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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#188: But There's a Catch

In life, there’s almost always a catch. The beautiful new shoes cause blisters. The exciting promotion at work leaves you feeling out of your depth. The free upgrade to first class comes with a screaming kid for a neighbor. If something seems too good to be true, maybe it is!

We might call these drawbacks ‘the fly in the ointment’; the little things that spoil what would otherwise be wonderful. With this week’s prompts, we’re encouraging you to lean into those frustrations, big and small. Will your characters be able to find a workaround, or is this as good as it gets?

This week's prompts

Write a story that starts with the line “So, what’s the catch?”

Dialogue – 96 stories

Write about a character who would have complete happiness, if it weren’t for that one thing.

Character – 63 stories

Write a story about someone who is determined to not have their day spoiled — but the universe is trying their patience.

Funny – 48 stories

Write about someone who thinks they just got a great deal on something, only for them to realize…

Mystery – 32 stories

Write about a character who’s attending a dinner thrown in their honor, but deeply embarrasses themself during their speech.

Funny – 19 stories

Stories

“Reunion Betrayal” by Madison Lam

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what's the catch? That's what I asked myself when I received the invitation to my high school reunion. It had been fifteen years since I last saw any of my classmates, and I was curious to see how everyone had turned out. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about the whole thing. I had never been popular in high school, and I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to see me again after all these years. Still, I decided to attend. I put on my best suit and drove to the venue, feeling a mix of excitement and dread...

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“Secrets” by Wrenley Ashford

Submitted to Contest #188

*Disclaimer: This is an excerpt from a longer story not yet published.* “So, what’s the catch?” I asked. His eyes twinkled in excitement, his fingers twirling my pen. My hand hung in the air, feeling empty and hopeless. Deep down, I knew I shouldn’t even be talking to Kage right now. He was a dangerous guy. I was a weak and fearful girl playing brave soldier for the first time in my life. He thought for a moment. “I need you to get your friend to stay away from me.” I snorted. “That’s impossible.” He tucked the pen in his pocket. “I wou...

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“To The Elderly Gentleman Who Flew From Florida to BWI on March 7th” by Ana Sakore

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what’s the catch? I only wrote this story because I had no other address to reach him. I don’t know his name. I know only that he was the most comforting seat neighbor, kind conversationalist, humble accomplishment, and caring husband. He told me these things without saying a word.He was a sizable man, wedged between his wife and I. His glassy blue eyes acknowledged my presence, when I requested the seat beside him, and assured his wife that I, the scrawny nineteen-yr-old girl with a navy-blue computer bag and oil painting that...

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“The Book of Fairies ” by Micah Smoot

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, What's the catch”? Arrietty asked in a shaky voice as she stared at her friend and master seemingly lifeless body. The man smiled as he walked towards her, his feet making no sound as he moved them on and off the floor. As if he was walking on air. “Catch”? He says as if the concept was utterly foreign to him. “No. No. Don’t think of it like that,” he said, “Think of it more-so like…like a gift”. “A gift”? Arrietty asked herself, her eyes following the man. His right hand ever so slightly grazes down her lower left arm before lifting u...

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“At Least I Still Have My Shoes” by Cassidy Ammorette

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I toss my head back, gazing up at the glittery sky above us but not really seeing it. It’s funny how one day you wake up and what used to be so full of magic just isn’t so special anymore. Like how for no discernable reason there's a million little lights dangling from some invisible ceiling in the sky and we have no idea how they got there or why they got there or why they choose to stay there for eternity, shining for us and asking for nothing in return. Some nights we selfishly soak up all their light, hoping to ta...

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“Discretion ” by Bethany Yeoman

Submitted to Contest #188

CW: Partner Abuse; Sexual Harassment “So, what’s the catch?”, asked Issy, sitting across the dark oak table from the suited man slated to be her new boss. “No catch,” said Mr. Wantor, “We’re just looking for someone with a commitment to the firm and a willingness to learn.” A toothy smile stretched across his face and the creases in his bald head grew deeper. “And, of course, discretion. Due to the high profile nature of our clients, you would be required to sign an NDA and protect the identities and sensitive information of ...

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“The Catch” by Cihan Reyes

Submitted to Contest #188

[THIS STORY CONTAINS IMPLIED VIOLENCE]----------------------------------------------- "So, what's the catch?" he whispers to himself. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't catch quite that." He can't see the waitress across the counter through the greasy thicket of black hair that envelops his face. "Just a coffee, please." No sooner does he finish speaking, he feels the warmth of her body move away from him. She’s uneasy, he can feel it in the way her breath hits the air. He picks at the brown crust of dried blood under his fingernails. The coffee i...

