendship blossomed quickly. Jacques admired Erik because Erik knew a lot about history, especially European history, mainly because his family was directly involved in many current historical events. He was impressed with Erik’s library, which he had begun at age thirteen. Because of his vast his...

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$250

Prize money

162

Contest entries

149

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 03, 2021 EST

Won by CJ Rodgers 🏆

Title: Diner At The End

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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