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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

“NFL Pass for Albie” by Louis Dorman

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what's the catch?” Asked Gertrude, hunching over her 2004 Gateway computer, on the phone her grandson bought her around the same time.“Ma’am, that's the best part! There’s absolutely no catch at all.” Said the friendly voice on the other end of the line. “All we need is the first four digits of your social security number, and we can get you started.”“Wow!” Gertrude thought. With Albert's birthday coming up, this was the luck she needed. Finally, a break. Finally, a time to- “Wait... The first four?” She asked.“Yes, ma’am. Just the...

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“Only I Could Ruin My Wedding” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #188

Today was the wedding day and I was not going to let anyone ruin it for me. It began with me awakening from my sleepover at Krissy’s, my maid of honor’s, house. Though I was nauseous and headachy from the few drinks the night before, I could still manage. I was determined to manage. The excitement was unbearable. Terri, another of my bridesmaids, made scrambled eggs riddled with broken shell pieces. It was delicious. Terri decided to take this opportunity, with just the two of us awake so far, to warn me. ...

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“Presbyter” by Bryan Westby

Submitted to Contest #188

That cold, damp August morning in 1553 smelled of rotting leaves and mushroom, the creaking of my carriage punctuated by the drips of rainy mist seeping through the canopy and dribbling onto leather, so it was with precocious pleasure that I signaled to stop at a public house near Chambéry to drink down a bottle of some exuberant wine. It was a fine day, having finally arrived from my escaped prison cell in Vienne to just outside Italy, and I was committed to keeping it so. I was still in France, but my next stop would be Turin. Or, so I th...

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“Patience is a virtue” by Jerry Chua

Submitted to Contest #188

Have you ever wondered that while you are trying to be patient in all things the all things are really trying out your patience. The story I want to share begins with a man whose mother and wife loved him too much. One day the man's mother was hospitalized and the man was not worried at first. While in the hospital, his mother told him that she wants to go out of the hospital after four days. The man just thought this is because his mother just wanted to go home. On the fourth day at 12 midnight, the mother had a heart attack. The man was i...

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“Heaven INC.” by Dreion Allen

Submitted to Contest #188

“Let there be light.” The building’s fluorescent lights flicked on and illuminated all. It was the first day of a new venture, and excitement reverberated throughout the office space. He walked through the rows of perfectly aligned cubicles surveying his employees. Each was righteous and fair in their own right. They fluttered about the office, busy with their tasks, leaving feathers floating through the air. He’d not bother them for he had his own imperative tasks to complete. He took his place at the head office where he could see ...

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“The Most Disastrous, Terrible, Horrifically Awful Birthday Ever” by Haleema Al-Qudah

Submitted to Contest #188

I went to sleep with my mouth open and I woke up with a soar throat. The medicine I took three spoonfuls of was expired and my mom is forcing me to go to the doctor because she’s worried it will make me ill. When I went to brush my teeth, there was no toothpaste left and as I was trying to squeeze any remnants left in the tube, the toothpaste splattered all over my face and the outfit I had been looking forward to wearing all week long. I washed my hair last night thinking I’d have time to straighten it in the morning or even give it a nice ...

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“The Unfortunate Existence of Dulcie Dunbar” by Isabella Reid

Submitted to Contest #188

When Dulcie Dunbar arrived at work on Monday morning, she reflected that she was, at no fault of her own, facing something that should appear to most as agonisingly rotten. She reflected that, no matter how hard one may try, some happenings in this life are out of an individual’s control, and for that, we can simply not live it alone. So, it was not her, but the tram conductor’s decision to drive just two kilometres below the required speed, Stephen Swann’s routinely verdict to get on the tram at Harcourt, causing it to stop, and her manager...