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“Say Yes to Life” by Patrick Eagan

Submitted to Contest #188

Act I "So, what's the catch?" These words flashed across my brain in bubbly, bright neon letters. But what actually came out of my mouth was… "Yes." Why do I do this to myself? Always the 'people pleasure.' I don't know what it is, but saying yes always feels so good. Plus, it feels easier to be agreeable with people rather than trying to do the silly back-and-forth dance of an actual conversation. I hate talking to people. Talking to other people is entirely dull and m...

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“Eyes on You” by Mary Lewis

Submitted to Contest #188

This story contains themes or mention of voyeurism and sexual harassment. “So, what’s the catch?”“Let’s just accept it. It’s okay for good things to happen to us.”I look at her skeptically. Is it okay? It certainly doesn’t feel okay. Nothing has felt okay in a long, long time. We have been living in this shitty apartment for three months. The floorboards creak in the kitchen right in front of the fridge, the bathroom faucet drips, the dog next door is an incessant barker, the lighting always feels low because t...

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“Home and Away ” by Kate Dunn

Submitted to Contest #188

I've lived the better part of my life in Australia, Dorothea Mckellar’s much-lauded sunburnt country. From an age when my skin was considered sunkissed and not wrinkled. My face now resembles a texture closer to worn leather, closer to pension age, I am ‘too far from Australian?’ It was an internal conflict, externally broadcast. It would seem that I had contradicted every notion of appropriate contemplation expected from me by strangers and friends alike. I had never thought myself to be nationalistic, not even a patriot. Surely a lifetime ...

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“Complications” by Gary Crawford

Submitted to Contest #188

Complications Gary S. Crawford A bulb in the hallway ceiling light has burned out. It did seem a little gloomy in there with only one of two bulbs lit. Easy enough to fix, I think. So I head off to the dining room for a chair and to the pantry for a new light bulb. The glass globe is removed after the hard-to-turn thumb screws finally give up, requiring finding a pair of pliers to get them to cooperate. Then the bad bulb is unscrewed. The light fixture is a little loose, so after getting down and having to find a screwdriver, I get bac...

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“A Real Name” by Jim Razzi

Submitted to Contest #188

Jim Razzi The Great Plains, Early 1800s: Dreamer kicked his pinto into a trot and followed the hunters chasing the buffalo herd in the distance. He sniffed the wind that bore the scent of wild roses and crab apple and looked at the bright circle in the clear blue sky. Its warmth and the feel of his strong pony excited his senses. He smiled at the sprawling prairie before him. Dreamer, not yet 20, was strong and lean as a young wolf. His first time as a full-fledged Sioux hunter, he wore only breech-cloth and moccasins, and carried ...

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“Almost Happily Ever After” by T C Milton

Submitted to Contest #188

Thirsty Clyburn sighed contentedly as he surveyed the environment in which he found himself, still barely comprehending his good fortune and the sheer wonderment of it all. Four hundred acres of rolling Kentucky bluegrass bounded by miles and miles of cream-colored post and board wooden fence, much of it in double course to contain the outrageously expensive thoroughbreds that lived there in the event a rubber-necking tourist missed a turn and plowed through the outermost rails. A barn more exquisitely turned out than most of the houses of t...

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“A Day of Minor Inconveniences” by Zain Faaris

Submitted to Contest #188

No working day, tomorrow. The wife is out of town to visit her mom, no bills due, no errands pending, nothing big, at least…Finally, after like what, months!? I get to have a weekend where being selfish won’t hurt,Hopefully, today doesn’t suck. Let it not be ruined by more than a few minor inconveniences…******Okay, will have to get ready and show up at office today, sigh…I mean I could take a day off, it seems like a great day to take one off, I mean.Sadly, I’ve exhausted all my personal day-off allowances for this quarter. Darn it! Shouldn...

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“My Mother and God” by Catherine Shannon

Submitted to Contest #188

Of course, I love my mother. I have to admit that she’s always tried to be there for me, in spite of our less-than-perfect family. Mom supported me through all my ups and downs. She got me through braces, gymnastics, broken friendships, an absent father, going away to camps or college, career struggles, and my many moves. She was even surprisingly empathetic over bad boyfriends (if I told her about them). But my mother is so annoying when it comes to her religious stuff. She has her views, and never misses a chance t...

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$250

Prize money

258

Contest entries

133

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 10, 2023 EST

Won by Tom Bombadil 🏆

Title: The First Idol

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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