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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#159: Money, Money, Money

Like it or not, money makes the world go round. And while it (supposedly) can’t buy happiness, it can certainly change your life — for better or worse. This week’s prompts have money on the mind; whether your characters are winning big, or down to their last dollar, it’s time to start counting your cash.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a character accepting a bribe.

Adults – 48 stories

Set your story in a world where the currency isn’t money — or at least not money as we understand it.

Fantasy – 62 stories

Write about somebody down on their luck who unexpectedly comes into a large amount of money.

Teens – 49 stories

Your character checks their balance at an ATM and is surprised by the number they see.

Adults – 32 stories

Write about a character who’s never encountered a problem they couldn’t buy their way out of — until they do.

Angst – 25 stories

Stories

“This Wealthy Friendship ” by Jace McQueen

Submitted to Contest #159

“Yeah! Some guy commissioned a capybara-themed blouse for his partner.” Amanda chuckled at the story Polly told to her. She glanced at the unscratched lottery ticket laying on on her coffee table and grasped the tiny piece of paper into her hand. She then proceeded to get a penny out of her pocket and scrape the ticket. Polly and Amanda had been friends for 8 years. They became so because they had a shared love for the same anime in 6th grade. They were 2 very gorgeous looking young w...

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“Blood Cold” by Katherine Lee

Submitted to Contest #159

It’s what anyone would expect. That the homeless kid killed this beautiful, rich, young woman and left her here under the bridge for some police sniffing dog to find when she hasn’t returned home to her mansion. I’m the one who always hangs out here, so of course they would think I did it. My DNA is all over this place. And now, thanks to my own stupidity, all over the woman too. It's what anyone would expect, so why not just take the money? -- I had just gotten back to my spot under the bridge when I saw her. I’ve found this bridge to...

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“Dumb Luck” by Jenny White

Submitted to Contest #159

Hiking in a three-piece suit wasn’t one of Elena’s best ideas but the city had felt all too imposing after another day of judgmental stares and prying questions. She’d meant to go home and spend the evening the way she’d spent the last three. Bundled up on her couch in a too cold apartment, searching for jobs with the eviction notice glaring at her from the coffee table. Instead, she found herself trekking up the side of the mountain, cursing under her breath at the way the moist air and cheap polyester suit clung to her skin. She’d long s...

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“Little Angel” by Jacob Chudnovsky

Submitted to Contest #159

He was yelling and throwing food at dinner again last night.“You made mashed potatoes! I hate mashed potatoes! I wanted French fries!” I’ve grown to hate the sound of his voice, not to mention the look of his hate-filled, beady little eyes.“You had French fries yesterday, Jack,” I answered calmly.“I don’t care!” he screamed, “I wanted French fries today! And you made mashed potatoes! It’s not fair!”I looked at Ellen, sitting across the table from me and next to Jack. But she was looking at her phone with headphones on, as usual.“Just because...

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“Packwood” by Mark Linsky

Submitted to Contest #159

Packwood Bogie (Full name William Bogart and no relation to Humphrey) was an I.T. guy who had worked for Flame Optics since 2012 and had moved up the corporate food chain far enough so that he occupied a corner office with a view of Sixth Street. There was a big ...

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“THE GARBAGE BAG” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #159

THE GARBAGE BAG What a strange dream that of the last night. He dreamed of his grandparents’ country house, where he had lived some years as a child. In his dream Joe was going up the stairs that, suddenly lit up with a shining light , as they were becoming more steeper and also more and more long under his step ( feet), as if they never ended . He had the feeling, going up, it was impossible to get the top of the stairs. As he &nbsp...

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“We'll Always Have Paris” by Hope Haggerty

Submitted to Contest #159

The decision was hard, but it wasn’t that hard right? Cherry berated herself. A carton of milk or a pack of cigarettes? So what, if her boyfriend Dave wasn’t answering his phone, and she hadn't heard from him in over a month. So what, if she really wanted that puff of smoke for comfort. So what if it was killing her. You couldn’t eat a cigarette. Well, you could, but…gross. She giggled a little at the thought. She had given up that bad habit, right? Her stomach rumbled and she almost felt sick with the force of ...