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“Fritz” by John Polt

Submitted to Contest #188

Fritz The door chime rang as Fritz opened the door to the Marine Boat Sales building. He looked around the showroom and spotted the pontoon boat of his dreams. It was a brand new beautifully appointed Bennington twenty-four-foot Pontoon boat. One of the finest boats on the market and its built right here in the USA. He looked around as he heard an office door open up on the loft. He watched as the young man walked down the steps looking directly at him. He approached and asked, “How can I help you, Sir?” “Sir?” Fritz re...

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“The Catch” by Mad Bluebird Productions

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Destyn Owen asked. Her words hung in the air as Leo Hawthorne got up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk. He wore a three-piece suit that cost more than the apartment complex Destyn lived in. He was one of those GQ model-looking types whose private lives were never private. “What makes you think there’s a catch?” Leo asked. “I lined out exactly what I need from you.” Leo leaned against the edge of his desk, folding his arms and flashing a debonair glance that Destyn was sure he thought w...

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“I Can Help” by Hannah Carmichael

Submitted to Contest #188

Title: I Can Help Written by: Hannah Carmichael A bang sounded throughout the school hallways as the locker door slammed shut. "Guys let me out! Let me out!" The small boy screamed as he banged his fists against the inside of the locker door. "Wimpy Nelson wants to get out." One of the guys mocked. Their laughter echoed throughout the empty hallway as they walked away. Nelson was more than furious this time. This was one too many times and it pushed him too far. Hot tears streamed down his face and he sniffled. He took off his gla...

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“The Ugly Sister” by Phineas Andrews

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I said while leaning against the roof of Simon’s tired car. The roof nearly too hot to touch under the summer sun. Lately our conversations always took place outside car; Simon’s A/C no longer worked, and we hardly spoke during our drive with the windows down.“There’s no catch. Like I said, I just need you to entertain her sister during our double date. Besides which, she’s doing it a favour for her sister, so there’s absolutely no expectations on your behalf.” Simon said, his foot on his tire and resting on his knee,...

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““Teamwork.”” by Kate Wellman

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Amira raised her eyebrows at her boss. She had been planning her next heist with her boss. But even after hours of fleshing out the plan it all seemed too simple. “Well, I cannot lie to you, I have left out a final detail.” The boss folded his arms behind his back. “Our spy institution has been receiving more recruits than ever, now that the word spy has its own place in pop culture.” The boss sighed, “We no longer have enough people to train them the traditional way. And so, I must request that you...

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“Corn on the Cobb” by Sam Patel

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “Buddy, there’s a catch on every side of every deal. The trick in life is to see it coming.” “Hmm, well ok I guess so. And my name's Clark by the way.” “Well, Clark with the nice satchel, what’s the verdict?” “I had my mind made up, but...” “Look, I can’t stand around here all day waiting for you to decide.” “Yeah I know. Sigh...what should I do?” “No pressure here Clark, but the clock’s ticking. Look…is this really what you want? Go home, you’re better off without it.” “Just wait, can you give ...

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“The Bank Robber's Sponsor” by Claire Clayton

Submitted to Contest #188

"So what's the catch?" "No catch. Just you, me, and KC going to a bank." "Sawyer." "In ski masks." "Sawyer!" "Okay. Okay, man! God, you're so pushy. Ya, ya we're gonna rob it." "Sawyer!" "Come on, dude. I need the money, bad. You know who this business goes, sometimes you're down and sometimes you're-" "High?" Jack finished, grabbing the spliff from Sawyer and stomping it under his foot. "Dude!" "That's what happened at your last job isn't it? You got high and screwed up?" "Jack-" "So you need me to come in and take charge for you so you don...

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“Twists in the Road” by Ginger Edin

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I thought to ask them. “You can’t look in the trunk, and you can’t be late,” the big one replied quickly. The little one looked up at him and he shut up, his head seeming to retreat into his immense shoulders. I figured that the little one must be Vince’s right-hand man. The little one explained, “We need a solid guy to drive our cargo.” So smooth with his steel grey eyes. Hypnotic. “Our cargo is valuable, and so is our car. We need you to get it to San Fran within 48 hours while staying under the radar. And you...

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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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