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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#148: The Lease I Can Do

Most of us at one time or another will live in an apartment building. Whether you live in a dorm while at college, or you live in a high-rise in Manhattan, sharing a wall or two with your neighbors certainly keeps things interesting. And living in such close proximity to other people has its pros and cons — you’re never too far from help if you need it, but you’re also never too far from the party your downstairs neighbors seem to throw every weekend.

What are some of your fondest (or least fond) memories of apartment living? Use these five prompts to explore what it’s really like to live in an apartment building — or just a little too close to your neighbors for comfort.

This week's prompts

Write about two neighbors who cannot stand each other.

Sad – 43 stories

Write a story involving a noise complaint.

Sad – 45 stories

Include a character in your story that is often in an apartment building, but doesn’t actually live there.

High School – 38 stories

Write about a couple touring an empty apartment they might rent.

Narrative – 27 stories

Write about an apartment building being demolished.

Sad – 42 stories

Stories

“The Caterpillar Gang” by Tony Coppo

Submitted to Contest #148

'She's got it all going on again,' says John, turns the wheel of the Caterpillar and drives off into the yard. Charles takes a Mentos from the XXL jar in the dashboard, offers John a gum, who waves the gesture away. John hates the false minty taste. 'Samantha wants a breast augmentation.'John stares at the little apartment building. The façade is snow-white and black aluminium windows adorn the three floors in symmetrical rows in pairs. 'It still looks perfect,' he says and checks the location on his mobile phone; the address is correct. The...

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“In My Dreams” by Zi Poromon

Submitted to Contest #148

They called my name from the black microphones in their hot hands. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. The stage manager gave me a light nudge on my back, and I took one shaky, deep breath. I emerged from the shadowed wings into the spotlight, which created an intimate focus of attention on me, dressed in a green, sequined button up top, leather pants, and dress shoes too tight for my big toe to breathe.I could hear the whispered sounds of the crowd as they stared at me, in awe and admiration, and in judgment. My muscles relaxed, and I...

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“Time to Let Go” by Lee Disco

Submitted to Contest #148

“Why do you still go back there?” “Don’t I pay you to tell me that?” “No. You pay me to listen.” The key slides into the lock with a soft clink, metal hands latching, the warm copper brushing against the cold of the body, hot from where it had been pressed in his hand. Jack sighs as he twists it and shuffles inside. He doesn’t lock the door behind him; he’ll be leaving soon. Inside, the wide window panes hold back the heat of a Manhattan summer, the smell of old rainstorms and wet concrete and slick steel all wrapped up i...

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“The Good Book” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #148

The Good Book(Perhaps a tad crude in places.)“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31“Be reasonable, Margie. If we go to the late Mass, I’ll miss the kickoff of the Packer game. Father Windbag talks forever. ...

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“If the Walls Could Talk” by Carter Msilisi

Submitted to Contest #148

That Mole! It stared at me as I tried my hardest to concentrate on what she was saying. Jenny Langstrom, our realtor had been droning on for what seemed like days. Jenny was showing us this apartment for the second time because my wife liked it so much. I kept looking at that huge mole that sat on her top lip like a bird perched on a fence. I felt my wife’s hand touch my arm. She knew I wasn’t concentrating. Emily knew I was basically a child in a man’s body. I slowly turned my head towards her, and she flashed me an annoyed look. I took a...

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“A Deadly Noise” by Lucas Savard

Submitted to Contest #148

TW////: domestic violence, homophobia, murder, suicide, Cussing, ProfanityFor as long as I can recall, I loved girly things but I thought it was because I was a feminine straight guy. But of course, I was just regular gay. When I saw my boyfriend Noah Hudson, the captain of the football team. for the first time I knew that he was mine. We met on a school trip where I tripped over myself and he caught me in his strong arms. We've been together 3 years and tonight is prom night. It was probably around 3 pm as I can recall my boyfriend ask...

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“You Can Check Out Anytime You Like...” by Kelsey Fish

Submitted to Contest #148

Kathryn looked up at the looming building as she pulled herself from the cab. The tower of an apartment building stood dark against the light gray New York sky. She turned and reached in for her bag, the driver not even so much as glancing at her in his rear view mirror. “Thanks,” she said, trying to sound genuine. Truly though, she was glad to be getting out of the creeps' car. When she first hailed the taxi he seemed nice enough, but once she was in and had given her destination, he had glared at her in the mirror until she shi...