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“I'm Buying” by Margo Harris

Submitted to Contest #159

CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE: $2.78 “Seriously?” I ask the ATM. “How can I only have two dollars and seventy eight cents?” I go over the last week in my head starting on Friday. Cameron threw a massive party that night. It was BYOB, so I did. I may have spent $50 on alcohol alone. It was gone in twenty minutes flat. It was a great party though. “Yo, Asher! Thanks for bringing beer buddy. Come give me a hug.” Cameron was already drunk and pulling me in for a tight squeeze. “No problem, Cam. I figured today is payday, so I was able ...

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“Love, Lust, & Luxury” by Goddess V

Submitted to Contest #159

In my chambers I walk to the ATM, Awareness TeleMonitor. The balance of my essence in the Universe is lower than usual. Something is off, but I am unsure of what. I call my siblings in to inform them. I have a plan and I need their advice. I need to understand what has happened. “Are you sure about this?” My middle sibling asks me. “I feel like I need to,” I replied. “And of all days, today seems like a great day to manifest.” I turn to my youngest sibling who sits in a chair across the space. They pi...

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“The Missing Funds” by Marie White

Submitted to Contest #159

He glared at the ATM as he would have one who’d suggested a hike in Death Valley. That couldn’t be right; the account had had five thousand dollars more a few days ago. Money didn’t just disappear. He’d get to the bottom of this. Not caring that it would catch the attention of the couple in tank tops and cutoffs milling around, eyeing shelves full of Butterfingers and Milky Ways and Snickers and Reese’s peanut butter cups, and the spindly teen at the register who looked as if ...

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“Transport” by Christopher Kennedy

Submitted to Contest #159

“Think about it Jake, five million credits man. That’s enough to start a life over, anywhere this side of the universe.” Dion was persistent in his offer, which really wasn’t much of an offer, all things considered. Dion pointedly was asking if I could overlook the registered docking weight on my transport shuttle’s manifest enough to not notice the slight discrepancy that would be caused by smuggling a male rhankylodon off of Panthalassa. Already being scheduled for a materials export, he knew this wouldn’t be largely problematic, tech...

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“A Crushing Profit” by Marie White

Submitted to Contest #159

Watching Farrah’s glossy burgundy talons curl around the handle of the china cup holding her low-fat latte, Bridgette felt as if making a deal with the devil. Around them, patrons clad in designer duds lounged at chandelier-sized marble-topped tables, chatting and sipping, oblivious. In other circumstances, Bridgette would’ve enjoyed the chance to immerse herself in a world not at all like her own (“Of course I’ll be footing the bill,” Farrah had said on the phone. “I know you can’t afford to d...

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“Where Have You Gone, Mitzi Gaynor?” by Bobby Whitman

Submitted to Contest #159

Where Have You Gone, Mitzi Gaynor?The doorbell rang and Mitzi Gaynor sprang from her mistress’ lap and leapt about the living room.“Mitzi. It’s just the door, girl,” May Jean Dolan said. “You ought to be used to it by now.” A wide grin worked its way across her face. “Look at her, dear,” she urged her husband.Joe Dolan twisted a bony knuckle into the well of an eye. He glanced up from his puzzle with silent scorn, hooded after months of practice. Feigning interest in the Airedale puppy, he suppressed a yawn. It was a scene he had witnessed m...

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“Game Changer” by Samuel Ellis

Submitted to Contest #159

Charlie was almost to the exit when one of the Oil Company Security guys caught up to him."Mr. Masradi would still be interested in your jacket sir!"Oh, Masradi. The head of that group from the Globex International Oil Company that had been haranguing him for the last five days.They showed up on the second day of Charlie's run and they had become a constant thorn in his side.Earlier that evening, after a particularly bad beat, Charlie had lost with Aces in the hole to Masradi's stupid, devil-may-care play style of betting with nothing and de...

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“THE UNIVERSE PROVIDES” by Lujira Cooper

Submitted to Contest #159

Cameron Canada walked briskly toward her office. Deep in thought about her business’ imminent collapse, she ignored the gentle ocean breeze and the seagulls screeching their morning greeting. She’d been accused of mismanagement. As she left the boardwalk and turned to the building which housed her small company, she saw an old woman begging for money. I can’t help myself why should I give to a vagrant. Clear gray eyes looked up at her. “Ma’am can you spare some change? I haven’t eaten in four days.” ...

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$250

Prize money

216

Contest entries

88

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 19, 2022 EST

Won by Daniel Allen 🏆

Title: Blood and Cookies

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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