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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 – 95 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 – 47 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

“Got the time?” by Dêsērt Çhìçk

Submitted to Contest #188

As the man walked across the street, he was approached by a salesman full of energy and confidence. "Got some time?" the peppy salesman questioned. "Time?" the man asked in confusion. "Would you like to buy some time?" the salesman asked again, as he continued walking next to the man who was in a rush. .The man asked, "I don't understand," to which the salesman went on to explain that he could sell the man some time, for a modest fee. He said 'to buy some time for those extra minutes that he may need to get away from his wife and to be a lit...

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“MIDNIGHT MAN” by Moss Hall

Submitted to Contest #188

MIDNIGHT MAN ...

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“I'll Take Door Number Two, Please” by Tricia Cundiff

Submitted to Contest #188

The car used to be the envy of her friends; those with kids who couldn’t imagine having to place them in the backseat and those that couldn’t see their way to spending the extra money for something they called too extravagant for their pocketbooks. Of course, they loved riding in it, top-down, and their hair tied up. But where were they now? Not anywhere close to here, she was sure of that. The Mustang was a fun ride, comfortable for the driver and front-seat passenger, not so much for the back seat, which usually just housed discarded...

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“My Gorgeous Angel” by Anita M Shaw

Submitted to Contest #188

She was gorgeous! The most perfect specimen of horseflesh I’d ever seen. Her red chestnut coat gleamed in the summer sun. Flaxen mane and tail. A flowing mane . . . long and silky. She stood sixteen hands, and her conformation – perfection! She moved with a gliding grace, floating over the ground. Just to watch her out in the field was a treat. What would it be like to actually ride her! Be sweet heaven! I had to have her. Okay, the money I had was supposed to be for other things—like fixing my truck. Or getting a new one. Proba...

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“Tale of the Twins” by Nikolas Zarate

Submitted to Contest #188

South-den, England1879In the upcoming, and bustling city, “South-den” there is a ball being held in honor of the infamous Rosewood family. Specifically, the son of the Rosewood family, twenty-year-old Gideon. Gideon is receiving the family business, “Rosewood Rings”; his parents Carmina and Samuel are heading off to the Americas to establish themselves over there. Leaving him with his twin sister named Gloria. Gideon is a responsible human being, kind, and courteous. His sister on the other hand, she’s rebellious, loud, and mischievous.The b...

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“Here we go again...” by Amithi Nair

Submitted to Contest #188

James skipped happily down the staircase, heart thrumming with joy at the dinner table awaiting him, his friends and family members seated and gathering food for themselves. The day before, he had won the national high school spelling bee, and they all decided to throw him a surprise dinner party as a congratulations. Seating himself at the head of the table, he felt like he was floating. So much awe and love surrounded him -- he could feel it in his bones. The table held a multitude of different goodies, each dish looking better than the ne...

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“Of War and Song” by Benjamin McIntyre

Submitted to Contest #188

Of War and Song “So, what’s the catch?” James eyed the recruitment poster with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The edges of the paper were frayed, and the colours had somewhat faded. But the image of the stern-faced soldier in uniform still had a powerful effect on James. The chance to travel the world and be paid to do it seemed like a good deal, nearly too good to be true. Many men were being asked to serve and join the war effort. Even Charles, James’ good mate, had joined and had looked pretty good in his uniform as he said hi...

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“The Thing We Weren't Taught” by Cora Anne

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “I’m an upper middle class, white, professional woman, dripping in privilege, and I still can’t find the courage and security to speak against the misogynistic mindset that drowns me. That’s the fucking catch.” Everyone looked at each other and nodded quietly. “You all know I'm an ER Doctor, and even though I walk into a patient’s room, talk to them about their malady, give them the treatment plan and introduce myself as Dr. Lansing, the nurse tells me later they are still asking when they will get to see the ...

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“Firestorm” by Nick Baldino

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” he said as he toyed with the RC Sailboat. It wasn’t like any he’d seen before- most were made of plastic and gears, but this one was sleek and wooden, with yellowed canvas pulled taut against the mast. The antiques dealer chuckled and smiled. “This isn’t Needful Things, sir. No curses or charms, I can assure you that. At Barton’s, we only buy and sell the best.” “Who sold you this, then?” He was now searching the bottom of the boat, feeling the flex of the miniature rudder with his fingers. As an accountant, he k...

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“Jumpin' For Joy” by Arnold Edwards

Submitted to Contest #188

JUMPIN' FOR JOY "So? What's the catch?" It was a simple enough question, or at least I foolishly thought so. But the question was directed at two classical morons, who perceived nothing past their won privileged needs and wants. My bad. So here I am, lounging on a vast field in Southern Illinois, waiting for the foolishness I signed up for. Again, my wrong. The sun desperately attempted to squeeze through a thick layer of threatening clouds and succeeded to the extent that the sky was kissing the horizon in the distance. Thirty of us wer...

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“Chrono Catastrophe ” by Summer Chiu

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Jonas probed inquisitively with uncertainty. “There is no catch, regardless of the outcome of the experiment, eighty-five thousand dollars is all yours!” the man in a spectacle with a thick white frame answered with a confident and persuasive tone. He leaned forward slightly, making eye contact with the volunteers to emphasize the importance and worthiness of the project. Kate and Jonas exchanged glances, with their eyes meeting with a sense of doubt and confusion. “Both of you were brave enough to volunteer f...

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“Kids do the Darnedest Things” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what’s the catch? No catch, I swear—famous last words before being embarrassed by a supposed friend. Children are meanest in the fourth grade, I think. To be the butt of the jokes, you are always last to get it. Suppose you are eleven, 5’6’’, and a female who transferred midyear to a school for typically normal kids. Most sixth graders are only just reaching five feet. Maybe I am just too trusting or even more gullible. I had long hair, but I learned early not to wear it loose and flowing because someone would put gum in it; even wearing...

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“Edited by AI Mann” by Jeremy Zentner

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “No, catch,” she said. “You’ve already made the ten-thousand security deposit. After that, we just request that we are given five percent of your estates in your will.” “Is that all?” I asked. “Seems like a small number. I’m not a rich writer like all those YA authors.” She snickered. The robotic female named Lindsey-97 snickered. “In all honesty, it’s easier for Quantum Steel to make a profit the wider our customer base is, than to sell to a few affluent clients,” she said. “And… will it look like you?” I asked...

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“The Rhapsody of Reality and Desire - Part Two” by Mahogany Ree

Submitted to Contest #188

“So what’s the catch?” “What do you mean, what’s the catch? “On my birthday, a few friends surprised me with a table for this year's Zulu Ball in New Orleans and I need an escort.” “An escort?” August smirked. “You know what? Forget I asked. I’ll just go by myself like I originally planned.” I was irritated. “You so goofy Ivory Renee.” August’s voice sent my body into an intense orbit but I managed to keep myself composed. “Oh, so we’re using my government name now?” How in the hell does he even know my government name? He’s your b...

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“Catch of the Day” by Aidan Spence

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” The eyepatched merchant leaned over her counter and looked me in the eyes, smirking. She lifted her hand and pointed behind me, wryly stating, “Must be a big one, if you’re using a damn pickup truck to bring it in.” I turned my head back to look at the truck I’d backed in front of the stall. The Angle Bay Fish Market was bustling with activity that day; just your average Saturday out here, really. I was sure that some of the potenti...

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$250

Prize money

256

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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