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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#137: Albert Einstein

On March 14th, 1879 one of the greatest physicists of all time was born. Of course, Einstein is known for his theory of relativity and his Nobel Prize. But Einstein lived a full (and often dramatic) life outside of the world of physics.

He fell in love with a professor’s daughter while at school, and years later — while married to another woman — confessed his love for her, and the mistake he made not courting her when he had the chance. In 1933, he emigrated to the United States, knowing he’d not be able to return to Germany while Hitler was in power — he and his family were Jewish. After Einstein legally renounced his German citizenship, his Berlin cottage was turned into a Hitler’s Youth camp.

In light of his upcoming birthday, this week’s prompts are a reflection on the complex and storied life of this remarkable man.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a scientist.

Science Fiction – 40 stories

Write about a character who gets called an Einstein ironically.

Middle School – 18 stories

Write a story about somebody in love with someone from their past.

Romance – 79 stories

Write a story about a character forced to give up something important to stand up for what they believe in.

Character – 26 stories

Write a story about someone forced out of their home.

Narrative – 54 stories

Stories

“A Hiding Place” by Isabela Maher

Submitted to Contest #137

Journal Entry 517 Time Remaining: 24:16.02 The Senate moved to launch all nine rescue vessels within the next twelve hours. I will not be on any of them. I could be, of course, but that would require leaving some clueless idiot to acquaint himself with our ever-approaching neighbor. If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that I will not be leaving my life’s work in the hands of an incompetent intern who couldn’t tell the difference between a boson and a fermion if he tried. No. This black hole demands innovation. It demands me - a...

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“In regards to your column...” by Stella Bee

Submitted to Contest #137

To Joseph L. Mundigler, I recently came across your incredibly scathing opinion piece regarding the creation of THOUGHT and it’s negative impact on a global scale. The statistics you referenced were accurate enough, and your collection of firsthand testimonials from former THOUGHT users was a nice touch. I agree with your perspective (though, not wholly), which may come as a surprise to you, considering I’m the creator of the drug you criticize so vehemently. There is, however, one thing you got wrong and I feel it is imperative that th...

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“Nanochaos” by David Hampton

Submitted to Contest #137

Brilliant beyond measure, thought Clark Webb, yet dumb as a box of rocks. Double clichès seemed to please him as he grinned into his coffee cup. The focus of this observation was Melinda Kinsey, fellow scientist at Keil Laboratories. The plump woman with an Einstein-like coiffure was sitting directly across the conference table and chewing on a honey bun like a starved rabbit, oblivious to the chunk of sugar clinging to her upper lip. Those mustache hairs must be like velcro, he mused. “We’re done here folks,” announced...

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“Time to Choose” by Leslie Medberry

Submitted to Contest #137

I can’t culture these cells right. God, I’m so stupid! Why can’t I recognize the sequence. A failed batch and I need every drop of lastinium that I could find in the local supply depots. I, I mean, she, and they, will die. I won’t be able to stand a world without humans. They’re so ..colorful. When I first came on line this planet was so lively, so colorful. The sky was light, people walked around without masks and surget pills. I heard Nancy start to cry in pain in the infirmary. “I’m sorry, I’m coming!” If I could cry, it mig...

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“Time for One Last Drink” by Ian Gonzales

Submitted to Contest #137

The first thing I notice about the man who walks into my bar is his watch. It’s a model I’ve never seen before, a lot larger than usual. Curiously, it doesn’t show the time. The numbers on its face are counting down, and there are only a few minutes left. He slips onto a stool with a sigh. “Hit me again, Jim.” I frown, confused. I know I get a lot of regulars in here, but I don’t recognize this guy. How does he know my name? But, hey, he’s a customer, my first of the young day. “What can I get you?” I ask, setting a bowl of nuts and a cock...

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“ Relative Dimensions In Space - Wednesday in Cambridge” by Michael Regan

Submitted to Contest #137

[Author's Note: After posting “Relative Dimensions In Space” I realised that I wanted to know more about Tim and Jane. If you have read “Relative Dimensions In Space” you will know some of how this will end. If you haven’t here is the backstory: After a quick background check and spending a day with her, Tim Westland, a Canadian high tech multibillionaire, has agreed to fund a research project proposed by Dr. Jane Seymour, a professor at the Centre for Applied Cosmology, University of Cambridge.]Tim was meeting Jane at Le Pain Quot...

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“Hey Einstein” by Brian G

Submitted to Contest #137

“Dispatch to 34.” “34. Go.” “34, start responding in the vicinity of the parking lot in front of Lenny’s Market, 1278 Mission Street. We’ve got two calls on a report of a dispute between an employee and a customer.” “34 copy. Show me responding from 11th and Elm.” John put the mic back up on the dash board of his patrol car and looked down at his phone. He was in the middle of writing his wife a text when the call came in. John erased it and wrote in its place: Call just came in. Prob late. Will let you know. For John, it w...