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“The last song” by Caesar Who

Submitted to Contest #148

When Mr. Jones knocked my apartment door, disturbing the usual serenity of Saturday morning, I wasn't particularly delighted. He explained himself after apologizing for being discourteous --- the man in his 50s, wrinkles-worn, two ends of unibrow as if horns; tailored suit fits, black eyes sunken like abyssal pits; boney hands shivering, ecchymoses on forearm under sunlight glittering, he has told me what he was going through, and begged for my help. He is dying. The cancer had tormented the man for some months, right after the diagnosis. ...

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“The Tattooed Man in Apartment 2B” by Shelby B

Submitted to Contest #148

"Mark, I need to file a noise complaint on apartment 2B." I say to the landlord. His name is Mark Lessing and he's been my landlord for three years now. I’ve never had to come to him with any complaint, but today is the day that changes.He slightly tilts his head down so he's looking at me from over the thick-rimmed glasses that slid down his nose. "Apartment 2B, you say?"I nodded. "Yes. You know I have to work early in the morning and my lovely neighbor likes to blare his awful, music loudly throughout the night. I've tried to ignore it, bu...

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“Tight Market” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #148

"Norah's from my group. I trust her. She'll find us something." Olivia nodded to herself. Ethan stopped at the light. He smiled. "You think being in your group recommends her?" She rolled her eyes. "Of course. She works in real estate. She's not only in my group. She's a friend." Noah accelerated. He scanned the apartment buildings they passed. "From the look of these, the rule is, 'get the best place in a bad neighborhood...'" She touched his arm. "Give her a chance, okay? She knows the market." "I'll be good. I'm playing." "She said it's g...

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“All's Fair in Love and War” by Shelby B

Submitted to Contest #148

**some explicit language and mature themes/situations**Bang. Bang. Bang.Boom. Boom. Boom.I pause my movie and wait for the incessant noise coming from the apartment next to mine to stop. This is a nightly occurrence and it really puts a damper on my regularly scheduled Netflix marathons. I've tried and tried to be nice about it, but he's left me no choice tonight. I'm over it and today has already been a complete shit show, so honestly, being nice is no longer my forte at the moment. I unravel myself out of my fuzzy blanket and throw on the ...

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“Shipwrecked” by Scott Skinner

Submitted to Contest #148

When the shabby elevator’s doors closed, Mike forgot how to be normal, and as he noticed the whine of the machine’s old parts, he saw his Tinder date grip her clutch closer to her body. It was not the look he had hoped to cultivate. He wanted to face her - he thought it would make things more comfortable - but he didn’t dare. Instead, he stood at her side like a New York bell hop until, through no action of his own, his arms swung back and forth automatically like a desktop drinking bird. Things were not working out for him, and even after h...

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“What's That Noise Next Door?” by Bruce Friedman

Submitted to Contest #148

Note: Sexual innuendos and swearingI was sitting in the living room of my apartment on the upper east side of New York, twiddling my thumbs. It was Sunday so not much traffic on the streets below. I’m single, in my late 30’s, and work in fintech with the head office on Madison. The stock options I hold had soared in value recently, allowing me to afford my current digs – a three bedroom, two bath, condo on a high floor of the building and a doorman around the clock. I was sitting pretty, you might say. but markets can turn quickly. Anyw...

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“Amistad” by Ren B

Submitted to Contest #148

Day 1We just got a letter in the mail. “The Amistad Building, scheduled for demolition on July 1st, 2020. Please, deliver up vacant possession of your apartment on or before July 31st, 2020. We reserve the right to demolish the premises without delay. We cannot be held responsible for any property or persons remaining inside. Sincerely, The Landlord. ” I have been here 60 years; and know all the tenants. It is such a great community, Amistad - Spanish for friendship, we call it. The demolition is set to happen in 30 days. What am I...

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“What Happened to the Door? Part I of The Tony Chronicles” by Lisa H. Owens

Submitted to Contest #148

I was exhausted after an excessively long three-day trip, catering to the whims and fancies of Lockheed L-1011 TriStars filled to the gills with passengers flocking to Fort Lauderdale by the millions, it seemed. Everyone seemed to be flying south; it was snowbird season in the Northeast quadrant of the United States. I dragged Dog, the name given to my navy-blue carpet covered carry-on suitcase, up a couple of rickety stairs leading into the kitchen. I rounded the corner to head up to my bedroom coming face to shlong with Tony, my swarthy Gr...

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$250

Prize money

195

Contest entries

90

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 03, 2022 EST

Won by S.K. Wulf 🏆

Title: Two Stubborn Women

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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