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“Never Judge a Book” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #137

There is always someone who gets picked on in life. When I was at school it was Jeremy Longbottom. He was a mountain of a guy, ginger hair and freckles. His teeth stuck out way beyond his lip and consequently he couldn’t pronounce his ‘L’s so if you asked him to say ‘lovely lollies’ he would end up saying ‘wovely wallies’…much to the amusement of all the kids gathered around, who found it extremely funny no matter how many times we made him say it. We were all so unfair to him. But we were just all kids. Jeremy Longbottom had another proble...

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“Hazels Daily Life” by Elizabeth Roberts

Submitted to Contest #137

The alarm on Hazels phone began to sound off awakening her out of an unnatural but vivid dream of her running. Running from what she could never really figure out but the dreams were a constant reminder of how insane she had really became. She stumbled to the kitchen, her bare feet walking lightly on the cold tile floor. She hit the brew button on her outdated coffee machine and ran to take a quick shower, before heading to a job she hated but because of being an adult and having bills, she definitely needed. She threw her hair up in a messy...

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“Lost Love” by Darla Johnson

Submitted to Contest #137

It’s funny and not in a haha sort of way , but in a queer way . Love is strange and pops up when it’s least expected. I was visiting a college with my daughter in a city far away from our home. It was a bitter sweet trip as it was exciting for her, she was turning another chapter in her young life. She was anticipating finally meeting this boy . Carlee had been conversing with for months and they were finally going to meet face to face and she was glad she had someone to attend college with . I was grateful that she had someone she knew tha...

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“Find Your Way Back” by Troy Lowman

Submitted to Contest #137

The ominous black smoke billowed above the crystal green corn fields on the long country road. Only the sound of screeching tires on the tarred black road and the sickening clash of metal could disturb such a beautiful early summer day. Seven teenagers on their way to high school graduation practice had suddenly met an unexpectedly horrible turn of fate. For four of them it was a mistake that would haunt them the rest of their lives. For the other three, they would not even be that lucky. The dream was always the same for Benny Herald. The a...

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“Remembering Great-Uncle Markus Thatcher” by Christian Arnold

Submitted to Contest #137

They say April showers bring May flowers. You may argue the phrase symbolizes the beginning and end of seasons, that it represents a stance on life and death as a beginning and an end. In fact, the story of Hades and Persephone, and the departure of the two, begins in spring. With the countless retellings of their story, one would have to believe that the two greatly love each other, and the separation for Persephone to return to the mortal realm, felt like death to them as well. I would agree that the change of seasons is a real representat...

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“Backtrack” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #137

BacktrackFrank didn’t like himself. He really didn’t. The feelings first visited him at his wife’s funeral five years ago. He realized he wasn’t feeling the way he should be feeling. It was sad and all, but he wasn’t devastated, as if he had just lost his soul mate, the true love of his life. That was because he hadn’t.He sat in the front pew, just feet from the bronze casket, and the sad reality sunk in. Frank had “settled”. Darlene was a good woman, and a good mother, but it wasn’t the true love he had once dreamed of. At his age, Frank kn...

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“The Wedding Guest” by Sheila Hight

Submitted to Contest #137

The Wedding Guest © Sheila Hight, 2022 ‘Jack’s here.’ Laura’s Spidey senses tingled as her body came to full alert. It had been three years since she’d had the knowing. ‘I smell his cologne.’ Jack always wore Clubman Special Reserve, a cheap barbershop aftershave with a leathery pine smell, a scent often associated with older men, but which, on Jack’s skin, had had an aphrodisiac effect upon her. ‘Don’t turn around,’ she cautioned herself. ‘Look at Jeffrey.’ Currents of adrenaline ran through Laura’s body, bringing irritability. ‘God,...

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“Just Another Sad Song” by Sydney Holt

Submitted to Contest #137

Andrew didn’t have a whole lot going for him, truth be told. The most exciting thing he had to look forward to every day was… well, there wasn’t really anything. He was, for all intents and purposes, a bum. A bum with a job and an apartment, but a bum all the same. This considered, he should have been chomping at the bit when he was invited to a concert. For free! “C’mon, man, it’ll be fun!” his friend Phil pestered from the other side of the phone. “It’s too late to sell ‘em. If nobody uses ‘em, they’ll just go to waste. Plus this band i...

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$250

Prize money

217

Contest entries

116

Stories

Ended on 00:59 - Mar 19, 2022 EST

Won by Story Time 🏆

Title: The Boy in the Pink Tuxedo

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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